A solid trade show. An optimistic mindset. That sums up the outcome of MUNICH FABRIC START. After three days, the Munich textile fair came to an end yesterday, Thursday, with the integrated show-in-shows BLUEZONE, KEYHOUSE and THE SOURCE. MUNICH FABRIC START concluded with a stable visitor frequency compared to the previous event. Around 1,000 collections from international fabric and accessory manufacturers showcased their colour and material trends for Spring.Summer 27 at the MOC Munich. High-quality fabrics and accessories met international denim expertise and forward-looking innovations along the entire textile value chain.

Price, Margin, Consumption

‘The magic word is margin. Issues such as hand feel, quality and finish are completely secondary for the German market at the moment. There is a lack of appreciation for high quality,’ laments Mladen Pototschnik, Sales, Albini & Thomas Mason. He points to a further increase in price sensitivity and also sees the trade show development as an indicator that ‘the German clothing industry is struggling.’ Eser Kaygusuz, Sales Head at Yünsa, takes a similar view: ‘The mood in Germany is tense. Price sensitivity is high and consumer sentiment is poor. This is evident not only in the textile sector, but also in the figures for the automotive industry. Nevertheless, the first day of the trade show was not bad at all. Many important customers such as Seidensticker, Hugo Boss and Digel were already there.‘ Despite the challenging conditions, the trade show was used constructively by exhibitors and visitors alike. ’It went better than expected. Milan was so strong that we didn’t think it would be as good again in Munich. The quality of the customers was REALLY good. Toni Dress, Brax, Bugatti, Betty Barclay and Vera Mont – to name but a few,‘ says Thomas Buschjost, owner of the Fashion & Friends agency. Many customers would ’put the issue of price aside for the time being‘ and concentrate first on ’finding beautiful new things.‘

Compliance, AI and Circularity

In addition to trends, regulatory requirements such as the Digital Product Passport, digitalisation, AI and circular models were among the key topics covered in the extensive programme of presentations. ‘It’s not all about costs and optimizing. A major topic should be, how to translate policies into sourcing and how to achieve compliance with data consistency.‘ underlines political advisor Muchaneta ten Napel from Shape Innovate. During the three days of the trade show, she discussed topics such as these with numerous renowned experts on the panels. Round tables, talks and presentations highlighted the significant pressure for change that the industry will face from 2026 onwards. ‘There is no playbook. Every brand is working differently. I don’t have the feeling the industry is well prepared yet.‘ according to Leila Abu el Hawa, Advisor and Head of Product at Elizabeth Scarlett, when it comes to the Digital Product Passport.

KEYHOUSE presented new applied technology and system solutions. The focus was on transparency, trust and the transition to a circular economy – from strengthening resilient, circular processes to market ready innovations. Highlights included a new technology for smartphone-based authentication of fakes or originals from Original-ID, as well as Trove’s take-back system for resale and recycling, which was presented for the first time. ‘This is our response to the scarcity of raw materials,’ said Janis Künkler, Managing Director of Trove Europe. Research-related projects that take a cultural, sensory and systemic approach to sustainability were once again curated in the SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS Forum. Participants included Marie Vilay with the projects ‘To Read a Pattern’ and ‘A Bindle’, Materia Futura by Alessia Pasquini and Beatriz Sandini, and ‘Threaded Protocols’ by Floor Berkhout. Another trade show innovation with the highest sustainability standards: the collaboration between Dirt and Loads Collection with the first Demeter-certified textile collection. This is the first time the Demeter standard has been applied to textiles – with the prospect of it also being used for clothing in the future. ‘This is a real milestone,’ emphasises Lea Mahlke from Dirt, a new exhibitor in the RESOURCE Area.

The future begins where we reimagine it. After seasons of restraint, Spring.Summer 27 marks a conscious counter-trend: optimism, sensuality, and creative freedom are replacing pragmatism and neutrality. Physical presence and individuality are regaining importance – as a response to uncertainty, exhaustion, and algorithmic predictability. The overarching theme of PLEASURE stands for fashion as an emotional space, as an expression of attitude and cultural reflection. Colours, surfaces, and materials become vehicles for self-confidence and joie de vivre.

Clearly structured trade show, strong names

Clarity and structure combined with creativity and optimism are also reflected in the spatial layout of MUNICH FABRIC START. The consolidation of the trade show segments into the MOC has proven successful. The trade show ensemble with its eight areas will once again take place under one roof. BLUEZONE and KEYHOUSE with SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS will be anchored in the highly frequented area of MUNICH FABRIC START in Hall 2 for the upcoming event – directly connected to the FABRICS and ADDITIONALS areas.

The DESIGN STUDIOS in Hall 4 are now even more centrally located. And sustainable sourcing with RESOURCE is also gaining a stronger presence in Hall 1, right next to THE SOURCE.

Focused, inspiring, comprehensive: to offer buyers and designers a holistic overview, the BLUEZONE denim trends are now integrated directly into the trend worlds surrounding the main theme of PLEASURE in the foyer of the MOC. This new form of presentation reflects market developments, in which denim and classic fashion segments are increasingly merging in collections.

With names such as ALBINI GROUP, Beste spa, Bonotto, Bornemann Etiketten, BUREAUX BO, CAN Tekstil, Eurojersey, Fabric House.com, KIKI FASHION, Kivanc Tekstil, Lanificio di Tollegno, Manteco, Pontetorto, Pontoglio, Rioplele, and Thermore, MUNICH FABRIC START offers a strong portfolio of leading international fabric and accessory manufacturers. Exhibitor highlights in the BLUEZONE include Berto, Bossa, Calik, ISKO, Orta, Sharabati, Tejidos Royo, and Troficolor Denim Makers.

Drinks, Snacks, Networking and Musik: Following the second day of the trade show, MUNICH FABRIC START is inviting to AFTER SHOW DRINKS starting at 6:30 p.m. 

Solid trade show results: At its 56th edition, MUNICH FABRIC START reinforced its clear positioning. Over two days, the Munich textile trade show brought the fashion industry together with its four show-in-show formats. The concept of presenting the international denim trade show BLUEZONE and the innovation hub KEYHOUSE together with MUNICH FABRIC START and THE SOURCE under one roof at the MOC Munich was a success.

KEYHOUSE & SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS: Cutting Edge Technology

Bridging the gap between groundbreaking concepts and scalable, market-ready solutions – that was the focus of the KEYHOUSE innovation hub and SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS area, newly located in the highly frequented Hall 2 at the MOC. In conjunction with an impressive supporting programme featuring almost 50 events and over 40 international experts, concentrated expertise met innovative approaches and forward-looking new technologies. Circular economy, digitalisation, compliance, materials research, sustainable innovations and new approaches to sourcing through long-term partnerships and strategic collaborations were presented and discussed here over two days. “Fashion isn’t broken – it was designed that way,” says Muchaneta ten Napel, policy advisor and founder of Shape Innovate. Her Roadmap 2035 is a wake-up call for anyone who has not yet addressed circularity and a transparent supply chain. “Fashion and technology have never been the best of friends. But we must not lose focus – we need disruption to drive real improvement. It has never been easier than it is today to use technology to address pain points,” says Güneri Tuğcu of CNCT by r-pac. Nikita Raman, Senior Denim Designer at Hugo Boss, emphasised the importance of genuine collaboration: “It’s a win-win situation when suppliers and brands work together and enter into long-term partnerships.” “Growing as a brand while reducing our dependence on virgin materials and our environmental footprint – that’s when we are successful. This is the strategy we are pursuing at Tommy Hilfiger,” summarises Thijs Maartens, Vice President of Sustainability at Tommy Hilfiger. Simon Angel, curator of SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS at MUNICH FABRIC START, is thrilled that a new phase has begun: “The motto for this season is: ’We will get the right answers if we ask the right questions.’ And these are exactly the questions being asked. For the first time, I feel that designers are reaching a new level – the aspiration to do things right – and are thus also finding their way into large companies.”

Thomas Nick Müller, owner of the Max Müller agency, sees a trend towards special features:  “Customers are looking for more specialities. The days when everything was grey and beige are over. Instead, new winter colours are coming in designs, tone-on-tone checks, jacquards and plain fabrics, but always with texture. The surfaces must not be too flat; mouliné yarns are important. Our customers were there, but it must also be said that if there used to be 100 back in the days, now there are perhaps 30.” Drykorn would have liked to see more highlights: “We are a German company and are delighted to have a German trade show, which we always enjoy supporting. This is where we do our bread and butter business and we found everything we needed here. We would like to see more highlights in the collections. We have grown because we are bold, not because we are cautious. We need more cherries on top,” says Fred Götz, Creative Director Menswear and Interior Design at Drykorn. There was plenty of time for networking and informal conversations at get-togethers held to celebrate Herrlicher’s anniversary and the launch of the new HOMEGROWN DENIM LEGENDS format at BLUEZONE, as well as at The Fashion Grid’s happy hour and MUNICH FABRIC START’s MUNIQUE APÉRO, which attracted around 1,300 guests.

After two days, MUNICH FABRIC START closed with visitor numbers stable compared to last year. Visitors included designers, product managers, buyers and company bosses from numerous European and international brands such as adidas, A Kind of Guise, Alberto, Alpha Tauri, Anna van Toor, Another Brand, Armedangels, Atelier Gardeur, Balenciaga, Bestsecret, Betty Barclay, Black Palms, BMW, Bogner, Brax, bugatti, C&A, Calzedonia, Camel Active, Cinque, Closed, Comma, Digel, Drykorn, Dubarry of Ireland, Escada, Fynch-Hatton, Gerry Weber, Guido Maria Kretschmer, Hanro, Herrlicher, Hessnatur, Holy Fashion Group, HSE, Hugo Boss, IB Company, JOOP!, Lagerfeld, Lanius, Lodenfrey, Luisa Cerano, MAC, Marc Aurel, Marc Cain, Marc O’Polo, Mercedes Benz, Mey, More & More, NKD, Olymp, OUI, Peek & Cloppenburg, Porsche, Riani, Roeckl, s.Oliver, Schöffel, Seidensticker, Sportalm, Sportscheck, Strellson, Summum, Talbot Runhof, Tommy Hilfiger, Toni Dress, Westwing, Windsor and Zero. Visitors came from 54 countries, mainly from Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey, Czechia, Poland, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Scandinavia, in addition to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The trade show dates were the subject of intense discussion among both visitors and exhibitors. The organisers are considering bringing forward MUNICH FABRIC START for Autumn.Winter 27/28 from September to mid/late July 2026. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks. What is certain is that the upcoming edition for Spring.Summer 27 will run for three days from 27 to 29 January 2026.

The countdown is on: in just three weeks, Munich will once again become the epicentre of the European fashion and textile industry. During the first week of September, MUNICH FABRIC START Exhibitions GmbH will unite all key fashion segments under one roof, reaffirming its position as one of Europe’s leading textile trade shows.

On September 2 and 3, 2025, the international denim trade show BLUEZONE and the innovation hub KEYHOUSE will, for the first time, be staged alongside MUNICH FABRIC START and THE SOURCE at the MOC Munich. This powerful combination consolidates the event’s role as a central platform for the industry, offering a comprehensive one-stop sourcing solution for designers, product managers, and fashion professionals.

With around 1,200 collections from approximately 600 international fabric and accessories manufacturers, MUNICH FABRIC START promises a highly inspiring and business‑focused edition – setting the tone for the trends and innovations shaping the seasons ahead.

Manifattura Italia

Team Spirit: Collaborations Driving Innovation, Sustainability and Networking

Numerous collaborations between industry, research institutes and universities at MUNICH FABRIC START once again highlight the importance of forward-thinking together in order to advance the fashion industry in a sustainable way. Upcycling meets high-tech embroidery: The Sigmaringen Fashion School, in cooperation with Mountek, Gunold and Reiner Knochel, is hosting an interactive upcycling project. From design and the selection of fabrics and yarns through to production on a high-tech embroidery machine, visitors can create their own individual patches from fabric scraps and vintage denim – live on site. MFS X The Fabric Connector Pilot: This season marks the first collaboration between MUNICH FABRIC START and The Fabric Connector. In a joint pilot project in the RESOURCE Area, visitors will be supported in making more sustainable sourcing decisions through expert advice, information, and a new impact measurement tool. Pioneering biotextiles for the future: BIOTEXFUTURE will present three selected research projects at the upcoming MUNICH FABRIC START – BioCushion, bioPEtex and CircWool. These projects focus on recyclable instead of oil-based spacer fabrics, bio-based polyethylene as a new raw material for the apparel industry, and a novel solvent-based recycling technology for wool waste, enabling its reintegration into the textile cycle. Industry partners involved include adidas AG, Falke KGaA, ORTOVOX Sportartikel GmbH and zwissTEX Germany.

Innovation Factor: Textile – Material and Product Novelties

The Autumn.Winter 26/27 season is defined by the theme “RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW” – reflecting the search for orientation, credibility, and identity in times of uncertainty. As familiar certainties begin to waver and trust in established structures is shaken, “RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW” calls on the industry to actively embrace the moment, understand the current zeitgeist, and sharpen awareness for profound transformation across the sector. The guiding theme encourages a focused perception of the present, inviting professionals to engage with the sweeping changes and opportunities that are shaping the world of textiles and fashion right now.

Highlights at MUNICH FABRIC START: New Product Developments

Among the innovations showcased at MUNICH FABRIC START are Smartcel, an antibacterial, breathable material with UV protection, and Seacell, a biodegradable fibre containing seaweed, known for its exceptional softness and skin-friendly properties. Bloomati by Carvema Têxtil focuses on essential comfort, reinterpreted with smart textures and refined classics such as jersey, fleece, rib and piqué. Elissa Stampa makes a strong statement with bold floral prints and vibrant colour worlds, while 6Dias presents fabrics made from innovative, sustainable fibres like orange, mint or pineapple. In the ADDITIONALS section, Studio 9’s “Quarter” collection combines tactile appeal, technology and design in trims and introduces a digital product passport featuring NFC and QR code technology – offering greater transparency along the supply chain.

This year’s motto at BLUEZONE is ‘DENIMINED’. What can visitors expect in this area?

Frank Junker: ‘DENIMINED’ is a neologism that reflects our deep commitment to denim. BLUEZONE has always been a place where tradition and innovation meet, and that will be the case again this time. Visitors can look forward to a wide-ranging programme, from new technologies in denim production to live design sessions. It’s about seeing denim not just as a fabric, but as part of a global culture that is constantly on the move.

How is MUNICH FABRIC START positioning itself at a time when the requirements for trade shows that reflect global markets are becoming increasingly complex?

Sebastian Klinder: We have responded to the changing requirements by shortening the duration of the trade show to two days without compromising on quality and service. This enables our exhibitors and visitors to use their time efficiently and still make all the important contacts and gather information. Our platform is designed to be flexible and adaptable – this reliability is our key to success in an age where change is the only constant.

Frank Junker: Effectiveness and flexibility are core principles of our work. Our aim is to create an authentic, competent, approachable and open event that meets market requirements. We listen carefully to our exhibitors, partners and visitors and use our lean structures to act boldly and decisively. MUNICH FABRIC START is a trade show that is constantly evolving to meet the needs of the industry. This is the reason why we will continue to play a central role in the fashion industry in the future.

How do you see the future of MUNICH FABRIC START and the fashion industry in general?

Sebastian Klinder: I am optimistic. The challenges of the last few years have shown us how adaptable our industry is. With MUNICH FABRIC START we are creating a platform that brings the right people together at the right time and in the right place. We are ready for what lies ahead. I am convinced that as an industry we will emerge stronger and more creative.

Frank Junker: The future is full of opportunities. If we continue to focus on our strengths – creativity, innovation and collaboration – there is no limit to what we can achieve. MUNICH FABRIC START will continue to play a key role in shaping that future in the years to come. I look forward to seeing how we can move the industry forward together.

Sebastian; Frank – thank you for the interview!