More than 600 international suppliers presented their new collections and developments for Autumn.Winter 22/23 in around 1000 collections in the Fabrics, Additionals, Design Studios, Sourcing, ReSource and Sustainable Innovations areas at MUNICH FABRIC START as well as denim, sportswear and KEYHOUSE at BLUEZONE. Compared to September 2019 – the last Autumn/Winter fair before the pandemic – this equals an exhibitor frequency of 60%. At the same time, around 13,400 international trade visitors were on site in Munich this season. This corresponds to a visitor frequency of 66% compared to the edition in September 2019 and, measured by the number of suppliers, represents a slight increase in visiting fashion brands. The organisers are more than satisfied with this result. 

“Our team is exhausted, but overjoyed: the biggest challenge in our company's history lies behind us! We actually managed to realise a comparable MUNICH FABRIC START and BLUEZONE with the usual broad portfolio in these times! Until the very last moment, we focused on making the shows a reality – despite all the challenges, measures and ongoing planning uncertainty. All our efforts were rewarded with all-round positive industry feedback and we can say our Covid-19 compliant trade shows were a complete success. Of course, we kept our expectations cautious due to the situation – which is precisely why we are so overwhelmed by the great result! It seems as if the whole textile industry was cheering and so grateful to be able to experience a few hours of 'business as usual' again."

Sebastian Klinder, Managing Director Munich Fabric Start

Compared to previous editions, the fashion brand teams present on site were somewhat smaller. On the other hand, there was a higher quality of visiting companies. The 4,200 visiting fashion brands included numerous well-known brands from the European clothing industry, including:

Adidas, Aigner, Akris, Alberto, Allure, Armedangels, Baldessarini, Balenciaga, Bestseller, Bogner, Bugatti,

Cinque, Closed, Comma, Drykorn, Escada, Hallhuber, Hess Natur, Holy Fashion Group, Hugo Boss, Jack Wolfskin, Joop!, Lagerfeld, Lodenfrey, Marc Cain, Marc O’Polo, Peek & Cloppenburg, Puma, Riani, Dorothee Schumacher, Seidensticker, s.Oliver, Strellson, Talbot Runhof, Tchibo, Tommy Hilfiger & Vaude

A WINNING FUSION OF BLUEZONE & KEYHOUSE & WELL-ATTENDED EVENTS

Under the motto "BACK TO THE FUTURE", BLUEZONE offered a way back to the tactile experience of textiles and the reunion of the denim community. In addition to international denim weavers and manufacturers, visitors to the Zenith Hall also saw a qualitative selection of KEYHOUSE exhibitors who presented their futuristic innovations for the fashion industry.

“BLUEZONE has always scored with a very special atmosphere – this time we surprised people in the Zenith Hall with an 80's party feeling. Of course, business was not forgotten: the denim industry is currently brimming with sustainable innovations and new developments, all of which were presented in Munich. And the coal bunker right next door became an inspiring, Covid-19 compliant forum for lectures and panel discussions. Now all we can say is that we are doing everything we can to repeat this success in the following season."?Frank Junker, Creative Director Munich Fabric Start

The organisers are also very proud of the success of the event program – because the forum was only approved a few weeks before the show thanks to an extensive measures concept. Across 16 scheduled programs, information was shared on industry innovations and future-oriented topics, especially relating to circular economy, digital tools and production processes.

Highlights included the trend presentation by David Shah and the panel discussions "Closing the Loop - How circular can the supply chain be?" and on "Local Manufacturing - A reality or just a temporary green gimmick?".