The two-day event gathered key industry players, brands and designers at ISKO headquarters, in Turkey. An exclusive experience right in the heart of innovation to provide a unique insight into ISKO know-how and knowledge.
A culture of an all-around improvement is what defines ISKO’s approach to denim production, allowing the thriving of technological and creative potential of the company and its resources.
On March 6 to 7, 2019, the world leading ingredient brand hosted a 360° Denim Seminar to share its vision and expertise with key industry players, brands and designers. As the name suggests, the initiative was an all-out experience that took place right on the grounds where ISKO™ denim happens: the factory’s headquarters.
Here a special highlight was the opening of its new state-of-the-art distribution centre. This space – 40 meters high, 80 meters long and 45 meters wide – and has 128000 cells/ locations, each is able to contain a fabric roll that can hold up to 500 meters of material. Seven automated robots process every single order, in a controlled environment where oxygen levels are kept at 16,4 % to prevent oxidation and fires. As normal oxygen levels in the air is 21 %, no human beings are employed here.
The two-day event covered denim from A to Z, providing tools and know-how on everything from fibre to final garment. The occasion was a chance for the audience to learn about new fashion trends and ISKO’s latest sustainable achievements through its commitment to Responsible Innovation™. ISKO keeps being at the forefront in terms of competence, creativity and citizenship.
The agenda
Many were the activities that made this occasion a unique opportunity:
– An introduction to ISKO and responsible innovation approach, by ISKO Global Marketing Director Rosey Cortazzi and ISKO Senior CSR Executive Ebru Ozkucuk Guler;
– A Creative Room™ presentation by Selin Akman. Creative Room™ is ISKO’s division with a focus on design and research, working closely with brands as well as designers looking for new inspiration;
– A presentation on the latest trends by Sam Trotman, Denim Dudes;
– An insight fibre to fabric by ISKO Product Development Manager Baris Ozden;
– A wash presentation by Iskoteca™ Director Moreno De Angelis. Iskoteca™ is ISKO specialist resource for treatments, washings, finishings and a complete denim library that houses over 25,000 denims (and their “recipes”).
As part of the seminar, on the first day two different guided tours gave ISKO guests the opportunity to see with their own eyes where and how ISKO™ premium denim is produced and distributed: the factory and the new distribution centre. On the second day a workshop allowed them to get their hands on denim to customize a piece with different techniques.
Rosey Cortazzi, ISKO Global Marketing Director, described the event as “an informative and engaging experience”, adding: “By inviting our customers to visit our facility we want them to have a chance to get a total overview of denim from fibre to final garment. We want them to understand that this entire process can be achieved in a responsible way, considering both people and the planet.”
“Currently there is a seduction around sustainability which holds huge opportunity for brands.” Explained Sam Trotman, Denim Dudes. “The luxury sector is rebranding our aspiration through a new conscious and visionary approach to manufacturing and marketing that is adding a greater sense of what luxury should stand for. No longer is the simple premise of buying high-end fashion and luxury goods just for the sake of ownership a valid business model for brands. Customers are seeking meaning and value and fashion brands are having to embed purpose and ethics at the core of what they are doing. In 2020, the notion of quality over quantity – less is more – will be the reigning ideology.”
As a world-leading ingredient brand, ISKO is the only denim mill in the world to have been awarded both the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and the EU Ecolabel. The company has a production capacity of 300 million meters of fabric per year with 2000 high-tech automated looms. ISKO has a global presence, with offices in 35 countries, and is part of SANKO TEKSTIL, the textiles division of the SANKO Group. The SANKO Group is one of the largest conglomerates in the world, active in a wide range of sectors from construction and energy, to packaging, financial services, health care and education. It is also a major investor in renewable energy, including hydroelectric and wind power plants.
ISKO is a trademark of SANKO TEKSTIL.