From the Sector

The brand has been invited to present the SS2019 @ Budapest Fashion Week on November 14th, 2018

For the third consecutive year, the Italian brand Zerobarracento was selected to embody the excellence of our country at the Budapest Fashion Week. On November 14th, Zerobarracento will show on runway S/S 2019. The concept of connection to a fashion garment, and the idea of creating pieces to last is fundamental to this brand. 0 means: zero waste, reduced pollution, and reduced emissions. 100 means: 100% quality, Made in Italy, sustainability and transparency of the production. Patterns are developed with zero-waste techniques, that eliminates textile waste at the design stage, adopting a zero-waste design approach reduces textile waste and the demand on natural resources. The pieces are 100% made in Italy, created with premium sustainable and traceable materials.

Camilla Carrara, CEO and designer di Zerobarracento, describes the collection as follows: "garments are created with the GOTS certified Bacx™ by Centro Seta organic silks sourced from C.L.A.S.S. e.commerce and the Newlife™ transformed polyester. Shapes and colours were inspired by a Malaysian trip: simplicity and nature are blended giving life to saturated colours".

Candiani launches at Kingpins its new eco-smart denim range in partnership with ROICA™ from Asahi Kasei.

Both companies can claim their separate leading roles in textile innovation. Candiani, ‘the Greenest Mill in The Blue World’, is always at the cutting edge of new developments, and ROICA™ with its various premium stretch functions. Now they join forces through a unique synergy and an exclusive, custom made premium stretch sustainable ROICA™ yarn developed by Asahi Kasei especially for Candiani.

ReLAST is a range of market fresh responsible denim products, designed by Candiani that tick every smart box: from new ways in colouration, to better, more sustainable raw materials, new finishing and fade-tech that minimises water waste, and now with a key responsible stretch ingredient in a specially produced GRS certified ROICA™ yarn that perfectly completes this range making better, more sustainable, sharp fashions for customers looking to live and wear better with better values.

New Colouration values in the K-Seal range come from indigo applied with a water saving Indigo Juice® system. Or in the KN-Cotton range from cotton scraps recycled and dyed with Archroma earth colours. Both are sized with the Kitotex® Vegetal size derived from plants and natural renewables.
KN-Blue and Regen ranges use Sulfur dye and conventional Indigo dye using N-Denim tech and water saving Indigo Juice® respectively. The Regen range also uses Tencel and Refbra materials from Lenzing to add softness and a luxe touch to denims of the future.

All ranges in the ReLAST collection deploy the customized ROICA™ advanced sustainable stretch yarns.

With the ReLAST collection from Candiani and ROICA™ from Asahi Kasei rewrite the rules for responsible denim stretch manufacture, designing fashion forward denims that are now guaranteed completely 100% sustainable.

The evidence for excellence is underpinned by a qualified list of certifications that include GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and GRS(Global Recycled Standard), Recycled Cotton Certification as well as registered affiliated processing methods for saving water (Kitotex® and Indigo Juice®). Branded raw materials with confirmed responsible status include Tencel and Refibra from Lenzing, Q-Nova recycled polyamide and of course the newly developed ROICA™ advanced fit, premium stretch yarn with full GRS certification.

Dedication to reaching the same goal pays off with the ReLast collection, a collaborative partnership with Candiani and ROICA™.

Decline in revenue due to lower prices for standard viscose, less favorable currencies and lower production volume

• Pressure on prices for key raw materials remains high
• Positive impact due to focus on specialty fibers and further optimization of the product mix
• Expansion project in Mobile temporarily mothballed
• Acquisition of the remaining 30 percent of Lenzing (Nanjing) Fibers Co. Ltd.

The Lenzing Group recorded a solid business development in the first three quarters of 2018. The decline in revenue and earnings compared with the same period of the previous year was essentially based on a mix of lower prices for standard viscose, more unfavorable exchange rates and price increases for key raw materials. The Lenzing Group’s strategic orientation with a focus on specialty fibers had a positive impact in this environment.

Revenue decreased by 5.2 percent to EUR 1,636.2 mn over the comparative period of the previous year. Apart from the high starting base, this was primarily attributable to the expected challenging market environment for standard viscose, less favorable exchange rates and lower production volume. EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) recorded a decline by 26.8 percent to EUR 290.6 mn due to price increases for key raw materials and higher energy and dissolving wood pulp prices. The EBITDA margin dropped from 23 percent in the first three quarters of the previous year to 17.8 percent. EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) fell by 36.2 percent to EUR 190.3 mn, leading to a lower EBIT margin of 11.6 percent (01-09/2017: 17.3 percent). Net profit for the period dropped by 39 percent from EUR 219.3 mn in the previous year to EUR 133.8 mn. Earnings per share equaled EUR 5.06 (01-09/2017: EUR 8.12).

“The Lenzing Group is currently operating in a challenging environment. Against this background, we are satisfied with the solid business development and the corporate strategy sCore TEN has a positive impact. The new production line in Heiligenkreuz started up successfully and customers’ feedback has been positive,” says Stefan Doboczky, Chief Executive Officer of the Lenzing Group. “While many viscose producers are faced with a very tense profit situation, we are well positioned due to our specialty strategy and still expect a satisfactory full year”, Doboczky adds.

Key strategic measures were implemented during the first three quarters of 2018 in line with the sCore TEN strategy. The start-up of new capacities for lyocell fibers in Heiligenkreuz, the production start of LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers at the Nanjing site and the investment in another pilot line for TENCEL™ Luxe filaments are important steps to accomplish the goal of increasing the share of specialty fibers in total revenue.

Project in Mobile temporarily mothballed
Due to the decision to temporarily mothball the lyocell expansion project in Mobile, Alabama (USA), in view of the buoyant US labor market and trade tensions between the major trading blocks, the implementation of the expansion plan for specialty staple fibers will be slowed down. The Lenzing Group will put all its effort to readjust the execution of its growth plan to meet strong market demand for its lyocell fibers. This includes an increased focus on the lyocell expansion project in Prachinburi (Thailand).

Advancing forward solutions
Regarding the capacity expansion for specialty products such as TENCEL™ Luxe filaments and LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose fibers, Lenzing is still on track. After the introduction of TENCEL™ Luxe branded lyocell filament yarns in the previous year, Lenzing continues to drive innovations in the area of the value chain. In September, the company also announced the successful development of the LENZING™ Web Technology, a new technology platform focusing on sustainable nonwoven products, which will lead to new market opportunities for the industry. Following several years of research and development work and investments totaling EUR 26 mn, the pilot plant at the headquarters in Lenzing has been successfully put into operation.

Largest dissolving wood pulp line worldwide
At the end of June, the Lenzing Group and Duratex, the largest producer of industrialized wood panels of the southern hemisphere, announced that they had agreed on the terms and conditions to form a joint venture to investigate building the largest single line dissolving wood pulp plant in the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil). This decision supports the self-supply with dissolving wood pulp and the growth in specialty fibers. The joint venture is investigating the construction of a 450,000 t dissolving wood pulp plant, which is expected to become the largest and most competitive single line dissolving wood pulp plant in the world. The final investment decisionto build the dissolving wood pulp plant is subject to the outcome of the basic engineering studies and the approval by the respective supervisory boards.

Acquisition of Chinese operation
At the beginning of November the takeover by the Lenzing Group of the remaining 30 percent of its Chinese subsidiary Lenzing (Nanjing) Fibers Co. Ltd. (LNF) from its state-owned joint venture partner NCFC was completed. After closing of the transaction, the Lenzing Group will hold 100 percent of LNF. The acquisition will have a negative impact on net profit of approx. EUR 21 mn for the fiscal year 2018. The purchase of the shares supports Lenzing’s strategic growth as a producer of specialty fibers from the renewable raw material wood in China and worldwide. It paves the way to setting up further production lines for specialty fibers. Lenzing wants to convert LNF into a specialty fibers hub over time.

Expansion of capacities
CAPEX (investments in intangible assets and property, plant and equipment) rose by 35.5 percent year-on-year to EUR 174.1 mn in the first three quarters of 2018. This is primarily attributable to capacity expansions in Heiligenkreuz and the expansion of the existing dissolving wood pulp plant in Lenzing as well as the investments made so far in Mobile.

Outlook
Demand development on the global fiber market remains positive. Lenzing expects wood-based cellulosic fibers to continue to grow at a higher rate than the overall fiber market. In a challenging market environment the Lenzing Group expects solid results for 2018, albeit lower than in the outstanding last two years.

For 2019, Lenzing expects standard viscose markets to remain under pressure because of an ongoing oversupply and very high raw material prices. Lenzing’s specialty fiber business is expected to continue the very positive development.

The above-mentioned development reassures the Lenzing Group in its chosen corporate strategy sCore TEN. Lenzing is very well positioned in this market environment and will continue its consistent focus on growth with specialty fibers.

• Unique, patented 3D printing process enables production of large-scale components
• First direct investment by BASF Venture Capital in a company in China

BASF Venture Capital GmbH is investing in Prismlab, a leading provider of 3D printing processes and 3D printers, headquartered in Shanghai, China. Prismlab has developed a patented printing process that is characterized by a very high printing speed, high level of precision and lower printing costs. BASF’s venture investment will enable Prismlab to further accelerate its product development and innovation while strengthening its market reach to the global market.

“This is our first direct investment in a Chinese company,” said Markus Solibieda, Managing Director of BASF Venture Capital GmbH. “The trailblazing technology from Prismlab allows large and stable components, such as medical braces and anatomical models, to be 3D printed for the first time. This investment supports BASF’s strategy of actively advancing our technologies and expanding our product offering in the 3D printing sector.”

“China is transforming from a manufacturing-driven to an innovation-driven economy. This investment in Prismlab reflects our commitment to further expanding our innovation capabilities in China, and BASF Venture Capital plays an important role in helping us identifying potential partners that lead us to success,” said Dr. Zheng Daqing, BASF’s Senior Vice President, Business and Market Development Greater China.

“The 3D printing technology must continue to evolve before it is set to change the world. At Prismlab, we aim to spearhead and accelerate that change by providing solutions through specialized customization. The investment allows us to stay laser-focused on our R&D capability, a key factor to achieve that goal,” said Mr. Hou Feng, Founder and Chairman of Prismlab.

Prismlab has developed a patented 3D printing process, “Pixel Resolution Enhanced Technology”, based on stereolithography (SLA). SLA allows comparatively large components to be produced using light-curing resins. Prismlab’s technology increases the printing resolution without compromising printing speed. In order to increase the amount of energy brought into a pixel, Prismlab’s technology divides each pixel in the resin into several small sections, which can be cured individually by exposure to LCD light. This makes the energy input into each pixel significantly higher than similar processes that expose each pixel to light once. This allows comparatively large and stable components or numerous parts to be printed in the same production step. With the use of LCD light, it also reduces process costs. This advantage opens opportunities in the footwear and furniture industry.

Along with this patented process, Prismlab also markets 3D printers and other related services. The Prismlab technology can be used in various key customer applications, including invisible braces, and anatomical models for medical, and education and training purposes.

SLA uses a laser for layer-by-layer curing of a photopolymer solution to shape the required workpiece. SLA and LCD based printing processes determinate the size, stability, and usability of the components to be produced as they are limited by the size of the light spot and the intensity of the light.

• Der neue Women's Swisswool Inverno von Hestra

„Hands First“ ist das Motto bei Hestra. Mit dem SwissWool Inverno beweisen die Skandinavier wieder einmal, dass sie Profis in Sachen Handschuhe sind. Der neue Skihandschuh lässt nicht nur Frauenherzen höher schlagen, sondern kann sich auch sonst sehen lassen. Klassisches Norweger-Stickmuster, feinstes Lammnappa-Leder und wärmendes Swisswool-Material wurden in einem Handschuh vereint – eine perfekte, stilvolle Wahl für kalte Wintertage.

Die Rückhand des Swisswool Inverno besteht aus wind- und wasserdichtem, aber dennoch atmungsaktiven Hestra Appas Polyester-Material, dessen Optik durch das typisch-skandinavische Stickmuster aus der Masse hervorsticht. Die Handinnenfläche ist aus äthiopischem Lammnappa-Leder gefertigt, das besonders dünn, weich und anschmiegsam ist. Am Handgelenk befindet sich eine schnell verstellbare Lasche mit zwei Druckknöpfen, die den Handschuh einfach verstellen und schließen lässt. Das wärmende sowie weiche Futter im Handschuh besteht weitgehend aus Merino-Wolle und zeichnet sich durch eine sehr feine Struktur aus, die nicht kratzt und geruchsneutralisierend wirkt. Apropos Inverno: Das italienische Wort für Winter deutet bereits an, dass der Handschuh sehr warm ist: Die Isolationsschicht ist aus Swisswool gefertigt, einer nachhaltig produzierten Wolle von Schweizer Hochgebirgsschafen, die Feuchtigkeit optimal transpiriert und sich weich und bequem anfühlt. Gerüche, sowie Schadstoffe werden weitgehend neutralisiert. Der Women`s Swisswool Inverno von Hestra ist auch als Fäustling erhältlich.

• Mit einem Festakt haben Dr. Eva-Maria Stange, Staatsministerin für Wissenschaft und Kunst des Freistaates Sachsen, Prof. Gerhard Rödel, Prorektor für Forschung der Technischen Universität Dresden, Prof. Hubert Jäger und Prof. Chokri Cherif am 02.11.2018 das Carbonfaser-Technikum des Research Center Carbon Fibers (RCCF) eröffnet.

Das RCCF, eine gemeinsame wissenschaftliche Einrichtung des Instituts für Leichtbau und Kunststofftechnik (ILK) und des Instituts für Textilmaschinen und Textile Hochleistungswerkstofftechnik (ITM) der TU Dresden, wurde gegründet, um die Carbonfasern vom Faserrohstoff bis zum fertigen Bauteil zu erforschen und neue Eigenschaften und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten zu entdecken.

„Sachsen verfügt in der Schlüsseltechnologie Werkstoff-, Material- und Nanowissenschaft über hervorragende Rahmenbedingungen und hoch motivierte Wissenschaftler an Hochschulen und Forschungseinrichtungen, die in dieser Spezialisierung weltweit ihresgleichen suchen“, erklärt dazu Staatsministerin Dr. Stange. „Beinahe alle Materialklassen von Metallen, Polymeren, Keramiken bis hin zu Verbund- und Naturwerkstoffen werden auf international hohem Niveau bearbeitet. Dabei greifen Grundlagen- und Angewandte Forschung in zahlreichen Feldern eng ineinander und bilden geschlossene Entwicklungsketten bis zu einem Transfer in die Wirtschaft – regional, national und international.“

Der Prorektor für Forschung der TU Dresden, Prof. Gerhard Rödel, ergänzt: „Mit dem Carbonfaser-Technikum ist im Research Center Carbon Fibers eine weltweit einzigartige Anlage entstanden, die völlig neue Möglichkeiten eröffnet. Es geht darum, Fasern mit einem möglichst hohen Individualisierungsgrad zu designen – je nach Bedarf und Einsatzbereich.“

Auf der derzeit installierten, einzigartigen Anlage erforschen Wissenschaftler des RCCF unter Reinraum-Bedingungen die Grundlagen für maßgeschneiderte Kohlenstofffasern und erschließen deren hohes Innovationspotential. Dabei greifen die Forscher auf einzelne Anlagenmodule zur Stabilisierung und Carbonisierung mit industrienahem Ofendesign und individuell einstellbaren Parameterkombinationen zurück. Durch den außerordentlichen Reinheitsgrad sind die Carbonfasern für die Anforderungen der Luft-/Raumfahrt- und der Automobilindustrie maßgeschneidert.

„Die Carbonfaser ist der Stahl des 21. Jahrhunderts“, führt Prof. Hubert Jäger, Sprecher des Instituts für Leichtbau und Kunststofftechnik (ILK), aus. „Ganze Branchen erfinden sich derzeit durch diesen Werkstoff neu und erreichen mit ihren Produkten nie gedachte Dimensionen. Das Problem ist jedoch die Verfügbarkeit. Wir werden mit dem Carbonfaser-Technikum einen Beitrag dazu leisten, dass aus Sachsen heraus dieser Werkstoff nicht nur leichter verfügbar, sondern auch besser und maßgeschneidert einsetzbar wird für Anwendungen in der Luft- und Raumfahrt, Fahrzeugbau, Architektur und Hochleistungselektronik.“

„Mit der Inbetriebnahme des Carbonfaser-Technikums unter Reinraumbedingungen am RCCF gelingt es uns, die Prozesskette zur Fertigung maßgeschneiderter Kohlenstofffasern signifikant zu erweitern. Die notwendigen Maschinentechniken des ITM einschließlich der bereits gewonnenen Erfahrungen bei Prozessoptimierungen zur Herstellung von Precursorfasern, dem Ausgangsmaterial für die neuen Stabilisierungs- und Carbonisierungslinien, stehen in künftigen Forschungsvorhaben den Wissenschaftlern des RCCF zur Verfügung. Somit geben wir am exzellenten Forschungsstandort Dresden die Initialzündung für die weiterführende Grundlagen- und anwendungsorientierte Forschung auf dem Gebiet der Kohlenstofffasern“, ergänzt Prof. Chokri Cherif, Direktor des ITM und Inhaber der Professur für Textiltechnik.

Das Carbonfaser-Technikum umfasst einen mehr als 300 m² großen Reinraum der Klasse ISO 8. Neben den beiden auf etwa 30 Metern aufgestellten Stabilisierungs- und Carbonisierungslinien sind weitere Flächen für künftige Erweiterungen der Gesamtanlage vorgesehen, zum Beispiel ein weiterer Hochtemperaturofen, in dem Carbonfasern bis zu Temperaturen über 2000°C graphitierbar sind oder unikale Beschichtungsanlagen zur Oberflächenaktivierung.

Die RCCF-Wissenschaftler ergründen die Wechselwirkungen zwischen Prozessparametern, Faserstruktur und weiteren mechanischen, thermischen und elektrischen Eigenschaften bei der Herstellung von Carbonfasern, um die Fähigkeiten des Hightech-Werkstoffes weiter zu steigern. Zusätzlich nehmen die Forscher die Entwicklung multifunktionaler Fasern mit neuartigen Eigenschaftsprofilen wie hohe Leitfähigkeit bei hoher Festigkeit oder ausgeprägter Verformbarkeit sowie die Nutzung erneuerbarer Ausgangsstoffe in den Fokus ihrer Arbeiten.

Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt der RCCF-Aktivitäten ist die tiefgreifende studentische Ausbildung im Bereich der Carbonfaser-Herstellung. Den Studierenden werden dabei fundierte Kenntnisse in Herstellung und Weiterverarbeitung von Carbonfasern vermittelt, damit sie in diesem Bereich der Zukunftstechnologien dem sächsischen und deutschen Arbeitsmarkt zur Verfügung stehen. Etwa 15 Studierende werden pro Jahr in Forschungsbereiche wie die Prozessführung, -modellierung und -überwachung sowie die Entwicklung, Fertigung und Charakterisierung neuer Carbonfasern und Verbundwerkstoffe einbezogen.

Koch Membrane Systems (KMS), a global leader in the development and manufacture of membrane-based filtration technologies, announces the commissioning of a PURON® PLUS packaged MBR system in Saskatoon, a city within the province of Saskatchewan, Canada.

The PURON® PLUS system provides a compact and turnkey wastewater treatment solution that is fully automated and provides consistent high-quality effluent for safe discharge or reuse.
 
Due to Canada’s challenging climate and dispersed populations outside of city areas, simple and reliable decentralized treatment systems are often preferred to treat municipal wastewater streams. As a differentiated membrane and system provider, KMS has been selected for this project due to their ability to provide a comprehensive solution with market leading technology.
 
For this project, KMS partnered with Proteus Water Inc., a Canadian company focused on providing integrated wastewater treatment solutions for small communities.
 
“We decided to go with KMS modules due to their reliable, compact and efficient MBR solutions,” said Jason Tratch, president and CEO of Proteus Water. “Compact MBR systems are the only answer for the small municipalities in Canada, meeting the financial expectations as well as the technical challenges. The PURON® PLUS system featuring PULSION MBR membranes is here with a very promising solution due to its increased efficiency and its decreased footprint.”
 
Capable of treating an average design flow of approximately 100,000 gpd (375 m3/d) of municipal wastewater, the PURON® PLUS P-100 system selected for this project features KMS’ latest innovative and patented PULSION® MBR technology. The benefits of PULSION® MBR offer best in class reliability and productivity with the lowest energy consumption.
 
“The efficiency and the reliability of MBR systems has been proven in thousands of places all over the world and it will be the best applicable solution for the Canadian market,” said Jack Noble, general manager Water and Wastewater (EMEA) of Koch Membrane Systems.

TRSA recently held its Annual Membership Meeting for the nomination, election and swearing-in of new Officers and Directors.
Jim Buik, president of the Roscoe Co. in Chicago is TRSA’s new chairman. Buik served as vice chairman of TRSA in 2017-2018. The Roscoe Company is Chicago’s leading independent uniform service company.

Jim has been active in linen, uniform and facility services associations. He’s a graduate of TRSA’s Executive Management Institute (EMI). He served on various committees, task forces and boards and was chairman of UTSA, which blended with TRSA, from 2003 to 2005. He has been a pioneer of industry technologies and best practices. Through association programs he has shared Roscoe’s experience in developing these innovations, including marketing automation, wastewater treatment and employee skill certification.

Additional officers and directors sworn in at the meeting:
•    Noel Richardson, Officer-Vice Chair, Shasta Linen Supply, Sacramento, CA
•    Jim Kearns, Officer-Treasurer, Alsco Inc., Salt Lake City
•    Bob Dudley, Director, APPEARA, Norfolk, NE
•    Scott Finkelstein, Director, Ace Uniform Services Inc., Baltimore
•    Dan Sanchez, Director, Medline Industries Inc., Mundelein, IL

In addition, Directors Randy Bartsch, Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service and P.J. Dempsey, Dempsey Uniform & Linen Supply were re-elected for second terms and will be officers serving on the TRSA Executive Committee.

Universal Linen Service of Louisville, KY, has earned the Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification, reflecting their commitment to best management practices (BMPs) in laundering as verified by on-site inspection and their capability to produce hygienically clean textiles as quantified by ongoing microbial testing. Universal Linen Service is an independently-owned and operated linen service provider that serves all markets.

The Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification confirms the organization’s continuing dedication to infection prevention, compliance with recognized industry standards and processing healthcare textiles using BMPs as described in its quality assurance documentation, a focal point for Hygienically Clean inspectors’ evaluation. The independent, third-party inspection must also confirm essential evidence that:

• Employees are properly trained and protected
• Managers understand regulatory requirements
• OSHA-compliant
• Physical plant operates effectively

To achieve certification initially, laundries pass three rounds of outcome-based microbial testing, indicating that their processes are producing Hygienically Clean Healthcare textiles and diminished presence of yeast, mold and harmful bacteria. They also must pass a facility inspection. To maintain their certification, they must pass quarterly testing to ensure that as laundry conditions change, such as water quality, textile fabric composition and wash chemistry, laundered product quality is consistently maintained. Re-inspection occurs every two to three years.

This process eliminates subjectivity by focusing on outcomes and results that verify textiles cleaned in these facilities meet appropriate hygienically clean standards and BMPs for hospitals, surgery centers, medical offices, nursing homes and other medical facilities.

Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification acknowledges laundries’ effectiveness in protecting healthcare operations by verifying quality control procedures in linen, uniform and facility services operations related to the handling of textiles containing blood and other potentially infectious materials.

Certified laundries use processes, chemicals and BMPs acknowledged by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, American National Standards Institute and others. Introduced in 2012, Hygienically Clean Healthcare brought to North America the international cleanliness standards for healthcare linens and garments used worldwide by the Certification Association for Professional Textile Services and the European Committee for Standardization.

Objective experts in epidemiology, infection control, nursing and other healthcare professions work with Hygienically Clean launderers to ensure the certification continues to enforce the highest standards for producing clean healthcare textiles.

“Congratulations to Universal Linen Service on their certification,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “This achievement proves their commitment to infection prevention and that their laundry takes every step possible to prevent human illness.”

Der britische Luxusbetten-Hersteller Savoir Beds freut sich, die aktuelle Design-Kooperation mit Fromental, Hersteller von luxuriösen, handbestickten Stofftapeten und Heimtextilien, bekannt zu geben. KIKU ist das erste Werkstück dieser neuen Kooperation und ist inspiriert von japanischer Kunst. Es zeigt einmal mehr die endlosen Möglichkeiten, die maßgeschneidertes Design, kombiniert mit präziser Handwerkskunst, bietet.

KIKU ist eine wunderschöne Liaison von Stilzitaten der Zeitepoche des Ästhetizismus und der Liebe zu Japan. Das eindrucksvoll elegante Boxspringbett, dessen Kopfteil mit einer zarten, handbemalten Formental-Seidentapete bezogen ist, dürfte jedem Dandy gefallen. So zelebriert es geradezu das Leben als Kunstwerk an sich, welches besonders die Tapete, bestickt mit aufwendigen Motiven von japanischen Chrysanthemen, illustriert. Die wunderschönen Blumen sind zugleich Namensgeber, da KIKU die japanische Übersetzung ist. Das Design wird durch zwei Farbtöne des atemberaubenden Dedar Tabularasa-Stoffes komplettiert und durch bewusst positionierte Kissen ergänzt – ebenfalls handbemalt und mit vergoldeter Fromental-Seide bezogen.

Lizzie Deshayes, Design Director bei Fromental, zur Inspiration des Tapetendesigns: „Bei einem Besuch des Musée des Arts décoratifs in Paris kam ich an einer Keramik-Auslage aus dem späten 19. Jahrhundert vorbei. Ein Ausstellungsstück des Ateliers Haviland, Limoges, erregte meine besondere Aufmerksamkeit. Die wundervolle Vase mit Chrysanthemen und einer „engobé“ Lasur überzogen, war deutlich von japanischer Kunst inspiriert. Das war der erste Impuls, um ein Design zu entwickeln, welches diese Art von Blumen, in genau diesem Stil, zeigt. Monate später besuchte ich die Hosukai Ausstellung im British Museum und war bezaubert von einem beeindruckenden Chrysanthemen-Gemälde von Hokusais Tochter. Die Anordnung war einfach perfekt ausbalanciert. Die unterschiedlichen Arten von Chrysanthemen konnten wir in dem Stil der Haviland Vase übersetzen und die Anordnung des Motives ermöglichte es uns, dass jedes Stück der Stofftapete für sich stehen konnte.“

„Es fühlte sich sehr natürlich an, mit Fromental zusammenzuarbeiten“, erklärt Alistar Hudges, Managing Director bei Savoir Beds. „Wir sind beide führende, britische Luxusmarken, welche sich selbst dazu verpflichtet haben, herausragende Handwerkskunst zu bieten und dabei nur die erlesensten Materialien zu verwenden. Es war sehr aufregend die Möglichkeit zu bekommen, diese beindruckende Stofftapete in eines unserer maßgeschneiderten Bett-Designs zu integrieren.“

Kunstvoll bezogen von dem Kunsthandwerk-Team in der Savoir London Bettenwerkstatt, feiert dieses Statement-Design die wahre Bedeutung von zeitaufwendigem, per Hand ausgeführtem Handwerk. Die aufwendigen wie altehrwürdigen Verfahren ermöglichen es Savoir Beds eine der weltweit schönsten und bequemsten Betten herzustellen.

Savoir Beds arbeitet mit verschiedenen, sorgfältig ausgewählten Designern zusammen, um eine innovative Kollektion an Savoir-Betten zu schaffen. Dabei wählt die Manufaktur sehr sorgfältig die Besten in ihrem jeweiligen Fachgebiet aus und erschafft inspirierende wie innovative Designs. Die Zusammenarbeit mit Designern bietet die Möglichkeit, die Vielseitigkeit und Wandlungsfähigkeit der luxuriösen Betten zu veranschaulichen.

Vorangegangene Kooperationen bestanden unter anderem mit: Teo Yang, Arik Levy, Robert Couturier, Sacha Walckhoff, Nicky Haslam, Virginia White, Philip Gorrivan, Mary Fox Linton und vielen weiteren. Durch die Kooperation mit Fromental wird die Tradition von Savoir Beds fortgeführt mit gleichgesinnten Partnern zusammenzuarbeiten, welche die Besonderheit und Vorteile eines Savoir-Bettes verinnerlicht haben.