The collection, designed in collaboration with chemical company BASF and downstream fabric maker - San Fang, pushes the boundaries in fabric innovation to enable fashion-forward designs and functionality.
BASF’s advanced material solutions presented in the ‘Quantus’ collection provide a significant breakthrough in fashion with its eco-conscious manufacturing techniques that also permit intricately crafted and stitched designs, while ensuring premium quality:
- Freeflex™ fibre spun from Elastollan® TPU looks and feels like a favorite cotton tee. The material is soft and moisture-wicking which makes it easy to care for, and delivers ample stretch and recovery for an impeccable fit. Freeflex can change the colors and appearance even for the most complex textile designs and gives a futuristic look and feel to Seven Crash’s collection while ensuring that individuals are able to stay cool and dry. In addition, this dynamic fabric can be incorporated into traditional clothing to make outfits more exciting with its luminous feature. This is displayed in a series within the collection where the fabrics glow in the dark through its reflective surfaces.
- Haptex®, a sustainable and innovative polyurethane (PU) solution for synthetic leather, offers good haptics, strong stitching, and high peel strength. It complies with stringent volatile organic compounds (VOC) standards, as no organic solvents are used in the manufacturing process.
“We are proud to support Seven Crash’s debut at New York Fashion Week with our latest fashion-inspired material solutions,” said Manfred Pawlowski, Vice President, Consumer Industry, Performance Materials Asia Pacific, BASF. “With the use of Freeflex and Haptex in an assortment of futuristic urban streetwear apparel, BASF continues to stretch the boundaries of innovative materials for fashion.”
For the development of Freeflex, San Fang supported the entire manufacturing process, from material to moldings, as well as the final product in a variety of colors and intricate patterns. The product’s low heat setting temperature enables fabrics to dry quickly and saves energy in its production and daily use.
“San Fang has also been developing market-driven innovations that have redefined materials in consumer industries such as fashion and footwear,” said Mr. Lin Chih-Yi, President, San Fang Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.. “The collaboration with BASF and Seven Crash for Freeflex using new sustainable manufacturing techniques demonstrates our commitment to match eco-fashion trends with functional fibers and artificial leather which are made possible with TPU.”
For the ‘Quantus’ collection, with the brand concept “crash the rules”, Brand CEO Jason Yao, together with Creative Director Enchi Shen, redefined Seven Crash as an innovative brand pushing the boundaries on futuristic workwear and fashion streetwear by experimenting with different fashion styles and cultures through the use of advanced materials. These materials are woven with technological and textural elements – enhancing not only the use of the fabric but the wearer as well. The result is a unique blend of east coast urban street fashion and trendy runway fashion that showcase the latest material which traditional fabrics cannot match.
“The ‘Quantus’ collection of unlimited possibilities provides the platform for individuals to express their inner self through stylized motifs and clever use of color and textures,” said Enchi Shen. “The outfits channel the true spirit of freedom and being which can only be made possible with Freeflex and Haptex by BASF. They represent a step-change for the future of apparel production and fashion industry.”
The outfits from the futuristic urban streetwear collection can be easily combined with different looks, taking people from work to play, thanks to the versatility of colors, textures, and effectsdetails made possible with Freeflex and Haptex – demonstrating the true essence. The use of design freedom for different textures and effects are made possible by Freeflex which is able to change the colours and appearance even for the most complex textile designs, and bringing smart textiles to the next level. This gives a more futuristicfuturistic look and feel to the collection, while ensuring that individuals can stay cool and dry thanks to Freeflex’s moisture-wicking properties.
Additionally, owing to its luminous feature, this dynamic fabric can be incorporated into traditional clothing to make outfits more stunning and exciting. This clothing can be displayed in another series within the collection where the fabrics glow in the dark through its reflective surfaces, resulting in a mysterious yet bold look.
Seven Crash and BASF previously collaborated to design outfits for a fashion show held during CHINAPLAS 2018. They also collaborated with Chinese brand Three Gun to design a casual outfit using Freeflex. BASF and Seven Crash will continue the partnership to pave the way for a future of eco-conscious and innovative fabric for clothing.
To learn more about BASF’s material solutions showcased at New York Fashion Week, please click here.
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Published Feb 11, 2019 5am EST / 2am PST / 10am GMT / 11am CET