IME upgrades functional fully natural knits
IME, a Carvico Group company, is introducing a new look and reasserting its commitment to a co-development model with its customers, at Milano Unica, on show this week. The knit fabric maker was founded in 1969 and became a part of Carvico when Jersey Lomellina acquired it in 2021.
The mill creates jacquard knit fabrics from yarn-dyed natural fibres, spanning cotton, wool, cashmere and silk, and extending to viscose. No synthetics are used, and no elastane either. But the fabrics deliver a measure of mechanical elasticity for comfort.
On the booth, the company has chosen to exhibit finished garments shown on mannequins, not a single fabric swatch to be seen. “This is part of our strategy, as each fabric we make is co-developed from the ground up with our customers,” said Lorenzo Locatelli, acting sales manager. “Our strength lies in our vertical integration, as we control each stage of the manufacturing process.”
Angelo Figus, creative director, who masterminded the new brand identity, explained that IME sits at the intersection of industry and artisanry, and that each fabric is developed with a specific end-use in mind. To illustrate the mill’s possibilities, he created a series of fabrics in timeless patterns for the show. “This selection is not about trends, but rather outside of time, these fabrics can be used to make something classic, sporty, formal or urban,” he said.
The silhouettes on show featured variations on layering, from luxury base layers to a novel trench coat made from a knit fabric. For Mr Figus, outerwear and sneaker uppers are potentially strong markets for IME.
IME is one of seven companies within Carvico Group, which also includes Eurojersey and Xlance, in Italy, and mills in China and Ethiopia. The group employs some 1,300 people and has revenues of €290 million.
Photo courtesy of IME
