NY Gift Fair bound

Off to discover new textile innovations all day today, report to follow tommorrow!

Vibram FiveFingers

Look at these great shoes! Originally designed to keep boaters from slipping off their boats by simulating barefootedness, but with a gecko-like grip, Vibram FiveFingers articulated shoes were found during development to also help strengthen and stretch the muscles in the feet and lower legs, and improve agility, balance and speed. The textile in use here is the stretchy nylon uppers that dry in mere minutes, but the real innovation is the textured rubber bottoms, and of course the look of them. I want a pair so bad I can taste it. {mmmm}. $75. US. Available early March 2006.

MontBell Ultralites: Function is Beauty

A few years ago, I met with reps from the Japanese company MontBell to see their incredible Ultralite Down Jackets. A the time, my shop only carried women's wear, and they were only cut for men. We discussed women's cut a bit, and that was it. I'm so excited to see that they have redesigned the Ultralites to fit a female body! And, it now comes in black and red. I tried one on, at 5.9 ounces, it's like being enveloped in warm air. Incredible. $140. US.

Knitting Nation Phase 2

Machine knitting designer extraordinaire Liz Collins will be holding a rare exhibition, live knitting performance and sale at Felissimo House February 6-11.

Bamboo/cotton linens

Bamboo yarn has been available for a few years already to handknitters. I've tried it, and found it soft and very light. Now, Garnet Hill has 70% bamboo, 30% cotton sheets in four fruity colors. I'm so happy to see this innovative, antibacterial and highly renewable fiber reaching a mass market level. I discovered bamboo is actually the fastest growing plant on earth. If you've ever had any taking over growing in your yard, you know that's true.

Welcome!

I love fabric. Every kind of it, no matter what the final intended use, I want to see every type, touch it, wear it, wash it, burn it, and buy some. I roll around in it every night, and make more of it every day. Textilita is a celebration of all things textile.