This month, Courtaulds Fibres has introduced a slick print marketing campaign to promote its newest fiber, Tencel, to small design companies and consumers in their 20s.
But little is planned to solve the problem those designers have long had in obtaining the small quantities of the fabrics they need from American mills. The problem is becoming more acute as American-made fake furs and stretch fabrics move to the center of fashion in everything from peacoats to stretch cottons pants and spandex tur-tle-necks.With the high minimum orders required - thousands of yards - designers often buy fabric from Italy or France. "They treat textiles more as a craft," Anna Sui said. "They'll do 200, 300, 400 yards or less."
Donna Haag, an independent designer, gets almost all her fabrics from abroad, although it is more expensive and riskier because Italian mills close in August for their summer holiday. "It would be ideal for me to have the option to use an American supplier," Haag said. "When you're working against a deadline, every second counts."
Executives in the American fabric industry say they are not set up for small orders. However, they are trying to develop databases that match designers with suppliers willing to sell limited quantities.
- Constance C.R. White