Spanx—a global pioneer in shapewear founded by Sara Blakely in 1998—has redefined the standards of comfort and performance in women’s apparel by employing innovative stretch technologies across its product lines, according to “Profile of Spanx: a company which revolutionised the shapewear industry”, a 21-page report from the global business information company Textiles Intelligence. With the adoption of Lycra FitSense print technology and Lycra FitSense denim technology, Spanx continues to achieve its mission “to help women feel great about themselves and their potential”.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Spanx has revolutionised the way women around the world dress by offering an expansive portfolio which includes activewear, dresses, jackets, jeans, jumpsuits, loungewear, shorts, skirts, swimwear, tops, trousers and its signature shapewear. With products sold in over 50 markets through wholesale and direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels, Spanx remains a trailblazer in the apparel industry.
As part of its commitment to producing innovative products, Spanx has incorporated Lycra FitSense print technology—which uses a water-based dispersion—into several of its shapewear collections. The result is targeted compression, support and lift “where it is needed most”, which is claimed to deliver a greater level of functionality without compromising on comfort or style. The technology makes a notable debut in Spanx’s Invisible Supima Cotton collection, where it is considered to be a first-to-market innovation.
Additionally, the company’s ReDefine denim collection features FitSense denim technology, which offers custom-fit comfort without the need for restrictive hardware or rigid panels.
Jeans featured in the collection are made using fibres which respond to body heat. In particular, body heat activates a unique shaping system which is capable of targeting the bottom, stomach, thighs and waist.
With the introduction of Lycra FitSense print technology and Lycra FitSense denim technology, Spanx continues to uphold its purpose of “elevating women” using innovative technologies.
However, while adopting technologies which improve performance and functionality, Spanx falls short when it comes to embracing technologies which promote environmental sustainability. In order to remain competitive and drive innovation in the industry, the company will need to place greater emphasis on environmentally sustainable products and working practices.
