Crimplene is a texturised continuous fibre launched in 1959, produced by modifying

Terylene Polyethylene terephthalate (or poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, PETE, or the obsolete PETP or PET-P), is the most common thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is used in fibres for clothing, containers for liquids and foo ...

. The patent was taken out by Mario Nava of Chesline and Crepes Ltd of Macclesfield, and sold to ICI Fibres. ICI licensed the product to various throwsters. The largest producer by far was William Tatton of Leek, and the Golbourne factory was at one time capable of taking the entire output of ICI's Wilton production of Terylene. Although it was highly profitable in the 1960s, the market collapsed in the 1970s, with ICI taking control of Tattons and Qualitex to form Intex Yarns. Production was dramatically reduced, and ICI sold Intex at a later stage with it closing completely some time later.

History

Astronlon-C, a polyamide yarn, and Astralene-C, a polyester yarn, were irritating to the skin when made into clothing. Companies had been trying for some time to find an artificial yarn alternative. By boiling them for various periods in a domestic pressure cooker at home, Dennis Hibbert, chief textile engineer at Cheslene and Crepes Sutton Mills, Macclesfield, believed he had found the answer. Along with the chief engineer at Scraggs Ltd, Macclesfield, they designed a machine to replicate his findings. The name "Crimplene" was chosen for two reasons. The first was that ICI had their headquarters in

Harrogate Harrogate ( ) is a spa town and the administrative centre of the Borough of Harrogate in North Yorkshire, England. Historically in the West Riding of Yorkshire, the town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa w ...

; specifically nearby Crimple Valley. The word "crimp" also means to fold and intertwine. After successful trials, Dennis's wife Margaret had the first Crimplene dress, and the patent rights were sold to ICI. In 1960 an article appeared in the industries journal ''The Hosiery Times'' that caused a sensation, and Crimplene clothing was launched at high society fashion shows in London, Paris, New York and Milan. The fabric enjoyed popularity upon its introduction in the 1960s in response to its convenient 'wash-and-wear' properties. Crimplene was often used to make the typical A-line dress of

1960s fashion In a decade that broke many traditions, adopted new cultures, and launched a new age of social movements, 1960s fashion had a nonconformist but stylish, trendy touch. Around the middle of the decade, new styles started to emerge from small vil ...

. It was also popular amongst men in British mod culture for use in garish button-down shirts. In the early 1970s, Crimplene began to fall out of fashion. Other, lighter-weight polyester fabrics like Trevira replaced Crimplene for their ease of movement and ventilation. Crimplene is seldom used today as fashion preferences have drifted towards more natural

cotton Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus '' Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor pe ...

s. Crimplene suits were regarded in some countries as "working-men's going-out clothes". Mario Nava received an OBE in June 1979.

References

{{Fabric Polyesters Woven fabrics 1960s fashion Synthetic fibers