Highly praised in green fashion circles, the Greenshowroom and the Ethical Fashion Show Berlin in mid-January produced the most successful editions yet. The new location at the ‘Postbahnhof’ proved to be a good move, generating a 30 percent rise in the number of exhibitors compared to the last event. Once again, Messe Frankfurt is pointing the way forward in the expanding market for green fashion.

163 international exhibitors from 23 countries and a strong visitor turnout were testimony to the continuing growth of this industry. As an offsite event of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, the Salonshow presented, curated and sharply accentuated fashion highlights from the two fairs in the crowded Club at the ‘Postbahnhof’. “This has been a very successful and extremely impressive occasion,” said Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt.

“Here, the fashion industry has seen the quality and high degree of attractiveness achieved by eco-fashions over recent years. Our two fairs spotlight fantastic labels and once again demonstrated their position as Europe’s centre for modern green fashions.” The opening ceremony with Dr Gerd Müller, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, and Detlef Braun was attended by numerous well-known figures from the worlds of politics and business, as well as important representatives from the media.

Right at the beginning of the fairs, visitors were given evidence of the way in which the Textile Partnership initiated by the Ministry of Economic Cooperation is developing with the introduction of a new member to the Partnership, the Bremen Wool Exchange. Represented by its president, Ernst Grimmelt, the Wool Exchange aims to contribute its expertise to the discussion on the implementation of improvements to social and environmental standards for the textile and garment industry (read more at textile-network.com).

Particularly well represented in addition to Germany were the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Italy and Spain. There was also growth in the number of exhibitors from Great Britain. Safia Minney, CEO of People Tree, London, said, “I am delighted. Holding the two fairs together was a brilliant idea. I love the new location. The ‘Postbahnhof’ is a great venue. The atmosphere was extremely good. Now, eco, fair and sustainable fashion has a perfect platform during the Berlin Fashion Week.” There were also non-European exhibitors from India, South Africa, Turkey and Vietnam.

[ www.greenshowroom.com]

[ www.ethicalfahionshowberlin.com]