Spotlight Articles

Inspiring new products, innovative content and future-oriented themes is what Munich Fabric Start promises, even in these times of uncertainty. Frank Junker, Creative Director & Partner, Munich Fabric Start Exhibitions GmbH elaborates in this one-on-one with texfash.com.

It's show time. It's the curtain-raiser for Spring-Summer ‘24. And it's the three-day international fabric trade show: Munich Fabric Start (MFS), beginning 24 January. It's the right occasion, the right time, the right place. A texfash.com preview. 

Each stakeholder in the leather industry, be it the tanner, trader, supplier or customer must get involved to get leather to a safe place in the mind of new younger consumers, and throughout the supply network involved. There are no impossible hurdles for a determined leather industry to make great strides quickly and set an achievable target date with milestones.

Blackwashed much, leather is standing up as a material which is irrefutably a by-product of food production and could well be a waste on a huge scale of a natural material which instead is turned into something useful for society.

The Leather Manifesto was a call to action not just for the COP27 delegates themselves, but for all in the space of sustainable materials production.  As a natural material that is long-lasting, can be repaired or repurposed and at end of life will biodegrade, leather needs to be part of wider discussions towards a circular economy. This industry will continue to push the point that it can be part of the climate solution.

As the leather industry grapples with the question of how it can sustainably play its part to meet ambitious climate and other targets set at a global scale, it is imperative that individual companies in the supply chain focus their efforts in a way that is highly localised to their specific circumstances.

Textile Exchange (TE) has accepted the official ISO 15115 definition of leather, and manufacturers, brands and retailers must make it incumbent on themselves to educate consumers the difference between genuine leather and faux leather, PU leather, mushroom leather, pineapple leather, or any other plant-based leather which cannot be categorised as 'leather'. So, what does industry think?

The curtains came down on FESPA 22 wrapping up a successful four-day showcase of innovations across industries spanning apparel, sportswear, home décor, accessories, custom fabrics, and other diverse, high-fashion textiles. A texfash.com wrap-up with some of the notable displays.

The European Association of Screen-printing Equipment Manufacturers (ESMA) promotes adoption and correct use of specialist printing processes. It supports its members, representing machinery, equipment and software in the textile sector among several others, with business trends and solutions, legislation and industry standards knowhow. Peter Buttiens, the CEO of ESMA, elaborates.

Much of the change that is taking place or has already transpired in the 3D world are more in the R&D space than in retail. If something can’t be seen does not mean that it does not exist. texfash.com explores.