Alistair WIlliamson, former vice president EMEA, The Lycra Company, is now the group’s new vice president product sustainability.
In his new role, Williamson will lead the next phase of the company’s sustainability strategy and oversee all initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its products, as well as coordinating activities related to operations and innovation platforms.
Williamson brings over forty years of experience in the textile and apparel industry, gained through leadership roles in business development, sales, and marketing across EMEA, North America, and South Asia.
Before joining The Lycra Company’s predecessor in 2007, Williamson worked for two nylon yarn manufacturers.
“Alistair’s experience will give a strong boost to our Sustainability Agenda and help us meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers,” said Doug Kelliher, Executive Vice President, Product at The Lycra Company.
“His leadership will ensure continuity in the development of high-performance solutions with an ever-increasing level of transparency and reduced environmental impact,” added Kelliher.
In recent years, The Lycra Company has achieved several milestones in innovation and sustainability, including the launch of Renewable Lycra fiber, made with 70% renewable content; the introduction of products made from recycled materials; and the attainment of third-party certifications supporting transparency and traceability throughout the entire value chain.
“I am honored to take on this role at a time when our industry is evolving toward increasingly sustainable and transparent practices,” Williamson said.
“My goal is to promote sustainability as a shared priority within the organization, working closely with industry stakeholders and helping to drive concrete, lasting results,” he added.
Among the latest developments, during the most recent Kingpins Amsterdam show held in April, the global manufacturer of innovative fibers launched several other solutions for the apparel industry. Lycra Vintage FX made its debut. This next-generation fiber preserves the authentic look of vintage denim while delivering the benefits of comfort, personalized fit, and shape retention that consumers expect from stretch denim.
Designed for denim and woven fabrics, it responds to the industry’s shift toward garments that don’t cling to the silhouette and are increasingly loose-fitting, including wide-leg, flare, boyfriend, and mom jeans, where maintaining the right fit and structural stability of the garment remains a challenge, particularly at the waist, hips, and crotch.
“After previewing the Lycra VintageFX fiber at Kingpins Amsterdam last year, we are excited to officially introduce it to the global denim community,” said Ebru Ozaydin, product category director for denim and ready-to-wear, The Lycra Company.
“For brands and manufacturers, its dual-core yarn construction, low shrinkage, and high elastic recovery open up new design possibilities. These characteristics allow for compact, less bulky fabrics with an authentic vintage look, without the instability of traditional low-elasticity options,” added Ozaydin.
This fiber offers significant advantages, including low shrinkage and excellent recovery even after industrial washing and treatments; the fabric structure remains compact, and in addition to having better drape and less bulk, the fabric provides gentle compression and a pleasant feel against the skin, while reducing seam slippage for higher garment quality and greater durability.
“Lycra VintageFX fiber enables brands and retailers to offer strong value to consumers, filling a critical market gap and enhancing new collections,” said Arnaud Ruffin, Vice President of Brands and Retail, The Lycra Company.
“This product demonstrates how our commitment to textile innovation supports the entire supply chain with unique, performance-oriented solutions,” he added.