Tag Archives: innovation

Knitted sneakers – what is Flyknit?

Flyknit technology revolutionized sneakers by enabling versatile and lightweight designs for both sports and streetwear.

Flyknit is a seamless upper construction method developed by Nike, reducing waste by around 60% and allowing micro-engineering for different silhouettes.

The exact construction of Flyknit is a well-guarded secret, but it precisely engineers yarns and fabric variations where needed for a featherweight, form-fitting upper.

Nike’s journey towards Flyknit began in response to runners’ demand for sneakers with a sock-like fit, leading to the development of Flywire technology in 2008.

After years of research, Nike introduced Flyknit in 2012 with the Flyknit Racer, offering a durable and form-fitting option for marathon runners.

Custom Sweaters: A Fashion Revolution

Have you ever bought what seemed like the perfect sweater, only to be disappointed by overly long sleeves? This age-old fashion woe may soon be a thing of the past. Enter the high-tech knitting machine, a new-age marvel that crafts custom sweaters right before your eyes. It might sound futuristic, but a German company has already made this vision a reality.

This innovation is part of the Online Designer project, supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy and executed by the sportswear company’s in-house agency. Inside any Berlin pop-up store, customers can obey the revolutionizing sweater production.

Customers actively participate by designing their sweaters without undergoing body scans for a personalized experience. Satisfied customers likened it to have their custom sweaters designs online and knitted in Germany.
This venture into tailor-made sweaters signifies the company’s forward-thinking approach to store and production models, prioritizing speed, and customer preferences.

Traditional garment production takes several months, but this method takes about 2 weeks from design to arrival of the read made product. To stay competitive, the knitwear company has embraced innovation.

Here’s how it works: Customers start with a template or create a design from scratch. Color combinations can be picked and edited on a computer. When the order is sent out, the sweater is knitted and finished, then sent out for worldwide delivery.

This level of customization comes at a cost, which is well below what most people think. Between 70 and 85 Euro per sweater. Sales and mass production aren’t the focus at this stage; instead, the company values customer data and feedback, shaping the venture’s future.

Feedback not only enhances the customer experience but also addresses their demands promptly, improving production times and customer satisfaction. Their strategy is simple: offer consumers what they desire, where and when they want it, mitigating risks. The company’s chief makes a move from merely guessing what might be popular, to what is actually ordered online.