NEWS
PAOLO BODO
«Thindown Becomes More Eco-friendly» The natural down fabric produced by NIPI (Natural Insulation Products Inc.) in Italy is preparing for new goals, as Paolo Bodo, the company’s global CEO and major shareholder, recounts
How has Thindown evolved since its launch in 2015? It is continually improving quality standards. There have already been attempts to imitate us, but they will never reach our levels of quality. To emphasise the fact that it is made in Italy, from July we will offer it with a “spoken” selvage, a further guarantee of the product’s uniqueness. Who are your biggest customers today? From the outset we targeted the fashion world, reaching the major luxury brands. With brands like Cucinelli, Max Mara, Burberry, Paul & Shark, Mackintosh and Eddie Bauer we are also working on co-branding and co-marketing projects. We had subsequent success with sportswear and footwear. We have only recently approached the outdoor world. What are your major buyer countries? We started with a “scattershot” approach to sales to raise the product’s profile worldwide and then we focused on Italy, US, Japan and South Korea. The next step is to develop the European market through a network of agents and to consolidate our presence in the US, where we will open a branch by the end of 2019. We created a unit in China this year and, having won over sportswear brand Anta, we will be the technical sponsor of Chinese athletes at the upcoming Winter Olympics.
1 2
1. Paolo Bodo, global CEO of NIPI 2. Thindown fabric, certified by RDS (Responsible Down Standard) and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class I
What is Thindown’s annual turnover? In 2018 we reached 5.5 million euros, up 20% compared to 2017 and this year we expect similar growth. How much do you invest in research and where do you envisage new development possibilities? Innovation is at the heart of our project and we invest around 20% of revenue in research. At Milano Unica we will preview a new eco-friendly product, Thindown Recycled, made with 100% recycled down and containment fabric. We have started a collaboration with Dupont to create a product designed for outdoor use of Sorona bio-based fiber Thindown and we are working on an innovative blend of Thindown and Kevlar to create a very high-performance fabric that is the most resistant and thermal fabric in the world. Beyond fashion, I can envisage potential developments in construction, especially in relation to soundproofing and thermal insulation. (e.f.)
Herno Opens Laboratory For Innovative Fabrics The Novara-based company Herno recently opened new division dedicated to the research and development of innovative fabrics that are unique to the brand. Dubbed Officina Tessile, the laboratory is the part of ceo Claudio Marenzi’s larger plan to streamline production and ensure more quality control. The company’s lab will work in-tandem with the style department in order to experiment with new fabrics and create more performance textiles that are unique and exclusive to the Herno brand. New fabrics debuted in the Spring Summer 2020 collection (distinguished by a specific label, in the picture) such us washed cottons, membranesinfused linens, fresh wool and stretch jersey. (e.f.)
ON SALE IN THE FALL OF 2020
Vitale Barberis Canonico Honors Yasuto Kamoshita With Capsule During Milan’s mens fashion week, upscale wool mill Vitale Barberis Canonico celebrated Japanese designer Yasuto Kamoshita (pictured in photo) with a capsule collection of limited edition garments dubbed Between. Consisting of 12 items, Between was unveiled at Vitale Barberis Canonico’s Milan showroom on via Solferino 23. The Biella-based textile maker presented an array of jackets, coats and trousers were crafted with technical fibres especially for the designer of Camoshita United Arrows. The project has been in the making for three years and involved Kamoshita’s close collaboration with the wool manufacturing company team coordinated by the creative director Francesco Barberis Canonico. The limited edition collection will go on sale at United Arrows and Mr Porter in the fall of 2020. (e.f.)
40
09_07_2019