Stretchline, the world’s leading narrow fabric manufacturer paid tribute to the top talented students studying the world-renowned Contour Fashion course at De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester, UK, through its sponsorship of a technical design competition amongst 2nd year and 3rd year. Over 100 Contour Fashion students at DMU entered into a Stretchline competition that challenged them to invent new applications for selected narrow fabric technologies patented by Stretchline. 

 

The objective of the competition was to develop new end uses for Stay4Sure and Fortitube which are amongst the range of brands in Stretchline’s portfolio of narrow fabric technologies. Stay4Sure is a gently adhering silicone coating technology that can be applied to fabrics and narrow fabrics and adapts to the skin unlike conventional silicone; it is a critical component in hosiery, lingerie and performance enhancing apparel.

 

As a breathable silicone coating that provides mechanical adhesion without any chemical fixation, it is suitable and comfortable for the most sensitive of skin types. Fortitube is a patented bra wire casing technology and is proven to reduce wire poke through during wash and wear cycles. 

 

The students were required to carry out technical, fashion and market research in order to produce unique technical developments that push the boundaries within intimate wear.  Submissions were shortlisted and judged by a panel from Stretchline’s global sales and innovation teams. 

 

The students with the winning designs were:

-Stephanie Raeburn – Winner, Stay4Sure

-Emma Iveson – Winner, Fortitube

-Grace North – 1st Runner Up, Stay4Sure

-Sammy Jo Whitton - 1st Runner Up, Fortitube

-Caroline Morris and Poppy Spinks – joint 2nd Runner Up, Stay4Sure

-Charlotte Watson - 2nd Runner Up, Fortitube

Dr. Norman Collier, Director at Stretchline and President of the International Institute of Intimate Apparel commented, “Stretchline is very pleased to support budding designers and technicians in the contour fashion space. 

 

With a 150 year history in narrow fabrics and a reputation for innovation, we share a common objective with DMU, to preserve and nurture this unique craftsmanship amongst future generations. Stretchline will continue to partner with DMU on similar initiatives including its annual sponsorship of the Graduate Fashion Show held in the Summer.”

 

Gillian Proctor, Programme Leader of DMU’s Contour Fashion course and recipient of the lifetime achievement award at the 2013 UK Lingerie Awards commented, “The Contour Fashion course at De Montfort University is delighted to have this opportunityto work with Stretchline. 

 

Innovation is the key to the future of this industry and the mainstay of this course for the next generation of designers and technicians.  The team at Stretchline were delighted with the innovative and creative potential of a vast array of applications and hope to interest key brands within the industry to move these ideas forward.”

 

Timothy Speldewinde, Managing Director of Stretchline commented, “This competition is yet another milestone in Stretchline’s longstanding association with DMU, which is a fitting partnership between the world’s leading narrow fabric manufacturer and the home of the best technical lingerie design course in the world. Collaborating on such open innovation initiatives enables us to meet ever changing customer needs in a much more targeted and timely fashion.”