Ralph Lauren has partnered with start-up Natural Fiber Welding (NFW) to create a 100 percent cotton polo shirt. As part of the collaboration, Ralph Lauren has invested in NFW to further support the patented manufacturing process and contribute to the development of novel performance apparel made from natural materials, the US label announced on Thursday.
NFW is a start-up specializing in material science. For the polo shirt, NFW developed a proprietary process that uses technology to improve moisture absorption and the drying process, said David Lauren, Ralph Lauren’s chief branding and innovation officer. The process is a market launch and can process both pure and recycled cotton. According to the company, the polo shirt made of natural fibers has comparable properties to models made of polyester and nylon.
The RLX Clarus polo shirt will be promoted by tennis players Sam Groth and Josh Cavallo during the Australian Open 2022 which started on Monday. In the coming weeks, several styles and colors for men and women will be included in global distribution.