Sustainability at TexWorld

Sustainability Practices at TexWorld

Andrew Wilson

We recently as a class had the opportunity to attend TexWorld, a colossal textile sourcing and production trade show at the Javits Center. I found it interesting how the whole show was broken up into two different parts. In one room were the informational presentations, which included booths showcasing anything from 3D printing technology that created sustainable printed textiles, to tech fabric technologies of the future. The massive trend forecasting display was one of the centerpieces of the show.

We had the opportunity to hear from the art directors of the show, Gregory and Louis. They explained to us how industry trends and current events are actually mutually dependent. Gregory and Louis were also able to touch on sustainability and how it relates to trend forecasting. One piece that really resonated with was when they discussed how sustainability is simply being widely used as a marketing tool, and that it is important to investigate whether or not sustainability is actually being practiced. They explained that when you are browsing sustainable sourcing options when manufacturing and buying textiles, that the most important thing to consider is the human element.

While browsing the selection of textiles available for purchase was interesting, I found the presentations more engaging. My favorite was a booth that I visited was Heisel. Heisel specializes in 3D printing wearable textiles made from different sustainable materials. The representative explained that 3D printing textiles cuts down the sourcing, manufacturing, and sometimes transportation stages of the product lifecycle making it a much more sustainable method of textile production.

A 3D printed garment on display courtesy of Heisel.