The INNATEX trade fair for sustainable textiles invites you to the meeting of the international green fashion industry from July 29th to 31st, 2023. With the motto “NOW”, the organizing MUVEO GmbH wants to emphasize the urgency of sustainable change in industry and consumer behavior. AlexanderWärmel, Project Manager of INNATEX, answers questions about current topics and trends.
Mr.Wärmel, what innovations are you planning for the 52nd INNATEX?
We are happy about the new cooperation with the Fashion Changers from Berlin. The committed founders, networkers, authors Vreni Jäckle and Nina Lorenzen will moderate two lounge talks on Saturday. You are already enriching our work with ideas and impulses. We are currently discussing, among other things, the aspect of size inclusion – a topic that is generally far too underrepresented and that is important for INNATEX, which also sees itself as a platform for diversity.
The Community Lounge, which was successfully introduced at the last trade fair, will once again combine those lounge talks and expert knowledge with the presentation of the DESIGN DISCOVERIES. We have received nice applications for this INNATEX funding campaign with materials from hemp to cactus as well as circular approaches. A growing focus on the areas of active and leisure wear can clearly be seen – by the way, this also applies to other exhibitors.
In addition, we are currently thinking about another special area, but we are in the process of voting and have not yet made any final decisions. INNATEX is and will remain a business fair with a focus on concentrated work and ordering from more than 220 labels. A too extensive program wants to be avoided.
What else can visitors expect?
We will continue cooperations that have already worked very well. Including the one with Mirjam Smend from the consumer fair Greenstyle Munich and the magazine Pureviu. Smend will also co-design and moderate two lounge talks and an expert panel. We will include the DESIGN DISCOVERIES in the Lounge Talks, as these creative minds can always tell inspiring stories.
Anna Voelske’s Greenfluencers are always an enrichment. The sustainability enthusiasts from the Fairmodel agency will again report from the fair with great charm. Our cooperation with the Hessian Trade Association not only provides access to the network and to experts, but also insights into topics that concern the trade.
And what topics would that be?
Here, too, we can draw from a variety: We find the question of the future of retail particularly exciting, i.e. how retail can be designed as an experience.
As far as the digitization of various measures is concerned, there is still potential for some retailers. For this purpose, the trade association has launched the digitization campaign Handel.digital, which provides information on different areas from marketing to security and customer interaction.
Other topics include strategic design options for cooperation between label and retailer as well as the (re-) revitalization of inner cities.
What about the exhibitors in general?
Wonderful! We were close to the “fully booked” status early on. The audience can look forward to a variety of labels for all generations and tastes. The heritage area with younger and sporty brands is growing. The new exhibitors include, for example, a sneaker label from Portugal with cork soles or a brand with a queer sock collection. A lot of sport, a lot of lifestyle and also the offer for men is growing.
By the way, we invite you to our legendary summer party on Sunday and look forward to many good-humoured people.
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.