Green fashion is not only environmentally and climate-friendly, solidarity, social and diverse – it is also the future. Under the motto “One Goal. Endless Styles.”, which represents these values and their steadfastness, the 51st International Trade Fair for Sustainable Textiles will take place from 21 to 23 January 2023. In an interview, trade fair director Alexander Hitzel talks about sustainability as a sustainable business model, new alliances and trends:
Mr.Wärmel, what can visitors expect at INNATEX, which will take place for the 51st time from January 21st to 23rd, 2023?
“Exhibitor registration is not yet complete, but well over 200 sustainable brands have registered for the trade fair from Saturday to Monday. We are finally almost back to the level before the pandemic. Visitors can therefore look forward to a wide variety of sustainable fashion: from ladies’ and men’s wear to shoes and accessories as well as kids’ wear, natural textile classics as well as young brands are represented. At INNATEX, buyers can track down wonderful trends and discover the latest designs suitable for their own range, compare an incomparable variety of collections and articles from different suppliers directly and network. Last but not least, INNATEX also stands for well-founded expertise in sustainability.
How exactly does a visitor benefit from this sustainability expertise?
“With the winter edition of INNATEX, we are focusing on green fashion as a business model with new collaborations and formats. We are currently working with the German Retail Association (HDE) to address conventional retailers for whom sustainable fashion is an exciting addition to their portfolio. A business panel will provide insights and hard facts for retailers. Sustainability projects are only really sustainable if they also support themselves as a business model. In addition, our patron, the International Association of the Natural Textile Industry IVN, is once again offering its specialist knowledge on site and, among other things, providing information on the introduction of the new German supply chain law.”
Now again specifically: What trends do you see?
“We are seeing more and more new, innovative collections with materials such as apple leather, pineapple fibers or products made from coffee grounds. But the demand for established natural fibers is also increasing. This is where IVN’s expertise comes into play again: What can I pay attention to, what can I communicate and how? The application phase for our “DesignDiscoveries” funding program is also currently ongoing. We offer sustainable newcomer labels a special platform – and buyers the opportunity to discover innovative and new labels. At our fair, traditional brands and pioneers of eco and fair fashion meet young, fashionable labels. One goal – endless styles!“
INNATEX | International trade fair for sustainable textiles:
INNATEX is the world’s only international trade fair for sustainable textiles, which offers a sales and communication platform for numerous other textile product groups such as accessories, shoes, home textiles, fabrics and toys in addition to the classic clothing sector. The trade visitor fair has been held twice a year since 1997, in winter and summer in Hofheim-Wallau near Frankfurt am Main. Since autumn 2014, the showrooms in Bern (Switzerland) have been added to the portfolio of the trade fair organizer MUVEO GmbH.
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