26/07/2021 – Postponement made special projects possible — auf Deutsch lesen
48th Innatex opens its doors soon
At the end of this week, from July 31 to August 2, 2021, the green fashion community will meet at Innatex in Messecenter Rhein-Main in Hofheim-Wallau.
More than 200 labels are poised to appear at the international trade fair for sustainable textiles. © Innatex/Stefan Höning
Following a long string of industry gatherings being cancelled due to Covid-19, the summer trade fair is a first opportunity for the sector to get together.
Premiere: textiles from Africa
The pandemic has presented an opportunity to launch new projects for the forthcoming Innatex. They include a special zone created in collaboration with GIZ GmbH, the German society for international development, which will shine a light on African designers. 13 labels from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda will present their ideas for sustainable textiles and fashion products.
One of the labels, Yambee Baby from Ruanda, creates prints and designs for kids in collaboration with local artists. The scarfs and ponchos by Shimena have their origin in Ethiopia, where the label supports the local communities and features traditional craftsmanship.
Jens Frey, Managing Director of Muveo GmbH:
“The general public seems to associate Africa with cotton-growing and the production of other raw materials. Very few people are aware that it also has a vibrant fashion and textiles industry. The digital/analogue hybrid event is designed, among others, to draw attention to the extraordinary creativity, diversity and innovative spirit across the continents whilst opening up business opportunities along the supply chain.”
Green fashion in the pop-up showroom
The IVN (International Association of Natural Textile Industry), which sponsors Innatex, is staging its own pop-up showroom. In doing so, the association is creating its own curated space, showcasing the diversity and special features of its members. The future objective is to expand this space with the organiser to create a growing Concept Area that introduces visitors to different ways of presenting green fashion.
Besides the IVN, the Global Organic Textile Standard, the Green Button and Fairtrade are among the other standardisation bodies represented at the fair. In addition, a special exhibition entitled “Fashion in the Hood” (Fashion im Kiez) and delivered by the young interest group “Frankfurt Fashion Movement”, helps visitors join the dots in the fashion industry.
