INVISTA Overview – Businesses

INVISTA Apparel

As the largest and most experienced global integrated producer and marketer of premium fibers, fabrics and finishes, INVISTA Apparel maintains a manufacturing or marketing presence in every major region of the world. Market segments include ready-to-wear, intimate apparel, swimwear, activewear, legwear and career apparel. The focus of INVISTA Apparel is to provide innovative market back solutions that bring differentiated value to help customers in the apparel industry maximize profitable growth through consumer insights, value chain efficiencies, global access and key innovations that are linked to INVISTA brands.

INVISTA Apparel encompasses the breadth of consumer clothing – from innerwear to outerwear, from work to play, from boardroom to beach and urban streetwear, and even the latest runway fashions. The business is made up of an impressive line-up of global consumer brands, including the powerful LYCRA® brand, which has recently moved beyond apparel to be licensed for use in footwear, cosmetics, hair care and other end uses.

At the core of the INVISTA Apparel business is a commitment to innovation and apparel industry leadership. INVISTA has one of the industry's most successful track records for the introduction and distribution of new apparel products that drive newness and bring consumer interest to the market. Recent introductions include XFit LYCRA® fabric, which is a four-way stretch technology for denim; Xtra Life LYCRA® fiber, which delivers a new fit promise for swimwear and sweaters, helping them to resist bagging and sagging; LYCRA® Black fiber, which was recently launched in Europe with LaPerla and will help eliminate "grin through" in black garments, creating a true black and a range of creative 'melange' options; and LYCRA® FREEF!T™ fabric, a technology that combines softness, breathability and just the right amount of give in woven shirting.

Some of the most influential names in the apparel industry recognize the value of INVISTA innovations and brands. The LYCRA® fiber brand in particular has forged relationships with top designers such as Zac Posen, Derek Lam, Carlos Miele, Roberto Cavalli, Alexander McQueen, Doo.ri, Phillip Lim, Matthew Williamson, Giorgio Armani, Moschino, Girbaud, Wolford and others. A true collaborator, LYCRA® fiber brings designers some of the newest innovations that are creating consumer excitement in the apparel industry.

Supporting all of the innovations and business initiatives is a powerful and integrated global marketing initiative. In 2006, LYCRA® fiber once again evolved its commitment to the fashion industry as a sponsor of 7th on Sixth, one of the world's premiere fashion event held twice a year in New York City. Other key efforts include the LYCRA® InStyle Fashion Awards, LYCRA® My Show and LYCRA® MyHero in China; the MTV Style Awards in India; the sponsorship of a major soap opera in Brazil to drive awareness and sales of intimate apparel with LYCRA® fiber; and the promotion of The Bikini Book in the United States and Europe, which celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the bikini and was created to leverage consumer awareness for the launch of Xtra Life LYCRA® fiber in swimwear.

Other key brand offerings in the INVISTA Apparel portfolio include COOLMAX® fabric, a moisture management system that offers cool, breathable comfort for activewear and ready-to-wear; COOLMAX® FreshFX™ fabric for moisture management with freshness for socks and activewear; CORDURA® fabrics for rugged durability in clothing; TACTEL® fiber which brings aesthetic design opportunities and a soft, silky hand; and SUPPLEX® fabrics for natural cottony soft hand.

Additionally within this business, are personal hygiene products made with LYCRA® fiber and FRESHFLEX™ fabric, such as diapers and incontinence products, which provide increased comfort and fit and are more discreet. Using proprietary INVISTA technology, FRESHFLEX™ fabric is a unique, single layer of material that provides remarkable breathability and cross-direction stretch and recovery.

Contact Us for inquiries about the INVISTA Apparel business and its products.