Let's face it, to hold a fair under today's circumstances is a specialty and the expectations of everyone are lowered. It is no longer a matter of setting records for visitor or exhibitor numbers; it is now about much more elementary things such as meeting face to face again, touching and feeling collections and discovering new labels. "And above all, there is always the fear that the trade fair might be cancelled at short notice after all," says Maike Thalmaier, Innatex spokeswoman.
But Innatex, the international trade fair for sustainable textiles, did take place physically on September 5-7, 2020 in the Rhein Main Wallau Exhibition Center in Hofheim am Taunus.
Alexander Hitzel, project manager at Innatex, says, “We are overjoyed that Innatex could take place and that the security measures were well received. The concept that we at Muevo, as the organizer, worked out over a period of five months in close cooperation with the authorities has been successful.” He continues: “All in all, we are very pleased that we were able to close the 2020 trade fair season so well, despite all the negative omens. All in all, we hope that Innatex has sent a positive signal to the industry.”
Innatex took place about five weeks later than the usual date. Cancelling the trade fair completely was considered but after consultation with the exhibitors, this option was rejected.
About 20% fewer brands exhibited in the halls of the Rhein-Main Center compared to previous editions. The smaller hall 2 was dropped outright. Instead there was only one exhibition hall on two levels and international visitors were missing due to travel restrictions.
Heiko Wunder, an exhibitor and managing partner at Wunderwerk, said, "I am glad that I am here. Of course I was aware that this was not going to be a normal trade fair as usual, but under these circumstances one has to say goodbye to this belief. It was much more important for me to express my solidarity with the trade fair. To set up a trade show under these circumstances deserves recognition."
Even if the number of visitors was noticeably less, all brands questioned showed understanding. Some brands such as Wunderwerk, Vaude and Genesis were even able to acquire new clients at the fair.
Frank Kefeder from the Vaude was satisfied: "Saturday and Sunday were very good and even the Monday, which is traditionally a bit quieter, surprised us. We were able to win some new customers as well as many new prospective customers.”
Recycling and up-cycling were the most important trends at Innatex. Whether backpacks made of PET bottles (Gotbag), swimwear made of plastic waste (Boochen) or clothes in bohemian style (Souldaze)–designers are developing ever more creative ways of recycling.
Have a closer look at the other s/s 2021 trends that we discovered for you at Innatex:
HOME BUSINESS
DENIM: WIDE CUTS & LIGHT WASHINGS
RECYCLING & UPCYCLING
ANIMAL PRINTS
FLOWING COMFORT
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