All Articles

How to mitigate the online security risks of outsourcing

February 1, 2024 | Business, Markets

What we now call “hacking” has been around almost as long as humans have existed. Today’s version focuses on technology, but the behavior takes many forms that even go back to the story of the Trojan horse. Hacking is simply the act of exploiting a weakness to gain access to something, whether…

Textiles in protection from bioagents, chemical warfare

February 1, 2024 | Advanced Textiles, Markets

The medical and military industries are both in need of fabrics that offer protection against biological threats in health care environments and, for warfighters, the threat posed by chemical warfare. The challenges faced are complex; protection against multiple agents could be needed, and the agent…

Members Only

Small sustainability actions can make a big difference

February 1, 2024 | Features

With sustainability uppermost in nearly everyone’s mind, textile providers and fabricators are looking at ways to reduce their environmental footprint and better manage their social impacts. This makes good business sense for multiple reasons. A brand that has an eco-friendly/people-friendly reput…

Members Only

Commercial renovations focus on comfort, the warmth of home

February 1, 2024 | Features

In a lightning-fast transition to work-from-home during the pandemic, employees abandoned corporate buildings for familiar spaces with their deep sense of safety and comfort.

Rachal McCarthy builds on 40 years of progress at NTI Global

February 1, 2024 | Features, Perspective

When life throws you curveballs, you either need to duck or hit them. Just ask Rachal McCarthy, who is redefining what’s possible for women in the textiles and manufacturing industries.

Wolverine, Metallica support education in the trades

February 1, 2024 | Swatches

The labor shortage is sad but true: Skilled tradespeople are retiring faster than students are stepping up to replace them. Among the workforce pipeline efforts is a partnership of boot company Wolverine Inc. and rock band Metallica. In mid-November 2023, Wolverine created a limited-edition black le…

Biodegradable pads from sisal to combat period poverty

February 1, 2024 | Swatches

Of all the things that keep girls out of school in developing nations, biological processes shouldn’t have to be one of them. But the simple lack of access to or money for menstrual pads, often referred to as “period poverty,” can mean some girls can miss 20% of their school term. Even in Keny…

SHEIN empowers new designers

February 1, 2024 | Swatches

The SHEIN X Designer Incubator Program announced collections by six designers under its evoluSHEIN by Design branding, a first for SHEIN X entrepreneurs.

Conductive gel enables 3D-printing metal at room temp

February 1, 2024 | Swatches

North Carolina State University (NC State) researchers have created a conductive gel that can be used to 3D-print solid metal objects at room temperature.

Adobe introduces new tech via an interactive dress

February 1, 2024 | Swatches

A team of Adobe® researchers has created a system that may change the look of future fashion, allowing wearers the ability to change or update their outfits in real time.