Sebastian Klinder, Managing Director Munich Fabric Start:

“The Munich Fabric Start has shown very clearly that this fair format is convincing as a strong industry platform in times of changes and major challenges. Thanks to the professionalism and sovereignty of all those involved, the necessary responsibility to approach the reorientation of the market constructively and in a solution-oriented manner has been created. We have experienced this willingness in numerous discussions with exhibitors and visitors during the three intensively used days of the fair. We therefore feel confirmed in our current and future orientation.”

A broad spectrum of strongly positioned collections

The Munich Fabric Start with Bluezone, Keyhouse and the individual showcases presented by around 1,000 international suppliers of fabrics and additionals successfully introduced the Spring/Summer 21 season from 04 to 06 February in Munich. The approximately 18,400 international trade visitors were offered a broad spectrum of strongly positioned collections with innovative product and trend statements that demonstrated a new awareness of ecology and the increasing relevance of natural looks and resource-saving materials. For the first time, the Munich Fabric Start closed with a slightly declining number of visitors, due to the worrying news about the rapidly spreading corona virus in China and because of the overlapping trade fair days with Milano Unica. Nevertheless, the three days of the fair were fully used in a professional business atmosphere. The number of visitors could be kept at a high level despite the difficult general conditions resulting in Munich Fabric Start to close with a minus of 7 percent compared to the previous year for the very first time.

Focus on Thrivability

The guiding theme Thrivability met the current mood of the industry, in which future-oriented entrepreneurial spirit meets enthusiasm and a changing understanding of values. In Munich, it became very clear that the era of sustainability is currently determining all talks and discussions in the textile industry. The tenor seems unanimous: The industry is on the right track and now it is time to take responsibility, turn information into action and create transparency.

Claudia Lanius, Lanius, highlighted the positive approach to a new form of open-mindedness:

“The largest portfolio of sustainable products is on display here in Munich. Such a broad spectrum in this density cannot be found anywhere else. All major suppliers are on-site. In addition, there is an excellently staffed accompanying program of panels and discussion rounds. The acceptance of sustainable topics is increasing all the time, which is a very positive development overall. This is also reflected in the competent awards for articles in the ReSource Area.”

The increasing interest in sustainability, certifications and future-relevant topics is also confirmed by Franziska Dohrmann, GOTS:

“Our contact to major brands is clearly increasing and the interest in certified articles is growing. Already on the first day of the fair, we recorded a strong visitor frequency with very good discussions. The increasing acceptance is also reflected in the highly attended lectures of the ReSource Forum.”

The different aspects, innovations, collaborations and communication concepts were also the focus of the numerous well-attended side events at Keyhouse, the ReSource Area and Bluezone. The panel discussion on the subject of “Future Textile Supply Chain” with international experts also provided new thought-provoking impulses on how the textile chain can be transformed through sustainable solutions and networking. In addition to transparency, intensive communication with consumers and the development of technologies, product development, quality and aesthetics should not be forgotten as indispensable criteria.

Linen, the big favourite for the season

Knowledge, transparency, quality, responsibility and communication influence the current multitude of product and process innovations. Linen, both pure and blended with cotton, is the big favourite for the season Spring/Summer 21. Other material innovations were super-stretch silk, recycled polyester, Ecovero-Tencel linen, Naia and Cupro fibre blends or hemp textiles – the constant reference to natural fibres and surfaces was clearly visible.

Bluezone – Reject egoism. Create Ecoism. Rewrite your future.

The denim industry is facing new challenges, which the Blue Community faced as an optimistic and international community at Bluezone under the Ecoism theme. The strong network of over 100 major international brands and numerous denim experts was looking for answers to a conscious consumer approach and a growing interest in ready-made solutions that offer future-oriented products, state-of-the-art technological processes and complex functionalities.

Current topics that determine the denim market were discussed in depth in lectures and international panel discussions. The Rivet 50 Talk on the topic of “2020 Vision” on the first morning of the fair gave an outlook on companies, technologies and fashion in the next decade. One of the key statements highlighted the changing demands of consumers – stationary retail can only survive with new concepts, such as offering sustainable fashion, vintage, and repair stores under one roof. This is precisely why the denim community must move closer together.

Sustainable Innovations Area

Once again, the Sustainable Innovations Area at Keyhouse curated by Simon Angel, received great attention. He emphasized above all the openness of the visitors to the complex topics, to new materials and material extraction. He said that particularly pleasing was the willingness to exchange ideas, form networks and thus strengthen the community of all those involved within the textile and fashion industry.

The next Munich Fabric Start will take place from 01 to 03 September 2020; the Bluezone on 01 to 02 September 2020.