Behind the Scenes with WesFeld from Plastics Make it Possible on Vimeo.

Host Molly Sims introduced the designers at the star-studded event, see for yourself!

Gen Art “New Garde” Sizzle Reel from Plastics Make it Possible on Vimeo.

Without plastics, many of today’s fashions wouldn’t be possible. Plastics help put the stretch in skinny jeans and socks, give dress clothes their shimmer, keep outerwear lightweight and water-resistant and enable accessories to be molded into all sorts of funky shapes. From nylon, polyester and spandex to faux fur, rayon and even recycled plastics, the fashion world has embraced these materials and taken design to heights not imagined at the turn of the century when plastic fibers in clothing first entered the mainstream. Plastic-based fabrics are revered for their versatility and durability, helping fuel designers’ imaginations and consistently allowing artists to create pieces that are cutting-edge, chic and affordable.

Below are just a few of the fibers and fabrics made possible by plastic. For a list of more, please visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com/2010/02/fibers/.

Rayon
Rayon was first developed in Paris in the late 1800s as a man-made alternative to silk. In 1894, British inventors Charles Cross, Edward Bevan and Clayton Beadle patented a practical method of making an improved artificial silk that came to be known as viscose rayon. Avtex Fibers Incorporated produced the first commercial artificial silk or rayon in 1910 in the United States. This new material was widely used in the early 1900s and acclaimed for its silk-like sheen and draping effects. Rayon also dyed well and often was used to make lingerie for the lower end of the market. Rayon has endured many new styles and trends though the decades, enjoying a revolution of sorts in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, it is still widely used, often combining with other materials to create velvet, brocade, damask and other fabrics.

Nylon
Nylon is a synthetic polymer that was first developed in the 1930s by Wallace Carothers at DuPont. Intended as a replacement for silk, nylon became popular in many products during World War II when silk became scarce, finding uses in military applications such as parachutes, flak vests and ropes, as well as vehicle tires. Though first sold commercially in a nylon-bristled toothbrush in 1938, it’s more famously known for replacing silk in women’s stockings, which soon took on the generic name “nylons.” Nylon still is manufactured by DuPont and valued for its light weight, incredible tensile strength, durability and resistance to damage. It also takes dye easily, making nylon fabrics available in a wide array of colors for consumers.

Polyester
Scrunch it, pull it, wash it – without any wear and wrinkles. In the 1960s and 1970s, Polyester was the fabric of choice in a changing economy of speed, efficiency and convenience. The innovation of polyester led to many revolutionary uses, including, most notably, performance fleece outerwear and the swimsuits used by many of the world’s top athletes. In addition, polyester can be blended with other fibers such as cotton to create many stylish looks and even recycled beverage bottles can be used to make polyester and fleece, providing the desirable durability of permanent-press traits for modern fashion staples. Indeed, permanent press is also the result of chemistry. In the 1950s, Ruth Rogan Benerito, a researcher at the Cotton Chemical Reactions Laboratory, discovered certain chemicals could make cellulose fibers wrinkle-resistant. Other scientists fine-tuned her formula and soon, permanent-press fabrics were born.

The use of the polyester dropped off in the late 80s and 90s, but it is experiencing resurgence due to the emergence of luxury fibers like polyester microfiber and various polyester blends, ensuring that versatile polyester has a long life in fashion for years to come.

Organza
Organza is a thin, sheer style of fabric traditionally made from silk, but today many organzas are woven with plastic filament fibers such as polyester or nylon to enable them to be more durable and practical than silk. Organza is a staple of formal dresses and other delicate wardrobe pieces. Organza has a fluid movement and graceful drape, valued in full skirts and evening gowns, and wraps using organza produce a decidedly sophisticated look. One of the primary applications of organza is in wedding dresses, helping make the big day all the more special. Between wedding attire and uptown evening fashions, organza’s future in the world of fashion is secure.

Taffeta
Taffeta dates back to medieval Europe and historically has been made from silk – today it’s engineered from numerous fibers, including plastics such as nylon and rayon. Taffeta is found in many garments, from the lining of windbreakers to wedding gowns. Many people associate this fabric with luxury and high end garments due to its famously lustrous appearance. The term “taffeta” actually comes from the Persian words for “twisted” and “woven,” and is believed to have been introduced to Europeans through Persia, a major stop along trade routes.

For more information on how fashion benefits from plastics, visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com.

Iconic Fashions Throughout History Made Possible By Plastics:

• Patent leather hobo bags
• Stretch body shapers
• Skinny jeans
• Weather resistant trench coats
• Performance fleece jackets
• Faux fur collars and jackets
• Lucite shoes and accessories
• Platform heel shoes
• Vinyl mini skirts
• Mesh sneakers
• Non-iron shirts and T-shirts
• Faux horn-rimmed eyeglasses

Plastics Today
As winners of the Plastics Make it PossibleSM and Gen Art designer contest, designer duo WesFeld created an entire collection of womenswear using plastic fibers and plastic-based materials. Known for their draping and unique structuring methods, the two have been using plastic materials such as nylon mesh, poly-satin and plastic boning for years, which allow them to create clean, sophisticated shapes and lines. Plastic fabrics also are very versatile, and many are easy to dye and to manipulate into waves and curves that bring to mind the animals and nature that inspired WesFeld. Visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com for more information on WesFeld and to view behind-the-scenes photos and videos of them creating their debut collection.

Hi, We’re Daniel Feld and Wesley Nault, also known as WesFeld, the design team that won the Plastics Make It Possible^SM designer competition. The response we’ve been getting over the first few weeks, since winning, has been so wonderful! We are so excited to be part of this and about participating in New York Fashion Week. So, we thought we’d give everyone some insight as to how we got involved with Plastics Make It Possible^SM, and answer a few of the most popular questions we’ve been asked….

What’s the mood in the work studio?
We are pretty calm — unless the tension builds up, and then we may briefly butt heads. But, we are getting prepped for our first ever show at New York Fashion week after all! We’re working at such a frantic pace, trying to express our vision through our pieces that we haven’t had time to worry or be stressed – we barely have time to eat, sleep or take a shower! There have been times where we haven’t left our studio for three days! I know, kind of gross, right? But we are dedicated to our vision!

What has taken up the most time?
We have been spending many days and hours on one dress! This particular beauty involves 35 yards of plastic-based, nylon mesh fabric from four different places, which we then dye ourselves to get just the color combination we want. The effect lets us essentially create our own pattern. The dress is draped with grey and pink ruffles and layers – our hands ache from sewing it! But it’s a showstopper and we can’t wait to show it off to everyone.

Follow us online!
We’re currently working with a fabulous web designer to create our web site, but in the meantime, you can check us out plenty of ways online. Become a fan of WesFeld on Facebook or follow our handle on Twitter: @wesfeld. We’re continuing to post updates on our progress and when we’re not working 24/7, we’ll be interacting with our fans!

What are you most looking forward to seeing at Fashion Week?
We’re looking forward to seeing the city come alive with people and seeing inspiration on every corner. It’s a magical time that the whole fashion community bands together to promote innovative thinking, new talent and to steer the trends for the forthcoming months. What do you want us to report on for the week? What are you most excited to see?

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.

Thanks so much!

Dan & Wes

In this photo from Plastics Make it Possible^SM, Former Project Runway contestants, Wesley Nault, center left, and Daniel Feld, center right, of WesFeld, pose with models wearing their line of plastic- based fashions at the Plastics Make it Possible show in New York, Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010.

Actress and jewelry designer Molly Sims, third from left, joins the winners during the unveiling of the duo’s plastic-based fashions.

Here, Molly Sims poses on the red-carpet at the unveiling of WesFeld’s plastic-based fashions .