Innovation in Fashion: From Snagging Tights to Sustainable Advancement

A small frustration—snagging tights—has sparked a revolution in fashion, blending innovation with sustainability. Canadian tech entrepreneur Katherine Homuth took on this challenge in 2017, determined to create durable, long-lasting tights. Through extensive material trials, she found inspiration in an unexpected place—bulletproof vests. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber used for its strength seemed promising, yet initial production attempts shattered factory equipment. Instead of giving up, Homuth set up her own research lab and developed a proprietary process that eventually led to the creation of Sheertex tights. Unlike traditional nylon and spandex tights, which contribute to landfill waste, Sheertex claims to last ten times longer, offering a more sustainable alternative to disposable fashion.

Since its launch, Sheertex has grown rapidly. While its 2024 revenue is projected at $30 million—lower than its 2023 peak of $45 million—Homuth expects a strong recovery, forecasting $70 million in 2025. Retail partnerships with brands like H&M, Costco, and QVC have fueled its expansion, though wholesale pricing continues to impact profit margins. To counteract this, Homuth has significantly reduced manufacturing costs, from $50 per pair in 2018 to $12 today, with an ambitious goal of cutting costs further to $2.50 per pair. Sheertex tights now range from $19.99 for basic styles at H&M to $99 for premium designs like micro fishnets sold directly by the brand.

Building on Sheertex’s success, Homuth has expanded her vision beyond tights. Under the SRTX brand, she is developing sustainable materials aimed at transforming the fashion industry. The latest innovation, Watertex, is a non-toxic, water-repellent fabric free of harmful PFAS chemicals commonly found in outdoor gear. Designed for swimsuits, it dries twice as fast as competitors’ materials. Another breakthrough, Elasta, is a recyclable alternative to spandex, offering a more eco-friendly solution to conventional stretch fabrics.

Homuth envisions SRTX as a leader in sustainable material science, comparable to DuPont in its prime. Investors share her confidence—SRTX has secured $143 million in funding from backers including H&M and Lululemon founder Chip Wilson. A newly built 300,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Montreal is central to scaling production, with a goal of producing 30 million pairs of tights by 2027.

As regulations tighten on unsustainable materials—such as European and Californian bans on PFAS—SRTX is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for eco-friendly textiles. The global waterproof, breathable textiles market, already valued at $2 billion, presents a major opportunity. Despite challenges in scaling production and adapting to shifts in retail, Homuth remains driven by the intersection of advanced material science and sustainability. “It’s more about the technology,” she says, as she continues to push the boundaries of fashion innovation.