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Fashion: Function in Action



an innovative collection of garments constructed from nonwoven fabrics researched, designed and produced by UK fashion students



By David Backhouse and Lynne Webster
School of Design, University of Leeds, UK




Click here to read the full article.
Garments have been historically and intrinsically linked with woven and knitted fabrics composed of natural and man-made fibers either alone or in blends. Such fabrics are produced by either interlacing or intermeshing pre-formed yarns. These fabric structures have dominated the world of apparel outerwear for decades and methods of garment design and assembly have been established based on their properties and visual appearance.

While historically the penetration of nonwoven fabrics in outerwear has been limited, the integration of nonwoven fabrics into garments and accessories for functional purposes is well established, particularly in protective clothing, garment linings and interlinings, insulation waddings, shoe linings and synthetic leather fabrics, which define both single-use and highly durable products. The physical properties and technical performance of these fabrics are fundamental to their acceptance and are readily engineered to meet requirements.