Thank you to all those who came to the 9th Future Fabrics Expo in London! We are delighted that our exhibitors saw such strong demand for their materials – we extend a huge thank you also to our inspiring partners and seminar panelists. Sourcing responsibly and sustainably created materials which can have a positive impact on people and planet clearly represents the Zeitgeist!
On the 29th and 30th of January 2020, we welcomed nearly 3000 visitors during the two-day Expo, and Press and Industry Preview event. The sheer intent, energy and engagement exceeded our expectations, with a record number of visitors attending from all over the world, representing the scope of the industry: ranging from luxury brands and high street retailers to start-ups, academics and on the final afternoon, students.
We are excited to announce that an edition of the Future Fabrics Expo will be showcased at the Sustainable Luxury Biennale 1.618 in Paris, France, 5-7th June 2020.
9TH FUTURE FABRICS EXPO RECAP
As the largest dedicated showcase of globally sourced, commercially available, sustainably and responsibly produced fabrics and materials – the Expo aims to provide the knowledge and tools for a responsible fashion industry.
We display, source and curate globally produced materials with a low environmental footprint, offering accessible and innovative sustainable solutions, that can be implemented NOW to have a positive impact.
KEY THEMES
- The importance of regenerative agricultural systems for fashion’s raw materials: restoring soil fertility and therefore sequestering atmospheric CO2 emissions. Nature-based solutions are integral to this.
- The urgency to move to circular systems that recapture material integrity and the value locked into our waste streams, in all material categories. Recycling is a transition, and a move to safe and renewable materials at the source is essential NOW
- According to the IPCC Report, there are less then ten years for us to act in order to ensure global warming is kept to a maximum of 1.5°C. These solutions all require unprecedented efforts to cut fossil-fuel use in half in the next ten years and eliminate their use almost entirely in 30 years. For fashion this means: move away from our reliance upon fossil fuels, both as a source of energy and as a raw material for synthetics in fabrics for fashion – almost 60% of our global fibre demand is derived from petrochemicals. Diversifying the fibre basket is a key message and objective of the Future Fabrics Expo.
Amongst the thousands of curated materials on display in the Future Fabrics Expo, we provided a platform for over 40 selected exhibitors this year with their own dedicated stands, showcasing a myriad of material categories, visitors had the opportunity to discover:
- Organic cottons for wovens and knits
- Bast fibres- Ramie, nettle fibre, CELC European linen and hemp.
- Fibres from agricultural waste, such as banana and pineapple fibre.
- Regenerated materials such as: TENCEL™ x REFIBRA.
- Low impact denims
- Post-consumer fish skins and vegan leather alternatives, such as cactus, including latex and leather.
- Recycled materials in all fibre categories
The Innovation Hub supported by Mirova Natural Capital presented a plethora of new approaches to reclaiming waste, capturing carbon, exploring the emerging fields of biosynthetics and biofabricated materials, all spotlighting the innovations that point to a new material landscape; one that prioritises working in harmony with nature and respecting precious planetary resources.
Our popular Seminar Series in partnership with Parley for the Oceans hosted a dozen discussions with 50 speakers to captive audiences of over 400 people. This year we also debuted a new format with a Mini Seminar “Sustainable Sourcing 101” in between the main seminar panels.
Design Journeys space featured the work of designers whose creative vision exemplifies a future thinking engagement with materials, sourcing and production practices to create positive design narratives and outcomes, with sustainability at the core of their business.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) were featured in a unique digital installation featuring exhibitors and participants at the Future Fabrics Expo, communicating how fashion and its supply chain can have a positive impact on people and planet. Many exhibitors and brands were spotlighted as exemplars here, communicating how they are contributing to the UNSDGs, and which goals specifically they strive to achieve. The UNSDG digital installation was created in collaboration with Holition creative agency, with special thanks to Orbit Consulting for supporting this unique project.
Also Read: Announcing Seminar Programme 9th Future Fabrics Expo
