INVISTA EXPANDS BRANDING FOR KNITWEAR WITH XTRA LIFE LYCRA®

WILMINGTON, Del., September 2007 - INVISTA has launched a new concept for knitwear under the brand name Xtra Life LYCRA®, which was originally launched in 2005 as revolutionary technology for swimwear. This new concept, which leverages the strong consumer awareness and brand value of the Xtra Life LYCRA® name, offers a significant marketing opportunity for sweater brands and retailers by making it easier for consumers to find garments containing the patented low power LYCRA® technology.

Xtra Life LYCRA® fabric brought a new shape promise to swimwear, delivering a flattering fit that resists bagging and sagging. This concept translates well to sweaters, bringing similar attributes and benefits. As wear test research has shown, cotton sweaters made with patented low power LYCRA® yarns maintain their shape and stay new looking for longer than those without LYCRA® fiber. Significantly, 80 percent of wear test participants were willing to pay more for sweaters with low power LYCRA® versus the same sweater in 100 percent cotton.

In addition to shape retention, consumers identify luxurious aesthetics and a soft hand with LYCRA® yarns in sweaters. Wear test research has show that sweaters with LYCRA® yarns get softer and feel more comfortable after multiple wearings and washing. Consumer research has identified LYCRA® as a preferred stretch fabrication in sweaters with the key benefits of swears with better fit, better freedom of movement, and better shape retention.

"Recent research conducted by INVISTA indicated that consumers desire all the benefits LYCRA® brings to sweaters, but they aren't always aware of where they can purchase these garments," says Elana Page, INVISTA Knitwear Marketing Manager. By promoting sweaters as part of the Xtra Life LYCRA® brand, retailers can easily point consumers toward the kinds of garments they've indicated they want to purchase-sweaters that keep their shape and stay new looking even after repeated wear."

INVISTA will be showcasing the benefits of this new branding concept at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, where Xtra Life LYCRA® for sweaters concept garments from ready-to-wear designers Michelle Smith for Milly and Sari Gueron will be featured in the brand's LYCRA® lounge in the tents at Bryant Park.

"LYCRA® yarns allowed me to get exactly the fit I wanted in my knits, and provided structure that's ordinarily difficult to achieve," says Gueron.

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