After two days of the trade show, the textile exhibition closed with a 4% increase in visitors compared to the last MUNICH FABRIC START. The visitors came from 58 countries, with the majority located in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as Italy, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, the UK, and Portugal.

Ambivalent Market: Safety Mindset vs Desire for Newness

In a price-sensitive, cautious environment, consumer behaviour resembles a careful blossoming: “Customers know exactly what they want – at what price and for which product. They are conducting highly professional research. Over the two days, they have a tight schedule, leaving little time to look around. Customers are focused on safety,” summarizes Oliver Schnitzler, Founder & CEO of Loomseven agency, reflecting the current situation. Everything that is easy to understand and not too extravagant works, which is also confirmed by Michael Berner, CEO of Berner and Sohn & Fabric House agency: “It’s moving away from plains and becoming more decorative again. Linen blends set the tone. Jerseys are also in demand for Summer 2026, but only if they are special. Customers are uncertain about prints: What is a modern pattern? Muted, washed-out, and delicate designs are currently doing well with us. The market is very tense and extremely price-sensitive. Therefore, one has to create attractive offers.”

Bluezone: Love & Attention

At Bluezone in the Zenith Area, around 70 international denim mills presented their latest developments for denim and sportswear. The key theme “The Core” focuses on trends such as Collab Now, Deconstruct & Reconstruct, Phat Flavour, Green Minimalists, and Second Hand Trends. We will delve into the fusion of tradition and technology of denim creativity and innovation. “We live in an abundance market, which means, conversely, we must be braver than ever, instead of freezing in fear. Brands need to be desirable. They must evoke love. It’s all about love & attention. Creating Lovemarks is not just a task for brands, but for all players along the value chain,” said Tilmann Wröbel, Bluezone trend researcher and owner of Monsieur-T Denim Lifestyle Studio.

The focus on emotion was also emphasized by Hans-Peter Hiemer: “Technologies need emotion,” stressed the Style3D/Assyst CEO in his presentation. 3D and AI are the solution to translating ideas into consumer needs within a digital product cycle fromdesign to distribution.

When it comes to awakening and stirring emotions, David Shah is the one to do it. In his keynote “Quantum Fashion” about the philosophy of design, the trend forecaster and publisher created a bridgebetween political and economic constraints, rich and poor, old and young, as well as cultural clashes, design accidents, and highlights. He also misses the feel-good factor of fashion and warns against quantum fashion, which only speeds up the cycle even further. Innovations outpace themselves. Perhaps we should look more to the past than the future. Exnovation instead of innovation? Shah provided the fascinated audience with many thought-provoking insights.

Activator Keyhouse

Integrated into Bluezone, Keyhouse was not only a focal point but also an activator. Over the course of two days, exactly the right people came together here: large fashion brands with high volumes were engaged in intensive conversations with pioneers and innovators. How can textile-to-textile recycling become scalable for the mass market? Which sustainable material developments, processes, and techniques provide new alternatives Which new technologies bring not only efficiency but also emotion? These were some of the central questions that exhibitors and visitors addressed, not only during the lectures but also at the exhibition stands.

Over the course of the two days, more than 50 high-profile trend forecasters, pioneers, and well-known industry experts discussed the central topics of the industry in around 50 talks and panels across three stages. The comprehensive trade show programme was rounded off by the Munique Night. Approximately 1,200 guests ended the first day of the show with drinks, snacks, networking, and music.

The next trade show dates:

View Premium Selection | Autumn/Winter 2026/27

24 – 25 June 2025, Dampfdom Motorworld Munich

Munich Fabric Start & The Source | Bluezone & Keyhouse | Autumn/Winter 2026/27

2 – 3 September 2025, MOC & Zenith Area Munich