Other original ideas are already realized in this network

Intangible, i.e. non-technological innovation acquires its letters of nobility. This afternoon in Paris, in the show House & objects, the Minister responsible for industry, Christian Estrosi, officially launches the R3iLab, the network of intangible innovation for the industry dedicated to professionals in the textile, fashion and related activities. Supported by the State, this initiative has a budget of EUR 1.5 million for the period 2010-2011, which represents 80 of the overall budget. The balance is financed by industrialists involved in projects, as well as by institutional partners, such as the regions.

Launched end of 2009, this network aims to bring together two parallel worlds: manufacturers and designers. "The initial goal is to associate them on new projects, because they do not naturally, manufacturers often located in the province and meet creators on Paris," said Paul de Montclos, President & CEO of Garnier Thiebaut, specialist of the bed linen for the hotels, restaurants and individuals. The industrial holding the Presidency of Tech & Design, a pilot program launched two years who served as basic to the design of the R3iLab network, with the creation of first ten pairs industrial-creator.

This Alchemy between creativity and traditional know-how was born in the network of industrial innovation of the textile-clothing (R2ITH), launched in 2002 at the initiative of former Minister delegate for industry Christian Pierret. "After working for six or seven years on the technological aspects, it is realized that it really lacked the creative dimension", says Nelly Rodi, President of the Agency of style of the same name, which it created in 1985 to advise the industry of fashion, arts of the table, cosmetics, etc.

"Unlikely encounters".

"The idea is to cause unlikely meetings between a creative and engineers from the world of technology, to break the traditional line and patterns established" says Nelly Rodi, who initiated this network with Elizabeth Ducottet, President of the Thuasne group, specialist medical textiles. These two head women sit on the Governance Committee of the R3iLab, where the mesh of skills has already taken shape.

The image of Garnier Thiebaut, for which the designer José Lévy has created the Rose of Nice, the former bedlinen delivered to the taste of the day in a trend, the black colour and white. And his collaboration with Jean-Charles de Castelbajac was born a very colorful collection whose design contrasts with the classic line of the brand. For the time being, "the major impact is measured by our reputation." "We have more the image of the dusty besides textile industrialist", recognizes Paul de Montclos. "But we also innovate technologically to develop an industrial area which has suffered."

At home & objects, mark unveils a new method of single stain for his cotton tablecloths. Imperceptible to the eye or touch, this treatment has been developed in collaboration with the Swiss chemical group Clariant and a German laboratory. Based on a nanotechnology of encapsulation, it draws the lotus, which coated leaves of microscopic standoffs are hydrophobic. This process, called Green Sweet, prevents stains to overlay and liquids to penetrate, is resistant to washing and reactive in the heat of the iron.

Other original ideas are already realized in this network. For example, the Agatha Ruiz of the Prada fashion designer gave a look more connected to the female model of the basic polar of Lafuma. More unusual: the architect designer Christian Biecher inspired mesh of Armor-Lux to create furniture-knitted fabrics.

Rest that originality must find its market: "it is not enough to create objects which décoiffent, need to sell," Note Danièle Clutier, Secretary General of the R3iLab. This is why a commercial is today Deputy binomial industrial-creator. On the model of Tech & Design, three other programs are launched: ICT & fashion, market Impact and Manu Maestria, dedicated to the craft "where are the essence of innovation and modernity", considers Nelly Rodi.