Compression clothing will get new look with technology

The compression garment manufacturers are trying out innovative technologies to create new designs and patterns in the clothing line. The latest technological advancements in the compression clothing sector include 3D printing and smart textiles.

In an interview with fibre2fashion, Ms. Suzanne Kerpel, marketing director of Zensah, a leading Miami-based compression apparel company, said, “There are many new technologies being tested in the compression clothing sector.”

“3D printing technology can enable an unprecedented level of intellectual collaboration through crowdsourcing, which will help in creating new designs and products that we have not thought of,” she mentions. 

Recently, Hohenstein Institute, a leading provider of technical testing and certification for apparel and textiles, conducted a webinar on understanding and measuring the body shaping results of medical compression garments, shapewear and athletic apparel.

About the new technology, Florian Girmond, head of Department of Consumer Tests at Hohenstein Institute, said in a statement, “Today’s compression gear provides critical health, performance, and appearance benefits to consumers.”

“Whether the compression garment is intended to treat a medical condition, provide an athletic benefit, or simply improve body shape, our technology helps product designers understand and verify exactly how their garments work,” he adds.

Switzerland-based Sigvaris, one of the leaders in compression hosiery, recently launched a medical-grade compression level for women. “Although our new compression line has the look and soft feel of designer fashion hosiery, it features all the leg healthy benefits of medical compression hosiery,” said the company in a statement.

When asked about the future innovation in compression clothing, Ms. Kerpel says, “We never thought that fabrics that are so durable and comfortable could exist and on top of it all, they can be embedded with electronics for increased functionality.”

“Electronics embedded into our fabrics and apparels will likely provide a large amount of useful information for the wearer in real time and it will be easier to share and collaborate with others,” she concludes.