Uniqlo owner establishes denim innovation centre
Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing has established a denim innovation centre for the research and development of denim fabric.
Based in Los Angeles, the centre will bring together specialists in jeans development from premium denim brand J Brand and other Fast Retailing Group companies to develop jeans using innovative technologies and materials.
The first project will be research on jeans for Uniqlo and J Brand. Products for both brands developed at the centre will be available from Autumn 2017.
Focusing on fabric, fit and finish, Fast Retailing said the centre will develop fabrics with the world’s leading fabric makers, as well as conduct R&D on the latest production technologies.
Fast Retailing has previously outsourced the production of samples and other operations to external manufacturers but the new centre means the entire process can be managed in-house.
The centre will also be used by contracted producers as a research centre.
Other areas for R&D will include environmentally friendly processing and production methods, chemicals and techniques used for fading and distressing of jeans.
