#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2020-09-10

Well frequented fabric days set a positive sign for the industry

Noticeable enthusiasm, the ideal starting point for the collection design for Autumn.Winter 21/22 and a good visitor frequency – a result with which the condensed and business-focused trade fair format as the first fabric fair after the lockdown confirms that a physical event is accepted and needed by the industry in these times.

Thanks to the great support from suppliers, the trust of the industry and the close cooperation with Messe München, the organizers have succeeded in creating a parade example for the following trade fairs under the new conditions with FABRIC DAYS.

"With the organization of the first fabric trade fair for the textile industry, we took on a great responsibility. After the cancellation of numerous trade fair events, we are particularly proud to have been able to realize FABRIC DAYS. The positive response and gratitude is overwhelming. We are very pleased about the cohesion and also the discipline with which everyone here on site worked together and we are happy to conclude the trade fair as an important source of inspiration with this result."

Sebastian Klinder, Managing Director Munich Fabric Start

Unexpected high visitor frequency and a qualitative portfolio

"Due to the pandemic, no one could tell what the visitor frequency would be like at the fair. So we are all the happier that an unexpectedly large number of designers, product managers and buyers travelled to Munich to explore the over 700 collections from 300 international suppliers. Many visitors and exhibitors alike thanked us for making a physical event possible after all. Our guests felt secure at all times and were pleased with the personal exchange and the new input."

Frank Junker, Creative Director Munich Fabric Start

Among the 1,300 visiting companies on site were well-known brands such as Adidas, Aigner, Alberto, Bogner, Drykorn, Gerry Weber, Hugo Boss, Irene Luft, Lanius, Malaikaraiss, MAC, Marc O’Polo, Mey, Oui, Puma, Riani, Rich&Royal, s.Oliver, Seidensticker, SET, VETEMENTS and Wolford.

At FABRIC DAYS, around 3,600 national and international visitors from 30 countries gathered new impulses and inspiration for the Autumn.Winter 21/22 collection. Long-term partners as well as exciting newcomers presented their developments in the 6 areas Fabrics, Additionals, Denim & Sportswear, Innovations, Design Studios and Sourcing – whereby the condensed hall layout offered optimal conditions for cross-segment communication and networking.

HOPETIMISM was the seasonal theme of the visionary Trend Forum at FABRIC DAYS – and was literally experienced at FABRIC DAYS:

"I am really happy to meet our most important partners in person thanks to FABRIC DAYS. I can finally feel the spirit that defines our industry again – experience tactile collections as well as gather information and inspirations."

Michael Seiter, Strellson

"Munich Fabric Start has always been an important date in the year for our team, so it was no question for us to also travel to Munich for FABRIC DAYS. The high quality of the exhibitors really surprised us – and we really like the pleasant atmosphere here."

Dorothee Schumacher

Fabric days as a prime example for a safe trade fair

Of course, safety and hygiene had the highest priority during the implementation of FABRIC DAYS. All visitors, exhibitors and contributors showed full understanding and took the extensive hygiene and safety measures into account with a high degree of naturalness and a positive spirit:

"Especially in these times, we are looking for approaches for positive thinking and new impulses. Therefore, for us as exhibitors for many years, participation in FABRIC DAYS was out of the question. And it has been confirmed: The team has managed to organize a trade fair even under these conditions, which has made personal meetings and business possible again. The hygiene measures, such as maintaining a safe distance and wearing a mouth and nose cover, were implemented perfectly and were also very well accepted by the visitors."

Piovese Fashion

"It was a very good feeling to participate in a trade fair again and to see our customers in person. Fabrics are tactile products that cannot be completely replaced by digital meetings – therefore we are very grateful for the organization of the fair. We always felt super safe with all the clear hygiene measures. In general, the organizers have really done an excellent job, so that FABRIC DAYS can be seen as an example for other fairs."

Fusion CPH

Innovative approaches: sustainable innovations forum & resource area

The foyer of Hall 4 of the MOC was dedicated to innovative approaches. The proven ReSource Area informed interested visitors about the wide range of sustainable fabrics and additionals. Right next to ReSource, SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS curator Simon Angel presented futuristic projects: "From Trash to Treasure" by Youyang Song, "Living Materials" by Iris Bekkers, "Solar Self" by Pauline van Dongen and "Perfect Imperfection" by Studio Mend.

Proven hygiene concept as standard for the following trade fairs

With the hygiene and safety measures implemented at FABRIC DAYS, the organizers have created a good basis for planning the upcoming trade fairs. Building on this, the FABRIC DAYS team is now looking ahead and starting with the planning for the next fairs:

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Texhibition Istanbul signals stability and global connectivity

From 4 to 6 March 2026, Texhibition Istanbul once again brought together the international textile industry at the Istanbul Expo Center. Organized by İTKİB Fuarcılık A.Ş. in cooperation with the Istanbul Textile Exporters Association (İTHİB), the fair confirmed its role as one of the most important international sourcing platforms for fabrics and textile innovation. With 500+ exhibitors across 5 halls on 42,850 sqm, the trade fair attracted 19,325 visitors. Among them, 5.565 international visitors represented Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, North America, and other regions, underlining the show’s expanding global reach.

Val:ue Milan unveiled – a curated boutique business hub for high-end apparel textiles

Messe Frankfurt continues to expand its international textile network with the announcement of Val:ue Milan. Moving beyond the traditional trade fair model, Val:ue Milan debuts as a prestigious, boutique-style business hub exclusively dedicated to elected fabrics and accessories for apparel. Taking place from February 3 to 5, 2027, at The Mall in Porta Nuova, the event breaks away from conventional formats through a strictly curated environment designed for strategic networking. By bridging the gap between high-end international manufacturers and top-tier segment buyers, Val:ue Milan further strengthens the Group’s global portfolio with a unique, high-impact concept built around a refined and carefully selected offering.

Solving the Feedstock Gap: Unlocking Post-consumer Feedstocks for Textile-to-Textile Recycling in Europe

Fashion for Good launches Project FAE (Feedstock Activation Europe) to develop the sorting and pre-processing infrastructure needed to channel non-rewearable post-consumer textiles into textile-to-textile (T2T) recycling at scale. The project is a practical response to one of the most pressing problems in textile circularity: making post-consumer waste a viable, commercially competitive raw material for recyclers.

Techtextil & Texprocess 2026: Global benchmark for textile innovation – Performance Apparel Textiles takes centre stage at the opening

With 1,700 exhibitors from 54 countries, Techtextil and Texprocess 2026 showcase the full range of innovation within the international textile industry – from new materials and recycling technologies to finishing solutions and high-performance textile manufacturing and processing technologies. The opening press conference centred on a key theme where innovation is especially strong: Performance Apparel Textiles.

Circulose and CTA announce collaboration to enable lyocell fibers using CIRCULOSE® pulp

Circulose has announced an agreement with China Textile Academy Green Fibre (CTA) to offer lyocell fibers produced using CIRCULOSE® pulp. Producing lyocell from recycled pulp at commercial scale is an important step in making textile-to-textile recycled materials available across a wider range of textile applications.