For the first time denim, which has always been thought of as a tough, masculine fabric, can now be seen to be as soft and slinky as silk.

This was revealed on Tencel Day at the Tencel Denim Workshop. Natural in origin, Tencel was designed as an environmentally friendly cellulose fibre to be used in fabrics to maximize comfort and functionality. It is the brand name of Tencel Ltd, used for its product, lyocell, the fibre's generic name.

"The touch and drape of Tencel fabrics is definitely what I am looking for," said Wang Wei, one of the three designers participating in Tencel Day with his denim collection. "Whether designers or consumers, comfort is the most important factor and Tencel fabrics can meet this demand."

Combined with Tencel, denim looks more feminine than ever and is a source of inspiration for designers.

The autumn/winter 2004/05 trend was also revealed on Tencel Day. It will be the season to take stock, reject the ordinary and celebrate real quality again, both hidden and visible.

Melange Blends - Deluxe trans-seasonal co-ordinates. Trans-seasonal and functional blends with wool create a new palette of textures in jersey co-ordinates and woven separates.

Elaborate Details - Detailed and decorative contrasts in knits and weaves. Decoration continues to intrigue the eye in complex jacquards and neat yarn dyed wovens. The familiar and luxurious touch of Tencel adds value to this rich winter look.

Soft and Warm - New jersey looks in skin-soft blends and vibrant colours. Tencel 100 jerseys in new blends and forms are at once sensual, vibrant and soft against the skin.

Refined and Rugged - Upgraded casualwear combines luxury with functional simplicity.

Simplicity and luxury combine in cotton blend casualwear where we see a new upgraded appearance in garment styling and finish for both classic jeans weights and the newer lightweight sports mood.

(Shanghai Star    December 15, 2003)