Autumn.Winter 23/24
A Suit of Armour - Sustainable innovations
A suit of armour made of wood
Choub by Mehdi Mashayekhi
Sustainable innovations
The name says it all: “Choub” means “wood” in Farsi – the material that designer Mehdi Mashayekhi draws on in his project Choub and uses innovative methods to create something new: Using digital fabrication, he has designed an abstract clothing collection for which he deconstructs the wood, giving the material new physical properties such as flexibility and stretchability.
The designer resorts to two methods: with topology optimisation, a computer-based process, he uses algorithmic models to determine the optimal shape of components in terms of load limits. The generative design method also creates new, powerful design options with the help of artificial intelligence. In this way, Mehdi Mashayekhi succeeds in solving complex requirements, distributing the weight of components and reducing manufacturing costs.
“Design is a glowing point in the cross-point between art and science, where reality meets vision.”
Innovative, unconventional, visionary: In the Choub project, 6mm thick plywood is used to create armour-like, portable constructions in which the wood loses its hardness and becomes flexible. Win-win: The designer optimises the use of materials in the design and at the same time provides a solution for upcycling waste. With the use of digital manufacturing, Mehdi Mashayekhi is helping to drive circularity and strengthen openness to materials and technical textiles.
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The latest accessory developments for Spring.Summer 25 – Part IV
At the core of MONO‘s philosophy lies the idea of using single or minimal materials that are easily separable, making reuse and recycling for garments more accessible and efficient.
BLUEZONE Signature Spring.Summer 25 – Part III
The aim is to showcase not only the Japanese heritage ofthe ancient hand-stitch technique but also to raise awareness about the significance of repairing and repurposing clothing.
Fabric Trends Spring.Summer 25 – Part VI
With a rich legacy and a focus on sustainability, they offer a diverse range of ecofriendly fabrics like Modal, Tencel, Linen, Organic and Regenagri Cotton. Their commitment to quality meets the latest fashion trends through innovative designs.
"How do our actions contribute to the better?"
“How do our actions contribute to the better?”
Interview with Simon Angel, Curator of the Sustainable Innovations Forum
What is currently happening in the industry of innovators, transformers and forwardthinkers?
Different developments can be observed – especially when it comes to upcoming designers and creators, which is very interesting yet inspiring. Newcomers are about either entering the industry or creating their own one; furthermore, they all developed a very high professionalism in everything they do and how they present their ideas. Storytelling matters, that’s why we see crafts that concern and that communicate about thoughts, materials and backgrounds. They somehow reflect on the state of the industry and/or they question current systems. Just with the eye on possibilities, not to add critique. It is a friendly way to inspire.
You just said creators are “entering the industry or creating their own one”. What do you mean by that?
Well, actually right as I say. Either people and ideas enter an industry OR they create an industry. Entering means that designers or creators just fit into an industry and can get part of it or they can develop their own techniques and make it scalable and somehow create their own. Let me give you an example: WINT Design Lab discovered a new material and also discovered how to use it in order to make it relevant for the market. Either they can enter the industry OR if they find possibilities to cover all the needs within the supply chain and develop the machines to produce in a big scale, they could go big and just create their own industry.
Simon Angel
What other developments can you identify?
Back in the days, let’s say about five years ago, there was mainly one person behind a new idea that was working within a tiny studio. Compared to that, everything is so much more professional: being a material designer, you can have a studio and work with employees who assist. That is nowadays how designers get ready to present their idea to the market. You need people who bridge the gap between the studio and the market. I personally recognize a huge potential in this point of professionalism, because people get ready to connect – young designers now offer representative samples and get in touch with the industry on a very professional level. Newcomers inspire the industry.
What sounds very interesting. What do the newcomers do differently?
Things that impress the industry: crafts that concern and communicate. The designers and their innovations want to tell us stories: it’s about the material, systems (and old behaviours) but also the designs. We can get glimpses into cultural backgrounds, different techniques, social aspects and so much more. For example, the project “Rootful” by Zena Holloway and the project “Choub” by Mehdi Mashayekhi show off how to create a material out of seagrass or wood with the implemented idea to use the finished garment or the designs as tools to communicate.
That’s a positive development, isn’t it?
Yes, it is. But one thing should not be forgotten: we are in the middle of a delicate discussion on the urgency of creating, within that everybody has to
put their own position into a fresh perspective. I sometimes find it important to take a bit of a distance and ask rhetorically questions like: So what? We are
leaving the era of RE-thinking we are entering an era of PRE-thinking. We can challenge ourselves in critical self-reflection with a future smile.
We should not design just to be a designer or cook just for the sake of being a chef. We should not create just to be a creator. We should not just buy new stuff, only for the sake of being a consumer. Way more, we should cook when people need food, design when designs are not good enough and create when the world needs a new product. Let’s stay critical and ask ourselves over and over again: how do our actions contribute to the better?
EXPOLRE AND GET INSPIRTED AT MUNICH FABRIC START
IN THE SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS AREA AT KEYHOUSE – H5!
Discover more industry-changing innovations at our upcoming trade shows:
DARE & CARE
DARE & CARE
An interview with the organisers of MUNICH FABRIC START about courage, the special, the challenges of the present and the trade show calendar in 2023.
1. What can exhibitors and visitors expect at MUNICH FABRIC START in January 2023?
Sebastian Klinder: As an international fabric trade show and Germany’s leading platform for future-relevant textile innovations in the fashion sector, we are once again creating high-quality formats and offerings at MUNICH FABRIC START this season – from a broad and relevant exhibitor portfolio, to top-class lectures and panels, to trend outlooks and numerous opportunities to connect.
We are very pleased that around 900 selected international producers will once again be joining us in Munich in January to show their latest trends and innovations on a total exhibition area of around 42,500 square metres – thus demonstrating that, even in times of uncertainty, we have the courage to think big.
Frank Junker, Creative Director MUNICH FABRIC START; left
Sebastian Klinder, Managing Director MUNICH FABRIC START; right
“We are continuing the positive, motivated and ambitious mood that is evident at the current shows.«
Frank Junker: Nothing ventured, nothing gained – especially now. The conditions are currently changing and this requires openness to new things and the courage to move forward. Not exuberantly, but with care and deliberation. This is also reflected in our motto this year, “DARE & CARE”. Changes are taking place on all levels: from a new sense of community to the struggle for freedom with protests to hedonism and the celebration of the moment; not least the need for islands of tranquility, for joy and above all for real, human encounters. In these topics and controversies, apart from all the uncertainty, lies an immense potential for inspiration and the power to dare something.
In a volatile market environment, looking ahead optimistically is easier said than done for many. As a trade show organiser, how do you look to the future?
Sebastian Klinder: We are well positioned for the current Spring.Summer 24 edition from 24 to 26 January 2023 and can be very satisfied – in a generally tense situation, MUNICH FABRIC START, BLUEZONE and KEYHOUSE are all very well booked. This makes us quite positive for the future. Demonstrating reliability, relevance and consistency is what matters now.
Frank Junker: Our task is to always be surprising, innovative and at the same time market- and solution-oriented. Once again, we have succeeded in this. Despite all the difficulties, we offer the usual high level of service, create new experiences and form a business and trend and information platform for the strong and relevant partners in the industry. That is what makes us so special. Being special pays off.
3. There is a central change from 2023 – the summer editions of MUNICH FABRIC START, BLUEZONE, KEYHOUSE and THE SOURCE will take place in the second half of July from now on. What do you expect from this?
Frank Junker: With the new date, we are positioning MUNICH FABRIC START and BLUEZONE early in the trade show calendar – so they fit perfectly into the international events and rhythms. We are ontinuing the positive, motivated and ambitious mood that is evident at the current MUNICH FABRIC START with inspiring new products, innovative content and future-oriented themes, placing them in an even more valuable time slot.
Sebastian Klinder: With the new trade show dates for MUNICH FABRIC START and VIEW, we are giving our exhibitors a wide variety of opportunities to respond to the new needs and changes in the market. We are absolutely convinced that this is an important and right step. With our new schedule, we continue to offer the already proven time slots for ordering and move forward confidently and with the courage to change.
Discover more industry-changing innovations at our upcoming trade shows:
The atmospherica industrial charm of keyhouse
THE ATMOSPHERIC INDUSTRIAL CHARM OF KEYHOUSE
In the atmospheric industrial charm of KEYHOUSE, Hall 5, progressive suppliers and global players from cross-industry sectors will be showing their latest new developments and innovations. On more than 1,000 square metres you will find trend-setting smart textiles, future fabrics and new technologies – be it in terms of sustainability, digitalisation, traceability, technology or finishing.
Staged as an interactive think tank, future-oriented show cases will be in the spotlight alongside Sustainable Innovations. This is also where the main lecture forum of MUNICH FABRIC START is located featuring exclusive keynotes, panel discussions, trend presentations, Q&A sessions and expert talks by international industry insiders. Be inspired by the wide range of products on offer at KEYHOUSE.
PIÑATEX
Piñatex® by Ananas Anam is a pioneering plant-based textile now made from up to 95% renewable resources. Piñatex is made from agricultural waste, offering a resource efficient alternative to synthetic and virgin grown textiles. Piñatex is available in 22 colours across 4 different collections, with the ability to create custom finishes for orders requiring a bespoke approach
REACTIVE REALITY
Reactive Reality’s PICTOFiT platform creates value for you, your customers and the planet. Their AI can help in all phases of the product lifecycle from design to visual merchandising to shopper experience, purchase and in the Metaverse. To date we have seen increases in shopper engagement of 400%, increases in conversion rate of 55%, and an overall ROI of 500%
CLO Virtual Fashion
CLO Virtual Fashion is a multinational technology company founded in 2009. With a vision to empower everything related to garments, CLO Virtual Fashion is leading the market by digitally merging, consolidating, and converging all components relating to digital and physical garments through its state-of-the-art 3D Cloth Simulation Algorithm. From 3D garment design software, digital asset management and design development collaborative platform, to consumer-facing services such as virtual fitting on e-commerce, all of CLO Virtual Fashion’s products and services are interconnected to provide clients and users with a more consolidated experience.
MAKEINITALY
MAKEINITALY is a group of technicians in love with a project dedicated to “The Health of the garment we are wearing”. Their innovation is to respect the nature with the re-discovery of traditional Italian textile knowledge. They produce nettle and hemp yarn to create biodegradable fabrics. Dyeing of the fabrics is made with their patent by using vegetable products that reach high and permanent colour fastness.
MONTEGA
Montega Chemical Solutions, specialized in production of chemicals for textile treatments, will present THE PERFECT JEANS for a more conscious use of chemicals through application systems with low environmental impact and certified products. This in order to provide guidelines for a more sustainable and truly environmentally friendly production, to be an active part of the change that our planet asks for every day. Find out mor about their solutions and services on their booth at the KEYHOUSE.
EVENT PROGRAM
OF MUNICH FABRIC START & BLUEZONE
AT KEYHOUSE, HALL 5 & THE SEMINAR ZONE, HALL 7
Be inspired by exclusive keynotes, panel discussions, trend presentations, Q&A sessions & Co. by international industry experts.
Look forward to news, insights and first-hand information from the industry.
Discover further industry-disrupting innovations at our upcoming shows:
Dicover the latest button innovations
Additionals Buttons - Autumn.Winter 23/24
We present 5 button companies that will introduce their new designs at the upcoming MUNICH FABRIC START.
The latest developments for buttons, ribbons, ornamentations, rhinestones, fasteners, linings, lace, embroidery, inlays as well as labelling and branding solutions will be presented by around 200 leading international suppliers of trims and accessories in the ADDITIONALS area.
BONFANTI FRATELLI
Imagine a world always full of new colors, materials, shapes that is mirrored in buttons collections. Imagine hand-sewed collection samples cards in which buttons are presented in line with the aesthetic and creative suggestions of the latest Made in Italy fashion trends. F.lli Bonfanti is a family-owned company, based in Torino – Italy, producing high quality fashion buttons since 1946. For more than 70 years, the company core business is to create high quality buttons made from different materials – from natural (Mother of pearl, corozo, wood, horn, coconut, bamboo …) to metal, polyester, nylon and abs. Nowadays, grasping the right challenges to protect and respect the environment, they design and produce articles made from recycled materials such as paper, hemp powder, corozo and are conducting studies and researches to use bioplastic materials.
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Knopf Schäfer GmbH
Comfort and coziness continue to be trend-setting factors in the fashion industry, but this fall tendencies are shifting towards more “dressed-up” looks. Knopf Schäfer picks up on both themes in its current collection. Materials such as real corozo or real horn are interpreted in a sometimes rough, sometimes elegant way. Whereas iridescent mother-of-pearl looks will give your designs that certain glam factor!
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KAHAGE BUTONIA
The KAHAGE-Butonia Group presents the polarisation of the world meeting design in the AUTUMN/WINTER 2023/24 season. It’s all WOW! On the one hand extremely chaotic, on the other hand calm and puristic. And in between, a combination emerges that is made up of useful elements from nature and technology.
Collection 77 shows the diversity in an exciting range. Consisting of a large palette of the latest colours that are earthy natural or bold and gaudy in unusual colour combinations. Modern shapes with many interesting colour gradients and structured or lasered surfaces are offered in a wide range of sizes. The focus is on unique in-house developments that have been developed with a great love of fashion and current trends.
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UNION KNOPF
Based on the analysis of global trends in men’s and women’s fashion, every year Union Knopf launches a new collection of clothing fasteners for the autumn-winter season. The presentations feature ideas based on classics and innovative concepts that inspire tailoring businesses. Union Knopf takes a responsible approach to sustainability in the fashion industry, creating raw materials and choosing environmentally friendly production methods. They also respond to new and occuring market demands.
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BLUEZONE Signature Spring.Summer 25 – Part I
IBIZABLUE is a bright and vibrant shade inspired bythe summer season. This unique colour allows fora range of washes that maintain their vitality, evenafter multiple wash cycles.
Fabric Trends Spring.Summer 25 – Part II
It's safe to say that a return to joy and lightness is in the air in the world of fashion!
The latest accessory developments for Spring.Summer 25 – Part I
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Fabric Trends Spring.Summer 25 – Part I
It reflects the longing for positivity and offers new graphics, colours and weights. Summer is the perfect time to show character and put the shirt at the centre of the outfit. centre of the outfit.
A Life As An Art Project – Sustainable Innovations
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CLOUDWOOL – Sustainable Innovations
In a time where natural wool is often imported and blended with synthetic fibers, Cloudwool relies on local resources and fights against the neglect of local sheep farmers' wool.
THE SOURCE 2024 – Spring.Summer 25 – Part II
Some 30 selected clothing manufacturers present their products and services around the latest sourcing services and apparel manufacturing at THE SOURCE studio in hall 2.
SAAT MUNICH X BLUEZONE
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CO2 Tex – Sustainable innovations
CO2Tex stands out as a central project within BIOTEXFUTURE, focusing on CO2-containing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) as an alternative to conventional elastane.
Fabrics: from maximum padded cosiness to ultra-light fluidity
Fabrics: from maximum padded cosiness to ultra-light fluidityBRICS:
Materials amaze through new extremes – from maximum padded cosiness to ultra-light fluidity. Patterns blow up too an ultimate size and checks and camouflage are oversized. Wool and fake furs offer an enhanced tactile sensation.
6DIAS
The new 6DIAS collection FW23-24 is divided in 3 themes: TWILIGHT GARDEN, CALM NATURE AND THE NEO ROOTS. Cool greens, swampy darks, energising brights and digital pastels will be key colour messages this season, with trendy prints, cosy velvets and teddy fleece and quilted outdoor fabrics. Highlights are winter heavy twills in Tencel and Viscose, Crêpe, Mouslins and Satins, as well as sustainable fabrics from Organic and BCI cottons, recycled Polyesters, Ecovero and Lenzing fabrics.
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AKBAŞLAR TEKSTİL
The qualities of Akbaslar come with a modern and innovative identity for the new AW23/24 collection. Their sustainable qualities make a difference in terms of texture and touch. The new collection is created from a natural perspective which emphasizes the simplicity and unprocessed nature in nature.
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A.P.C. ALMODO
A.P.C. Almodo Print Collection ‘s Autumn / Winter 23-24 collection is calling attention with their impressive lively colours and print quality thanks to high technology production. A.P.C. offers a varied collection of prints with handcrafted and organic looks, sea skins, new wave and geo prints, tie dye, watercolour designs that meets huge range of fabrics on a high level of quality.
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C. PAULI
The Autumn/Winter 23/24 fabric collection by C.Pauli is GOTS certified and focuses entirely on wonderful and sustainable organic qualities such as sweat, nicky, plush, interlock, poplin, gabardine, corduroy, tulle and denim. An enchanting selection inspired by “Quality by Nature”. The in-house ribbon weaving mill Kafka also produces jacquard ribbons in trendy looks on historic looms – Made in Wuppertal. Designs and labels can be made entirely individually here.
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DRESDNER SPITZEN
As a traditional family business with a spirit of innovation, Dresdner Spitzen develops sophisticated and sustainable lace galoons, lace fabrics and functional warp knit fabrics. The latest collection features versatile designs, including geometric arrangements in bold colours, expressive florals with intricate ornamentation as well as playful romantic motifs, in laces made of conventional but also recycled and other innovative materials.
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Revoltech – Sustainable Innovations
The revolution of Revoltech lies in the use of Hemp-Leder, an advanced fusion of hemp fibers and traditional leather.
BLUEZONE Signature Spring.Summer 25 – Part I
IBIZABLUE is a bright and vibrant shade inspired bythe summer season. This unique colour allows fora range of washes that maintain their vitality, evenafter multiple wash cycles.
Fabric Trends Spring.Summer 25 – Part II
It's safe to say that a return to joy and lightness is in the air in the world of fashion!
The latest accessory developments for Spring.Summer 25 – Part I
A big part of the collection consists of natural fibers with super light ribbons in 100% cotton, a linen braid-effect ribbon and hemp ribbons for a sustainable-oriented collection.
Fabric Trends Spring.Summer 25 – Part I
It reflects the longing for positivity and offers new graphics, colours and weights. Summer is the perfect time to show character and put the shirt at the centre of the outfit. centre of the outfit.
A Life As An Art Project – Sustainable Innovations
Textiles, for Sophie, become a medium that provides protection while revealing the vulnerability of the self.
CLOUDWOOL – Sustainable Innovations
In a time where natural wool is often imported and blended with synthetic fibers, Cloudwool relies on local resources and fights against the neglect of local sheep farmers' wool.
THE SOURCE 2024 – Spring.Summer 25 – Part II
Some 30 selected clothing manufacturers present their products and services around the latest sourcing services and apparel manufacturing at THE SOURCE studio in hall 2.
SAAT MUNICH X BLUEZONE
The "SIGNATURE Corporate Collection" from SAAT - a pinnacle of elegance and sophistication
CO2 Tex – Sustainable innovations
CO2Tex stands out as a central project within BIOTEXFUTURE, focusing on CO2-containing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) as an alternative to conventional elastane.
THE SOURCE - The new hall
THE SOURCE: FASHION SOURCING IN THE NEW HALL 8
As the new one-stop solution for integrated fashion sourcing, THE SOURCE offers flexible sourcing services and solutions for newly conceived value chains on around 2,500 m2 in the new Hall 8, opposite the MOC.
On 3 show days, 65 selected international manufacturing companies presented their offerings from cut-make-trim (CMT) to high-end production in the listed Lokhalle, which with its gigantic dimensions is one of the largest cantilevered historic steel halls in Europe.
A cluster of key sourcing countries such as Portugal, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Bosnia and Vietnam will create a business-relevant mix for risk diversification, the right product mix and for every genre. Discover THE SOURCE and visit the new Hall 8 directly opposite the MOC Munich!
“To expand as a trade fair during the Corona crisis and in challenging times for the fashion industry is anything but a matter of course and was definitely a gamble. We are all the more pleased that we know even before the fair: It was right and important”
Sebastian Klinder, Managing Director of Munich Fabric Start Exhibitions GmbH.
“End-to-end solutions from PLV to white label for brands, labels and retailers are strongly growing segment, which we offer with THE SOURCE an extremely high-quality environment in the long term and in close partnership with our exhibitor. In direct connection to MUNICH FABRIC START and BLUEZONE and in an architecturally outstanding location, with an extremely high-quality exhibition stand system and a selective choice of international exhibitors.”
Sebastian Klinder, Managing Director MUNICH FABRIC START Exhibitions GmbH
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The New EU Textiles Strategy: 15 Things You Need To Know
The New EU Textiles Strategy: 15 Things You Need To Know
A contribution of Muchaneta ten Napel, Founding Editor-in-Chief FashNerd.com
The fashion industry produces 92 million tonnes of waste. It is also responsible for 10% of the world’s carbon emissions. The ugly truth is that the way that the fashion industry does business is making an unsustainable impact on natural resources and the environment at each stage of the supply chain.
So what can be done to minimise an industry-wide problem’s carbon and environmental footprints? Well, this is where the new EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles comes into play.
Is It Empowering the Green Transition?
More than just another set of rigid rules, the new EU textiles strategy is driven to address the need for businesses to take responsibility and act to minimise their carbon and environmental footprints. Proposed by the EU Commission, the plan has been set up to help the EU shift to a circular economy that can tackle fast fashion, textile waste and the destruction of unsold textiles. The strategy also aims to encourage businesses to participate actively in the co-creation process through their commitments to circularity and circular business models.
As part of the EU Green Deal, the strategy proposes to make sustainable products “the norm in the EU.” Pushing forward the idea that all production fully respects social rights, the plan also calls on companies to make textiles more durable, repairable, reusable and recyclable.
Bringing attention to a product’s lifecycle, the strategy focuses on design through to end-of-life. The agenda is to kickstart actions that ensure that by 2030 textile products placed on the EU market will be more eco-friendly and long-lasting.
With so much change promised, the Commission’s proposal of new rules can be complex for some to unpack. So here are ten things you need to know about the new EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles.
15 Things you need to know
- The new strategy is part of a much broader package, including as many as 16 new legislative actions and other policies that will directly impact the textile value chain.
- Create a model of thriving green and digital transition in manufacturing.
- The strategy will require manufacturers to give consumers more information on how to reuse, repair and recycle clothing.
- The goal is to phase out fast fashion and have more businesses commit to business models that allow for the reuse and repair of products to be widely available.
- In the textile sector, the strategy hopes producers will take responsibility for their products along the value chain, including when they become waste.
- Promoting the circular textiles ecosystem, the EU textiles strategy aims to support and accompany the textiles ecosystem throughout its transformative journey.
- By supporting innovative fibre-to-fibre recycling, the plan is to reduce, to a minimum, the incineration and landfilling of textile waste.
- Solutions and measures include more precise information, a Digital Product Passport and a mandatory EU extended producer responsibility scheme.
- The strategy highlights the need for accuracy regarding green claims by proposing new consumer rights and a ban on greenwashing.
- Reverse overproduction and overconsumption, and discourage the destruction of unsold or returned textiles.
- Propose mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility for textiles with eco- modulation of fees.
- Address the unintentional release of microplastics from synthetic textiles.
- Restrict the export of textile waste and promote sustainable textiles globally.
- Incentivise circular business models, including reuse and repair services.
- Adopt favourable taxation measures for the reuse and repair sector. Lastly, the new EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles end game is to make the EU market more friendly to the environment, circular, and energy-efficient and bring balance back to global supply chains. So to conclude, yes, the EU textiles sustainability strategy is very ambitious, but this is why it is critical that it is implemented correctly.
Are you interested in more in-depth facts and figures of the new textile economy?
Visit the FashNerd.com Lounge at H5 | 28 or join their mini lectures Keyhouse.
About the author
Founding editor-in-chief of FashNerd.com, Muchaneta has worked in the fashion industry for over 14 years. She is currently one of the leading influencers speaking and writing about the merger of fashion with technology and wearable technology.
Muchaneta ten Napel | editor@fashnerd.com
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Revoltech – Sustainable Innovations
The revolution of Revoltech lies in the use of Hemp-Leder, an advanced fusion of hemp fibers and traditional leather.
BLUEZONE Signature Spring.Summer 25 – Part I
IBIZABLUE is a bright and vibrant shade inspired bythe summer season. This unique colour allows fora range of washes that maintain their vitality, evenafter multiple wash cycles.
Fabric Trends Spring.Summer 25 – Part II
It's safe to say that a return to joy and lightness is in the air in the world of fashion!
The latest accessory developments for Spring.Summer 25 – Part I
A big part of the collection consists of natural fibers with super light ribbons in 100% cotton, a linen braid-effect ribbon and hemp ribbons for a sustainable-oriented collection.
Fabric Trends Spring.Summer 25 – Part I
It reflects the longing for positivity and offers new graphics, colours and weights. Summer is the perfect time to show character and put the shirt at the centre of the outfit. centre of the outfit.
A Life As An Art Project – Sustainable Innovations
Textiles, for Sophie, become a medium that provides protection while revealing the vulnerability of the self.
CLOUDWOOL – Sustainable Innovations
In a time where natural wool is often imported and blended with synthetic fibers, Cloudwool relies on local resources and fights against the neglect of local sheep farmers' wool.
THE SOURCE 2024 – Spring.Summer 25 – Part II
Some 30 selected clothing manufacturers present their products and services around the latest sourcing services and apparel manufacturing at THE SOURCE studio in hall 2.
SAAT MUNICH X BLUEZONE
The "SIGNATURE Corporate Collection" from SAAT - a pinnacle of elegance and sophistication
CO2 Tex – Sustainable innovations
CO2Tex stands out as a central project within BIOTEXFUTURE, focusing on CO2-containing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) as an alternative to conventional elastane.
Blue Lenz Denim Video Awards
CARVED IN BLUE/ BLUE LENZ
The winners of the second BLUE LENZ DENIM VIDEO AWARDS are out now!
Beginning back in 2021, the BLUE LENZ DENIM VIDEO AWARDS is an annual celebration of creativity, technical excellence and innovation in the denim industry.
The Awards take place at Bluezone, the Munich Fabric Start international trade show for denim, street and sportswear.
The BLUE LENZ YouTube channel was launched in January 2020 with the aim to capture and curate all the latest original video content cover stories, education, sustainability initiatives, fabric innovations and trends from the denim community.
Currently hosting more than 430 videos and with upwards of 1,000 followers, the aim is to shine the spotlight on the best and the brightest blue videos, and recognize the best ones with an awards competition in collaboration with Bluezone.
For those of us who grew up in the era of MTV we recall the launch of music videos. It was at that time that music and videos came to life and that eventually led onto the birth of the MTV Music Video Awards in 1984.
We asked ourselves “Why can’t the denim industry have the same?”
As a category of textiles that boasts some of the deepest roots and richest of histories, denim has been an influential component of popular culture and fashion for centuries. denim is ubiquitous. Denim has impacted music, art, politics, culture – and that is what we hope is reflected in the content of the Blue Lenz Denim Video Awards.
In an effort to highlight and champion the best in our industry, as well as to credit people and teams behind each of the denim videos, we nominated videos in 8 categories. We enlisted a group of esteemed judges from around the world to debate and deliberate the winners, and it was those winners that were recognized today at the Bluezone/ Munich Fabric Start event.
Our judging panel consisted of:
Margherita Verlicchi
Menabo
(ITALY)
Michelle Branch
Markt & Twigs
(USA)
Wouter Munnichs
Long John Denim (NETHERLANDS)
Panos Sofianos
Bluezone
(GERMANY / GREECE)
Kara Nicholas
Denim Expert
(USA)
Best Educational Video/ Series
WINNER
Transformers ED Series by Transformers Foundation
2nd place: Kingston University MA Fashion – Denim Project
3rd place: Ever Evolving Talks by Calik Denim
Best Denim Design/ Collection
WINNER
2nd place: WASSSH! SPAIN IS DIFFERENT by Jose Medina
3rd place: “NAVEENA DENIM MIILLS X ENDRIME® X OFFICINA + 39 “FUTURE CELLULOSIC COLLECTION””
Best Sustainability - Connection to the UN SDGs
WINNER
2nd place: Blackhorse Lane Ateliers – ‘Community Membership’ APRIL 2022
3rd place tie: Celebrating Women at AGI – Women’s Day
3rd place tie: Collaboration with the Textile Institute of Pakistan
Future Forward
WINNER
2nd place: ORTA – ALWAYS TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE
3rd place: Advance Denim – Jeans Redesgin
Honorable Mention
WINNER
Best Overall Video
WINNER
2nd: Hempy Colleciton by Bossa
3rd : NDM X OfficinaX Endrime
We also want to thank our hosts, Blue Zone at Munich Fabric Start.
Photo images available upon request from the live presentation.
Discover further industry-disrupting innovations at our upcoming shows:
"BENEFIT CAMPUS 22" Collection
SAAT & EVLOX FOR BLUEZONE CAMPUS 2022
H 6 | B 0 5 & H 7 Charity Store
With a special thanks to BLUEZONE, SAATMUNICH has collaborated with Evlox and the Influencers @robindenim and @koenkuik with a “BENEFIT CAMPUS 22”- Collection, so you can wear your support for Ukraine in the streets and help fund relief on the ground.
The Collection will be represented at the fair that will take place on August 30th-31st.
The collaboration leverages the respective strengths of both the companies to demonstrate the iconic theme of BLUEZONE “CAMPUS 22”. Modern fabric technology from Evlox aligned with the unique concept creations of SAATMUNICH unveils the modern version of CAMPUS RETRO CLASSIC’s.
SAATMUNICH, an experienced full-service design studio from Munich, specialized in creating individual concepts in fashion and corporate wear since 2015 lines up with Evlox, the oldest denim mill in the world that have been manufacturing denim fabrics since 1846, compelling value for both the companies in signalizing the innovation from fabrics to the designs and their continuous investment in new developments.
The BLUEZONE CAMPUS uniforms are designed as a limited edition, with a purpose to support the charity project „FAIR FOR UKRAINE“. The BLUEZONE staff will proudly wear the uniforms and represent the project on the two-day show. Furthermore, there will be installations and competitions that will highlight the outfits.
SAATMUNICH Designs
SAATMUNICH is an experienced full-service design studio from Munich, specialized in creating individual concepts in fashion and corporate wear since 2015. Led by the creative masterminds and power-couple Thorsten Bulander and Sajna Weber, the studio’s aspiration is to utilize resources carefully and show an appreciative attitude towards the customer and individual. Working with some respectable companies – including leading International hotels & fairs – SAATMUNICH shows to be a trustworthy partner, who is carefully tuning in to their clients, building and shaping perfectly fitting concepts.
After successfully partnering with BLUEZONE since 2016 developing the BLUEZONE outfits with different themes and collaborations biannual, the studio has been redesignated to develop the uniforms for the upcoming show with the new collaborator EVLOX.
The theme being the programmer, the designer duo has drawn their inspiration from the golden decade of hip-hop culture and the sports legends such as Dennis Rodman and Michel ‘Air’ Jordan creating the uniforms which they call the ‘Modern Retro CAMPUS Uniforms’ Reinterpreting the past – ‘WU WEAR at its best!’ Says the denim head Thorsten Bulander.
Amidst today’s technologically-driven design culture, there has been a return to the comfort of familiar imagery and typography. New Retro shows how designs from the past can be updated to suit the needs of today, and this is exactly what SAATMUNICH did for BLUEZONE. The BLUEZONE uniforms feature an airy silhouette combined with the best typography presented by high definition embroidery and application. The oversized unisex uniforms are custom designed for the BLUEZONE staff, where great functional attributes derived from fabrics, and a style fitting perfectly to the ‘CAMPUS’ theme of the upcoming show.
Sajna Weber and Thorsten Bulander, the creative minds behind SAAT:
“We chose the fabric “Evlox – Lewis Smoothic” to design these uniforms. The Smoothic Technology by Evlox is a patented manufacturing process that results in a range of smart denim fabrics with a unique velvety feel and ultra-softness offering comfort that is transformed into maximum well-being. These fabrics earn high elasticity and low shrinkage without losing the original and authentic premium denim look. And what’s more, Evlox, continuing with their goal towards a more sustainable production have minimized the use of water and energy on these fabrics.”
EVLOX
The star ensemble is enforced by EVLOX who is taking care of the fabrics for the Campus uniforms. EVLOX is based in Spain and started as a yarn, weaving and stamping factory in 1846. In its more than 175 years of existence, the company specialized in manufacturing denim, reinventing classics and creating new solutions for the world’s most important fashion brands. Today, totally making over 15 million meters of denim, the people behind EVLOX are still sharing the same passion for denim, striving to the highest quality standards in the fabric manufacturing. Their undiminished passion and investments resulted in multiple patented products and processes, and close relationships with the giants from the fashion industry as well as ‘smaller’ – more niche – brands.
For the Campus Uniform, the design studio SAATMUNICH selected two denim fabrics which were made following the patented Smoothic manufacturing process. The Smoothic Technology, a combination of innovation resulting in a range of smart denim fabrics – with a unique velvety feel and ultra-softness offering comfort that is transformed into maximum well-being. These fabrics earn high elasticity and low shrinkage without losing the original and authentic premium denim look. With sustainability at the core of every step, EVLOX managed to minimize the use of water and energy during the production of these fabrics.
The CAMPUS RETRO CLASSIC’s are executed in both an Ecru and a Denim version and are a harmonious balance of the innovative fabric technology from EVLOX aligned with the unique concept creations of SAATMUNICH.
Help with us – Charity Project „FAIR FOR UKRAINE“
H7 Charity Shop – Bluezone Stage or SAATMUNICH (H6 B05)
With these “BENEFIT CAMPUS 22” Collection you support those affected – and show solidarity.
50% OF ALL PROCEEDS will be donated to the Charity Project – FAIR FOR UKRAINE
SAATMUNICH (booth H6 B05) and Evlox (booth H6 C06)
will be presenting this collaboration in co-operation with the Denim Influencer’s @robindenim and @koenkuik. You are all invited to toast with us at the Bluezone party.