Leading Portuguese textile and apparel producers showed the latest developments on 2 and 3 October 2019 in the historical Alfândega do Porto, Convention Centre and former customs house. Under the theme “A new community is coming” the companies answered the call for a new green and sustainable aera. “During the two days of the fair numerous new products reaffirmed the Portuguese industry as internationally avantgarde,” so the fair organizers.

More international buyers were counted, especially buyers from Spain, France, Germany and Russia were present. “The atmosphere was great. It is clear that the market is very unstable, but that didn't prevent a 15 percent increase in the number of foreign visitors, while the number of domestic buyers remained stable, in line with last year,” notes Manuel Serrao, CEO of Selectiva Moda, the association that promotes the event.

“In terms of exhibitors, we were able to grow what the space allows,” adds Serrao. With the various sectors from yarns to knits, fabrics and accessories as well as apparel.

Green Circle and High Tech

The Green Circle Showcase that had been premiered last year, was one of the highlights. Numerous Portuguese companies submitted sustainable fabrics which were transferred into fashion by the talent of young designers. The Green Circle and its exhibits will be shown at the forthcoming fair Neonyt in Berlin.

An extensive demonstration of innovative products, fabrics and accessories were highlighted at the “iTechStyle Showcase”, put together in the partnership with CITEVE research centre. High performance, Know-how, technological ability and environmental concerns were prevailing.

Plenty conversations and new contacts

“We had an average of ten to twelve contacts a day, some of them very promising. And we were very much in demand for private label production,” says Ricardo Santos, Blue Kids export manager. “The fairs are not meant to do business, but to reunite with clients, present novelties, and extablish new contacts. We noticed that the customers were very curious and interested in our new products,” adds Luis Alemao, Teamstone founder and CEO.

The next edition of Modtissimo will take place on February 19 and 20, 2020 at Porto’s Airport.

Read the whole report in the upcoming issue of textile network 1-2/2020.