The new face of textiles is high-tech, sustainable and innovative. Akanksha Himatsingka takes a closer look at contemporary Indian furnishings.
The new face of textiles is high-tech, sustainable and innovative. Akanksha Himatsingka takes a closer look at contemporary Indian furnishings.
Textiles and technology, are they a good mix?
The use of new technologies and increased automation are on the rise. The focus now is largely on making textile manufacturing more flexible and energy efficient, with enhanced quality standards. Textile manufacturing has been moving towards conscious consumption and sustainability that is manifesting itself as innovations. These are largely consumer driven and manufacturer led.
The innovation stems mostly from the raw materials used, the processes undertaken, and their overall impact on the environment. In recent times there have been interesting innovations in the area of technologically enhanced textiles that are lightweight, performance driven with special flame retardant features, and are eco-friendly as well.
As one of India's largest home textiles manufacturer, we strive to stay ahead of the curve, and have been a conscious consumer of natural resources. Our manufacturing facilities are certified with Oeko Tex standards, using safe and non-hazardous chemicals. What challenges did you face? With continuous research and experimentation, we have progressed from a simple coating on the finished fabric, to a more evolved yarn coating process to achieve higher standards of flame resistant fabrics. What is the current status? It's simply to modernise or perish.
List brands doing amazing work in this field Levis in partnership with Aquafil set a perfect example of ECONY; Nuno textiles, Ulf Moritz and Issey Miyake for marrying technology and aesthetics. Future of this trend The future of this trend will further strengthen with brands reviewing environmental impact, inventory strategies, simplified packaging and increased local sourcing. Concepts like self-healing fabrics that is fabrics that can mend themselves will become a game changer in the future. Also fabrics that are a 100 per cent degenerative, that is those textiles that can be absorbed into the soil without any residue, will be of great relevance.
Tech This
Careful consumption has resulted in a relook at the materials the industry consumes and substituting them with more responsible choices like regenerative polyester yarns, upcycled fabrics (plastic bottles, packaging material converted into textiles), and organic cotton amongst others.
New age processes, such as air dyeing, digital printing and stone washing techniques have reduced the consumption of water.
Products with a variety of finishes such as soft, wrinklefree, antibacterial, water repellent and stain resistant are prevalent amongst others. Additionally there is 3D printing and ECONYL fishing nets that are reused to make fabrics.
Who?
Akanksha Himantsingka, 35 Bangalore
She is the Managing Director at Himatsingka Wovens Pvt Ltd (Atmosphere). Akanksha moved from Mumbai to Bangalore in 2010 when she married Shrikant Himatsingka (Managing Director and CEO of Himatsingka Group). She has since launched Atmosphere's e-store and the Atmosphere Design Collaborative, and is responsible for the Indian/Asian retail operations of the Himatsingka Group, with design studios in Bengaluru, Milan and NYC. When not working with textiles, she is actively involved in producing for theatre and films. At www.atmospheredirect.com