The denim industry is consistently experimenting with new fibers, fabrications, dyes and processes to create new looks while simultaneously addressing sustainability.
India’s Arvind Limited is among the mills taking on the mantle of experimentation, and at the upcoming Kingpins Show in New York on July 23 and 24, the manufacturer will spotlight some of its denim advancements. For the first time at the show, Arvind will exhibit across two booths. One will center on its Autumn/Winter 2026 denim collection, which focuses on comfort, performance and sustainability, while the other will be entirely devoted to innovations.
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“We’re engineering denim with purpose—integrating recycled materials, regenerative cotton and low-impact dyeing to create textiles that are as responsible as they are authentic,” said Karan Ojha, chief marketing officer – wovens, denim and knits at Arvind Limited. “At Arvind, innovation is our tool, sustainability is our standard and decarbonization is our commitment—driving every process toward a lower-impact future.”
Stretch is a sought-after denim feature, but the industry is eyeing alternatives to conventional fossil fuel-based spandex. Arvind’s latest answer to this is a solution called Zero Spandex, which swaps elastane for bicomponent filament yarn made with recycled polyester. This circular yarn reuses waste via recycling, while also providing mechanical stretch for comfort and fit. Zero Spandex textiles are also breathable and durable with ultraviolet protection built in.
At the show, Arvind is also presenting Vanta Black Denim, a denim that has a deep and ultimate rich black shade. Vanta Black has a neutral cast that resists bronziness as opposed to the gray or brown tones that can sometimes occur in black-dyed jeans. Vanta Black allows for cleaner fades, lasting color depth and a superior wash performance.
Responding to another market demand, Arvind has developed Ultra Soft Denim for super comfortable garments, particularly tops, skirts and dresses. By using materials like Tencel and Ecovero in the fabric blends and leveraging advanced spinning techniques, Arvind can create authentic denim looks with a soft hand feel, giving wearers “everyday luxury.” These fibers add more drape and a dressier feel while also being highly wearable, with lightweight, breathable fabrications.
One benefit of these regenerated cellulosic fibers is their commercial availability. These materials are not radical or peculiar innovations that might have a long-term adoption issue, rather, they are here and now yet differentiated in the market.
Another novelty from Arvind Limited is “Denim Designed in Japan,” a collaborative collection with Japanese designer Yuji Honzawa, who goes by the nickname “Doctor Denim.” Honzawa, who founded Red Card and Doctor Denim Honzawa, worked with Arvind to celebrate Japanese denim history, namely the craftsmanship present in the early 1900s.
Although inspired by the past, the collection incorporates modern weaving techniques and innovative coatings. It also plays with unexpected dye colors, using bio-indigo to create denim in natural hues like mossy greens and earthy browns.
The collection presents both pre-shrunk and shrink-to-fit garments, allowing individuals to pick between a ready-to-wear or vintage wear experience.
“This is more than a revival—it’s a celebration of denim’s soul,” said Honzawa San. “We’re combining craftsmanship, comfort and character to reshape vintage denim for today’s generation.”
Reflecting Arvind’s sustainability commitments, the collection is made from organic cotton. Arvind works with more than 95,000 farmers to cultivate sustainable cotton across 400,000 acres of land, and the manufacturer uses fibers certified by Better Cotton Initiative, Regenagri, Regenerative Organic Alliance and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
The “Denim Designed in Japan” collection in partnership with Doctor Denim has been on a tour across three continents through the Denim in Transit roadshow, which kicked off in Amsterdam before visiting Bangalore, India. Within the United States, the tour stopped in Greensboro, New York City and San Francisco, giving locals the chance to see and feel the material in person. Coming up, the collection will travel to Japan, visiting the place that inspired its designs.
At its other booth, Arvind will be showcasing its Autumn/Winter 2026 collection, which features concepts that are comfortable and well-made. The Rebirth of Skinny concept preps for the return of slimmer shapes with fabrics that boast strong flexibility and recovery. Quiet Luxury offers sophisticated styles with soft brushed textiles. Timeless Origin features deep dyes and uncommon textures, mixing old and new for denim that will stand the test of time.
Click here to learn more about Arvind, and see Arvind at Kingpins New York at booths 13 and 17 in the green section.
