Kicking off the show on Tuesday morning, the panel discussion led by international experts, “SusTECHability – How Tends & Technology influence Sustainability in Fashion” proved to be hugely successful and popular among visitors. Hosted by Jana Kern and Alex Vogt (KERN.Consulting), Li Edelkoort (Trend Union), Tricia Carey (Lenzing Fibers), Michael Stabley-Jones (Un Global Compact), Erik Bang (H&M Foundation), Natasha Franck (EON Group) and Muchaneta Kapfunde (FashNerd.com) discussed the future of fashion against the backdrop of influences from lifestyle and design, sustainable resources and circularity, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence.

Developments in technology can be a key to resolving the current contradiction between a growing textile sector and the necessity to act in a more resource-saving manner. Ranging from transparency, recyclability to surplus production – the potential applications for Big Data, Artificial and Amplified Intelligence are wide and varied. The special thing about this Keyhouse panel was its multi-disciplinary approach was a discourse between the public perspective as represented by Li Edelkoort, the UN and media on the one side, and the H&M Foundation, Lenzing and EON on the other, as those bringing real innovations to our industry.”
Alex Vogt, KERN. Consulting

As the trade fair drew to a close the organisers were very satisfied with the results obtained over the three trade fair days. Registering just over 20,300 international trade visitors, attendance figures remained at the same high level from the previous years edition in September 2018. Compared with the MUNICH FABRIC START edition in February, this means an increase of just under 1%. The breakdown of visitors by country, shows more visitors from France, Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, China, the USA, South Africa and also from Eastern European countries such as Turkey, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia. There were fewer visitors registered from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Spain.

“In view of the current market situation in the German and European region we are highly satisfied with these constant figures and the footfall over the three trade fair days. All segments and areas of MUNICH FABRIC START were well attended, as was the new Hall 8 which was received very well. KEYHOUSE and BLUEZONE have consistently generated the highest numbers since their inception, with visitors spending increased time exploring the halls and segments of the trade fair. We observe a shift in visitors’ needs – beyond purely sourcing fabrics and additionals and towards content and impulses, towards innovations and new market directions.”
Sebastian Klinder, Managing Director MUNICH FABRIC START

All of this is set against the backdrop of the future of the textile and fashion industries being determined by new and highly complex issues, more than ever before. For one thing, there is the multi-layered focus on sustainability with all of its associated awareness, sensibility and responsibility.

For another, there is digitisation and technology as a parameter of perspective that will increasingly redefine product and process solutions. Relevant to many segments, these fields are catered to by MUNICH FABRIC START through specific showcases, thoroughly researched information and numerous product innovations to suit a broad market, thereby promoting the essential readiness for dialogue. Content, Communication, Connection. This will be as key as ever in the future – as confirmed by visitors and exhibitors time and time again.

“With its current exhibition formats, the very well attended and high-caliber keynotes, panel discussions and lectures, MUNICH FABRIC START makes a crucial contribution to defining the future of textiles. With the help and support of experts, renowned enterprises and ambitious start-ups combined with courageous creative minds and committed young designers who are shaping their own future in new ways, we are setting new standards in a very focused and solutions-oriented way.”
Frank Junker, Creative Director MUNICH FABRIC START

In a similar way, the unique showcases at BLUEZONE and KEYHOUSE, prove that content and communication are the essential parameters for novel collaborations. Marykate Kelly of Candiani confirms in today’s market, trade fair presence goes far beyond the collection presentation.

“We view BLUEZONE as a community platform and content hub. Although there are many diverse marketing channels for product communication there is no better brand experience than at a trade fair. And here at the BLUEZONE we not only find a great location but also a very open-minded and engaged community.”
Marykate Kelly, Candiani Denim

Tricia Carey of Lenzing Fibres shares this view:

“To us this is a fantastic trade fair to meet with our customers. Furthermore, we get plenty of inspirations and impressions here. MUNICH FABRIC START is without a doubt my favourite fair. There is a very special atmosphere here. Here the most varied forms of creativity collide. Moreover, we use this opportunity to explain our products, strategies and cooperations in seminars and to launch products. We welcome our most varied range of visitors here in Munich: American clients, university graduates, start-ups and, of course, leading European brands.”
Tricia Carey, Lenzing Fibers

Boasting a plethora of market launches, product innovations and collaborations by international denim brands BLUEZONE welcomed its strongest show since its inception. Exemplary was the ALL RELATED COLLAB PROJECT involving 33 designers and enterprises that jointly designed 8 sustainable denim silhouettes.

Also registering very high attendance were the Sportswear International Talks “Women in Denim” hosted by Sabine Kühnl (Editor in Chief, Sportswear International) and Lucie Germser (Head of Communication & Design, Monsieur-T.) who interviewed Tricia Carey (Lenzing Fibers), Kelly Harrington, Silvia Rancani (The Denim Window), Sinem Celik (BluProjects), Sondos Saïd (Denim Authority), Sadia Rafique (Endrime), Sevgin Sicim (C&A), Ebru Debbag (Soorty) Özge Özsov (Bossa), to name but a few.

Apart from the necessity to maintain a dialogue and network, technology is the new key factor: on the one hand, because digitisation means you can ensure the transparency required by consumers by such technologies as blockchain; and on the other, because technology developments create new visual aesthetics and thereby help provide a facelift.

No wonder then there was a lot of interest and great crowds at the KEYHOUSE when technology-based interaction was addressed, such as by KPMG x Microsoft with its third generation of a Mixed Reality Hololens, which offers an all new customer journey; or the premiere of the Digital Fabric Lab, which can shorten production cycles many times over through innovative analysis processes.

“It’s a very valuable experience to see the wide variety of visitors here at KEYHOUSE. Who are as versatile as their interests. We received very positive feedback on our Smart Textiles Pop-Up Lab. To us it is of paramount importance to be physically on site to present ourselves to a broad audience. We capitalise on the opportunity to arouse and nurture the interest in technological possibilities.”
Pauline van Dongen, Holst Center, Eindhoven