At the Kingpins Denim Show in Amsterdam recently, Invista, owners of the Lycra brand, launched what it calls a transformative patent pending technology for knitted denim fabrics. The fabrics are said to combine the best of both worlds—the comfort and flexibility of a knit with the authentic aesthetics and performance of a woven, under the platform of Lycra HYBRID technology.

Jean Hegedus, Invista’s global director for denim said that the Lycra HYBRID fabrics integrate a true denim look and feel with low growth, low shrinkage and multi-directional stretch, which is what distinguishes this technology from existing knit denim. Besides, the fabrics can be engineered for use in a range of different garment types, each serving different consumer needs, he said.

The Lycra HYBRID fabrics have been segmented into three different categories, each with unique performance levels, based on extensive trials with fit models and Invista’s proprietary wear force testing protocols. Everyday denim fabrics that meet Invista’s standards can carry the Lycra brand, which is offered in Level 1, while fabrics that meet Invista’s shaping technology standards can qualify for the Lycra BEAUTY brand in Level 2. Level 3 is about fabrics that meet Invista’s athleisure standards that can qualify for Lycra SPORT branding.