Urban outdoor to enter OutDoor trade show in Germany

Trade visitors can enjoy a preview of what future urban styles will look like in the centre for ‘Lifestyle Collections’ at Europe’s largest trade show for the outdoor sector. Hall A6 is where international brands will have an opportunity to join forces in expanding the outdoor concept.

"At OutDoor, the focus is on the functionality of products. The overlap between the two markets of 'fashion' and 'outdoor', however, is growing all the time. With the 'Lifestyle Collection' in Hall A6, we have created a first-ever marketplace for current lifestyle trends from the fields of garments, shoes and accessories," said Stefan Reisinger, head of OutDoor.

"Urban outdoor is a modern-day development. Today there are already more people climbing in halls rather than outdoors in nature. The future will also see people indulging their yearning for nature in the city," stated Nora Kühner, freelance designer and trend expert.

Charles Ross, a UK-based lecturer in performance sportswear design, said, "Urban outdoors is one of the biggest trends for the future of the performance sportswear industry. If the outdoor industry does not grab the market, then their rivals from outside the industry will. Companies will have to promote their own strengths and shift the focus to a certain attitude towards life – and this attitude must gel with urban consumers."

"In my opinion, urban outdoor should not in any way lag behind the usual outdoor products in terms of function, but nevertheless meet the fashion requirements of modern customers. The fabric suppliers offer marvellous innovative materials to achieve a successful balance between the demands of functionality and fashion," said Frederik Sturm, managing director of functional clothing start-up Arys in Berlin.

Arys will be displaying this approach in the lifestyle centre at this year's OutDoor. High-quality functional fabrics by Schoeller and Polartec feature in a design that resembles anything but outdoor – and this in fact is urban outdoor.

"The trend is towards a 'rural exodus'; working, living and leisure have acquired a new quality. At the same time, people want to retain and demonstrate a sporty lifestyle," said product manager Johanna Keinath from Schöffel. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India