Future Trends

The Fabric Trends Autumn.Winter 24/25 - Part IV

Fabrics Highlights for Autumn.Winter 2024/ 25 - Part IV

7. September 2023

In the FABRICS Area, around 600 international suppliers present their material innovations for all apparel segments. The complete product portfolio of fashionable woven and knitted fabrics made of wool, cotton, silk, blends and functional fibres is represented here. For the Autumn.Winter 24/25 season, we present some highlights from international producers in our FABRICS blogposts:

KNIPIDEE

Knipidee International, a family business with its roots in the Netherlands and now growing strongly outside the borders with focus on a strong basic and seasonal fabric collection. The new collection is as usual stylish and versatile, with fabrics like warm faux fur, lots of quilted fabrics for luxury coats, corduroy stepped, knitted jacquards, velvet and beautiful satin designs.

KNIPIDEE

Leichtfried Loden

Sustainability 2.0 – Leichtfried Loden does care about animal welfare and they have only been using certified mulesing-free Australian Merino wool since 2020. From autumn 2023, they will go one step further and certify the entire production process according to RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) in order to meet the high requirements of their customers.

Leichtfried Loden

LEMAR

Transforming Waste into Opportunity! Advancing sustainability with fabrics woven with yarns developed from Recycled End-of-Life Tyres! Discarded tyres have become a global concern and it is crucial to explore innovative solutions that promote a circular economy. By transforming this waste into amazing fabrics, Lemar will be able to deliver environmental preservation, resource efficiency, and economic benefits. Come and see yourself!

LEMAR

LENZING

The Lenzing Group stands for ecologically responsible production of specialty fibers made from the renewable raw material wood and strives for the efficient utilization and processing of all raw materials and offers solutions to help redirect the textile sector towards a sustainable industry. As an innovation leader, Lenzing is a partner of global textile manufacturers and drives many new technological developments. TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ is one of the sustainable fiber innovations which contributes to circular economy. The pioneering REFIBRA™ technology involves upcycling cotton scraps from garment production.

LENZING

MER FABRIC

Mer Fabric, a fabric manufacturer specializing in garments, has exciting plans to introduce fresh woven fabrics in various categories such as shirts, pants, dresses, and childrenswear. Our aim is to cater to specific customer requirements with enhanced flexibility. Furthermore, we are actively engaged in advancing sustainable products, constantly striving to make notable progress in this area.

MER FABRIC

MMRA

MMRA is a Portuguese family business with 40 years of experience in circular knitting. It exports to several international markets, presents a wide range of naturalorganicrecycled and synthetic products. Among the innovations, the use of compositions with mixtures of NettlePrinted YarnsLinenTencel, and banana with pineapple stands out. M.M.R.A. is committed to Oeko-Tex, Gots, GRS and OCS certifications.

MMRA

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The Fabric Trends Autumn.Winter 24/25 - Part III

Fabrics Highlights for Autumn.Winter 2024/ 25 - Part III

22. August 2023

In the FABRICS Area, around 600 international suppliers present their material innovations for all apparel segments. The complete product portfolio of fashionable woven and knitted fabrics made of wool, cotton, silk, blends and functional fibres is represented here. For the Autumn.Winter 24/25 season, we present some highlights from international producers in our FABRICS blogposts:

GRATEX

Textiles are the fabric from which our passion is woven. Gratex is a reliable family business with 50 years of international experience, always on the pulse of the fashion world. As a partner of BCI and GOTS, they offer a large number of our articles with organic cotton.

The new collection for autumn.winter 24/25 consists of traditional and fashion prints, jacquard fabrics, lace, shirting and cosy knitwear.

The colour palette this season ranges from warming earthy tones to fresh pastel shades and vibrant purple and pink.

GRATEX

HÄNDEL + DILLER GMBH

Händel + Diller has been knitting fabrics in southern Germany since 1962. Under the premise of certified environmental and social standards, circular knitted fabrics are produced for manufacturers of lingerie, home- and sportswear, orthopaedics and technical applications. The range for the Autumn.Winter 24/25 collection also includes GOTS-certified wool fleece made of 100 % merinowool or in cotton blends, including jacquard patterns.

Händel + Diller GmbH

HEINRICH SUNDAG TEXTILDESIGN + VERTRIEB

Autumn/winter time is time for wool. Wool in many weights, knitting techniques and creative interpretations. Boiled wool 100% wool, uni or printed, boiled wool 80% wool+20% cotton in plain and colourful jacquards also with relief and tops, wool plush, wool fleece, wool knits, wool jerseys conventional, controlled organic animal husbandry and GOTS. Heavy wool-cotton jacquard knits Cotton teddy uni and as jacquards with wool – more wool is not possible!

Heinrich Sundag Textildesign + Vertrieb

JERSEY PRINT FACTORY

Discover the family-owned fabric company with 30+ years of industry experience: Jersey Print Factory offers custom, high-quality fabrics with no minimum order requirements. Find classic or contemporary designs at their booth and unleash your creativity with reactive printed fabrics. Bring your fashion dreams to life, one meter at a time. You can create custom apparel by simply upload your design and place your order. They’ll take care of the rest.

JERSEY PRINT FACTORY

JJR SPIN TEXTILES LLP

The collection is inspired by floral motifs with natural geometric and abstract patterns. The colours are mainly natural tones with vibrant pops for added brightness. They use hand-woven tweed, computer and hand embroidery techniques. For embroidery, they work with various bases like sequins, velvet, wool, cotton, and viscose and also offer 100% silk tweed and blended fabrics. The new collection showcases the beauty of floral designs through hand-woven tweed, computer, and hand embroidery techniques. A range of fabric bases including silk and blends is used to create a visually stunning and textured collection.

JJR SPIN TEXTILES LLP

KAYTEKS

Kayteks, established in 1965, is currently advancing its production adventure in the field of knitted fabrics and ready-made products. Priorities such as quality, on-time delivery, and quick response to customer requests have been determined as competitive priority. Sustainability, organic and analysis of trend products in knitted fabrics and products are the primary components that Kayteks follows in its R&D processes.

KAYTEKS

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The Fabric Trends Autumn.Winter 24/25 - Part II

Fabrics Highlights for Autumn.Winter 24/25 - Part II

10. August 2023

In the FABRICS Area, around 600 international suppliers present their material innovations for all apparel segments. The complete product portfolio of fashionable woven and knitted fabrics made of wool, cotton, silk, blends and functional fibres is represented here. For the Autumn.Winter 24/25 season, we present some highlights from international producers in our FABRICS blogposts:

ELYAF

Founded in 1989, Elyaf® is a women’s fabric and garment manufacturer, based on 22,000 square metres, as a fully integrated facility in Bursa, Turkey. Their focus is on sustainability through manufacturing value-added fabrics and garments without causing harm to people, the ecosystem and our planet.

ELYAF

ERSAT TEXTILE

ERSAT TEXTILE is one of the most successful fabric producers in TURKEY with its integrated factory from weaving till ready garment. ERSAT offers versatile production chains (Poliviscose, Polyester, Cotton, Linen, Wool blends with PES). They also produce fabrics (Recycled and Ecovero bases )for  Men’s and Women’s Suits, Jackets, Pants, Outerwear, Dresses, Shirts etc. Dying and all finishing processes include 2,500,000mts capacity per month.

ERSAT TEXTILE

FABRIC & CO

FABRIC & CO offers a wide product range and focuses on environmentally friendly production with sustainable fabrics. Current trends are reflected in perfect harmony with prints and plain colors. Satins, recycled and natural looking fabrics and special touch effects result in great designs. Find different pattern colours and designs in the new collection.

FABRIC & CO

FEINJERSEY

Feinjersey presents its new collection brand dfine. High end fabrics made in Austria – designed for the human body. The new dfine. collection is segmented into 5 sections:
Avant
– Fashion Forward Fabrics (stock program),
Ivory
– second skin underwear,
Apex – functional asthetics,
Forma
– fluid shaping and
Armis – elite safety.

FEINJERSEY

FORZA

Forza’s new autumn.winter 24/25 collection is a creation of elegant, stylish and casual prints: ikat. ethnic, watercolour, ombre, tie dye, patchwork, animalskin, monos with earthyand natural colours or combinations of bright, warm orange, purple, blue andt urquoise tones. Get creative inspiration at their booth with a variety of sustainable produced, light and heavy weight fabrics, dobby, structured weaves, twills, cord, satins, mesh as well as chiffons, cotton/linen blends.

FORZA

GOTTSTEIN

Founded in 1926, Gottstein is an Austrian family-owned manufacturer located in the Tyrolean mountains. They are experts when it comes to felted wool fabrics and wet processing with experience for over four generations. This time their main focus for their AW 24/25 collection are reliefs and sculptural felted fabrics made of merino wool as well as undyed wool fabrics.

GOTTSTEIN

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The Fabric Trends Autumn.Winter 24/25 - Part I

Fabrics Highlights for Autumn.Winter 24/25 - Part I

1. August 2023

In the FABRICS Area, around 600 international suppliers present their material innovations for all apparel segments. The complete product portfolio of fashionable woven and knitted fabrics made of wool, cotton, silk, blends and functional fibres is represented here. For the Autumn.Winter 24/25 season, we present some highlights from international producers in our FABRICS blogposts:

6Dias

6Dias looks forward to present their FW 24-25 Collection divided in 3 themes: UNNATURAL, BOTANICAL and PRACTICAL, for both Women and Men’s fashion. They produce and trade a wide range of products, such as Printings, Weaving, Jacquard, Denims, Pleated, Embroideries, etc. Visit their booth in H3 | E 03 or their showroom in Trofa and idealize your collection with them.

6DIAS

AKIN TEKSTIL

Focusing more to sustainable fabrics AKIN will present novelties made of PET bottles collected from oceans, abandoned FISHNETS and naturally color grown Cotton which doesn’t require any dyestuff or chemicals. Their range is completed with outstanding print designs showing patchworks, windows, luxury or nature.

AKIN TEKSTIL

BITZER + SINGLE

Starting in 1961, Bitzer+ Single has always been a modern trading agency and a strong partner for the textile industry. They offer a wide range of FABRICS and ACCESSORIES for products of the sportswear, lingerie and medical industry. Their goal is to create sustainability through consistency, organize short procurement tracks, integrate new ideas and always keep our finger on the pulse.

BITZER SINGLE

CANVASS TEKSTIL

Stripes and checks are often seen in fall/winter 2024-2025, tone on tone or through vibrant, ethnic colors. Checks bring movement to these colors and are in high demand as light and elegant checks. Degraded transitions give special effects to fabrics. Surfaces have metallic effects. Next to them are the colors of the floral world in traditional designs.

CANVASS TEKSTIL

CANEL TEXTILE

Canel Textile, headquartered in Canel Plaza, Istanbul, Turkey, has been in business for 30 years. It is a financially sound business with a strong reputation in the market as a private label service provider of women’s ready-to-wear garments servicing both classic and contemporary brand styles. Their strong design team creates thousands of unique and fresh prints every year. The production is completely in-house. Come to Hall 3/D24 and be inspired by the new print collection with brushstroke optics, winterdark flowers and watercolor paisleys!

CANEL TEXTILE

DUTEL

The new jacquard collection from Dutel for the season AW 24/25 is built around 5 themes: “Animal” features animal designs in natural or warm colours. “Bubble” offers swollen materials with 3D effects in vibrant or pastel colours. “Poison” is all about various patterns, silky aspects, dark colours and metallic. “Fable” offers natural materials, quilted effects, neutral colours and small figurative patterns. “Universal” focuses on the feminine-masculine look, neutral colours and comfortable materials.

DUTEL

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THE COMEBAG PROJECT

UPCYCLING: THE COMEBAG PROJECT

Concept Store | H4

18. July 2023

Handmade with love in M/UNIQUE

A team of young fashion designers has realised a great upcycling project in the last few weeks: they have sewn unique bags from former trade fair materials such as flags, various trade fair banners and carpet left overs from the MFS, giving the materials a meaningful purpose. The unique pieces of the limited edition THE COMEBAG bags can be purchased at the Concept Store in front of Hall 4 for 15€ per bag.

BORNEMANN ETIKETTEN supplies biodegradable labels in a print & weave combination for this unique project. The production of the labels comes from beautiful Portugal. Discover individual label solutions at BORNEMANN ETIKETTEN in H1 | B 20.

Master tailor Elina Chauan started her own business shortly before THE COMEBAG project and founded her label Elina.Chauan.Fashion – she produces handmade unique pieces in the unique “mushroom” cut. Elina specialises as a bag designer and brings her creative ideas to her handmade products.

Charlotte Hansel “Charly”, who actually works in dance, has also discovered her passion for fashion in recent years and taught herself to sew. Charlotte has already appeared in music videos and commercials and plans to continue her education as a choreographer to perform on the big stages as an artist.

The two met during the preparations for the MUNICH FABRIC START trade fair a year ago and became friends through their work together. Their common credo is:

 

You can create something out of anything and thus make the world more colourful and sustainable.

The idea for the project came about mainly because of the striking colour of the carpet, which immediately catches the eye. It would simply be a shame not to make further use of the beautiful existing materials – especially in view of the sustainability aspect, which plays a major role at the fair. We attach great importance to illustrating that something new can be created from every thing. It’s fascinating how we can use creativity and innovative thinking to create something completely new and impressive from seemingly insignificant or everyday objects.

Our goal is to inspire people to broaden their perspectives and see the potential in everything, be it materials, ideas or situations. We want to challenge the boundaries of what is possible and show that there are no limitations when it comes to creating something unique and meaningful.

Discover more industry-changing innovations at our upcoming trade shows:

BLUEZONE

18/07 – 19/07/2023

www.bluezone.show

MUNICH FABRIC START

18/07 – 20/07/2023

www.munichfabricstart.com

THE SOURCE

18/07 – 19/07/2023

www.thesource.show

Bluezone Highlights

AMD X Naveena & Transformers Foundation

BLUEZONE HIGHLIGHTS FOR AUTUMN.WINTER 24/25

15. July 2023

AMD X Naveena

We are born with 5 senses. They accompany us for a lifetime. Let us feel, taste, hear our environment, smell and see what surrounds us. Within 5 Groups of mixed courses from students of Fashion Design (B.A.), Fashion & Design Management ( B.A.)and Fashion Journalism & Communication (B.A.) the students from the Dusseldorf based AMD Akademie für Mode & Design, faculty design of Hochschule Fresenius, analyzed the importance and impact of our senses in context of Denim.

Why Denim? Because this beautiful and rich material like no other embodies senses and sensuality the best. In times of digitalization and virtual universes, it is our fabric of choice that symbolizes it´s human connection the best.

Join us on the Blue Zone area in Hall 7 | A 01 and get in touch, hear, feel, smell and also taste what Denim Senses triggers in yourself!

The 5 DENIM SENSES are brought to live thanks to the generous support from Naveena Denim Mills who provided the denim fabrics for this project:

The BERRIT I95 fabric includes hemp and belongs to Naveena’s CANNA DENIM concept which is made of cottonized and mechanical hemp composition around 20%. It is durable, breathable, anti-bacterial, requires 70% less water comparing to cotton and no pesticides. Plus it growths 3-4 times faster than cotton. KEATON I73 combines hemp and Tencel together.

MORGAN B56 includes recycled linen and belongs to Naveena’s LINO+ concept: fabrics with smart linen fiber, created by post industrial waste. They are GRS certified, breathable and moisture wicking.

VIDIC I81: Includes BioHemp and is part of Naveena’s BIOTECH concept. The mill teamed up with Circular Systems in a unique collaboration that transforms agricultural crop left-overs into scalable, high-value natural fiber denim fashion products with their Agraloop™ technology. BIOTECH fabrics are made with natural fiber derived from CBD hemp crop residue and refined into textile-grade fiber called Agraloop™ BioFibre™. These fabrics are also compliant with the Global Recycled Standard and Organic Blend Content Standard.

OLITA B91 and GLENN B56 are part of their RETROTECH concept which is inspired by retro denim heritage and remixing it to modern day living. Retrotech provides wear comfort without sacrificing vintage authentic look. For more comfortable fits, Naveena blended high and lows with stretch resulting in a modern vintage cotton with a stretch blend.

TRANSFORMERS FOUNDATION

Initiated in September 2022, the TRANSFORMES FOUNDATION teamed up with BLUEZONE to join forces to educate and inspire the Denim industry. Their vision is to connect their networks, to share relevant content and profound insights of industry-relevant developments and challenges and to provide information and inspiration – all at once.

On 18 July, the TRANSFORMERS FOUNDATION will hold a panel discussion about the legislative landscape in Europe, the UK, and the USA is evolving quickly and is likely to have far-reaching implications for apparel suppliers worldwide. On 19 July, they will explore the critical ethical questions needed to unlock meaningful decarbonization action.

The Transformers Foundation brings together the voices of the denim industry with social actors to provide impulses for positive change in the industry. It is an interface between brands, NGOs, consumers and the media. “Transformers” stands for all those stakeholders within the denim supply chain and beyond who want to actively participate in this change and transformation.

Join the TRANSFORMER FOUNDATIONS events: SEMINAR ZONE, BLUEZONE HALL 7

A Supplier’s Guide to Key Sustainability Legislation in the EU, US, UK
TUESDAY, 18 JULY from 3.00pm – 4.00pm

Decarbonizing Denim: The Denim Supply Chain Speaks Up
WEDNESDAY, 19 JULY from 11.00am – 12.00pm

TRANSFORMERS FOUNDATION

Discover more industry-changing innovations at our upcoming trade shows:

BLUEZONE

18/07 – 19/07/2023

www.bluezone.show

MUNICH FABRIC START

18/07 – 20/07/2023

www.munichfabricstart.com

THE SOURCE

18/07 – 19/07/2023

www.thesource.show

Visbatex - Performance by nature

Green revolution with bamboo

Visbatex shows its revolutionary high-performance fabrics made of bamboo viscose at Munich Fabric Start

4. July 2023

Performance by nature – Visbatex is a pioneer in the production of high-quality textiles based on bamboo viscose and sets standards in the implementation of a holistic circular economy and European production standards. At the Munich Fabric Start from 18 to 20 July 2023, the Munich-based company will show how high-tech and sustainability go hand in hand. Visit Visbatex in Hall 2 at Stand B 13.

Fabrics made of bamboo are rightly considered an ecologically sound alternative to conventional textiles. The product properties of the fibre of the rapidly renewable natural raw material are too superior. Bamboo offers excellent wearing comfort. The fabric has an antibacterial and thus odour-inhibiting effect. Microscopically small holes in the fibre ensure breathability and rapid moisture transport. And as a natural UV barrier, bamboo filters up to 97.5% of harmful UV radiation.

The young company Visbatex combines all these properties in its new revolutionary high-performance fabrics based on at least 50 % bamboo viscose. This world innovation is developed and refined in the company’s own Nature Tech Lab. Visbatex’s own laboratory is the heart of the company’s product development, with which Visbatex is driving forward the transformation of conventional textiles into high-tech materials with a great pioneering spirit. The goal of Visbatex’s textile revolution is a bionically inspired evolution of classic fabrics. Visbatex has already applied for a patent for the composition of its fabrics based on bamboo viscose. The bamboo viscose from Visbatex is sold as a blend with other textiles such as recycled polyester or organic cotton.

But it is not only the product properties of Visbatex textiles that are convincing. The production in Europe and the implementation of a holistic circular economy also set standards. “As a company, we want to live up to our social and ecological responsibility,” says Klaudia Atelj, Managing Director of Visbatex. “Visbatex is environmentally friendly, durable, very hard-wearing and dimensionally stable.

A variety of uses derive from all these properties. Besides fashion, these include workwear, medical clothing, leisurewear and, of course, baby and children’s fashion. But even in the automotive sector or in Munich, 30 June 2023 the packaging industry, Visbatex textile fabrics can show off their outstanding quality and performance features.

About Visbatex

Visbatex strives for nothing more and nothing less than a textile revolution. In its own Nature Tech Lab, the Munich-based company develops high-performance fabrics based on bamboo viscose (at least 50 %). The engine of the textile revolution is the pioneering spirit of the young company, which consistently questions standard processes and researches new bionically inspired solutions in an interdisciplinary framework with research and science. The basis for the development of new fabrics is always the possibility of ecological and social production and the embedding in a system of circular economy.

MORE ABOUT VISBATEX

Discover more industry-changing innovations at our upcoming trade shows:

BLUEZONE

18/07 – 19/07/2023

www.bluezone.show

MUNICH FABRIC START

18/07 – 20/07/2023

www.munichfabricstart.com

THE SOURCE

18/07 – 19/07/2023

www.thesource.show

CONNEXXION - SAAT MUNICH

Connexxion – 20 Years of togetherness in denim

H 6 | B 0 7

29. June 2023

Connexxion – The association

The perfect connection is characterized by the fact that the SAATMUNICH Design Studio has been developing conceptual outfits for the Bluezone Hostess in collaboration with exclusive partners since 2016. The selection of these partners is based on the innovation of a weaver and the expertise of the manufacturer in the transformation of the nominated theme.

 

Connexxion – The relationship

Sajna Weber and Thorsten Bulander, the creative minds behind SAAT, designs conceptual looks for Bluezone every year. SAAT’s unique concept developments underline their long- term experience in the fields of design, denim, and workwear.

The SAATMUNICH Design Studio has established itself as an innovative and reliable partner in the sustainable production of denim products and corporate wear.

 

Connexxion – The combination

SAAT means “together” in the Indian language and “that which arises from the seed sown” in the German language. Thus, SAAT’s fashion is a harmonious interplay of different factors that always creates something new. The result is a timeless way of work fashion, stylish and individually tailored to the customer’s needs.

Connexxion – The correlation

The Bluezone hostesses’ anniversary look is a selection of Key-Pieces from the previous year’s outfits. The looks represent the exhibitors and the essential components needed to create something unique in the apparel industry.

“THE HOSTESS LOOK” – The boxy crewneck T-shirt, quilted denim vest and denim shorts echo the Connexxion theme and links all the components of the apparel industry, such as, fabrics, graphics and manufacturers needed to create unique and sustainable products for the fashion world.

Discover more industry-changing innovations at our upcoming trade shows:

BLUEZONE

18/07 – 19/07/2023

www.bluezone.show

MUNICH FABRIC START

18/07 – 20/07/2023

www.munichfabricstart.com

THE SOURCE

18/07 – 19/07/2023

www.thesource.show

HOW DO WE PACKAGE PEOPLE?

HOW DO WE PACKAGE PEOPLE? – A RESET IN FASHION

A contribution by DMI trend analyst Carl Tillessen
about the new essence of existence and fashion

27. June 2023

We were so looking forward to the time after the pandemic and now this: war in Europe, bottlenecks in the energy supply and the highest inflation in 71 years. We all feel like we are out of luck and ill-fated. And that for a very long time.

Of course, the world wasn’t any better in former times. But it seems so to us. And because we experience the present as so troubled, we try to return to the light-heartedness we felt in the past. “I have decided to go back to my roots in fashion as well as to the roots of Balenciaga, which is making quality clothes – not making image or buzz,” explains Demna. “Fashion has become a kind of entertainment, but often that part overshadows the essence of it, which lays in the way we create relationships between body and fabric,” state his show notes for Balenciaga.

Yes, in essence that’s it: “body and fabric”. JW Anderson sends these two basic ingredients, from which all fashion is created, down the catwalk before he starts his actual show. A naked body and a fresh roll of fabric – that is the tabula rasa, the blank slate on which fashion can reinvent itself once again. “How do we package people?” asks JW Anderson, as if all that were completely open-ended again.

Carl Tillessen

Summarizing the development, Mark Holgate of Vogue said:

“We’re heading into a reset, where all the din and clamor and sheer noise of fashion today doesn’t matter a jot if the clothes aren’t exceptional in their thought and craft. In other words: focus on design, not creating distraction!”

All this refocusing – on the essence of fashion, on the material as a starting point, on the product itself – is reminiscing. This is what fashion is all about right now: taking people on a journey through time to phases of our lives and theirs when we, and everyone around us, were so much more carefree than we are today.

 

DMI FASHION DAY LIVE

17. JULY 2023

14.00 – 21.00 

MOC MUNICH

MORE INFORMATION

GET INFORMED & INSPIRED AT MUNICH FABRIC START AT DMI:

You can find out how you can make this work for you in a personal conversation with the DMI analysts at the DMI Lounge in room K1 in front of hall 1 at MUNICH FABRIC START.

Discover more industry-changing innovations at our upcoming trade shows:

BLUEZONE

18/07 – 19/07/2023

www.bluezone.show

MUNICH FABRIC START

18/07 – 20/07/2023

www.munichfabricstart.com

THE SOURCE

18/07 – 19/07/2023

www.thesource.show

High-tech connection meets low-tech reconnection

High-tech connection meets low-tech reconnection

Interview with Simon Angel, Curator of the Sustainable Innovations Forum

20. June 2023

Reflecting on the past and looking towards the future – what lies ahead in the sustainable fashion and innovative design industry?

There are two significant factors driving the evolution of the industry at present. Let’s begin with the first topic, which I refer to as the ‘process runway’. On one hand, the term ‘runway’ refers to the well-known fashion runway or catwalk. On the other hand, we can observe the growth of numerous companies and designers with a sustainable focus, who are maturing and becoming more professional, preparing themselves to connect and deliver. From this perspective, it becomes clear that companies and designers understand the need to continuously improve every step of the supply chain, striving for constant enhancement – what I call the process runway.

 

Could you elaborate on how these labels are improving and changing their production practices?

Certainly. Let’s delve into the example of Knitwear Lab, one of the exhibitors. They demonstrate how one client’s interactions have led to improved production and enhanced quality in several ways. In the past, their manufacturing process began with a rough sketch or digitally drawn idea. Subsequently, one single idea was prototyped multiple times, thus resulting in numerous samples, requiring significant time and numerous adjustments. This process was highly time and material-consuming. To streamline this process, Knitwear Lab embraced digitization. They created a variety of avatars with different size measurements and body types, providing a perfect digital replica for every body shape. With this approach, they can now experiment with more complex designs and experience the implications of different designs and special materials across all sizes, from XXS to XXL without producing supervacaneous samples, thus waste. This is crucial since the details of a finished garment can appear differently on various body sizes. Hence, they first create a digitally perfect fit and high-quality product. Once flawless digitally, it is then manufactured in reality. The benefits are numerous: customization, time and material savings, and cost efficiency – all essential sustainable considerations. Additionally, they can incorporate quality aspects. Cause after all efficient work processes and resource conservation remain significant challenges within the industry.

Simon Angel

So, they transitioned from specialized skills to a broader scope?

Exactly. The progression follows this trajectory: initially, we have design studios focusing on their core strengths, on what they excel at. Simultaneously, they are eager to explore avenues for improving the customer journey, sustainability aspects, sourcing or design. It entails broadening their scope of responsibilities and possibilities. Within this transition lies immense potential, but it also presents several challenges. This is the nature of pursuing a goal – people need to collaborate, assume responsibility, and expand their horizons to harness the full potential and become more sustainable and efficient.

You mentioned another direction at the beginning. Could you elaborate on that?

The other topic revolves around reconnecting with craftsmanship. There is a growing focus on our human nature, on experiencing materials and products through touch, smell, taste… We are redirecting our attention towards engaging our senses. This year, we have exciting projects that facilitate this connection, inspiring people to participate in the knowledge and production processes. To be honest, this craving for tangibility and the opportunity to get hands dirty or experience materials is not limited to the production and design chain alone; it is also a fundamental human need. In the years to come, I am confident that there will be a significant resurgence in reconnecting and rediscovering the purity and authenticity of things.

Are there any synergies, or do these topics merely coexist?

On one hand we have high tech connection using digital advices for improvement and more sustainability, on the other hand low tech reconnection refocusing on craftmanship and human aspects with feeling of the senses. What they do have in common is the very important fact, that without collaboration, nothing would be the same. Studio Sarmite collaborates with Roua Atelier, Crafts Council works with Enschede Textielstad, Meyers & Fügmann cooperate with other designers. If we realize what we and others are doing, we can connect with collaboration and create something even bigger. That is what we experience ourselves at MUNICH FABRIC START: we collaborate a lot as well, for example with BiotexFuture, Berlin Design Farm and Crafts Council. We try to be a partner in acknowledging, introducing and togetherness with other partners to create something bigger in joint forces.

GET INFORMED & INSPIRED AT THE MUNICH FABRIC START

IN THE SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS AREA AT KEYHOUSE – H5!

Discover more industry-changing innovations at our upcoming trade shows:

BLUEZONE

18/07 – 19/07/2023

www.bluezone.show

MUNICH FABRIC START

18/07 – 20/07/2023

www.munichfabricstart.com

THE SOURCE

18/07 – 19/07/2023

www.thesource.show