[pageLogInLogOut]

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

MUNICH FABRIC START & BLUEZONE: “Being special pays off.“

© 2023 MUNICH FABRIC START
Nothing ventured, nothing gained - especially now. The international fabric trade show MUNICH FABRIC START (24 to 26 January 2023), the international denim trade show BLUEZONE and KEYHOUSE (24 and 25 January 2023) got off to a successful start with around 900 selected international producers. The first hours since the opening have already been promising – the flow of buyers, product managers, designers and decision-makers from the industry was great and the mood was excellent in the icy Munich winter weather.

The international fabric trade show MUNICH FABRIC START, the international denim trade show BLUEZONE and the innovation hub KEYHOUSE are open: in a volatile market environment, Munich Fabric Exhibitions GmbH demonstrates reliability, relevance and strength with its existing formats and numerous new offerings.

The new colour and material trends, innovations and inspirations for Spring.Summer 2024 were shown on a total exhibition area of around 42,500 square metres, divided into eight areas and elaborately staged trend forums and sample areas. Especially in times of uncertainty, the trends for the new season encourage us to be open to new things and to move forward. Not exuberantly, but with care and thoughtfulness - "DARE & CARE", in keeping with the motto of the seasonal leitmotif of MUNICH FABRIC START.

“We are starting the Spring.Summer 24 season with courage and confidence and have every reason to do so: we are well positioned and both the MUNICH FABRIC START, the BLUEZONE and KEYHOUSE are very well booked. Demonstrating reliability, relevance and strength - that's what matters now,“ said Sebastian Klinder, Managing Director MUNICH FABRIC START during the opening of the shows at MOC, KEYHOUSE and in the Zenith Hall today.

“Our task is to always be surprising, innovative and at the same time market- and solution-oriented. Once again, we have succeeded in this. In spite of all the difficulties in the market, we offer the usual high service, create new experiences and provide a business, trend and information platform for the strong and relevant partners in the industry. That is what makes us so special. Being special pays off,“ adds Frank Junker, Partner & Creative Director of MUNICH FABRIC START.

NEW AT MUNICH FABRIC START

MUNICH FABRIC START and BLUEZONE have once again succeeded in doing just that with numerous new offerings at the current event for Spring.Summer 24: the sourcing of sustainable material developments and solutions for digitalisation from product to production will be even more in focus. New is a combined area for sustainability and digitalisation in the middle of the MOC.

In one of the most frequented trade fair areas – Hall 2 at the MOC – the Assyst Experience will be presented for the first time on an area of around 300 square metres. Together with technology partners and in lectures and panel discussions, the fashion tech market leader will show the possibilities of digitalisation for the fashion industry. Directly adjacent and now even more centrally located is the ReSource area, which is becoming increasingly important for the industry. With around 700 samples, the area for innovative fabrics and add-ons that are certified organic, bio-based, recycled, recyclable or from regenerative sources has grown significantly compared to previous seasons.

The area for the international DESIGN STUDIOS with fabric designs and new developments for prints has moved back to the 1st floor. As a new winter concept, MUNICH FABRIC START has also launched THE SOURCE Studio with 30 selected manufacturers and their products and services for apparel sourcing.



BLUEZONE DISCOVERY: the journey to planet denim

BLUEZONE is once again completely booked up with around 90 international denim, street and sportswear suppliers in Halls 6 and 7. With leading players like ISKO, Prosperity Textile and Ereks and newcomers like Hub1922, Saitex and Strom it is extremely well positioned this season.

“The first day of the fair today, Tuesday, already showed how strong the momentum for denim is, how innovation-driven this market segment is and how strong its influence is on the entire fashion business. BLUEZONE is not only a highly relevant platform for the blue community, but also for non-denim professionals, for trend and material research, vertical denim excellence, and for the fashion industry as a whole,“ says Sebastian Klinder.

The central theme of BLUEZONE is DISCOVERY. DISCOVERY takes the fashion community of the blue planet earth on a journey to planet denim and invites them to discover the new and unknown. Trends in the CONCEPT ZONE, sustainability, digitalisation and the latest production processes in the SEMINAR ZONE are the fuels of the future. Strong cooperations are more in the foreground than ever: including the new edition of the cooperation with the Transformers Foundation with two expert panels as well as the appearance of THE ITALIAN LUSTER with Italian manufacturers of the denim and sportswear industry along the entire value chain. Another highlight is the live performance of Brother's direct-to-garment printer – the next step in textile finishing of industrial printing on denim pieces.

The KEYHOUSE with its new duration over two days is also fully occupied and features numerous new exhibitors, including Circular Fashion, Dystar and WINT Design. Trend-setting smart textiles, future fabrics and new technologies will be shown on more than 1,000 square metres – whether in terms of sustainability, circular economy, digitalisation, traceability, technology or finishing. Highlights of the Innovation Hub include the Sustainable Innovations Forum and the TRENDLECTURES area with an exclusive programme of keynotes, discussion rounds and trend presentations.

Full event calendar

With over 50 speakers in a total of four forums, the range of talks at MUNICH FABRIC START, BLUEZONE and KEYHOUSE is larger than ever this season. Highlights include talks and panels by trend researcher David Shah, Director of Policy & EU Affairs Orchestrator of EIT Climate KIC, Lisa Lang, Transformers Foundations, DMI, Peclers Paris, Pantone, Assyst, Fashion Revolution, the lecture series THE STATUS QUO OF FASHION and many more.

The complete supporting programme with all speakers, dates and venues is available at www.munichfabricstart.com/en/the-show/.

Tonight it's party time. From 18:30 the organisers invite you to the MUNICH FABRIC START Club Night – the party in the Motorworld/Dampfdom with drinks, snacks and beats by resident DJ Jon Basel feat. Geschwister Schall.

Further information on the course of MUNICH FABRIC START, BLUEZONE and KEYHOUSE as well as an outlook on the upcoming events in the summer can be found in the final report following the current shows.




More News from TEXDATA International

#Techtextil 2026

Textile Chemicals & Dyes: Innovation in Textile Chemistry moves into focus at Techtextil 2026

From PFAS-free finishes and water-saving dyeing technologies to advanced coatings and recycling-compatible formulations, innovation in textile chemistry is accelerating across the industry. Reflecting this development, Techtextil 2026 introduces Textile Chemicals & Dyes as a dedicated product segment, highlighting the growing role of chemical solutions in shaping the next generation of technical textiles.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

textile.4U publishes special edition “Top 100 Textile Recycling Companies 2025”

With a comprehensive 176-page special edition, textile.4U is dedicating its latest issue entirely to one of the most dynamic and influential topics in today’s textile industry: textile recycling. The new issue, published exclusively in high-quality print, presents the Top 100 textile recycling companies researched and selected by TexData – organizations that already play a key role in the transition to circular textiles or are expected to have a significant impact in the near future.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 signed by Governor

Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) is proud to announce that Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024, has been signed into law by the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom. This groundbreaking legislation establishes the country’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) textile recycling program, marking a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to combat waste and promote sustainability.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Modtissimo promotes sustainability with 28 coordinates in the Green Circle

Modtissimo is proving more and more to be a textile and clothing show that delivers the latest innovations in the area of sustainability, with the iTechStyle Green Circle being the main showcase for companies' creations. In this 60+4 edition, taking place on 12 and 13 September, 28 coordinates will be exhibited in a section organised by CITEVE and curated by Paulo Gomes.

More News on Textiles & Apparel / Garment

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Coats to showcase innovative reinforcement and filler materials for leather goods and accessories at APLF 2026

Coats, a world-class Tier 2 manufacturer and trusted partner for the apparel and footwear industries, will be promoting four advanced materials from its ‘Lifestyle Solutions’ portfolio at APLF 2026 in Hong Kong in March. Each innovation has been specifically engineered to help luxury and premium brands elevate the craft, durability, sustainability and creative expression required in the manufacturing of handbags, purses, and other high-end designer accessories.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Design, innovation and sustainability propel VIATT 2026’s expanding role in ASEAN textile sourcing

At its third edition, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles, and Textile Technologies (VIATT) further reinforced its role as a key sourcing and business platform for ASEAN’s textile industry. The three-day fair welcomed over 17,000 visits from 54 countries and regions, and featured over 460 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions across 18,000 sqm. The 2026 edition was marked by the introduction of new international pavilions and zones, broadening the fair’s sourcing scope across new geographies and product categories. The fringe programme, headlined by the debut Trend Forum, further distinguished VIATT as the region’s most integrated textile trade platform – uniquely spanning the entire value chain.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Revived Replacement Elements for VISLON® wins the iF Design Award 2026

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereinafter “YKK”) is proud to announce that its Revived Replacement Elements for VISLON® has been awarded the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD 2026, an award that recognizes excellence in design and quality, organized by iF Design Foundation.

#Knitting & Hosiery

Driving WARP KNIT Inspiration

KARL MAYER sees performance fabrics and next-level textile solutions in particular as potential growth drivers for its customers, as a motor for business development and as real game changers for the entire textile industry. Innovation does not happen by chance. It is the result of close exchange with customers & brands, textile expertise and competence in textile machine engineering. This is why KARL MAYER is investing in progress and collaborative development and opening its TEXTILE INNOVATION CEN-TER (TIC) – a place to be for the entire textile world.

Latest News

#INDEX 2026

EDANA unveils nominees for INDEX™26 Awards: Highlighting the next generation of nonwoven excellence

EDANA is proud to unveil the highly anticipated nominees for the INDEX™26 Awards, the nonwoven industry’s highest accolade for technical and sustainable excellence. Out of a record-breaking field of entries, these finalists represent the cutting edge of material science—from bio-based hygiene fibers and PFAS-free protective textiles to revolutionary water-filtration machinery. Each nominee has been selected by a jury of industry experts for their ability to solve critical global challenges, including the transition to a circular economy and the pursuit of enhanced consumer performance.

#Raw Materials

Lenzing Group positions bio‑based materials as a strategic asset for Europe’s economic security

The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulose fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, hosted a high‑level roundtable in Brussels to discuss how bio‑based materials can strengthen Europe’s economic security and support the shift toward a fossil‑free future. Organized in cooperation with Euractiv, the event brought together representatives of the European Commission, the UK Mission to the EU, academia, civil society, and industry.

#Natural Fibers

Beyond Cotton: Natural Fibres in the Spotlight at the Bremen Cotton Conference - Branded by DNFI

Climate targets, fragile supply chains, and rising regulatory requirements are fundamentally changing the perspective of the textile industry - the focus is increasingly shifting toward the base material. Not only cotton, but natural fibres are gaining significant importance: they stand out not only because of their outstanding functional properties, but also because they make a valuable contribution to the bioeconomy and responsible product development.

#Nonwovens

Sandler turns financial stability into a catalyst for shaping the future

The Sandler Group has presented its financial figures for the past fiscal year (01/01/2025-12/31/2025). Like previous years, the year 2025 was also marked by industry-wide structural challenges and geopolitical uncertainties. Turnover was virtually stable at EUR 321 million (2024: EUR 326 million). High energy costs continue to weigh heavily on profitability. The number of employees was 975 (2024: 980). The family-owned company, which was founded in 1879 and has been run by the fifth generation since August 2025, continues to invest millions in its Schwarzenbach site despite the high production costs in Germany. As part of the long-term corporate strategy, the management team is focusing on strict cost management, further development of the product portfolio, and greater efficiency in production and administrative processes. The company does not expect a market recovery in 2026 and 2027.

TOP