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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Polyester Sticking to the Runway

Once-disdained fabric makes synthetic splash in spring fashion shows

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(Newser) – Once shunned as tacky, scratchy and smelly, polyester was front and center on spring runways this year. "In fashion when something's so hideous, it's great," Marc Jacobs tells W about his use of the synthetic in Louis Vuitton cardigans and skirts. Japanese designers Rei Kawakubo and Issey Miyake have spearheaded polyester's return to the glory of its 1960s heyday.

Technological improvements have keyed renewed interest in polyester, which was first made in the 1940s of acids and alcohols derived from petroleum. Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz couldn’t recognize the fabric at first, and says his clients thought it was washed silk. More than half the Lanvin spring line uses Japanese polyester, capturing the designer's desired “fly away” effect.

Japanese designer Issey Miyake has never shied from using polyester, which he says is perfect for the modern lifestyle.
Japanese designer Issey Miyake has never shied from using polyester, which he says is perfect for the modern lifestyle.   (Associated Press)
Models walk the runway displaying fall fashion from Marc by Marc Jacobs during Fashion Week in New York, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Models walk the runway displaying fall fashion from Marc by Marc Jacobs during Fashion Week in New York, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)   (Associated Press)
A model presents a creation during Issey Miyake's Spring-Summer 2008 ready to wear collection presented in Paris, Tuesday Oct.2, 2007. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
A model presents a creation during Issey Miyake's Spring-Summer 2008 ready to wear collection presented in Paris, Tuesday Oct.2, 2007. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)   (Associated Press)
Israeli designer Alber Elbaz embraced once-shunned polyester in his spring fashion line.
Israeli designer Alber Elbaz embraced once-shunned polyester in his spring fashion line.   (Associated Press)
Marc Jacobs used polyester in his spring line to produce a
Marc Jacobs used polyester in his spring line to produce a "fly away" effect.   (Associated Press)
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