Contrado Blog

What is Velour? Velour is an incredibly soft, plush textile that is very similar to velvet (albeit much less expensive). It’s characterized by a wonderfully soft-to-the-touch finish with cut fibers that follow the stroke of your hand and drapes seamlessly. But what is velour, and what’s the difference to velvet? Read our guide below to discover more […]

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As a fashion lover, a textile designer or an avid shopper, you’ve probably come across the term ‘suede’ in various shops or fashion magazines. But what is suede exactly, what does it mean, and why do we use it? In a nutshell, it is a particular finish of leather (often referred to as suede leather) […]

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What is Fleece? Ever wondered what fleece is and what its definition is? Read on, dear fellow fabric-goop, and find your answers here. Fleece fabric is defined as a man-made wonder product, if there is such a thing. Despite being named after the coat on a sheep, it’s 100% synthetic and derived from plastic rather […]

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What is Felt? Felt is a man-made fabric, created from natural fibers. Man-made fabrics are generally woven; however, felt differs in this sense. So, what is felt exactly? A Felted fabrics is created from fibers being compressed and matted. Together heat, moisture and a lot of pressure is what presses and creates the fabric. It […]

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What is microfiber? You’ve seen it everywhere; from mops to furniture, active wear to towels – but what is microfiber, exactly? And what makes it so versatile? ‘Microfiber’ refers to a synthetic fiber which is extremely thin, even slimmer than a strand of silk (which is about a fifth of the diameter of a human […]

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What is Calico? Although you may not notice it, Calico is everywhere, often serving as a neutral base for creativity. Artists canvases, fashion designers’ mock-ups, curtains, furnishings and bags are just a few of an endless amount of uses. How can one fabric be so versatile? Exactly what is Calico, and why has it been […]

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Chiffon is synonymous with elegance in the fashion world. This weightless, sheer fabric is often used in luxury garments such as evening wear or lingerie to add a touch of class. Chiffon has a lightweight texture and a semi-mesh weave which is what gives the fabric a chic transparent appearance, as well as making it […]

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What is Poplin Fabric?  If you’ve ever asked yourself, ‘What is Poplin fabric?’ then you’ve come to the right place. You’ve probably, most definitely, worn some variation of poplin, whether it’s 100% cotton poplin or a cotton-poly blend. Traditionally, it was used for casual attire but now has a place both in your everyday wardrobe and in […]

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