PORTUGUESE FABRICS INSPIRE THE NEXT SEASON
With a carefully selected portfolio, the fabric and accessories fair that opens the season, Munich Fabric Start, is presenting the year’s first edition from 30 January to 1 February, at its usual venue, the Munich Order Center. The Portuguese trends that will be defining spring/summer 2019 will be represented by 17 Portuguese companies, 11 of which will be supported by the Associação Selectiva Moda.
The Munich Order Centre opens its doors from 30 January to 1 February, to host 2018’s first edition of Germany’s Munich Fabric Start fair. The Portuguese delegation, supported by Associação Selectiva Moda, within the scope of the From Portugal internationalisation project, is made up of 11 companies: A.Sampaio&Filhos – Albano Morgado – Familitex – J. Areal – Luís Azevedo – M.M.R.A. – Sanmartin – Sidónio Malhas - Texser – Tintex Textiles – Trifitrofa .
Specialising in knitwear, M.M.R.A. is showing its main new products and trends at Munich, with a focus on “pattern-makers and recycled raw material”. The company’s main objectives are “to expand and consolidate its international client portfolio and to build on its experience in difficult markets, such as the German one”, explains Ricardo Monteiro, the company’s export sales manager.
A regular presence at the event, Sanmartin, specialising in fabrics for special occasions and weddings, will unveil its main trends for the next warm season. “Our new collection will show nature influences, with 3D floral and urban elements, with references to metallic elements. Prints with geometric patterns and vibrant colours will be the concepts of this season”, reveals Inês Mendes. As for expectations, they are positive: “current and potential clients have shown sufficient interest in visiting us in Munich. We hope to have positive feedback from our clients regarding our new bridal and haute couture collection. This is without a doubt a fair that provides an opportunity for attracting new clients, thereby strengthening Sanmartin’s presence as an important Portuguese company in the fashion and haute couture sector”, he adds.
A regular at this German fair, and specialising in shirt fabrics, Texser is presenting its offerings for spring/summer 2019, where the use of special yarns, such as moulinés, boutonnés, printed yarns, neps, are the main focus. José António Ferreira, Texser’s export director, also emphasises “the offering of Délavé fabrics, which have received a very interesting response from brands”. In addition, he stresses this market’s importance: “we have been present at Munich Fabric Start for around 8 editions, and this is a very dynamic market undergoing continuous development for the company, which seeks to, based on this event, to cement and strengthen its presence with its clients”.
The company from Cerveira, Tintex, feels that the positioning of Munich Fabric Start is in line with Tintex’s needs. “Germany, and the northern European markets in general, give special importance to premium quality products, with clean, intelligent and sustainable design. And it doesn’t need mentioning that our products have these characteristics and to be more specific, 90% of TINTEX’s collection is eco-responsible”, stresses Mário Jorge Silva, the company’s director. For spring/summer 19, the Portuguese brand is presenting a sensory, interactive and sustainable collection. “We are highlighting the introduction of new “ingredients” in the composition of the articles that embody the concept of well-being – this is a real benefit sought by contemporary consumers. Finishings also have a fundamental role in the use of dual tactile aspects – extra-soft (Soap Touch), delicate (Crispy Paper by TINTEX) or in contrast, grainy (B.CORK by TINTEX)”, he adds.
Making its début at Munich, Trifitrofa is travelling to the German city to present its wide range of yarns, with a focus on “100% cotton yarns – combed, organic and blends”. João Lima stresses the importance of this market: “the German market is quite important for our sales; our main objective will be to increase exports and attract new clients in this market”.
6 other Portuguese companies will also be present: Brito & Miranda – Paulo de Oliveira – Penteadora – Riopele – Somelos Tecidos and Tessimax.
Germany’s Munich Fabric Start fair has two annual editions, more than 1000 exhibitors from 35 countries, and around 20 thousand international visitors. The fair has 8 different exhibitions spaces, distributed across 5 halls. Special mention must be made of the Keyhouse space, which is a section of the fair with a very strong focus on innovation, highlighting intelligent textiles, sustainability, new technologies and future trends.
The participation of these 11 Portuguese companies at Munich Fabric Start is an initiative promoted by Selectiva Moda and ATP - Associação Têxtil e Vestuário de Portugal (Association of Textiles and Clothing of Portugal), which aims to promote the internationalisation of Portuguese companies in the fashion area. The From Portugal 2017 project is co-financed by Portugal 2020, under Compete 2020 - Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation. The value of eligible support totals EUR 12,118,285.17, of which EUR 6,695,352.55 is provided by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.
