INVISTA Announces Collaboration With Billabong and Professional Big Wave Surfer Maya Gabeira

NEW YORK, May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- INVISTA, maker of Xtra Life LYCRA® fiber, announces a collaboration with surf lifestyle brand Billabong and their professional big wave team rider, Maya Gabeira. The collaboration includes a consumer swimsuit design contest and the development of a swimsuit with Xtra Life LYCRA® fiber for Maya Gabeira, which will be included in the Billabong Cruise 2010 collection.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100503/NY97054 )

Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Gabeira has taken the surfing industry by storm in only a few short years, rising to the top of her league as a female big wave surfing competitor. Tackling some of the world's most feared surfing terrain, including Waimea Bay in Hawaii and Teahupoo in Tahiti, the "super woman" of surfing is the perfect fit for Billabong and Xtra Life LYCRA® fiber -- two brands that focus on exceptional fit and performance.

"We are excited for the collaboration. We look forward to working with Billabong to manufacture Maya's suit with Xtra Life LYCRA® fiber, which provides a long lasting fit that is so important to Maya," says Andrea Matousek, Swimwear Marketing Manager North America at INVISTA Apparel.

The Billabong Big Wave Bikini Design Contest went live on www.myLYCRA.com May 1, and is open to all U.S. consumers. Those that enter the contest will be able to click and drag their choice of fabric onto swim suit styles to create their own personal design for Gabeira. Users of the website will vote on their favorites, narrowing down all entries to the top 20. In June, a panel will review the top 20 selections as voted by the public and choose the winning design. Gabeira will also review the top 20 and talk about her favorites using streaming video technology.  Further details on the contest such as official rules, entry instructions, eligibility and judging criteria, and prizes descriptions are now available on www.myLYCRA.com.  

"I'm so thrilled to be working with INVISTA, maker of Xtra Life LYCRA® fiber!  I've been fortunate enough to work with Billabong for the past couple of years and they have always provided me with fashionable swimwear that combines fit and function," states Gabeira. "Now with the addition of Xtra Life LYCRA® fiber my Billabong suits will do an even better job of supporting my surfing as I look to chase down even bigger waves while still looking good!"

In addition, Billabong will be producing the winning suit as the Maya Gabeira Signature Swimsuit designed with Xtra Life LYCRA® fiber. The swimsuit will be added as a part of the Billabong collection, available in summer of 2011.  

"We're excited to collaborate with Xtra Life LYCRA® fiber on this design promotion with Maya, and introduce this new quality into our Cruise 2011 Swim line," states Candy Harris, Billabong Brand Director Women's Division. "We work with our surfers on a daily basis who are in need of long lasting swim fabrics that can withstand the pounding surf and long hours in the sun, all the while never sacrificing the design we love."

ABOUT INVISTA

INVISTA is one of the world's largest integrated producers of polymers and fibers, primarily for nylon, spandex and polyester applications. With a business presence in over 20 countries, INVISTA's global businesses deliver exceptional value for their customers through technology innovations, market insights and a powerful portfolio of global trademarks including: ADI-PURE®, ANTRON®, AVORA®, C12™, COMFOREL®, COOLMAX®, CORDURA®, CORFREE®, DACRON®, DBE®, DYTEK®, FRESHFX®, LYCRA®, PERFORMA™, POLARGUARD®, POLYSHIELD®, POLYCLEAR®, SOLARMAX®, STAINMASTER®, SUPPLEX®, SUPRIVA™, TACTEL®, TACTESSE®, TERATE®, TERATHANE® and THERMOLITE®. For more information, visit www.INVISTA.com.

ABOUT BILLABONG, INC.

Billabong produces active lifestyle, fashion-forward clothing, accessories and related products designed and distributed to a worldwide customer base. The products are developed in the authentic environment of the surf culture and sold primarily through surf and specialty retail boutiques. Billabong-branded products are tested and improved by the best board sport performers across the globe. Active enthusiasts in every department from marketing and sales, to design and merchandising, bring an unmatched authenticity and unique quality to both the innovative products and related events produced by the Billabong brand.

SOURCE INVISTA