Sebastian Klinder
Managing Director Munich Fabric Start
Call for new awareness
Munich Fabric Start is a leading international trade fair that opens the new season twice annually with a vast selection of collections ranging from plains to haute couture fabrics and accessories. More than 1,000 international suppliers from 40 countries, including many renowned fabric and accessories manufacturers, present some 1,800 collections here. Managing director Sebastian Klinder talks excitedly about the highlights and macro themes just days before the autumn/winter edition to be held from September 4-6, 2018.
What are the broad themes for Munich Fabric Start September 2018?
Obviously, the undeniable main themes at Munich Fabric Start are the over 1,800 collections of more than 1,200 suppliers for autumn/winter season 19/20. The focus of this high-quality, discerning performance offensive is on the latest fabric innovations, fascinating finishes for prints and weaves as well as on special textural design of the most state-of-the-art functional fabrics-in addition to the most important fabric patterns and material combinations. Another centrepiece at Munich Fabric Start is the ever-growing additionals segment. Currently, more than 200 suppliers present their product portfolio in Halls 1+2 every season. The product range extends from buttons, ribbons, rhinestones, fasteners and linings to an individual or complete-solutions labelling and branding service. Meeting with a great deal of interest is the independent design studios exhibition format on the first floor. Leading international textile designers and trend bureaus present their latest ideas for patterns, prints and designs.
Tell us about the showcases and technologies at Keyhouse in September 2018.
The focal themes at Keyhouse include:
NextTex Innovations Showcase by Sourcebook x Munich Fabric Start presents companies and innovators from the fields of circular systems, advanced manufacturing, biotech material, textile interfaces;
FashNerd provides a virtual insight into tomorrow's wardrobes with exclusive, consumer-ready fashion tech products and brings smart products up close and personal;
Presentation of the HighTex Award, the innovation award of Munich Fabric Start, in recognition of extraordinary product and process solutions;
ReSource as a new, overriding sustainability concept interprets sustainability all new and in a holistic way in a dedicated area at MOC.
Apart from all the above mentioned a packed line-up of trend seminars, panel discussions and workshops featuring VIP speakers.
What will the seminars be focusing on at the fair?
Exciting panel discussions, forums and lectures will inform visitors about market-relevant themes in the textile and fashion industry. A highlight here is sure to be the exclusive trend seminar of style icon and forecaster, Li Edelkoort, held on Wednesday, 5 September 2018 from 10 to 12 am in the Atrium 1 in Hall 1 of the MOC. Her theme: Enlightenment A/W 19/20 //Colours S/S 2020 // Activewear S/S 2020. New unpublished revelations on colours and activewear for 2020. Furthermore, we are delighted to be welcoming back David Shaw, publisher and CEO at View Publications. In his inimitable and inspiring way, he will be talking about future lifestyle themes significantly impacting and/or changing the sector.
Which countries beyond Europe have suppliers/exhibitors represented at the trade fair?
Together with Bluezone and Keyhouse, Munich Fabric Start is posting a continual rise in international attendance in terms of both exhibitors and visitors, thereby underlining its position on the international trade fair scene. Strongly represented alongside Germany are Italy, France, Spain, Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland, as well as Turkey. These are joined by strong representations from China, India, Pakistan, South Korea and Japan. We are really delighted with the growing international flair of Munich Fabric Start across the board, which is also noticeable at View Premium Selection that is usually held several weeks before the leading fair. The edition held in July 2018 was the strongest in its 10-year history with a significant 17 per cent rise in visitor numbers.
Which innovative projects will be displayed at the fair?
Keyhouse, a unique, interactive centre of innovation and expertise, has been set up three years ago and has developed incredible dynamism. Here, international experts and leading development firms present future-oriented and business-relevant concepts that are highly innovative in nature. These include themes revolving around sustainability innovations, smart textiles, future fabrics, new technologies, bionomics and macro trends.
New at the forthcoming Munich Fabric Start is ReSource, an extended sourcing platform at the MOC as the next dimension of sustainability for innovative and future-oriented production. Featured in its own dedicated area ReSource will showcase textile innovations in the following categories: natural/organic, recycled, regenerative, innovative, denim, leather & leather alternatives.
The extent of Munich Fabric Start's commitment in this field is demonstrated by the bi-annual presentation of the specially initiated HighTex Award as an innovation prize for future-oriented developments with guaranteed process realisation.
What are your thoughts on circular economy and blockchain? Will there be any talks or programmes on these topics at the fair?
As a trade fair organiser, we watch market developments very closely. We are convinced that due to the growing interlock between markets, and increasing impact of digitalisation, the complex demonstration of reliable sourcing management is more important than ever. For this, we offer a professional and high-quality forum. This means selected companies from Central and Eastern Europe will present their current products and services revolving around manufacturing sourcing. The line-up of services here not only includes cut-make-trim (CMT) solutions but also high-end production. Furthermore, services like A-Z process solutions including sourcing processes are offered.
Complementing this, Tuesday, September 4, will see the holding of the 2nd 'patterns X.0' conference. For an entire day international fashion insiders and protagonists from already digitalised sectors will be discussing strategic heights and operative relevance in terms of the following aspects: What might this revolution look like? What will be possible that is still inconceivable today? How can companies and brands adapt to the permanent revolution? To be able to open up a really new perspective for the future of fashion - in a blend of lectures and interactive workshop formats. (HO)
What percentage of exhibitors/manufacturers/suppliers showcase sustainable fabrics/products? What percentage do smart/intelligent fabric suppliers occupy at the fair?
In the recent past, the range of sustainable products has risen significantly. These products are increasingly the focus of novel process solutions and awareness campaigns. We support this development among our partners in the industry and offer an innovative platform in the form of Keyhouse to raise awareness about this complex theme. Awareness and sensitivity about this future-oriented segment is rising. In percentage terms, this is certainly still a small segment compared to 'conventional' fabrics and additionals, but we do not have specific percentages.
What top trends in terms of fabric composition, colour schemes, and textures will be popular for A/W 19-20?
The overarching trend theme for autumn/winter 19/20 is Brave New World. Coupled with a call for a new awareness, living out your emotions, standing up for your ideals and rediscovering things in their entirety. All this in the force field of high fashion vs no-fashion, futurist vs realist. Translated in terms of fabrics for autumn/winter 19/20 this means: light and airy volumes meet brushed, fluffy textures complemented by imitation fur of all kinds as well as suede, flock prints and cord. Other highlights are jacquards and animated surface finishes. The new fashion items include dark iridescent, holograms and winter neons. Dominating the print department alongside abstract designs is visually contrasting motifs. New additions to the colour scheme are intensive colours through to neons. The dominance of green in varying shades continues unabated. Neutrals remain on the scene. The dark palette is varied, ranging from violet, blue and brown through to green, anthracite and petrol.
Published on: 30/08/2018
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.
