Specialty Fabrics Review February 2021 - 39

PUTTING CHEMISTRY TO USE

fter majoring in chemistry and specializing in biochemistry at the University of Virginia
in Charlottesville, Megan Eddings thought she'd work in a cancer research lab for the rest
of her life. However, one day she walked out of the lab and asked herself what she was
doing. " I can't do this the rest of my life, " she said. " I'm way too outgoing. I love fashion. I love
human beings. I need more than a white lab coat and a pair of goggles. "
For a time Eddings worked in medical equipment sales before a passion for exercise, coupled
with a problem of stinky workout clothes, inspired her to put her chemistry hat back on and
develop her own fabric. " That was November 2016 and I haven't looked back since, " she says.
Eddings developed Prema® fabric, and in August 2019 launched Accel Lifestyle LLC to sell
high-performance, comfortable clothing made with the fabric-starting with athleisure wear.
Prema naturally blocks out the bacteria from sweat and is patent pending in 120 countries. Now
the company has expanded its products to include face masks (made with or without Prema)
as well as isolation gowns that are not made using Prema but are innovative in their design.
Q: What kinds of challenges have you
encountered with a domestic supply chain?

Q: What textile innovation
is exciting you these days?

A: Early on when I was researching creating a fabric
that doesn't stink, I came across a bazillion articles
on sweatshops where our clothes are made-and
I was struck by how most of the clothes we're all
wearing were made in a sweatshop and we never
talk about it. I committed to a fully domestic supply
chain, but even that can pose ethical challenges.
I had heard that there are sweatshops here in
America and because I want to make sure everyone
who touches anything to do with Accel Lifestyle-
as much as is in my ability-are treated and paid
fairly, I insist on touring a factory before I go into
business with a company. Long story short, one cutand-sew operation in L.A. we were on the cusp of
using refused to let us tour the factory that would
be making our products. Once we figured out they
had something to hide, we rented a U-Haul, showed
up unannounced at the factory, and picked up our
fabrics, patterns and trim-and told them we weren't
using them. That was one of the hardest things I've
ever had to do.

A: Reusable textiles. I came from
a medical background working in
hospitals and when I think about the
amount of disposable everything
that is used, my mind is blown-but
specifically isolation gowns. There's
a hospital system in Texas that I
know well, and every single day
they use 10,000 disposable isolation
gowns. What we've developed is a
new style of isolation gown using
fabric from Contempora Fabrics [in
Lumberton, N.C.]. Our isolation gown
has breakaway snaps in the back as
opposed to the standard ties, which is
better suited for the infection control
departments of the hospital. Anything
reusable has me really excited
because, quite frankly, it's the best
option for the environment, while it
provides a substantial cost savings
for health care systems.

MEGAN EDDINGS
Founder and CEO
Accel Lifestyle LLC
Houston, Texas

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Specialty Fabrics Review February 2021

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