Comfortable Summer Menswear Made with Bamboo Fiber

Aoyama Trading Co. has commercialized the first men's suits made from a composite fabric including regenerated fiber (fiber made by processing a natural material to form a fiber, e.g. rayon) developed by Toray Industries Inc., from bamboo fiber. Toray calls the fabric "Soutake," meaning "fresh bamboo." Sale of the suits started on April 3, 2004 at about 300 "Youfuku no Aoyama" stores, Japan's largest menswear chain. These cool summer suits are marketed under the brand name of "Breezy Suit."

Soutake is a highly processed complex fabric made of synthetic fibers such as polyester/acrylic that contain 20 percent or more bamboo fiber. Bamboo fiber not only absorbs and releases moisture, but also acts as an antibacterial deodorant ? it has also been confirmed that bamboo fiber generates minus ions. In addition, due to its characteristic cool touch and high thermal conductivity, it has a more refreshing feel than cotton.

Bamboo rejuvenates itself in a 2-3 year cycle after being cut down, and is considered a natural eco-material because harvesting bamboo has little impact on the environment's natural balance and will never run out under a planned regrowth regime. In a context of growing concern about the environment, the company's aim is to meet the potential needs of consumers that want to do something to conserve the global environment.



Posted: 2004/12/26 06:37:19 PM
Japanese version