CONTIFIBRE
Contifibre is introducing a collection of innovative yarns for the creation of non-running pantyhose: Lycra Fusion and Contifil are the two yarns featured in the new range, identical in terms of scope, but different when it comes to appearance, in order to better satisfy the various needs and requirements of the customers. The first one, developed in collaboration with Invista and presented at Verona on the occasion of the “Legwear forum” event, it creates a cosmetic effect on the leg with just the right levels of snugness and comfort. With the appropriate finishing treatment the yarn “melts”, connecting the various weaves and guaranteeing an elevated resistance to running. The second one finds its most suitable application with customers who are on the lookout for a shiny product with high levels of transparency. The special polymer base, by means of just the right finishing treatment, sees to it that the yarn partially dissolves, holding the interwoven threads, rendering the pantyhose super-strong.
Fulgar
INTRODUCES Q-SKIN
Fulgar, the European leader in the production of 6.6 polyamide, announces the creation of Q-Skin, a bacteriostatic microfiber with silver ions, a unique breakthrough that responds to needs in all the fields of textile and clothing applications. The innovative Q-Skin features characteristics that are unique an inimitable thanks to the highly pure silver ions inserted directly into the fibers during the spinning process, thus guaranteeing non-allergenic performance, breathability, hygiene, comfort again the skin resistance to washing, reliability and environmental friendliness. The ions utilized in the production of Q-Skin are in compliance with the directives of the European Union regarding biocides and have been registered with the American EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
Com’ON
CREATIVITY IS AT HOME IN COMO
Great success for the second edition of ComON, the week of creativity in Como organized by Confindustria from the 12th to the 18th of October last year. This major event was held to promote the creativity of the city in the national and international context, while relaunching the famous Como textile manufacturing and design center. By means of an international network of exchange, the young designers and stylists of the best schools of fashion and design were able to meet, share their own experiences and get to know more about the manufacturing world. The theme of this edition was recycling and eco-sustainability, the subject of the Com’on design exhibition which saw the students of the Polytechnic Institute, NABA and IED create prototypes with the waste materials produced by some of the local companies. Another important highlight was the students visit to the historical archives of Ratti, Canepa, Clerici Tessuto and Mantero, a tour through the designs that have characterized the design of Italian fabrics. Li Edelkoort, an enthusiastic supporter of the event and celebrated trend researcher, opened the event, explaining how the new trend books come into being for the the fashion, textile, interior design and luxury sectors.
Cifra
EXCLUSIVE DESIGN
Cifra has 15 years of experience in the production of seamless garments on Raschel Jacquard machines to its credit for various private labels, such as pantyhose, leggings and socks, as well as completely seamless garments to be utilized as both under- and outerwear. Given the complexity of the manufacturing processes involved, the considerable investments and high levels in terms of creativity, over the years the company has protected itself and its customers with dozens of patents of both a technical nature and purely ornamental one. The new models and the sizes are developed without charge for the customers, working in close collaboration with the style offices; all the designs are created on an exclusive basis for each customer, thus guaranteeing maximum protection in terms of uniqueness. With a manufacturing capacity of some 200,000 pairs of pantyhose per day, Cifra has managed to achieve economies of scale that enable it to turn out products with prices that no one can compete with and this has established Cifra as the most important player on a worldwide scale in the production of seamless products with this technique.
Experimental Station for Silk
THE QUALITIES OF SILK FOR UNDERWEAR
All sorts of studies have been conducted recently that have tended to reveal the dermo-protective properties of the silk proteins. These studies have stirred a great deal of interest in this remarkable fiber which has been used since time immemorial. The protein substance of the fiber which displays importance properties in terms of tolerance and 
skin protection is a natural fibroin. It may be extracted by means of special processes and transformed into microspheres and microcapsules that, when placed in contact with the skin, tend to still maintain the protective properties of the original substance. Silvio Faragò of Stazione Sperimentale Seta is currently studying, in collaboration with companies in the sector, the possibility of anchoring the microcapsules of fibroin to the surface of certain artificial textile fibers in order to imbue the finished product with the same levels of comfort and textile tolerance usually exclusively associated with silk fibroin. These research efforts are being conducted with the collaboration of professor Marazzi of the textile therapy center of the Niguarda Hospital of Milan. The ideal products for applications involving silk fibroins are those destined for the production of intimate apparel.