A number of technological factors have contributed to making denim the fashion icon of today. Generally, denim fabric are 3/1 warp-faced twill fabric made from a yarn dyed warp and an un-dyed weft yarn. The warp yarn is indigo dyed and sizing process of the fabric involves two methods (1) threads from several back beams are combined to form a warp sheet and dyed and sized on the same machine (2) about 350-400 threads are formed into ropes, which run parallel through the dyeing machine, then dried and sized. Denim is generally woven through Shuttleless Weaving System namely, Airjet looms, Rapier looms or Projectile looms now. The woven denim fabric then goes through various finishing processes, such as brushing, singeing, washing, impregnation for dressing and drying. Brushing and singeing eliminate impurities and help to even the surface of denim fabric. Dressing regulates the hand and rigidity of the fabric while compressive shrinking manages its dimensional stability. The standard width of denim fabrics is then sent for making up. In this process, the fabric is cut into the desired width according to the size required. The made-up denim fabric is then thoroughly checked for defects such as weaving defects, uneven dyeing, bleaching and dyeing defects, oil stains, or patches. Different chemical finishes are given to the fabric to make it soft. Other treatments, which include enzyme wash to provide the faded worn out look, anti-bacterial, dust, fire, stain and water resistant are provided as per the requirement.

Denim expands its scope

Denim's expanded horizon, from garments and accessories to home decor, has become a style statement in the fashion world globally. This shift in the style pattern is perceived in the attitude of the denim lovers, who are fascinated with the fabric and find it appealing, durable and chic. The term Denim is believed to have originated from the city of Nimes in France where serge, a type of tough fabric was first made. Traditionally, it was dyed with blue color, the indigo dye to make the jeans look blue and hence it is dyed at the stage of sizing only. Denim fabric is used at a large scale all over the world economies. Its vivid texture and ability to provide extreme comfort makes it one of demanding fashion entities all over. In India approximately 32.5 million meter of denim fabric produced for home decor purpose. Overall 3 to 5 percentage capacity is use to manufacture Denim home decor products. Indian denim decor market is expected to grow with 9 percent annually till year 2012.

Global Fashion Inspires Indian Designers

India produces nearly 650 million meters of denim per annum, with the major players like Arvind Ltd, Aarvee Denims and Exports Ltd, Modern Denim Ltd, Mafatlal Denim, Soma Textiles and Industries Ltd, KG Denim, Alok Industries and Raymond UCO Denim who have reacted well to the rising demand of the fabric. India has a share of nearly 13% of the world textile trade and its $55-60 billion denim market is poised for 3% to5% growth. The expected is attributed to certain global factors as most of the international brands and retailers are shifting their sourcing centers from traditional players like the US, Mexico, Turkey and Italy, to low-cost manufacturing hubs. Wal-Mart, GAP, H & M and other big players have adopted aggressive strategies to networking with Indian denim players. India has become a recent choice for denim sourcing due to the advanced manufacturing technologies and cost preferences. China is faced with cotton crunch and Bangladesh is undergoing labor crisis, resulting in increased capacities by the Indian companies.


A number of global home furnishing brands have seized upon this new idea to make denim fit into their product portfolio, which encompasses sofa upholstery, cushions, table linen, bed linen, kitchen linen and even curtains. Tommy Hilfiger has launched hot styled bed comforters, which found very good response in the market. Ralph Lauren ventured into denim Black-watch plaid sheet sets including flat & fitted sheets, pillow cases, twin quilts, comforters and dinnerware, while some manufacturers experimented with denim florals and blue chambray colored pottery. Cushions from Pottery Barn and bath curtains from Bath & Beyond became hot selling items in the international market. Diesel, one of the top Italian design company, which is reputed to be one of the best international denim wear brands, is broadening the denim scope into home furnishing collection. Ahlens, a Swedish company has made a foray into denim bedding, a unique development with a perfect feel of a bed. The company is sourcing these beddings from Goldmine Exports, an Indian company and one of its vendors, already in the international market. A One Home Textile Group from Pakistan is a leading denim home textile exporter.


Abundant availability of raw material is one of the key advantages for Indian textile industry. Among the Indian companies who have entered the denim sector, LNJ Denim has positioned itself as a leader in producing denim from recycled waste yarns and old jeans and has procured volume orders from international companies like Diesel for the recycled denim, used primarily for home furnishing items. The company has launched poly denim fabric, believed to be more skin friendly and introduced nearly 65 colors in denim for wider color options. Many top players in India have ventured to produce a complete range of denim home furnishings and have captured a fair ratio of the world market.

Made ups of denim in India are viable both for the comfort and the reasonable price tags it offers to the user, when compared to the international counterparts. Another major factor to play key role in promoting wide scale of denim in garments and now in home textile sector is that there are many big organized players in India, manufacturing denim fabric, such as Aarvee Denims, KG Denims, Alok Industries and many more. In depth R & D by these manufacturing companies has helped to develop the required softness and finish of the denim fabric to enable it to be used for bed linen or beddings.


Denim home furnishing products have a simple and basic look to give it a trendy touch, but products with value additions, like embroidery work, buttons and stitching detailing is carving a niche market for themselves. Mix n match of print fabric with denim is often used to make the products more appealing.


Eco friendly measures have been adopted by few companies with the recycling of denim garments to produce denim fabric for home furnishings. Also the remains of indigo substances are filtered and recycled for other dye baths, rather than discarding it, while enzyme wash is again environment friendly as it is done by organic substances. Considered highly user friendly material, in terms of its washing, drying and maintenance, the future outlook is very optimistic for denim furnishing, even though it still falls in the high segment slab in the domestic market.


Denim home dcor carves a niche market


The very word denim gives a feeling of comfort and relaxation and now it has penetrated the world of home furnishing, after capturing a prominent place in the apparel industry. Denim is versatile and works well with a variety of styles and colors. Even better, its washable, durable and comfortable. With denim, the color options are nearly limitless, different rooms can have different color options for home dcor. Some international designers are matching it with pine furniture to give a country feel.


As denim is a fabric combining elegance blended with features of coolness and ruggedness, it has been rightly accepted as an ideal home decorating medium. Moreover, its soft feel, look and appeal in different weaves and finishes enable it to be a part of home dcor themes to suit individuals taste. There is a wide range of denim fabric, which is used for the home furnishing sector, the popular ones being the Silky Denim, thin, soft, pre washed and pre shrunk, Poly structure, medium weight requiring less of ironing, Euro 3 stoned Double Indigo slub, being the latest denim weave, Polka and Floral denim, Raw denim and Teen Reversible slub and many more. Their prices vary from `140/- to `250/-, depending upon the density, number of dips and type of washes. Prices saw an increase of 10% to 15% due to the cotton crisis in the past few months. Innovative ideas have been devised to decorate home with denim, starting right from the living room, kitchen, bathroom to the bedroom. Customized sofa sets, chairs and couches covered with soft denim cloth are being offered to match with the color of the walls. Cushion covers and curtains in denim or mix n match with prints and trims to match with add beauty to the place. Some home dcor items in denim like the lamp shades, TV covers and photo frames give a classic look. But denim in the bedroom has become the latest fad all over the world.

 

Denim comforters, bedcovers, quilts and bed-skirts make the room romantic and beautiful. Print and checks combination with blue denim or printed tone-on tone denim fabric in patterns such as paisley is ideally suited for the bedroom. Denim is becoming quite popular for the table and dinnerware. Besides wooden furniture, bamboo and iron furniture matches superb with denim.