- Fast Retailing establishes its first denim R&D facility in Los Angeles
Berlin, Germany, 2016-Nov-20 — /EPR Retail News/ — Fast Retailing today (2016.11.18) announces that it has established the DENIM INNOVATION CENTER, the Group’s first facility to focus on research and development of denim fabric, in Los Angeles, California, a city well-known as the home of denim.
The DENIM INNOVATION CENTER aims to bring together specialists in jeans development from premium denim brand J Brand and other Fast Retailing Group companies to develop jeans utilizing innovative technologies and materials, based on the established tradition of jeans. The first project for the facility will be research on jeans for UNIQLO and J Brand. Products for both brands developed at the center will be available from the fall winter 2017 season.
■ Researching jeans in the global hub for denim, to create exceptional products for times
By establishing the DENIM INNOVATION CENTER in Los Angeles, the global hub for information on denim, Fast Retailing will be able to quickly incorporate the essence of current trends in its designs. Focusing on the “3Fs” (Fabric, Fit, and Finish), the key elements in making jeans, the center will develop fabrics with the world’s leading fabric makers, as well as conduct R&D on the latest production technologies, to make jeans that look exceptional and are comfortable to wear.
■ Full range of in-house equipment for product development, for higher quality jeans; R&D also conducted on eco-friendly processing and production technologies
Fast Retailing has previously outsourced the production of samples and other operations to external manufacturers, but with the DENIM INNOVATION CENTER, the company will now be able to manage the entire process in-house. Using the latest equipment, the center will be able to quickly create and evaluate sample products, considerably enhancing the speed and quality of product development.
The center can also be used by contracted producers as a research center, which will increase the integrity of the finished product during actual production. In addition, the facility will focus on environmentally friendly processing and production methods, conducting R&D on chemicals and techniques used for fading and distressing of jeans.
The Role of the DENIM INNOVATION CENTER
1. Fabric: Material development and selection with world-leading fabric manufacturers
The DENIM INNOVATION CENTER’s location in Los Angeles, home to global denim fabric makers, provides a structure for optimal fabric development and selection based on the type of jeans. UNIQLO also has a longstanding partnership with Kaihara Corporation, well-known as a maker of high-quality Japanese denim.
Through cooperation with such world-leading fabric manufacturers, UNIQLO will offer jeans of the highest quality material to people throughout the world.
2. Fit: Collaboration with group company R&D centers to develop the latest, top-quality products
The DENIM INNOVATION CENTER will work in collaboration with R&D centers from various Fast Retailing Group brands to develop denim products that transcend each brand’s limits. The first project will be joint denim research and development between UNIQLO, which has continually analyzed the everyday needs of people around the world from its LifeWear perspective to create jeans, and J Brand, which creates jeans that constantly lead trends. The new facility will integrate the two companies’ expertise on jeans, and accumulate information on global trends and denim development, to develop the latest, highest-quality products for each brand.
3. Finish: Specialists from around the world and cutting-edge processing technologies
Washing and distressing are the most important processes affecting the finish and quality of jeans. The DENIM INNOVATION CENTER is equipped with the world’s most advanced denim processing technologies. The center has gathered together specialists in jeans development from around the world, who conduct repeated tests within the center to create authentic jeans for UNIQLO on a par with premium denim.
Source: FAST RETAILING CO., LTD.
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