The organisers of MUNICH FABRIC START are extremely satisfied with the show which took place on 5-7 February 2013 in Munich, and sees a continuous positive development as an international trade fair in recent years.
Despite the nearly fully-booked trade fair calendar in spring, MUNICH FABRIC START still recorded a slight increase in visitor’s number, together with 840 exhibitors offering an approximate of 1300 collections in various areas as a perfect sourcing platform.
“Due to the early date and the growing portfolio in recent years, MUNICH FABRIC START becomes more and more important to us. Three days long, we have a high quality and international laboratory where we can work and draw on”, says Daniel Wingate, Fashion Director of Escada. For the first Designer’s Walk, he exclusively led a group of journalists through the exhibition and showed a 2-hour intensive view into his design world, where he impressively presented the way to create a collection.
“A great part of inspiration for a collection we take directly from the fabrics. One could say we get our appetizers at the show, from which we prepare the main course”, said Wingate. Its ingredients are, for example, from Solstiss, the traditional home of lace from France, but also from Taroni, the Italian specialist for prints. “We have noticed a clear trend towards luxury”, says Sylvia Fischer of Taroni. “For example, heavy silk qualities that we manufacture on traditional looms are increasingly demanded again.”
The motto of this season “BEAUTY FULL” also stands for this development. In contrary to the tough economic times, fashion is now offering quality, beauty and diversity in combination with technical fabric innovation and know-how. However, since the requirements for fabric manufacturers have changed drastically, the need for information is particularly huge, with respect to an increasingly complex sourcing market.
In addition to creativity and quality, factors such as delivery time, price, eco-friendliness and sustainability take on more and more important roles and put buyers and manufacturers under high pressure. The fair has responded by offering an orientation of established international exhibitor portfolio, with specific exhibition areas and its usual openness to innovative approaches and concepts, which provide indicative trend information for visitors.
NEW DENIM-TECHNOLOGIES AT BLUEZONE
The BLUEZONE that took place for 2 days presented itself with a special glamour this time. New technologies in sustainability and environmental awareness are needed, particularly in the manufacturing, washing and finishing of jeans. Under the motto “Overground Nomadix”, the international denim community came together in a metropolitan and inspiring ambiance, and impressed by a creative and efficient work with latest designs, finishing, and technologies.
The laser performance by the Spanish finishing specialist “Jeanologia” impressively showed how it is possible to produce jeans in a sustainable way with the current laser technology. “We must move away from the idea that ECO is only a look”, explained Enrique Silla of Jeanologia in a panel of experts in the BLUEZONE. “ECO is a lifestyle that will continuously be established. We need to clarify step by step with the consumers about how the product is manufactured. The process must be transparent like an open kitchen in a restaurant.”
ECO VILLAGE - SUSTAINABILITY MEETS HIGH FASHION
For the first time, C.L.A.S.S., one of the largest international eco-platforms, presented itself with a showroom in the organic selection, and showed a highly fashionable selection of sustainable fabrics, proving that sustainability, responsibility and fashion can be united attributes.
The strong demand in the organic selection and ECO - Additional area from renowned companies such as Gucci, Betty Barclay, Otto, Vaude and many others confirms that sustainability continues gaining its relevance. It was also the first time that certified accessories were integrated. A product can be truly sustainable only if both, fabrics and accessories are certified
The next MUNICH FABRIC START will be held from 3 to 5 September 2013 and the BLUEZONE will run concurrently on the first two days of the fair. An initial selection of the high-quality fabric collections can already be found at our premium event VIEW on 10 and 11 July 2013.
