From the Sector

Outlast Technologies, a global pioneer in temperature regulation, announces the launch of a next-generation fabric developed in collaboration with Reggiani Group, Italy’s renowned innovator in luxury textiles. This latest advancement is designed to elevate thermal com-fort across fashion, casualwear, and performance apparel - offering intelligent climate con-trol without compromise.

The new fabrics are the result of an intense collaboration between the two companies, combining Outlast’s patented temperature regulating technology with Reggiani’s heritage of textile excellence. At its core is a system of microcapsules filled with natural wax that absorb, store, and release heat as needed - constantly adapting to changes in body activity and ambient temperature. The result is a dynamic textile that keeps wearers in their com-fort zone, regardless of climate or activity level.

Engineered for discerning brands in high-end fashion, luxury athleisure, and technical sportswear, the fabric meets the evolving expectations of today’s consumers - who demand both advanced performance and responsible production. Developed using sustainable pro-cesses and carefully selected materials, the fabric reflects both companies’ deep commit-ment to innovation with purpose.

With this launch, Outlast and Reggiani Group are redefining what premium fabrics can achieve - fusing functionality, sustainability, and elegance into a single textile platform tailored for the next generation of apparel.

“This collaboration is a natural step in our Group’s ongoing pursuit of cutting-edge textile solutions,” says Giovanni Reggiani, CEO of Reggiani Group. “By combining Outlast’s tech-nological expertise with our tradition of material innovation, we have created a fabric that anticipates the needs of the future,” ads Marco Spola, General Manager of the Group.

“In a world of constant temperature shifts - from climate-controlled offices to parked cars baking in the sun - these fabrics allow wearers to stay comfortable without a second thought,” said Luca Nicolo, Outlast Sales Agent for Italy and France. “Our collaboration with Reggiani represents the perfect synergy between breakthrough technology and textile craftsmanship, and we’re proud to introduce this innovation to Europe and beyond.”

In a constantly evolving fashion landscape, where aesthetics meets awareness and luxury evolves beyond simple beauty, where materials are called to embody wellbeing, responsibility and versatility, Bemberg™ by Asahi Kasei stands as a rare material: precious in its origin, essential to the experience.

Rare because it is produced exclusively by Asahi Kasei in Japan through a highly specialized, and closed-loop process. Rare because it originates from cotton linters — a natural derived pre-consumer material — and accounts for only 0.02% of global fiber production. Rare because it offers a one-of-a-kind aesthetic, sensorial and functional identity, recognized and valued by designers and brands worldwide.

But Bemberg™ is not simply rare — IT IS A FIBER TO LIVE. Its true value unfolds through experience: worn, touched, and explored across diverse lifestyles and when the occasion arises. With its silky softness, fluid drape, luminous appearance, moisture management and skin-friendly comfort, Bemberg™ offers an unparalleled sense of wellbeing to the wearer — ensuring freshness in summer, warmth in winter (especially when blended with other fibers), and a constant feeling of ease, elegance and comfort. This is why Bemberg™ represents not only a technical fiber, but a true partner for those who seek comfort in motion, sophistication in simplicity, and responsible elegance in every moment.

Born 94 years ago in Japan by Asahi Kasei, Bemberg™ has evolved far beyond its origins, becoming a versatile material for multiple categories and hybrid wardrobes: from high-end outerwear to intimate apparel, from fluid knitwear to athleisure and lifestyle collections. Whether in luxury tailoring, couture surfaces, performance wear or modern ceremonial dressing, Bemberg™ elevates each garment through its distinctive touch and graceful adaptability. It is a fiber that opens new creative doors, allowing designers to build collections where design, innovation and responsibility coexist harmoniously. As fashion enters a new era of fluid silhouettes, sensorial materials, and conscious luxury, Bemberg™ offers an exclusive creative platform for brands that seek not just beauty, but meaning and elevated values.

In addition, Bemberg™ carries a prestigious heritage rooted in circular economy values. Produced exclusively in Japan from cotton linters — a natural, pre-consumer material — Bemberg™ embodies a unique form of RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION. Regenerated cellulose obtained from the manufacturing process of cottonseed oil through a closed-loop process ensures transparency and traceability, delivering certified sustainability credentials, including RCS, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, ISO 14001, and biodegradability certification (OK biodegradable MARINE certification by TÜV Austria).

At the heart of Bemberg™’s journey is a collaborative network of European partners: spinners, weavers, knitters, and finishers. Partnerships that are essential to ACTIVATE the values and the potential of the fiber, transforming it into high-end fabrics that respond to the needs of a contemporary, conscious and sophisticated wardrobe. Bemberg™ IS NOT SIMPLY  meant to be WORN, but  to be  LIVED.  

At Milano Unica, Première Vision, A Fabric Affair NYC and Feel The Yarn, Bemberg™ partners present their latest developments for Fall/Winter 2026-2027 — a collective journey where smart fiber, design, and craftsmanship converge to redefine the future of premium fashion.

Scoop continues to be the UK’s leading premium womenswear show, offering a curated, inspiring space where both emerging and established designers can showcase their collections to top-tier retailers. As the only show of its kind in the UK, and increasingly a destination for European buyers, Scoop plays a vital role in launching brands, forging retail partnerships, and setting the tone for the season ahead.

Curated by Founder and Event Director Karen Radley, this season’s show features a dynamic edit of British and international designers. Newcomers making their debut include CAHU PARIS, NINEMOO, TETI MILANO, MAISON LECOMTE, RIVERPEACE, PROSPHIA, BOND EYE, BEALONI, V DE VINSTER, BELLE MAIS PAS QUE, TENNE THE LABEL, NOIRNINE, MA PETITE CAPSULE, and more.

Leading agents confirm Scoop's impact on brand growth and visibility. Daniel Morris of Morris Fyfe Agency calls it, “one of the most relevant shows in Europe,” crediting its thoughtful curation and strong buyer turnout for driving real business results. David Smith of Level One Showroom highlights Scoop’s fair, beautifully styled layout and its influence in elevating brands like Desigual, Grace & Mila, and Chicosoleil. Ian Campbell Smith of Palladio Associates, now showing for the 24th time, describes Scoop as “visually an assault on the senses,” and a key factor in his agency’s commercial success.

More than a trade event, Scoop is a creative and commercial catalyst. From high-profile launches like Psophia to retail connections with Selfridges and Anthropologie, designers benefit from unmatched visibility and access to influential buyers. As Campbell Smith puts it, “Scoop changed our business in a hugely positive way.” With its growing international reach and commitment to nurturing new talent, Scoop remains an unmissable platform for the fashion industry.

For agents and showrooms, Scoop’s value lies not just in exposure but in the consistent return on investment it delivers. “The brand and exhibitor mix ensures the right buyers come through the door,” says Daniel Morris, who notes that brands like Devotion Twins and Sorena have seen season-on-season growth since launching at the show. David Smith adds, “It’s the consistency and quality of visitors that make Scoop invaluable. Our designers gain visibility with buyers we simply wouldn’t reach elsewhere.” Ian Campbell Smith agrees, highlighting the show's broader reach: “Scoop has opened doors to international markets—including the Caribbean—that we’d never have accessed otherwise.”

Radley, said, “Each season, our goal is to create an inspiring and elevated environment where brands feel proud to present their collections and buyers are excited to discover what’s next. Scoop is about more than just fashion, it’s about storytelling, creativity, and connection. We’re thrilled to welcome such a dynamic mix of new and returning designers this July and to continue evolving as a key destination for both UK and international buyers.”

The Spring/Summer ’26 edition returns to Olympia National, Kensington from 13–15 July 2025, showcasing a vibrant celebration of style, innovation, and emerging design talent.

Sparxell, the Cambridge-based colour platform technology company founded by University of Cambridge scientists Dr Benjamin Droguet and Professor Silvia Vignolini, has announced the launch of its first textile ink derived from its revolutionary dye-free pigments in partnership with Positive Materials, marking a pivotal moment in making sustainable colour technology accessible to fashion brands worldwide.

Sparxell’s textile ink represents the world's first commercially available plant-based, biodegradable colouring solution that is bioinspired, eliminating toxic dyes, synthetic plastics and mined metals and minerals whilst delivering exceptional performance standards.

Launching in Sparxell’s signature blue, the ink is available in matte and shimmer finishes – enabling brands to integrate the breakthrough technology through standard orders rather than bespoke projects. 

This milestone represents a significant step towards democratising access to sustainable colour innovation across the fashion industry, from emerging designers to established high-end houses and mass-market brands.

Sparxell’s textile ink is available from the end of June 2025, with printing orders processed through Positive Materials. Partnership rollout includes an all-over printed cotton jersey featuring Sparxell's breakthrough technology, available from September 2025 in European markets.

The initial blue colour launch represents the first of multiple colours planned for release throughout 2025, with Sparxell's bio-inspired platform enabling virtually unlimited colour variations.

Sparxell's textile ink harnesses the same structural colour principles found in nature such as in Morpho butterfly wings, engineering plant-based cellulose at the microscale to create vibrant colours through light manipulation rather than chemical formulas. This bio-inspired approach eliminates toxic dyes, mined metals and minerals, and petroleum-based materials whilst delivering superior colour vibrancy and durability.

Launch textile production is powered by Sparxell's partnership with Positive Materials, a leading textile company operating at the intersection of design, technology, and manufacturing.

Positive Materials supports the validation and scale-up of Sparxell's breakthrough by integrating it into its existing production infrastructure, providing the manufacturing expertise and operational capacity needed to take the technology from prototype to production-ready. 

The partnership enables Sparxell to scale production whilst maintaining strict sustainability standards throughout the manufacturing process.

Dr Benjamin Droguet, Founder and CEO of Sparxell, said:
"This textile ink launch transforms how brands can access our breakthrough technology. For too long, the textile industry had no choice other than to accept that vibrant colours meant environmental damage. Sparxell's bio-inspired technology shatters that assumption, delivering exceptional results from plant-based cellulose.

“This is just the beginning - our vision is to make bio-inspired colour technology the new standard across fashion, proving that high performance and working in harmony with nature are perfectly aligned."
Elsa Parente, Co-CEO and CTO of Positive Materials, said: 
"Rather than requiring custom development projects, fashion designers and procurement teams can now order the most sustainable colourant options out there as easily as conventional alternatives, but with the added benefit of containing 100% biodegradable pigments that are free from toxic chemicals.

“Our collaboration with Sparxell represents exactly the kind of innovation the textile industry needs, aligning perfectly with our mission to create low-impact textiles that don't compromise on performance."

The textile ink launch addresses growing industry demand for sustainable alternatives as the global textile industry currently uses over 10,000 different chemicals in colouration processes, releasing 1.5 million tonnes of toxic dyes into the environment annually contributing up to 2% of global GHG emissions.[1][2] Sparxell's plant-based solution significantly reduces energy need and water consumption whilst eliminating harmful chemical pollution.

The launch builds on Sparxell's recent commercial momentum, including a €1.9 million grant from the European Innovation Council and participation in LVMH's prestigious La Maison des Startups accelerator programme.

Dr. Roshan Paul, Ph.D., has been awarded with two Springer Nature Editor of Distinction Awards 2025, for his contributions as an Editor of the Cellulose journal on 29 May 2025. 

With the "Editorial Contribution Award", Springer Nature recognises his meticulous assessment of submissions and rigorous management of the peer review process, safeguarding the scientific accuracy of the published record. 

Springer Nature also pays tribute to Dr. Paul with the "Author Service Award", by recognising his exceptional service in improving the author experience and ensuring the peer review process is efficient, constructive and fair. 

Roshan Paul works as Senior Programme Manager and Platform Leader of the Smart Finishing Group at Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University.

Dr Ritu Dhand, Chief Scientific Officer at Springer Nature comments:
We are proud to recognise Dr Paul's remarkable contributions through the Editor of Distinction Awards. By rewarding him, we acknowledge the vital role he plays in managing the peer review process. We greatly appreciate the time and expertise he dedicates to helping authors improve their manuscripts. Congratulations and thank you for your commitment to the advancement of scientific research.