The mood in the INNATEX community is improving – with this conclusion INNATEX will end at the Hofheim Rhein-Main exhibition center in Wallau near Frankfurt on January 22, 2024. Given the continued tense economic situation in the industry, this is the 53rd edition of the international trade fair for sustainable Textiles have been a success.
“The fashion trade fair landscape is experiencing a challenging time,” is how Christian Hess from Glore Frankfurt, buyer at INNATEX, summarizes his overall impression. “This is due on the one hand to economic developments, but also to the competition between trade fairs. INNATEX stands out because it remains constant, down-to-earth and broadly diversified. We at Glore Frankfurt come here because we can find many brands here in one place that don’t exhibit elsewhere.”
DESIGN DISCOVERIES and experts, labels, consultants and founders came together in the Community Lounge. According to the organizing company MUVEO GmbH, the audience was particularly interested in the topics of storytelling, sustainable growth and digitalization, which were discussed in the respective talks on the panel. Labels and retailers must now be open to impulses and practical approaches for successful business making.
“Digitalization is currently changing the fashion industry,” says Prof. Ilona Kötter from the AMD Academy for Fashion and Design. “A simple line drawing becomes a 3D model. Just a few clicks lead to individual styling advice. Not only are the processes involved in creation and production losing complexity and therefore becoming faster, consumers are also enjoying completely new shopping experiences. I am confident that small businesses will have easy access to such digital tools to benefit and be future-ready.”
Creative collaborations also represent an important strategy for future viability and are apparently particularly attractive at the moment. Labels and retailers can work together and find new sales channels, such as those offered by talk guest Janis Künkler with reverse.supply. Marketing and design benefit from collaborations with artists, with which exhibitor Living Crafts appeals to younger target groups. Pololo teamed up with Disana to create baby shoes made from 100 percent recycled felt, debuting at INNATEX.
Exciting materials such as soy fibers from ZD zero defects, waterproof shoes and bags made from hemp from 8000 Kicks and a size-inclusive dress made from biodegradable polyamide from C/OVER provide something to talk about. Street-inspired looks with patchwork, visible seams and oversized silhouettes are announced for winter 2024/2025. Color gradients and all-over patterns on coats, jackets and scarves break up the winter dreariness. Earthy and pastel tones, knitting patterns from fine to coarse and layering with sweaters and vests remain. The kids segment was well represented and was playful with details, applications and hand-drawn patterns.
“All in all, a well-rounded trade fair,” sums up Alexander Hitzel, project manager at INNATEX. “Big leaps and promises have never been our modi operandi, instead we focus on stability and profitability. We have achieved this with our loyal community, as we can now see. This makes us all very optimistic for the future.”
On February 25th and 26th, the Bern showroom will be adding to the winter order. The next INNATEX will take place from July 20th to 22nd, 2024.