Medical boot or high fashion footwear

February 1, 2023  |  Swatches

MSCHF, a New York-based art collective known for out-of-the-box shoe designs, has introduced an orthopedic shoe (or boot) that resembles an ankle cast, but is designed to make long walks more comfortable. The AC-1 is more of a fashion statement designed to look like a medical boot, but given that it…
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Perry Pavilion

February 1, 2023  |  Projects

To help the Virginia Arts Festival celebrate its 25th Anniversary at a new venue, a new custom tent was needed. Tents LLC, of Frederick, Md., approached the Tukwila, Wash.-based Rainier Tent with a bold and creative idea for the Pat “Bunny” Perry Pavilion, a staple for the annual festival. Raini…
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Hemp offers new growth opportunities

February 1, 2023  |  Markets, Product Trends

Hemp fiber is gaining traction for its medicinal and industrial applications. How far this industry has progressed is a curiosity for stakeholders such as the public, agriculture and textile sectors. The need for sustainable raw materials to combat global warming and protect the environment has kind…
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The lighter side of OSHA

February 1, 2023  |  Business, Markets

When most of us hear the word “OSHA,” we instantly conjure up images of ticket-writing cops invading our workplace. And these aren’t the $35 tags that grace our windshield when we linger in a parking spot too long. These citations can easily hit the four- or five-digit mark depending on the se…
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Simplifying sustainability

February 1, 2023  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

There is an abundance of information available about sustainability that, while conveying much, can lack clarity. A simpler directive regarding sustainability would be this: If you produce something, to be “sustainable” (leaving aside the social aspects for the moment) you need to:
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Beyond PPE

February 1, 2023  |  Features

The medical textiles industry, like many, was upended by the pandemic. New opportunities may have presented themselves, notably the production of personal protective equipment (PPE), as the need for infection control exploded. But there was no “business as usual” in the chaotic environment.
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Designing (for) women

February 1, 2023  |  Features

The specialty fabrics industry has historically been overwhelmingly male, and this remains largely the case today. However, more women are seeing a place for themselves within it, and the ratio of men to women is starting to shift slightly as industry efforts to bring more women on board gain moment…
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Ontario’s Regal Tents specializes in high-profile events

February 1, 2023  |  Features, Perspective

Canadian sales executive Michelle McCulloch knew from age 12 she wanted to become a mover and shaker in the tent rental industry.
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Heated apparel for USA bobsledders

February 1, 2023  |  Swatches

ORORO Heated Apparel, based in Las Vegas, Nev., has announced a four-year partnership with USA Bobsled/Skeleton (USABS). The company will be the presenting sponsor of the USABS National Team Trials (2022-2026), an event that determines which athletes will make the national team, and it will provide …
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3M, DOE reduce N95 costs

February 1, 2023  |  Swatches

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory has collaborated with multinational tech company 3M to develop a technique to reduce the amount of energy required for melt-blowing the materials needed in N95 masks and other applications. The melt-blowing process is also used for …
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