“Exploring high tech fabrics for regulating temperatures, Nicholson found that these products tended to be cooling fabrics, which ignored the cold flashes that often follow hot flashes,” said NASA of Nicholson. Source: NASA.
A textile marketer was looking for ways to keep people with menopause comfortable but had no luck until she came across a material made by NASA.
Louise Nicholson had an idea to create clothing that would adapt to a person experiencing menopausal flushes.
“I did some initial research to find out what was on the market, and there was absolutely nothing apart from nightwear,” she said.
When she began looking at high-tech wear she only found fabrics that would cater to keeping people cool and not warm, that is until she came across a NASA funded technology called Outlast.
It was created in the 80s by NASA and Triangle Research and Development Corporation in efforts to help create better insulation in spacesuit gloves by using phase-change materials.
“Based on earlier work it had done with the U.S. Air Force, by embedding phase-change materials into microcapsules inside the material, Triangle was able to demonstrate the effectiveness of a temperature-stabilizing fabric insert for a spacesuit glove,” said NASA.
Although the technology never made it to space, it has been utilised many times says NASA.
“Outlast has been used in numerous products, from desk chairs to underwear.”
Using Outlast, Nicholson created Fifty One Apparel.
The name comes from the average age that people begin to experience menopause.
“By bonding Outlast to cellulosic yarn, the company’s clothing maintains the temperature-regulating properties of phase-change materials but retains the look and feel of high-end fabrics,” said NASA.
Starting off several years ago, the company only sold shirts but since then has expanded their range, selling tops, bottoms, and nightwear.
As of 2021, the US is their largest market after the UK and has recently started making scarves, facemasks, and turbans.
According to the Australasian Menopause Society most people will experience menopause for 5-10 years.
