The sustainable fashion fair Innatex draws a positive balance despite difficult conditions.
The fair took place from Friday to Sunday in the Rhein-Main exhibition center near Frankfurt am Main. Although cancellations due to the pandemic and orders that had already been completed influenced the number of visitors, the fair was well attended with 150 labels, says Jens Frey, managing director of the organizer Muveo GmbH, in a statement on Monday. The innovations presented at the fair included, for example, shoes made from algae and plastic-free yoga mats.
“We came to the late date without great expectations and in the end we were surprised at how many customers were here and in good spirits placed a good order,” said Jan Roehler, sales manager at natural textiles supplier HempAge, in the press release.
Consumer demands are increasing
Heike Hess, patron of Innatex, reported more interest in sustainable fashion: “We are receiving noticeably more inquiries. They come from new members or from manufacturers who have already been certified.” Topics such as circularity, recycling, climate protection and fiber safety are of particular importance. Demonstrating business diligence along the entire supply chain is also becoming increasingly important.
In the summer the fiftieth edition of the fair will take place. “We are catching up more than what we were denied in the last two years of the pandemic,” said Frey.