Munich Fabric Start Gets the Pre-COVID Numbers, Price-Quality Balance Remains Top Clincher

The price factor and innovations: In Germany, Europe‘s most price-sensitive market, almost every discussion at the show was about finding approaches to maintaining price points on the one hand and not sacrificing quality on the other—a balancing act in times of rising energy prices. Barbara Hoechel, Managing Director of Balli, said: "Our discussions are not so much about trends and innovation—even though we receive a lot of encouragement there, of course – the main topic is the price. This is also reflected in the fact that customers are increasing their direct cooperation with us suppliers. They gratefully take advantage of any support and look to us for one thing above all: solutions to current challenges."

• The wish to see something new still works, which was one of the reasons Isko was present at Bluezone after a gap of six years. Holger Heitland, Key Account Manager for the company, said: "Our task as a leading denim player is to think ahead. Our customers are currently more willing than ever to try out new things. We are back at Bluezone and we are overwhelmed. From high-end to volume market – everyone was there—the important main customers as well as new customers."
• Innovations were another factor that got the attention of visitors. Many innovative raw materials were on show that were either recycled, recyclable or biodegradable, which included Wastea, Piñatex and Incalpaca. Processes are also becoming more innovative: the many examples of highly efficient innovations ranged from waterless dyeing to oxygen-based finishing to AI-driven processes as seen at Muze, Wiser and Tejidos Royos. In addition, fully digital dressing and design options played an increasingly important role.
• In the dedicated presentation area Sustainable Innovations, curated by Simon Angel, visitors were able to discover six particularly thought-provoking and inspiring innovations in Keyhouse: from Biotic—fabrics grown from micro-organisms—by Studio Lionne van Deursen to a leather alternative made from flower waste by the project Flower Matter by Irene Purasachit.

What they said:

It was good and in comparison to the last two fairs this show was much better. Wool blended fabrics are ‘in’ at the moment. In the pandemic everyone was wearing jersey. Now it’s all about tidy, nice, clean suits. Formal wear is back. We enlarged our collection and have more blended and more fashionable items. This was the absolute right decision. Lots of German clients announced to end their buying in China. This is where the Turkey benefits from.

— Demet Yegen
Area Sales Manager
Yünsa

Real sustainability is about the process—it’s about reducing water, reducing chemicals, investing in local recycling facilities for reusing water, dyes, and fibres. We’ve been very busy. We’re especially strong in the German market, but we’ve also had other international buyers. In terms of sustainability and buying we need to make our customers more conscious of what to ask.

— Dilek Erik
Global Marketing Manager
Sharabati Denim

3D garments could help in reducing the number of physical samples, and also to speed up the process of sample creation. We’ve been busy overall. Our expectations were met, even exceeded because our technology is fairly new. The buyers are very international and from all across the world—we’ve spoken to big brands, start-ups and design students.

— Marie-Luise Vielhaber
Business Development Associate
CLO Virtual Fashion