Two factors contribute to achieving this. Beware, my friends, two more hybrid words! If I were to say thermolysis and thermogenesis? Not an easy question, don’t you think? Let’s give it a go! Thermolysis is heat loss and thermogenesis is heat production. Now that was not so difficult.

Thermoregulation is closely linked to the evolution of species. This evolution has enabled living beings to be less and less dependent on weather conditions! Stratermic offers a helping hand clothing you so that you can withstand a very wide range of different temperatures. Let’s all go to the North Pole!

It is 9:01 on the Decathlon Campus, and here I am at the Stratermic offices. Today I am meeting with Maéva, a product engineer, or PI as they are known here.

I see that she has arrived full of beans, alert and focussed. We drink a coffee together, I offer her a croissant and tell her a little joke to break the ice (yes, she is a little nervous, it is her first interview).

So let’s start!

“Could you please briefly describe your job and your speciality within the Stratermic team?”

I design and develop products on a daily basis that meet users’ needs: I create prototypes, test them, then launch them for mass production whilst also ensuring the quality of the product throughout its lifespan.

I try to optimise costs throughout the project, to reduce the development time, the environmental impact and to ensure quality.

“Is “engineeress” an acceptable term for a woman who does your job?”

Yes, I think so. But not to be confused with genius…

“What qualities are required to be a good product engineer?”

To listen to the users, because the more time you spend on a subject the more risk there is of overlooking the essential, and 10 heads are better than one…
You need a creative edge and a critical eye in order to take a step back and evaluate the various projects. As the coordinator between all the different people involved, it is vital to be organised.

“do you feel moments of stress sometimes?”

Yes, of course! When my products are in the testing phase… I feel stressed waiting for the verdict: whether it will be yes or no!

When they enter the production phase: the moment where you see “your baby” take shape…
Also when it is selected to be the “blue product” (best value for money)… for example: the simple warm
Or when a customer returns an item or makes a negative comment about one of my products!

“What are you the most passionate about in your job?”

Designing products which will then be bought by several hundred people…and thinking “I will fulfil the needs of adults or children with these products…” watching the users on the ski slopes and knowing that I have participated in making the clothing that they are wearing”.

Right, let’s stop talking shop…Let’s talk a little about your personality so that the Internet users can get to know you better.

If you had to be an…

animal, what would you be?

The white Bengal tiger? But it’s not a very practical pet so… I would opt for the miniature version… a little cat!

A piece of music?

It’s difficult to choose only one… because I love music and I have a song for each of my moods… To cheer me up: Thick as thieves (Dashboard confessionnal), to relax me: Muscle Museum (Muse), to liven me up: ragga… and plenty more besides!

A favourite food?

Lasagne, but I have a very sweet tooth… so tiramisu! Yes, all my choices are Italian dishes… you might ask why so many Italian dishes…

So why the Italian dishes?

Simply because I have Italian family…

A verb?

To listen.

A sport? You do practise sports, right?

Running for fitness, but my first love is totally unsupported mountain trekking with a large group of my mates! It’s so good to get back to the essential, to the simple things in life…

A Decathlon product?

The Simple Warm…Obviously, because it’s “my baby”!

“If you had to be one of the Stratermic characters, who would you be?
Anna Oops, the clumsy one
Professor Stratermos, Mr. know-it-all
Berry Nice: the fashion victim
Oscar Sick, who’s always ill
John Cold (me) the adventurer”

I think you and I are very similar, so “you” without hesitation. I can never keep still! I always feel the need to discover, to learn, to see, to do… and for me, each day is a new adventure!
But at the same time I am a bit clumsy… so I think a mixture of Anna and you=> Johnanna or Joh N’Anna.

“Thank you for this little interview, but before I let you get back to work, just one last question...

Why does Bobby not have a mouth?”

So he can’t talk nonsense… no, I’m joking. He doesn’t need one. He communicates with his body, his eyes, his actions… For me, body language is the best means of communication, it’s universal!

Some tips for using you Supertech B’twin jacket, designed and developed in collaboration with Stratermic.

Last week I went to Spain with friends to explore new trends in textiles.
We saw a lot: new innovations, avant-garde designs, creative avenues to be explored…

But we were surprised by a concept that the BMW brand has set up: “Textiles as transport”
This may sound a bit crazy, but I found it a highly original concept.

BMW created a partnership (part of the ‘Comme des Voitures’ project) with students from the Barcelona School of Design to involve them with their own design projects, with rather satisfying results.

Use your clothes as a mode of transport? Is that possible?

We may not be sure whether these futuristic garments will ever be brought to market, but one thing is certain – these Spanish students have creativity to spare, and BMW is not going to complain about that: “ball bearings, skates, flying outfits (that work?) – prototypes that all seem equally far-fetched.

Maybe one day these futuristic clothes will replace our faithful cars – who knows?!
We would like to underline the originality of the project and the German brand’s initiative.

What are you hoping for from the clothes of tomorrow?

I’ve already started packing… well, for the moment I’ve only packed one thing: my Simple Warm.

You haven’t heard of the Simple Warm? Are you kidding?

Simple Warm is a base layer designed for skiers and snowboarders seeking breathability and warmth.
Since discovering this product, I never get ill anymore.

Get one for yourself so that you too can ski warm. And if you have any questions, I’m here!

But what is it?

The Futurotextiles exhibition at Futex, organised by lille3000 at the Marcq-en Baroeul race course, provided innovative professionals with the opportunity to take part in two days (19/20 January) of discussions, round-tables and other speakers.

This exhibition is only the first stage of a travelling exhibition which will visit some of Europe’s largest cities: Barcelona (Spain), Cordova (Spain), Prato (Italy).

It is intended for an informed audience, but amateurs also had the opportunity to enjoy the exhibition on the weekends of 15/16 and 22/23 January (free entrance). And yes, there is something for everyone…

This event is a celebration of innovation, the “last word” in intelligent textiles which are fast becoming part of our everyday lives.
Slimming clothes, photoluminescent dresses, bicycle made of linen fibres, all of the creations exhibited are the products of tomorrow.

On this occasion, Stratermic presented several of their products:

The Isolate Evolutiv jacket by Kalenji:

Running in cold weather!
Each component has been chosen for the specific requirements of each part of the body.

The Kalenji/Stratermic partnership has enabled us to combine a warm component and a magnetic fastening system to increase or decrease air circulation, adjusting to the runner’s needs.

The Supertech anorak by B’Twin:

Fancy some air?!
Inflate and deflate to obtain the desired level of insulation for your anorak!

Stratermic has incorporated inflatable technology into their Supertech 9 anorak by B’Twin.
Using a valve located in the collar, you can inflate and deflate the anorak to achieve the perfect thermal insulation for your activity and your environment. Perforations ensure that it is fully breathable.
The increased insulation is provided by the layer of air, which acts as an extra layer of protection from the cold.

The product is also fitted with repair patches which enable you to repair it in the event of a puncture (as a result of a bad fall for example).

For more information about the Futurotextiles event

Hello, everybody!

I’ve found something that’s just so cool: the air, as well as containing the oxygen we need to breathe, is also an excellent thermal insulator. Yeah, but why? It’s got low thermal conductivity. As a result, it reduces the amount of heat lost. To retain its heat, the air must be dry and still. Therefore you need to keep it in. Incredible, don’t you think?

The air between the garment and the skin – or the air trapped in any textile’s strands- keep you warm. Stratermic uses this technique during the fleece scratching for example. That increases the thickness of the fibre and therefore its capacity to store air. Or when an inflatable gilet is built into the B’twin jacket. I’m getting too hot, so I’ll deflate the gilet. I’m feeling a bit cold, so I’ll inflate the gilet. Really great!

See you soon for some new heat tips.

Dear friends,

It is in the Stratermic laboratory that I, Professor Stratermos, carefully selected the component for the Forclaz 20 fleece, given its quality and resistance in all conditions.

Tested for up to 20 machine washes, the Forclaz 20 fleece keeps its thermal properties, and with no bobbling effect.

This component initially underwent numerous tests in order to become the star component as we know it today. One of the tests consisted of putting the fleece through a drum for an optimal number of washes to test its resistance to abrasion. It was also tested for use in real-life situations to ensure its efficiency.

After extreme testing, it came out undamaged from the laboratory to take centre stage in your Decathlon stores in 6 different colours!

Stratifically yours.