The organisers were very satisfied after three days of the fair. In the eight halls more than 1,000 international suppliers presented more than 2,000 collections in the areas of Fabrics, Additionals, Denim and Sourcing of the season A/W 2020/21. The areas BLUEZONE and KEYHOUSE confirmed that content and communication are trend-setting for future and new cooperations. In addition, it was shown that the topic of sustainability was very present. For example, buyers increasingly focused on sustainable and certified materials.

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The last issues of Munich Fabric Start already showed that seasonal fashion trends will become less and less common in the future. And the development of sustainability in the fashion industry calls for new solutions. Are there any initial ideas for new solutions?

Sebastian Klinder, Managing Director Munich Fabric Start: “In the last few seasons, we have already strongly promoted the topic of Beyond Seasons in the BLUEZONE and drawn attention to cross-seasonal themes. Lifestyle themes have thus increasingly moved into the focus of trend presentations as well as fashion trends that appeal to specific target groups. This was a development that became apparent as a result of the ever faster and more closely timed delivery cycles in the areas of fabrics and additionals in the MOC. During the last Munich Fabric Start, the trend and colour forums were adapted and designed accordingly. BEYOND AWARE describes very aptly the overarching trends and understands individual trend directions as a brand world, which we have depicted in two very different store concepts: BOLD EXPRESSIONS for dynamic, very striking fashion and FORWARD ETHICS for conscious and sustainable consumption. We firmly believe that the market is moving towards shopping experiences that reflect the different mentalities and needs of consumers. BEYOND AWARE has certainly given a trend-setting impulse to deal more closely with this topic within the individual stages. The reactions of the designers, product managers and buyers present in Munich have shown that the message has been received and understood.

Various textile manufacturers stated that customers were increasingly looking for scalable fabrics with seasonally independent motifs. Is a change already noticeable in this respect?

The effects of this change towards macro trends are already very tangible. As trade fair organisers, we have been reacting to these shifts for several seasons now with a new understanding of values and a far greater longevity than in the past. This development is also repeatedly presented comprehensively and very concretely in the numerous trend seminars with top-class participants. Not least in the brilliant presentations by Li Edelkoort, the internationally renowned trend expert, who presented her view of future trends, colours and lifestyle themes to an enthusiastic audience for the 6th time.

Sebastian Klinger

Which new solutions were presented in the field of smart textiles?

In addition to the need for dialogue and exchange, technology is the new key factor. Smart Textile is only one, albeit firmly integrated, part of these new achievements.

Munich Fabric Start has been honoring and supporting Research & Development in this field for several years with the regular presentation of the HighTex Award for outstanding achievements in innovative and sustainable product development. The award honours overall conceptual approaches to intelligent solution processes, innovative highlights, biotech, digitisation and, of course, sustainable innovation. In addition, Muchaneta Kapfunde from FashNerd.com, the textile

Designer Pauline van Dongen or Simon Angel Experts in the field of smart textiles and innovations on site in Munich who will present the latest innovations.

Another important aspect in this context is digitization, which uses special processes to achieve the transparency demanded by consumers, such as blockchain technology. On the other hand, technological developments create a new visual aesthetics and thus contribute significantly to the optical product renewal.

The KEYHOUSE attracted a great deal of interest and interest when it came to technological interactions, such as KPMG x Microsoft’s 3rd generation Mixed Reality Hololens, which offers a new shopping experience. Or the premiere of the Digital Fabric Lab, which can greatly reduce production time through analysis processes.

Technology shapes Fashion’, says Rosanne van der Meer, founder of The Girl and The Machine as well as N.I.O. New Industrial Order, which presented its project for the first time at KEYHOUSE. The start-up designs and produces personalized knitwear based on 3D knitting techniques.

The last issue of Munich Fabric Start showed that the awareness of sustainability among textile manufacturers as well as producers has increased very strongly compared to last year. How do you explain this rapid change?

The demand for sustainable products and a correspondingly transparent and resource-saving production is one of the most urgent main challenges for all market-relevant fabrics and additives. Exhibitors and visitors of Munich Fabric Start also share this view. This has been confirmed time and again in numerous discussions.

The strong increase in the number of visitors to the ReSOURCE Area showed just how great the interest is. The expansion of the range of fabrics was welcomed, whereby an ever-increasing demand for certified articles is recognisable. The area surrounding packaging and presentation, which was presented for the first time, was very well received. It was pleasing to see how well the visitors to the ReSOURCE Area were prepared and informed. So there was also a great deal of interest in the excellent quality of the programme of lectures once again. We are happy that our commitment is paying off here and that we can make a significant contribution to resource-saving product and process solutions.

Once again, the SUSTAINBALE INNOVATIONS area at KEYHOUSE was a great success. And it clearly shows how much the fashion industry is concerned about sustainability and how seriously and intensively innovative products and processes are sought here. The resulting very successful and long-term cooperations once again confirm how correct and important the strategic orientation and support of Munich Fabric Start is in this promising area.

How satisfied are you with the September issue of Munich Fabric Start?

In view of the current market situation in Germany and Europe, we are very satisfied with the results and the frequency of the three days of Munich Fabric Start. All segments and areas were well attended. The new Hall 8 was also very well received. The KEYHOUSE and the BLUEZONE experienced the strongest traction since its inception. This brings with it a changing length of stay in the respective halls and segments of the trade fair. We have observed a shift in the needs of visitors beyond the mere sourcing of fabrics and ingredients - in terms of content and impulses, innovations and market trends.

With around 20,300 international trade visitors, the result from the previous year was maintained at a consistently high level in September 2018. Compared with the Munich Fabric Start in February 2019, this represents an increase of almost 1 percent. The distribution of visitors by country recorded more visitors from France, Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, China, the USA, South Africa and Eastern European countries such as Turkey, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia.

How satisfied are you with the September issue of Munich Fabric Start?

In view of the current market situation in Germany and Europe, we are very satisfied with the results and the frequency of the three days of Munich Fabric Start. All segments and areas were well attended. The new Hall 8 was also very well received. The KEYHOUSE and the BLUEZONE experienced the strongest traction since its inception. This brings with it a changing length of stay in the respective halls and segments of the trade fair. We have observed a shift in the needs of visitors beyond the mere sourcing of fabrics and ingredients - in terms of content and impulses, innovations and market trends.

With around 20,300 international trade visitors, the result from the previous year was maintained at a consistently high level in September 2018. Compared with the Munich Fabric Start in February 2019, this represents an increase of almost 1 percent. The distribution of visitors by country recorded more visitors from France, Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, China, the USA, South Africa and Eastern European countries such as Turkey, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia.

Statements on the Munich Fabric Start

“The Munich Fabric Start went as expected for us - we are satisfied. The focus of buyers was on sustainable fabrics,” says Menno Snel, an expert from polytex stoffen.

“For us, this is a fantastic fair to meet our customers. We also get a lot of inspiration and impressions. MUNICH FABRIC START is clearly my favourite trade fair. There is a very special atmosphere here. The most diverse forms of creativity come together here. Furthermore, we take the opportunity to explain our products, strategies and cooperations through seminars and present projects. We were able to welcome a wide variety of visitors here in Munich: American clients, university graduates, start ups and of course important European brands”, Tricia Carey, Lenzing Fibers.

“We see BLUEZONE as a community platform and a content hub. Even though there are many marketing channels for product communication, nowhere else can you offer such a 360 degree brand experience as at a trade fair. And here at BLUEZONE we find not only a great location but also a very open-minded and interested community”, Marykate Kelly, Candiani Denim.

“At first, I found it problematic that the look of a sweater developed using 3-D technology was different from that of traditional knitted models. Only after some time did I realize that it is even a real USP that 3D knitting has its own recognizable look, which stands out from conventional styles and thus leads fashion optically into the future”, Rosanne van der Meer, N.I.O. New Industrial Order.

 

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Link: The next Munich Fabric Start will take place from 04 to 06 February 2020.

Image: Munich Fabric Start

//JP