textiles

Elastane gives clothing its stretch, but is virtually impossible to recycle. Triumph, RadiciGroup and The LYCRA Company have demonstrated a possible route: selective dissolution that separates nylon and elastane from surplus fabric, dissolving the chosen components so the materials can be recovered. The process could address a long-standing barrier to recycling blended stretch garments.

Textile Exchange says the fashion industry still has grounds for optimism, despite ongoing pressure on sustainability efforts across the sector. The organisation's positive outlook was reported by WWD, reflecting continued work on preferred fibres and materials among brands and suppliers.

Researchers at the Universitat Politècnica de València in Spain, working with the textile company Geox, have developed a self-disinfecting fabric that eliminates bacteria, fungi and viruses on contact. The material is being presented as a way to reduce microbial spread on everyday and medical textiles, and it is drawing attention for its potential use in healthcare settings and infection control.

Syracuse Central Library has introduced new fabric art projects for its patrons. The local station WSTM reported on the library's expanded programming, which adds textile-based creative activities to its offerings. The initiative gives community members access to hands-on fabric arts as part of the library's broader cultural and educational services.

Former AKB48 member Maho Omori has been hired as a public relations officer at Uptee Co., Ltd., the company announced in a press release issued through Marui Textile Co., Ltd. The move marks an unusual career shift for the ex-idol, who retired from the entertainment industry and has now entered a regular company in a corporate communications role.

Artwork by Liz Cooksey is being shared and appreciated online. 'Hedgerow', created in 2022, measures 50cm x 80cm and combines metal work with crochet and fabric manipulation, using wire, brass sheet metal, thread and fabric. The piece has been highlighted in posts celebrating women artists and textile art.

The Better Cotton Initiative, the world's largest cotton sustainability programme, has formally adopted a regenerative agriculture system for its standards. The move signals a shift in how cotton is certified globally, with regenerative practices such as soil health and biodiversity gaining a formal place in sustainable fibre sourcing, a development being tracked by the textile industry press.

Pressed yarn art, a technique where yarn is arranged and pressed into designs that can be completed in a single day, has been featured as a calendar pick for art activities. The item highlights it as an accessible one-day creative project, giving crafters a quick, low-commitment way to try textile-inspired art.

McCord Gallery has unveiled a new exhibition showcasing a colorful mix of fashion, fiber art and visual works. The display brings together textile-based pieces and fashion-related creations alongside traditional art, highlighting the gallery's focus on craft and design. Local coverage is drawing attention to the show as a vibrant addition to the area's cultural calendar.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is presenting an exhibition exploring the connection between Japanese textile traditions and Chinese American fashion. The show highlights how Japanese fabrics have influenced and been incorporated into clothing designed by Chinese American designers, tracing a cross-cultural exchange in American fashion history. Visitors can expect displays pairing traditional textiles with contemporary garments.

Old denim jeans are being repurposed as insulation material to protect homes from extreme heat, according to a report by France 24's Down to Earth programme. Recycled denim can be turned into insulating panels that help keep interiors cooler during heatwaves, offering a low-cost, sustainable use of textile waste as Europe and other regions face increasingly frequent hot spells.

A textile work by Danish weaver Anna Thommesen, titled 'Lysegrønt - rødt - blåt' (Pale Green - Red - Blue), is drawing attention among art enthusiasts. The piece combines linen with plant-dyed wool in a luminous weave. Thommesen was a celebrated figure in Danish textile art, and her use of natural dyes continues to resonate with collectors and admirers of craft.

Members of the Eugene Weavers Guild have created a custom woven jacket for the Eugene Symphony's music director, translating musical elements into textile design. The story, covered by Oregon public radio, highlights the collaboration between local craftspeople and the symphony, drawing attention to the guild's artistry and the unusual fusion of music and weaving.

Architectural Digest features an Art Deco villa in New Delhi whose interiors showcase a homeowner's lifetime collection of objects gathered from around the world. The tour highlights how the historic Deco architecture blends with globe-spanning antiques, textiles and artworks. Design enthusiasts are sharing the piece as an example of personal collecting meeting Indian modernist architecture.

The No New Clothes Club, a Brighton-based community movement, is drawing attention for its campaign to cut textile waste and make sustainable fashion the easy choice. The group encourages members to stop buying new clothing, instead promoting swapping, repairing and second-hand options as practical ways to reduce fashion's environmental footprint. Supporters describe it as a grassroots, community-driven effort.

A startup working on phase-change materials has raised a $14.9 million Series A funding round, which it will use to build a fibre production line. The materials can store and release heat, with potential uses in temperature-regulating textiles and building products. The round signals continued investor interest in materials-science companies scaling up manufacturing.

Thailand's traditional Chud Thai dress has been presented in Paris as the country pushes for UNESCO intangible cultural heritage recognition of the garment. The showcase brings the national costume to an international fashion audience, positioning it alongside Thailand's broader effort to secure official heritage status and raise global awareness of Thai textile and dress traditions.