Sustainable surplus fabrics: exploring waterproof fabrics
Let’s explore in this article, the specificities of waterproof fabrics and how to choose them.
While synthetic materials are generally overlooked by designers, technical materials are enjoying great success, often chosen for their textures and properties to create outdoor apparel and protective clothing.
Brands like K-Way, Quechua, and The North Face have popularized waterproof fabrics, integrating them into their collections to offer both functionality and style. By delving into the unique properties of waterproof fabrics, we can better understand their strengths and how to select the right type of waterproof fabric for specific needs.
The unique aesthetic of WR fabrics
What is WR (Water-resistant) fabrics?
Thanks to empowered technologies in the textile industry, there are innovative manufacturing processes where fibers are treated with advanced coating or are tightly woven in a such specific manner that they repel water while maintaining breathability. These treatments often involve the application of hydrophobic coating or the incorporation of microporous membranes within the fabric structure.
As a result, these textiles offer protection and provide comfort by allowing air to flow, which prevents the build-up of condensation and sweat inside clothing. Such advancements in textile technology have revolutionized wear, making it more comfortable and functional than ever before.
Properties and benefits
Furthermore, these textiles can be treated with antimicrobial finishes to resist odor-causing bacteria, which is particularly beneficial for clothing worn during physical activity. The strength and durability of WR fabrics also mean they are suitable for heavy-duty items such as tents and furniture covers that require long-lasting weather resistance and breathable properties.
Technical textiles offer unique properties like stretchability, strength, moisture-wicking, and thermal regulation.
The rising trend of technical wearing
Through the ever-changing trends of the fashion industry, there has been a persistent trend in recent months: technical clothing. The trend of utilizing technical materials in the world of design is gaining significant momentum as designers seek to blend functionality with aesthetics.
These innovative fabrics are not just confined to sportswear; they are increasingly being adopted by high fashion and ready-to-wear labels looking to infuse durability, comfort, and futuristic appeal into their collections. As an example, the talented designer Bianca Saunders values our WR Technical Fluid Vinyl to create set of clothes.
WR fabrics uses
Water-resistant fabrics are a marvel of textile innovation, and the range of products that can be crafted from these materials is vast and varied. These types of fabric are engineered to repel water, making them ideal for creating items intended for use in wet or damp environments.
From stylish raincoats and trench coats that keep the wearer dry during downpours to durable awnings, WR materials prove their versatility across different applications.
Designers can opt for WR fabrics to create active wear such as hiking gear and sports, where comfort during exertion is key.
Also, fashion designers can incorporate a water-resistant fabric into everything from avant-garde runway pieces to practical everyday wear. This functional aspect does not compromise their aesthetic appeal; modern advancements in textile technology ensure that water-resistant materials come in a variety of textures, colors, and prints, enabling designers to merge practicality with contemporary style seamlessly.
Type of WR fabrics
Before starting your creative project, we advise to identify the different category of WR fabrics, and the specific requirements of your application, such as whether the fabric will be used for outdoor wears, fashion, or home textiles.
- Polyurethane Laminate: used to create lightweight waterproof and weather-resistant clothing such as jackets, pants, rain suits, and raincoats.
- Nylon and polyester coated: Common in lightweight jackets, offering a balance of waterproofing and affordability.
- Gore-Tex: with its advanced waterproof and breathable membrane, is an optimal choice for high-performance gear. It excels in extreme conditions by repelling moisture while promoting breathability—perfect for demanding outdoor activities.
- Waxed Cotton: provides a more traditional look with water resistance, popular in casual outdoor apparel and workwear.
The importance of deadstock Waterproof fabrics
Sustainable innovation through unused materials
Creating waterproof fabrics, while technologically advanced, can carry limits regarding sustainable development. In fact, the manufacturing processes involved often require significant energy consumption and the use of chemicals in treatments that render the fabrics water-repellent. Therefore, like all materials involving chemicals, it can cause environmental problems.
For these reasons and many others, designers should prioritize leftovers materials such as deadstock waterproof fabrics. Nona Source aims to make available surplus materials so designers can bring more circularity in the fashion realm, through the creative process of their collections.
This approach not only prevents unnecessary production and minimizes waste but also conserves the resources that would have been expended in creating new textiles from scratch.
By promoting a sense of exclusivity and innovation in design due to the limited availability of such materials, our platform revalorizes the heritage of surplus fabrics from Top Luxury Maisons. In turn, this can lead to unique fashion pieces that tell a story of both creativity and eco-consciousness, catering to consumers who value ethical and environmentally responsible products.
In conclusion, waterproof surplus fabrics stand at the intersection of utility and innovation, offering properties that cater to both functional needs and creative ambitions—a testament to how far textile technology has evolved to accommodate our diverse lifestyles.