Natural material was in the spotlight at the Lyon show, which ended on Sunday. The opportunity to note that silk is no longer just a fabric affair.
by Richard Schittly (Lyon, correspondent)
Treat babies, cultivate algae, polish industrial objects, weave tiny light … historically innovative, the silk industry is reinventing in a spectacular way, in fields as different as the food industry, health, health, cosmetics or aeronautics. All thanks to recent chemical and biochemical research. Its entirely biological origin also brings him a powerful asset, at a time when organic and authentic marketing reigns.
The veil of innovation therefore risen during the Silk in Lyon fair, which took place from November 17 to 20 in the capital of Gaul. In the middle of the traditional stands of the Palais de la Bourse, dripping scarves, ties, stoles and other accessories with Moirés reflections, some guests have embodied the new silk horizons.
This is the case, for example by Cécile Labadie-Bousquet. This doctor in chemistry and biochemistry worked on fibroin, composing the silk wire. Reduced to powder, this protein decreases the fatty effects of vegetable oils. With her husband, the scientist created, in 2016, in Avignon, the CERRA laboratory, which manufactures and markets a range of cosmetic care. “Silk has a somewhat outdated image, but it comes back in fashion. By working our products, we were surprised to discover that the Asians had not invested this field at all” testifies Raphaël Le Bruchec, Commercial Director of Cerra .
“Natural tendency”
“We must not think that silk is limited to a fabric exposed to the museum, it is a material of the future. In our time when energy sources become a subject of concern, silk intervenes in the Design of long-term products, in clothing and in other variations. More sustainable and less carbon products, “confirms Xavier Lépingle, vice-president of the textile inter-company Union (Unitex). “The tendency to naturalness is the future of the textiles of tomorrow,” said Mr. Lépingle, head of the Silk section of Unitex. Currently, 75 % of textile manufacturing comes from petrochemical materials, such as nylon, and 22 % for cotton. The share of silk can only grow with the questioning of fossil fuels, anticipates the director general of Hermès Textiles.
Multisacular cocon of the silk factory, the Lyon region remains the epicenter of these new developments, with 40 companies and 2,000 jobs in the silk sector. First textile region in France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes has 600 companies and 17,000 silk-related jobs, for 3.3 billion euros in turnover. Silk activity generates 13.3 billion euros in turnover at the national level, according to Unitex data.
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