The Best ofIntima & Swim Edit
Renowned for her expertise in luxury bodywear and textile innovation, Founder of London Couture Expert Nichole de Carle has become a key voice in the evolution of performance fashion. As the curator of the newly launched Bodywear section at Performance Days shows in Munich, Portland, and Shanghai, she shares her insight into the trends, materials, and technologies shaping the future of the industry.
You’ve been curating the Bodywear section at Performance Days across major cities. What trends are emerging across markets?
We’re seeing a global shift toward true versatility, where fashion, function, and comfort intersect seamlessly. Consumers want garments that transition effortlessly between activewear, loungewear, and everyday wear, without compromising performance or style. Innovation centers on second-skin experiences, featuring seamless construction, thermoregulating fabrics, and sculpting technologies that support movement while feeling ultra-light and breathable. Shapewear is driving renewed focus on fit, form, and confidence, influencing contouring and compression trends across leggings, base layers, and swimwear. Consumers increasingly seek subtle shaping that remains comfortable and stylish throughout the day. At the same time, size inclusivity, gender-fluidity, and adaptive design have moved from niche to foundational. Brands that authentically embed these values into product development and consumer messaging are gaining the most traction across markets.
Your company, London Contour Experts, specializes in fabric sourcing and product development. What innovations do you believe will shape the future of bodywear?
We’re seeing a significant shift toward bio-based and biodegradable materials that deliver high performance without compromising sustainability. From bio-based nylons and recycled elastane blends to biodegradable abaca yarns and thermoregulating swimwear fabrics, a new generation of materials is reshaping the future of performance bodywear. These textiles combine eco-conscious sourcing with advanced functionality, such as odor control, moisture management, and temperature regulation, pushing the boundaries of sustainable design. Smart textiles and 3D knitting technologies are also accelerating speed to market while minimizing production waste. As circular innovation becomes not just desirable but commercially essential, these advancements are set to define the next era of bodywear.
There’s a lot happening in bra cup technology. Which developments stand out to you?
Lightweight spacer fabrics and molded biodegradable foams are leading the way, offering structure without compromising on comfort or sustainability. We’re also seeing promising innovation in mono-material cups, which simplify recycling and align with circular design goals. Brands and suppliers like Eurojersey with their Sensitive Fabrics, and innovators like Penn Textile Solutions are at the forefront of this shift. Their foam-free solutions are enabling the creation of lightweight, adaptive bras that support a more natural, streamlined silhouette, prioritising breathability, softness, and wearability.The industry is clearly moving toward designs that are not only more sustainable but also more responsive to the body’s natural form and daily movement.
The industry is shifting from recycled synthetics to eliminating oil-based yarns altogether. What’s your perspective?
This shift feels both necessary and exciting. While recycled synthetics were an important step forward, we’re now seeing their limitations, especially around microplastic pollution and true circularity. Innovators like Ciclo are making a real difference by developing technologies that capture and break down microfibers released during wear and washing, helping to tackle one of the biggest environmental challenges in textiles. Moving forward, the future lies in regenerative agriculture-based fibers, biosynthetics, enzyme-driven decomposition, and solutions that reduce microplastic pollution. Together, these advances are paving the way for transparent, scalable closed-loop systems that harmonize performance with sustainability.
How can brands successfully balance performance and sustainability in bodywear?
The key lies in intentional design - considering the full product lifecycle from the outset. Innovative materials like Tencel, Roica V550, and circular polyamides such as Econyl, Q-Nova, and Amni Soul Eco allow brands to achieve high-performance functionality while significantly reducing environmental impact. We're also seeing a rise in “new naturals”, regenerative and biodegradable fibers derived from sources like seaweed, banana, abaca, and hemp. These next-generation materials offer breathability, softness, and durability, while embracing true circularity. Today, performance and sustainability are no longer competing priorities, they are fundamentally interconnected and must be seamlessly integrated from the design stage forward.
Consumers are demanding more from their garments. How does that influence your work?
Authenticity is paramount. True inclusivity means offering extended sizing, adaptive features, and gender-neutral silhouettes, not just ticking boxes, but creating meaningful options. Consumers also expect full transparency about material origins, ethical labor practices, and environmental impact. These evolving demands inspire a more thoughtful and accountable approach to every stage of the design process. Today’s consumers engage with brands on a deeply emotional level, through fandoms, aesthetics, and identity politics. Gen Z and Millennials increasingly seek values-driven brands that resonate with their passions and reflect the cultural moment. This shift underscores the importance of authenticity and purpose in brand engagement.
One bold prediction for the future of bodywear?
Bodywear will become both invisible and intelligent, garments that intuitively adapt to temperature, posture, and even emotional state. As biotech, digital textiles, and fashion converge, bodywear will emerge as the testing ground for some of the industry’s most transformative innovations the industry has ever witnessed. At the same time, we’ll see a decentralised shift to meet a bipolar consumer mindset. In a world accelerating through AI, biotech, and digital culture, there will be an equally powerful return to what’s real: emotion, connection, and originality. This is where technology meets soulfulness, where innovation personal. It’s no longer just about what’s new, but about what moves us, what it communicates, and how it resonates.
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