SCIENCE MEETS FASHION AS GRAPHENE INNOVATOR PAIRS UP WITH GLOBAL BRAND

If you think that science innovation belongs in a laboratory, think again. It’s also on the catwalk.

Advanced engineering materials group Versarien has revealed it is to collaborate with DKH Retail Limited, the worldwide wholesale distribution subsidiary of Superdry plc.

The companies, both based in Gloucestershire, will pioneer the production of graphene-enhanced garments, using Versarien’s unique graphene-wear technology, with a view to importing graphene’s thermal and moisture management properties into its garments.

Superdry believes that using Versarien’s innovative graphene technology will result in product lines with improved performance and extended product lifespan, with lower environmental impact in their creation, reducing the need to add any virgin material during recycling.

Superdry is pioneering sustainable clothing. Last year the fashion retailer was cited in The Financial Time’s inaugural listing of Europe’s Climate Leaders. It was at the top of 300 companies that achieved the greatest reduction in their greenhouse gas emissions intensity between 2014-2019.

Superdry also believes that having access to Versarien’s scientists and laboratories in Manchester and Cambridge will accelerate its innovation platform, enabling Superdry and Versarien to create garments unlike any others on the market.

The world is used to learning about new technology in sports goods and shoes, with brands such as NIKE and Adidas investing millions into new technology to help improve athletes’ performance, but technology in fashion design? That’s more unusual.

It’s not unprecedented though. In 2016, the American Paralympian snowboarder Amy Purdy, a double leg amputee, wore a 3D printed dress designed by Danit Peleg, an Israeli fashion designer and a pioneer in 3D printed fashion.

That same year, New York fashion brand Rochambeau produced exclusive ‘Bright Bmbr’ connected jackets powered by Avery Dennison’s Janela platform and Evrythng’s intelligent IoT cloud. When scanned by an android or iPhone, these garments could offer consumers, via their smartphones, exclusive dining, art, retail and fashion experiences.

However, Versarien and Superdry’s investment in research goes back to basics, how to make clothing more fit for purpose, rather than just trying to sell us more stuff.

Control over thermal transmittance and regulation is intended to help the body manage its temperature, particularly in extreme climates and circumstances when the body is under stress. Incorporating graphene could improve the functionality of the garments, helping them last longer with little fibre failure, increasing the number of wears and washes per garment, supporting Superdry’s commitment to sustainability.

Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien, said: “We are delighted that Superdry has publicly announced our collaboration. Since we started working with the brand we have developed a number of sample garments, and its decision to announce the collaboration and the future launch of the products we are developing together is, I believe, testament to the benefits they see in utilising Versarien’s graphene technology.”