No where else can you see the major trends from the world of functional fabrics for sport and workwear as early as you can at PERFORMANCE DAYS! The PERFORMANCE FORUM tables at the next trade fair in May 2013 already have the first collections for summer 2015 on display!
The key buzz word: Natural in look, feel, and fiber - but always top functionality! Sustainable and environmentally friendly fiber at every layer plus fine, soft, lightweight fabrics in bright, stylish, confectionery colors point the way ahead.
The essence of the new functional fabric collections will be presented in the traditional way throughout the PERFORMANCE DAYS on the nine tables of the PERFORMANCE FORUM. At the PERFORMANCE GATE, besides the most interesting new trends and the winner of the PERFORMANCE AWARDs, you will also find the "indispensable" accessoires that put the perfect finishing touch on the items of clothing.
The fair's organizers have not only staged the perfect "First Look" at the collections for Summer 2015, but they have also put together a selection of the most important fabrics as an "Update" for Winter 2014/15.
The Forum in Hall 4, has an eye-catching display of the "Top 20," which have been hung in long lengths of material from the ceiling, creating a textile forest visitors can look at and touch as they walk through it. Another novelty makes this year's Forum even more valuable for product managers and buyers: Data sheets identify each fabric and provide the waterproofing and breathability characteristics.
Here is an overview of the major trends by category:
Waterproof & Breathable
Cheerful colors will set the tone in Summer 2015 for the fabrics of the third layer in functional clothing systems. This does not mean loud and shrill: the tones are more like pastels, the colors matte, like confectionery or ice cream colors. Warm red, matte pink, brilliant berry, sunshine orange, various blues and turquoise and greens, from grass to moss with natural charm, very clear and succinct, but not gaudy.
Natural is the buzzword for the fabric surfaces, structure is "in." Brand new are the canvas bonds of the "New Basics" category, which also features herringbone, denims, woven linen structures, and jacquards. The engineered look dominates here with smooth fabrics or ripstop and you may even notice some slight sheen in this category.
Lightweight is important for the summer, with a softer natural feel and, most of all, stretch. You will find more stretch than ever before on the tables and so much more functionality too. The water column (hydrostatic head) attains values of more than 40,000 mm, breathability reaches 30,000 g/qm/24 h! A lot of technology goes into these fabrics, for example, silver coated membranes or fabrics that open or close their pores according to the body climate and temperature.
Functionality has been increased through the use of innovative yarns and developments in weaving. For example, air textured yarns (ATY) can now be used in the warp and the weft for the first time.
