Visitor numbers fall at Munich Fabric Start

Munich Fabric Start organisers blamed the coronavirus outbreak in China and a date clash with Milano Unica for a decline in visitor numbers at its latest edition, held on 4-6 February, as footfall numbers fell 7%.

This season, the textile show saw about 18,400 international visitors through its doors. They attended to see the latest products from 1,000 exhibitors, with responsibility and greater transparency driving the conversation around sustainability.

Linen and linen-cotton blends were a big favourite for the Spring/Summer 2021 season.

Other material innovations included super-stretch silk, recycled polyester, Ecovero-Tencel linen, Naia and Cupro fiber blends and hemp textiles -- organisers said there was a clear appetite for natural fibres and materials.

As usual, the content programme featured panel discussions and trend presentations from industry experts including Li Edelkoort. Alexander Vogt from Kern Consulting, analysed the textile supply chain of the future in a forward looking seminar. "One thing is certain: to succeed, companies will have to delight with their designs and behave in an economically sustainable manner,” Vogt said.

Digitalisation, decentralised production, smaller production runs, shorter lead times, greater transparency and a circular economy will increasingly shape the future of the industry.

"Munich Fabric Start has clearly demonstrated that the trade fair format is a strong industry platform in times of upheaval and when there are major challenges. Thanks to the professionalism of everyone involved, we have the responsibility to reorient the market towards collaboration and solutions,” said Managing Director Sebastian Klinder.

Visitor numbers fall at Munich Fabric Start

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