A history of the world's most innovative spandex fibers and technologies

A history of the world's most innovative spandex fibers and technologies

Video

Explore LYCRA® fiber’s history of innovation

Since it’s invention in 1958, the LYCRA® brand has continued to improve its spandex (elastane) fibers and innovate new technologies to meet the changing needs of consumers worldwide. Watch this video to see why the LYCRA® brand is the industry leader in spandex innovation.

Innovation is in our DNA

We are proud of our heritage of relentless innovation that is backed by consumer insights and proprietary market research. Our inventions have revolutionized garment categories and helped build some of the best-known mills and fashion brands in the world.

Explore our timeline

News & events

Voice of the Experts: We're revolutionizing workwear

Voice of the expert

Meet us at ISPO Munich, December 3-5

Event

CXP's high-performance underwear nabs an ISPO Award

Join us at the PCIAW® Summit November 19-20, 2024

Event

C&A’s innovative men’s denim collection

Collaboration

Visit us at the Functional Fabric Fair on November 20-21

Event

Meet us at MarediModa, November 5-7

Event

Goodbye grin-through, hello LYCRA® CHROMA fiber

Join us at Performance Days, October 23-24

Event

Sybille Bald is on a mission to make the perfect pantyhose

Voice of the expert

Join us at Kingpins Amsterdam fall 2024

Event

A leap forward in sheer hosiery

Collaboration

No more rolling down or digging in — truly comfortable pantyhose have arrived

Christine Ruccis is revolutionizing denim, one stitch at a time

Voice of the expert

Robert Antoshak is driving sustainability and efficiency in denim through nearshoring

Voice of the expert

The Blueprint for Comfort Featuring COOLMAX® EcoMade ALL SEASON Fiber

Collaboration

Experience Regina Miracle

Sainsbury Tu Sleepwear with COOLMAX® EcoMade Fiber

Collaboration

Join us at FEBRATEX in Blumenau, Brazil

Event

Intertextile Shanghai Autumn 2024

Event

Serving Up New Uniforms with COOLMAX® EcoMade Fibers

Kingpins New York Summer 2024

Event

Nishat Blurring the Boundaries Collection

Collaboration

Celebrate International Bikini Day with The LYCRA Company

Fashion trend

Killer Jeans Enhances Performance With LYCRA® Fiber

Collaboration

Explore Nishat Mills

Collaboration

Discover the Kaltex Group

Collaboration

Denim Lovers, Discover the House of Denim

OYSHO Kicks Off COOLMAX® EcoMade Technology in Soccer Set

Collaboration

Reinventing Workwear: The EssentiaAble Collection by Sapphire Finishing Mills With LYCRA® Fiber

Honeylove Adopts LYCRA® Brand fibers

Collaboration

Castore X McLaren F1 Teamwear Collection Adds a Hybrid Gilet With THERMOLITE® EcoMade T-DOWN Technology

Catch the Launch of Our Latest Denim Technology at Kingpins Amsterdam Spring 2024!

Event

Revolutionizing Comfort and Performance in Medical Textiles: Introducing LYCRA® T903C Fiber

Carrington Textiles and The LYCRA Company Partner To Showcase Stretch Military Fabric in Germany

COLOMBIATEX de las Américas 2024

Event

From Farms to Fiber: The Promise of Regenerative Agriculture to the Future of Fashion

Sustainability

Mare di Moda Autumn 2023

Event

Join us at the Functional Fabric Fair

Event

Reducing Environmental Impact with Renewable Spandex

Helping to Make Fashion More Sustainable

See Denim and Woven Innovations for SS ’25 at Kingpins Amsterdam – Autumn 2023

Event

Highlights from Intertextile Shanghai - Autumn 2023

Event

Visit us at Kingpins New York

Jul 19

Event

Functional Fabric Fair Details Announced

Apr 04

Event

See Innovative and Sustainable Denim Fibers at Kingpins Amsterdam

Apr 12

Event

Visit The LYCRA Company at COLOMBIATEX 2023

Jan 24

Event

Durability is the Key to Sustainability at Kingpins New York

Jan 11

Event

Visit The LYCRA Company Booth at Performance Days

Nov 03

Event

Visit The LYCRA Company Booth at the Functional Fabric Fair

Oct 26

Event

See What’s New in Denim at Kingpins Amsterdam

Oct 19

Event

Explore The Latest Denim Trends and Find Fiber Solutions from The LYCRA Company

Fashion trend

See What’s New in Denim at Bluezone Munich

Aug 30

Event

New Research Reveals Consumers' Understanding of Sustainability in Apparel

Sustainability

See What’s New in Denim at Kingpins New York

Jul 20

Event

The DenimsandJeans India Show Recap

Event

Discover the secret to durable swimwear

Why choose LYCRA® FitSense™ technology?

The Impact of Durability and Sustainability on Consumer Behavior

Bangladesh Denim Expo Recap

Event

Mill Spotlight: Sapphire Finishing Mills

Customer spotlight

Apparel Experts Point to Global Warming as Top Challenge

The Drapers Sustainable Fashion Conference 2022

Apr 21

Event

See our latest denim innovations at Kingpins

Apr 20

Event

Recycling Materials, Reducing Waste and Improving Industry Sustainability

Sustainability

The LYCRA Company announces settlement in latest patent infringement cases

Press release

Danskin debuts LYCRA® FitSense™ technology in Japan

Collaboration

The LYCRA Company Launches LYCRA® DUAL COMFORT Technology for Ready-to-Wear & Wovens

Press release

NEXT offers next gen jeans powered by THERMOLITE® INFRARED technology

The LYCRA Company Introduces THERMOLITE® ECOMADE Fiber Made from 100% Textile Waste for Insulations

The LYCRA Company’s Foshan, China Facility Earns High Higg FEM Score

Press release

LYCRA® FREEF!T® technology brings flexible strength, comfort in motion to Primark men’s denim line

Collaboration

The LYCRA Company launches its legwear trend forecast for autumn/winter 2022-2023

Press release

Developing Durable, Sustainable Fabrics: Challenges and Tradeoffs

Sustainability

Read Our Biggest News Articles of the Year, Ranked

Innovation

Are Biodegradable Fibers Part of the Circular Economy?

Naveena launches SELF-FIT denim powered by LYCRA® fiber technologies

Collaboration

How Apparel Can Play a Role in Attaining Paris Climate Goals

Sustainability

Chemical recycling: the future is here

Sustainability

LYCRA® ADAPTIV Fiber Helps Pompea Deliver ‘Real Comfort’ Through Underwear and Hosiery

Collaboration

H&M Kids Collection Features THERMOLITE® EcoMade Technology

The LYCRA Company Showcases Innovative Products, Sustainability Initiative and New Digital Platform at Intertextile Shanghai

Press release

The LYCRA Company Announces Success in Recent Patent Challenge and Trademark Infringement Cases

Press release

THERMOLITE® EcoMade Technology Brings Lightweight Warmth, Dry Comfort to New C&A Collection

The LYCRA Company introduces LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber

Press release

Coco Reef swimwear and LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™ fiber promote body positivity with influencer-driven ‘Flaunt Your Shape’ campaign

Campaign

JACK & JONES makes summer jeans cooler with new men’s denim collection featuring COOLMAX® technologies and LYCRA® fiber

LYCRA® FitSense™ Technology Delivers Breakthrough Benefits in Modesty and Bra Foam Replacement

Press release

See What's New at Intertextile Shanghai

Oct 09

Event

Collaboration between The LYCRA Company and HeiQ promises an exciting future for textiles with a focus on stretch, comfort, freshness and sustainability

Press release

Watch Our Webinar – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Her Thoughts on Leggings

Fashion trend

SPOTLIGHT: New talent powers promising future for Zimmermann

Customer spotlight

More flex, more fun: C&A launches modern comfort collection featuring LYCRA® fiber

Collaboration

The LYCRA Company Launches New Campaign on Circularity Initiatives

Press release

A Step Towards Circularity: New Fibers from 100% Textile Waste

A Step Towards Circularity: New Fibers from 100% Textile Waste

Naveena Denim Mills and The LYCRA Company collaborate on WRAPTECH 2.0 Fabric

Collaboration

Riachuelo launches fitness fashion collection using LYCRA® EcoMade Fiber

Collaboration

The LYCRA Company announces leadership changes

Press release

COOLMAX® EcoMade fiber made from 100% textile waste

The LYCRA Company and ITOCHU Corporation introduce COOLMAX® and THERMOLITE® EcoMade fibers made from 100% textile waste

Press release

THERMOLITE® EcoMade fiber made from 100% textile waste

The LYCRA Company completes Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM) self-assessment at six manufacturing sites

Press release

Myntra House of Brands

Collaboration

The LYCRA Company’s Julien Born on the past, present and future of denim innovation

Fashion trend

The LYCRA Company interviews Lederer, a leading innovator in the medical garment sector

Customer spotlight

Gran Canaria Swim Week award winners on the Art and Science of Swimwear

BOSSA develops FOREVER FRESH powered by COOLMAX® freshFX® technology

NEXT’s new active denim collection features COOLMAX® technology

LYCRA® FitSense™ technology gives sports bras a boost

Innovation

The LYCRA Company announces Gold Level Material Health Certificates for 25 of its LYCRA® fiber products

Press release

New H&M jeans feature THERMOLITE® technology

COOLMAX® technology adopted by Empire Outlet

Lorpen Introduces T3 Technology Socks with COOLMAX® technology

The LYCRA Company and DNM DENIM collaborate to deliver innovative new denim fabric with power and comfort

Press release

Enhancing comfort in casual wear: Introducing SAPPHIRE finishing mills’ premium wovens powered by LYCRA® technologies

Collaboration

LYCRA® FREEF!T® technology brings added functionality to CALVIN KLEIN’s timeless casual wear

Collaboration

H&M adopts THERMOLITE® T-DOWN EcoMade insulation for new jackets

THERMOLITE® technology helps H&M combine function and fashion

Introducing Celio’s stylish new technical jacket with THERMOLITE® EcoMade insulation

CALZEDONIA puts sustainability first with its new Eco Denim legging featuring LYCRA® dualFX® EcoMade technology

Innovation

LYCRA® fiber brings best-in-class comfort, fit and freedom of movement to Pierre Mantoux stockings’ luxury line

Collaboration

LYCRA® Anti-Slip fiber takes center stage at Kingpins24-Amsterdam

Press release

Brook Brothers chooses COOLMAX® technology for moisture-wicking, summer dress shirts

Discover Billon design’s chic and functional fabrics

Collaboration

OVS chooses LYCRA® FREEF!T® technology for new denim offering

Collaboration

Why choose LYCRA® dualFX® technology?

Watch our webinar on sustainable COOLMAX® EcoMade technology

LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™ fiber and LYCRA® FitSense™ technology featured in 2021 Swimwear Yearbook

Collaboration

OLYMPIA® launches the next level in Swimwear, powered by LYCRA® FitSense™ technology

Collaboration

ORTA incorporates LYCRA® fiber into new FREECYCLE fabrics

Collaboration

Made to measure : LYCRA® SPORT performance indexing

Campaign

Texollini introduces T19 performance face masks made with LYCRA® fiber

Collaboration

New ESPRIT menswear range features COOLMAX® technology

Performance technologies like COOLMAX® fiber are the sweet spot for today’s shirting industry

Südwolle Group adds COOLMAX® EcoMade technology to wool garments

fbb adopts COOLMAX® technology for Buffalo shirts

NYDJ Cool Embrace® jeans with COOLMAX® technology help keep women cool and comfortable

COOLMAX® technology adds moisture-wicking performance to H&M menswear collection

Commando makes consumer face masks containing LYCRA® fiber

Collaboration

YAMAMAY teams up with LYCRA® brand for #BASICALLYSEXY co-branded campaign

Collaboration

Rosset Group shifts production to make face masks for Brazil’s health workers and vulnerable communities

Collaboration

Sock manufacturer Renfro pivots to face mask production

Collaboration

Watch: How LYCRA® EcoMade fiber is made

Innovation

A Triumph in targeted fit : leading lingerie brand adopts LYCRA® FitSense™ technology for Spring/Summer Series

Collaboration

Marena shifts majority of production to reusable medical masks amid COVID-19 crisis

Collaboration

United by Indigo: Arvind and LYCRA® brand unveil Festive 2020 Denim Collection

Event

LYCRA® dualFX® technology balances stretch and comfort in NEXT maternity denim

Collaboration

Watch: Apparel made with LYCRA® fiber and technologies hits Colombiatex catwalk

Event

Gildan’s Secret® & Silks® legwear success: collaborative innovation with The LYCRA Company

Customer spotlight

Gildan Secret and Silks Influencers

Campaign

Why the legwear industry turns to the LYCRA Company for the latest looks and tech trends

Fashion trend

The LYCRA Company to exhibit newest LYCRA® brand innovations at ISPO Munich

Press release

The LYCRA Company marks first anniversary as new company

Press release

ISPO Munich attendees to get first look at latest LYCRA® brand innovations

Event

Sondico upgrades to LYCRA® fiber for new range of soccer skins

Collaboration

The LYCRA Company releases legwear trends forecast for Autumn/Winter 2020-2021

Press release

Introducing Maidenform Shapewear powered by LYCRA® FitSense™ technology

Collaboration

The LYCRA Company launches new trademark protection campaign

Campaign

The LYCRA Company announces GRS certifications for it's new LYCRA® EcoMade fiber

Press release

Everlast upgrades to LYCRA® SPORT technology for new performance gear

Collaboration

Sustainable solutions for denim showcased at Kingpins Amsterdam

Event

DNM leverages co-branded marketing tools to drives sales

Event

Target's universal thread and LYCRA® brand team up for all denim promotion

Collaboration

Customer spotlight: Payen

Customer spotlight

Joe's Jeans and LYCRA® brand team up for all denim promotion

Collaboration

The LYCRA Company introduces new LYCRA® Ecomade Fiber as a sustainable denim solution at Kingpins Amsterdam

Press release

The LYCRA Company to showcase latest innovations at Intertextile Shanghai

Press release

LYCRA® brand kicks off annual consumer event in China

Press release

F&F launches it most sustainable jeans yet

Collaboration

The LYCRA Company announces new solutions for the circular economy under its Planet Agenda sustainability platform

Press release

The LYCRA Company launches annual fall denim co-marketing program

Brand spotlight: Foot Huggies – What’s in your boot?

Customer spotlight

CARRINGTON TEXTILES launches MOLVENO fabric powered by LYCRA® T400® Technology

Brand spotlight: Tech90’s quality apparel for the motorcycle enthusiast

Mill Spotlight: Klopman International

Brand spotlight: PULLIN

Customer spotlight

Why choose LYCRA® FUSION™ TRUE TO YOU technology?

Mill spotlight: LUTHAI TEXTILE

Customer spotlight

Why choose LYCRA FREEF!T technology?

Customer spotlight: Wei Yi

Customer spotlight

Brand spotlight: Farm to Feet™ socks

Customer spotlight

Customer spotlight: Nester Hosiery, the mill behind Farm to Feet™ socks

Customer spotlight

Voice of the Expert : Tammie Dingle discusses new Plus Size hosiery collection

Voice of the expert

Explore LYCRA® brand hosiery solutions for curvy women

Fashion trend

Voice of the Expert: David Capdevila on the advantages of LYCRA® SPORT technology

Voice of the expert

Coverer spotlight: İSİSTAŞ

Customer spotlight

See how LYCRA® SPORT PCE™ certified fabrics can increase your speed to market

Feinjersey: Optimal power level fabrics designed to meet consumer expectations for shaping and comfort

Collaboration

Made in Austria’s premium SUPERFINE® fabrics from Willy Hermann

Collaboration

Be the first to discover Piavemaitex’s LYCRA® SPORT certified fabrics for activewear

Customer spotlight

High performing fabrics from Penn Textile Solutions

Collaboration

Elastic/Lauma: Optimal power level fabrics designed to meet consumer expectations for shaping and comfort

Collaboration

Coverer spotlight: FULGAR

Customer spotlight

Why choose LYCRA® T400® EcoMade technology?

Innovation

THERMOLITE® FAR INFRARED technology delivers a new standard in warmth for socks

Voice of the expert: Dr Tianyi Liao discusses LYCRA® dualFX® technology

Voice of the expert

Retailer spotlight: GIOYDEA – Milan, Italy

Customer spotlight

LYCRA® SPORT technology merchandising kit: Questions for brands and retailers

Innovation

LYCRA® SPORT technology merchandising kit: Questions for mills

Innovation

New LYCRA® SPORT technology Merchandising kit launched

Innovation

The LYCRA Company launches THERMOLITE® T3 EcoMade insulation: A breakthrough in high performance outdoor wear.

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