TOKYO – Toray Industries and Labelhood have announced the winner of the 2021 Ultrasuede x Labelhood Innovation Award, part of the company's promotion of its highly functional ultra-fine fibre nonwoven fabric with a suede texture.

Winner Jacques Wei is the founder of his namesake women’s fashion brand. The award was in recognition of the highly accomplished and forward-thinking approach in Mr. Wei’s design, which combines classic elements with simple, contemporary silhouettes. According to Toray, his ethos is in keeping with Toray’s commitment to the ongoing evolution of the Ultrasuede brand.

Jacques Wei will unveil its Fall/Winter 2021 collection incorporating Ultrasuede on April 10 at a Labelhood event during Shanghai Fashion Week.

In its third year, this award is in collaboration with Labelhood, a fashion incubator for young independent designers in China. The two created this award program in keeping with their complementary visions. Toray’s is to foster social prosperity and a better future for generations to come while Labelhood’s is to invigorate the Chinese fashion scene.

Toray brought out Ultrasuede in 1970. Over the years, applications for this stylish, high performance material have extended from fashion to encompass everything from automotive, aircraft, and other interiors to accessories for mobile devices.

Toray said it was looking forward to collaborating with Mr. Wei in expanding the potential of the Ultrasuede brand in China’s vibrant fashion scene.

Jacques Wei brought out his women’s label in 2019. Its inspiration is the enduring influence of traditional French fashion brands. He has garnered acclaim for combining classic elements and contemporary silhouettes in his designs. His off-the-rack apparel employs the precise and meticulous tailoring and other intricate techniques of haute couture and menswear and features glamorous and delicate materials in clean, simple lines that accentuate urban feminine chic.