France : IMPULSION: Anti-perfection theme in fabrics

With the Winter 08/09 fabric shows over, Promostyl’s fabric Must Haves is available since October 15.
The over-riding trend this season is over-worked fabrics with various types of surface effects. These fabrics are extremely tactile with a wild and raw feel and a slight asphalt gleam. These can be found in the IMPULSION theme.
This winter prints are quite subtle while the spotlight is on the surfaces of fabrics. We see: pleats, overstitches, and wrinkles, blistered and ruffled effects.
These effects are done through thermal processes, with the use of elastathane and tagging.
Fabrics are mainly wool but in featherweights or in reworked cottons.
Wool fabrics are worked with textured effects on tweeds or Shetlands or with mohair for added lightness. Some of the more compact fabrics are rough cut to create a threaded or patched-together effect.
Fake furs are ultra-hairy in a wild « cave man » spirit.
Knits are shown in extra large gages to add to the protective feel of garments this season.
Checks and other traditional masculine patterns were to be found in many collections.
As for denim, this theme is full of slight sheen or coated aspects with metallic oxidized effect.
In short, a season full of ultra-sophisticated effects and finishes.