Momonì confirms its growth path for 2019 by announcing 3 new openings, two in France and one in Italy.

In fact, the two countries have always been the reference markets for a strong brand with a turnover which, for the current year, expects to close at 15.5 million euro, of which 50% of revenues come from the Italian territory.

After the first Roman opening in the last month of October, the brand doubled in the Capitoline city with a new showcase in the prestigious Via del Babbuino 106, thus bringing the number of single-brand stores in the Belpaese to 9.

In Paris, in the heart of the Marais, and in Lyon, in the prestigious Carré d’Or, there are other new boutiques that confirm the importance of France in Momonì’s retail strategy, which alone accounts for over 20% of its foreign revenues.

An important milestone for Momonì, which has always focused on a strategy that favours the distribution of its collections, which have become synonymous with femininity and trends, in mono-brand boutiques and in selected multi-brand showcases.

Assocalzaturifici and EMI are launching two events in CIS countries: “La Moda Italiana@Almaty” in Kazakhstan, March 5 through 7, and “La Moda Italiana@Kiev” in Ukraine, March 11 and 12. The two events are based on the successful formula of “Shoes from Italy”, a footwear event Assocalzaturifici organised in Kazakhstan and Ukraine for more than a decade, expanded to include the entire fashion industry and present the retail market with a single event offering an all-Italian “total look”. 

The support of ITA Agency with the promotion of the initiative among footwear dealers and the practical assistance of ITA Almaty and ITA Kiev in on-site organisation complete the infrastructure of this important event for the fashion industry 

“The Kazakh market has not yet overcome the financial difficulties resulting from Russia’s economic crisis,” says Marino Fabiani, Assocalzaturifici adviser responsible for business in the CIS area. “The banking system is experiencing difficulty, and the currency, the tenge, is still weak compared to the euro and the dollar. This makes life harder for our clients, and consumer demand is not high either. Yet the figures for the first ten months of last year suggest a partial upswing in the volume of Italian exports to the country. After all, Kazakhstan is the second largest market in the CIS area, and above all it demonstrates a strong interest in quality Italian footwear, which its high-spending clientèle are not ready to give up”. 

At the most recent edition of the Thinkathon on 14th and 15th January 2019 in Berlin, 40 international experts took on tasks set by the challenge hosts Bikini Berlin, Otto Group and TCBL. During the innovative workshop format, which was organised by Messe Frankfurt as part of the Neonyt trade fair, six multidisciplinary teams came up with sustainable business strategies and forward-looking concepts on the subjects of the circular economy, experience retail and industry 4.0 within 48 hours.

The Neonyt Thinkathon is a radical design-thinking format established by Messe Frankfurt. It involves multidisciplinary teams developing future-oriented approaches for the sustainability transformation of the fashion and textile industry. The Thinkathon brings together progressive companies from the fashion and textile industry with the unique Neonyt network. So-called challenge hosts – concept shopping mall Bikini Berlin, the Otto Group and EU project TCBL (Textile and Clothing Business Labs) at the most recent Thinkathon – each come up with a challenge on a specific subject area, which two international teams have just 48 hours to work on. The Thinkathon was organised on behalf of Messe Frankfurt by Berlin agency Sourcebook.

In January, experts from the fields of fashion, textile, architecture, technology, marketing and research came from a total of 19 nations and transformed the Old Smithy’s Dizzle event location, an old barn in the heart of Berlin, into a collaborative ideas workshop for two days. Each of the challenges was tackled by two of the six small groups so all three challenge hosts, Otto Group, Bikini Berlin and TCBL, were presented with two completely different solutions at the end of the Thinkathon.

In a video, excerpts of the workshop results were then presented on the Fashionsustain conference stage to an international audience of professionals. Like the Thinkathon, Fashionsustain is also a part of Neonyt, the global hub for fashion, sustainability and innovation, which celebrated its premiere during Berlin Fashion Week at Kraftwerk and was developed by Messe Frankfurt as a fusion of the successful tradeshow duo Greenshowroom and Ethical Fashion Show Berlin. 

The BoF China Summit is an invitation-only event that brings together a dynamic group of business leaders propelling the fashion industry forward. With this year’s theme focused on Modern Entrepreneurship, expected are candid conversations about changes happening in the entrepreneurial journey and valuable insight drawn from the startup experiences of inspirational speakers across the luxury, retail, tech and beauty sectors within China’s fast-moving fashion industry. The event is taking place on March 28th, 2019 in Shanghai.

Key speakers are as follows:

·         Shangguan Zhe, creative director, Sankuanz

·         Andrew Wu, group president of Greater China, LVMH Group

·         Ganesh Srivats, chief executive, Moda Operandi

·         Lauren Santo Domingo, co-founder & chief brand officer, Moda Operandi

·         Edison Chen, co-founder, Clot

·         Gary Shi, brand account general manager, Xiaohongshu

·         Cai Chongda, chief executive, Magmode

·         OIB China, founder & general manager, Wu Zhigang

·         Benny Dong, beauty vlogger & founder, Croxx

Global speciality materials provider Eastman, the maker of sustainably-sourced Naiaä cellulosic yarn, announces a new partnership with Milan-based C.L.A.S.S. (Creativity Lifestyle And Sustainable Synergy) in the wake of Première Vision Paris, the international apparel textile exposition, where Naiaä showcased over 100 new on-trend fabrics from over 20 partner mills. Naiaä joins C.L.A.S.S. to support the fashion industry’s shift toward the “circular economy,” the economic model characterized as a collective awareness of social and environmental values throughout the fashion ecosystem. 

“Responsible innovation means embracing new business models and encouraging businesses to take a broader approach at all phases of fashion creation to ensure that environmental responsibility is embedded throughout fashion development and production,” said C.L.A.S.S founder Giusy Betoni. 

With Naiaä, Eastman integrates sustainability and fashion in a way that supports the circular economy by providing designers with a viable eco-conscious choice of material. Made from bio-based wood pulp, Naiaä is a best-in-class example of responsible innovation, because it is sustainably sourced and has inherent luster and a silky hand that create comfortable, luxurious fabrics. 

Eastman demonstrated its dedication to sustainability at Première Vision by showcasing the sustainable production process of NaiaTM from responsibly sourced wood to end of life. Eastman used FSC certified wood in the construction of the booth and upcycled NaiaTM fabric swatches into small bags as giveaways. 

For the fourth time, a fully booked Gallery SHOES will be opening its doors from 10-12 March 2019 – and is proving to be a whole lot more than just a functional order platform for shoes and the accompanying collections. In a very short time, Gallery SHOES has become a competent industry get-together for the European shoe business that provides visitors with a wealth of useful information: this makes it unparalleled and unique, and not only in Germany.

• Over 9,500 professional visitors are expected to attend this strong event with over 500 brands and around 350 exhibitors, which is rounded off by an impressive line-up of accompanying events and the striking industrial backdrop of the Areal Böhler venue.

• “The event is making dynamic progress with extremely positive developments,” sums up Igedo Managing Director and Gallery SHOES Project Director Ulrike Kähler. “Awaiting professional visitors at the fourth edition are new, exciting brands including firm favourites like Clarks, but also plenty of exciting newcomers like EYS, BNSM (Basics Natural Spirit in Motion) and Mythoo. We are allocating, for example, the ‘Halle am Wasserturm’ to 40 brands including Cinque Shoes and Colmar Footwear, including 15 new brands such as Alba Moda, Manas and Womsh from Italy.” 

Also very much in tune with the times is the accompanying line-up of events, which is making a significant contribution to the event’s appeal as a meeting place for international manufacturers and buyers from neighbouring European countries, as well as the press and media.

Plus: The topic of sustainability in leather production will be the focus of a presentation by OEKO-TEX. And the award ceremony of the HDS-L Junior-Award, which honours outstanding achievements by young talents who are showing their innovativeness in the production of shoes: under the motto ‘Sport meets fashion – open minded’, the focus this year is on finding new, creative ideas for sports sandals. The wealth of in-depth information will be complemented by the HDS-L press conference, an absolute must-attend for the international trade press, and the MODEUROP Fashion Forecast, as the official trend fashion platform of the DSI, the German Shoe Institute. In addition to the lectures, FASHION TREND POOL will also be represented with a ‘Trendbox’ dedicated to the overriding topic ‘Checks combined in a sporty way with elements from Memphis design’ to provide visitors with inspiration and ideas for the store window design of fashion looks at the POS.

From March 12 to 14th, 2019 CHIC China International Fashion Fair, Asia’s largest and most important fashion and lifestyle fair will return and showcase 1,365 national and international exhibitors with 1,453 brands from 16 countries. In the context of falling global growth rates, China remains the world’s largest retail market in 2019, with forecast USD 5.6 trillion in retail sales, surpassing the USA by USD 100 billion this year. 

The new consumer structure is integrated into the whole fair design at CHIC and this year ́s slogan is “Hi Me”, which was launched in cooperation with WGSN. It reflects the young Chinese consumer, the economic powerhouse in the country. The exhibitors’ offer is increasingly focusing on the ‘egotists’, who act individually, fast and set the latest trends. 

The designer section IMPULSES is fully booked, CHIC-TAILORING celebrates its premiere at the upcoming CHIC and presents high-quality bespoke collections; GREEN FASHION is a key topic at the fair, with more and more manufacturers presenting sustainable collections in all segments of CHIC. In particular, the manufacturers of baby and children’s clothing are expanding their ecological offer to meet the consumer demand such as CHIC-KIDZ exhibitor GRASS AND WOOD DYEING ALLIANCE that is famous for its environmental dye technique offering healthy clothing for the cherished youngest generation. CHIC- KIDZ will also be presented for the first time as a separate section at CHIC as show-in show. Other group participations come from Korea with the show-in show PREVIEW IN CHINA, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Individual exhibitors come from Canada, including the premiere of Joseph Ribkoff, from Belgium, Ecuador, India, Japan, Poland, Switzerland, the UK and the USA. 

CHIC-YOUNG BLOOD show-in-show is the platform for well-known Asian streetwear labels. Wookong, Pace, Jelly Lin, Coffee, CRUCIAL among a total of 61 brands use CHIC as an essential marketing platform. 

CHIC drives exchange of market info and gives expert insights into the latest developments in the market. CHIC TALK provides visitors and exhibitors with expert speeches and seminars on the state of technology in the fashion business. Topics are „Driven by Data and AI, It Starts From the Consumer Experience — the Transformation of Clothing Enterprises In the Data Era”.

YòKo is a new concept of product borrowed from the traditional Japanese sandal. The Japanese flip-flops. Made of high-quality anti-abrasion, lightweight microporous, available in an infinite range of colors and combinations. It is totally “Made in Italy” consisting of high-quality artisan laboratories. Two versions that differentiate the beautiful season from the winter one. For the FW, a microfibre matelassé contributes to a thermal seal. A tribute to the Orient, to Japan, its elegance, its culture and its traditions, here interpreted the key fashion and with great contemporaneity

For the summer, the footrests directly on the rubbery material with grooves that offer braking and pleasant well-being on contact. Some of the most significant boutiques in our country have purchased the product that will be on show from next March. Prices? “YòKo” is between eighty-five euros and one hundred euros as the final price to the consumer.

The launch covers simultaneously the season SS19 and the next FW19.20. The “YòKo” woman dominates the proposal, it differs in height and for the research on the materials that include: “3D” “Lurex” “Silk Velvet” and “Chenille” in summer. “Ecofur” “Boucle” “Lurex” and “Silk Velvet” for the winter. The “YòKo” man is imagined in a domestic version, for the garden, the edge of his pool. More limited, the height includes “3D” and “Silk velvets” in spring and summer. “Silk velvets” for the winter. In this last version always with support on matelassé in microfiber. The kaleidoscope of colors of both the microporous and the upper features of the upper gives the possibility of endless combinations that change from ultra chic combinations to really rock fashion proposals.

The company was founded by 3 business partners: Luigi Conti, Settimio Fazzano and Maurizio Ciambella and is based in the former Miss Sixty Headoffices in Chieti (Italy).

Coterie starts again during this season’s NY Market and WeAr is as always live at the show to give you an impression of what is happening for the next few days.

From inspirational purposes to brand watch and innovations, the tradeshow has it all. Presenting elevated contemporary apparel, accessories and footwear for women, every booth is designed to bring a fresh perspective on upcoming trends.

Furthermore this season, COTERIE released the official mobile app “COTERIE Show” to better assist attendees to navigate the show floor, search for brands, stay up-to-date with daily happenings and create an agenda by adding events directly to personal calendars. App users will also be able to view the season’s latest brand look books and directly access the Informa and Coterie Instagram’s from mobile devices. The app is available for download on Google Play and Apple’s App Store!

After close to four years within the City Hall district, multi-brand concept store Manifesto puts down roots in the heart of Singapore’s shopping precinct, Orchard Road. 

The move for the independent fashion retailer reflects a desire by store founder Walid Zaazaa, to inject Manifesto’s subversive, boundary-pushing energy into the local retail experience. 

In a departure from its monochromatic palette, Manifesto’s new space in Mandarin Gallery envelopes guests in the stark and abstract beauty of the Saharan landscape—think: various shades of sand, and organic rock-like contours. 

Inspired by Zaazaa’s French-Algerian heritage, WY-TO architects opted for natural desert hues to reflect the warmth and hospitality unique to the North African region. The entrance, for instance, recalls a nomadic tent, highlighted in slick LED lights to accentuate the fractal form. 

This restful, modern-minimalist atmosphere underscores the most-loved aspects of Manifesto: its bold fusion of art, architecture, and intelligent fashion in one ever-evolving space. 

The store continues to surprise and seduce with its offering of over 30 brands encompassing fashion, avant-garde streetwear, and lifestyle accessories. 

NY Women’s February Market, opening Monday, February 25th through Wednesday, February 27th, is an elevated fashion showcase comprised of four unique shows: COTERIE, SOLE COMMERCE, FAME, and MODA. Held at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City, the show is the premier destination for the most sought-after contemporary and progressive designers and brands in womenswear and beauty.

This season, COTERIE released the official mobile app “COTERIE Show” to better assist attendees to navigate the show floor, search for brands, stay up-to-date with daily happenings and create an agenda by adding events directly to personal calendars. App users will also be able to view the season’s latest brand look books and directly access the Informa and Coterie Instagram’s from mobile devices. The app is available for download on Google Play and Apple’s App Store.

On the first day of the show, COTERIE is hosting a panel series, covering ethical and sustainable fashion, the power of brick and mortar, and the effectiveness of influencers.

 COTERIE has also partnered with fashion publication, The Daily Front Row, for “The Daily x COTERIE Fashion Influencer Panel” discussing the relationship between brands and influencers. Influencers Danielle Bernstein (@WeWoreWhat) and Lainy Hedaya (@LainyHedaya), Stylist and Host, William Graper (@William_Graper), NEXT Management’s Digital Brand Strategist, Jennifer Powell, and President of Coterie, Danielle Licata will lead the conversation. 

Day two brings COTERIE’s first-ever live photo shoot to inspire attendee on the show floor. Models will be styled by a stylist using FW’19 apparel and accessories pulled directly from the show floor. Fashion creative and photographer, Mani Zarrin, will be shooting the models throughout the day, while images are being edited and posted to the COTERIE Instagram (@Coterie_Show) in real-time.

It is with a heavy heart that we write about the passing of a legend, Karl Lagerfeld. At (supposed) age of 85, the iconic fashion designer/creative director of Chanel and Fendi as well as own eponymous brand Karl Lagerfeld, passed away this morning.

Known for his trademark signature look of a ponytail, dark sunglasses and high collars, his life and achievements are being praised and celebrated today by brands, industry professionals, celebrities and media alike.

The Chanel website is currently featuring an iconic image of Karl, whilst his own site Karl.com says ‘Thank you Karl, With Love Forever, Your Team’. And Fendi’s currently states alongside a wide-long shot of the legend “Thank you Karl for the most beautiful journey. With all our love. Your Fendi family”

On February 13th, 2019 ISKO hosted the “Responsible Denim” event to share knowledge and experiences on the development of an integrated field-to-fabric approach all along the value chain. An occasion to think about what choices can be made to give shape to a greener and better future.

Highlights of the event that took place in Paris, at 47 Rue des Tournelles, were:

-A special panel to talk about how the denim industry can become more responsible.
-A Responsible Denim Presentation by Lambert + Associates
-A presentation of ISKO Earth Fit, ISKO’s lowest-impact denim collection.
-An educational exhibition with a strong focus on what everyone – brands, designers as well as manufacturers – should be aware of regarding responsibility in the industry.
-The launch of the third Eyether collection, created by Creative Room and François Girbaud with innovative ISKO fabrics.

As the industry still appears to be facing a lot of “greenwashing”, it is important to take a stance in order to achieve the implementation of definite best practices. ISKO brought together five industry experts to provide insight that could help brands make informed decisions concerning responsible products. ISKO commitment towards Responsible Innovation is a longstanding one, deeply rooted in the company DNA. This approach has led ISKO to play a major role in supporting and pushing the industry to raise the bar. During the event, a Responsible Denim Exhibition was featured, intended to shed light on ISKO’s efforts and on the tools deemed essential for the fulfilment of a truly responsible denim vision.

At the 28th edition of Milano Unica, the Italian Textile and Accessories Exhibition, held at Fiera Milano Rho from 5 to 7 February, together with the number of exhibitors (421) similar to the one recorded in February 2018, a substantial confirmation was also confirmed of the number of visiting companies, both Italian and foreign, which were around 6,000. The attendance of Chinese companies was down due to the concomitance of the celebrations of their New Year, to a large extent recovered from the Korean presences and Japanese and the overall good performance of European presences. A result that, considering the general trend of the textile-clothing fairs, confirms the rightness of the choice of the advance in July also as a tow for the winter edition.

During the ceremony the ‘e-milanounica’ project was also presented, the marketplace launched in a pilot version that will be fully operational for the July 2019 edition. The initiative, thanks to the system partnership with Pitti Immagine, pursues the objective to promote the textile-clothing-fashion by extending digital the traditional activities of the fair, through marketing, content and promotion, allowing companies and their customers a constant updating throughout the year.

“The organizational effort, more and more aimed at making Milano Unica an essential appointment in the international panorama of textile fairs, has found a general positive feedback from buyers and exhibitors – said Massimo Mosiello, General Manager of Milano Unica, at the operational guide of the event textile-accessories since the first edition -. Upstream of this result there has not only been an important selection process aimed at guaranteeing high levels of quality of the collections presented, but also the accurate ways in which we have been able to present the various thematic areas and content projects. This work is the fruit of a great team game put in place at the system level, made possible by the indispensable support of the Ministry of Economic Development and the extraordinary collaboration of ICE. A result to which we must also give credit to the commitment lavished by the staff and collaborators of Milano Unica. A special thanks, finally to Japan Fashion Week for the original thematic evening dedicated to the tenth presence of the Japan Observatory in Milan.”

HUB 1922 is born, the new subsidiary company of RUDOLF GmbH. It will be based in Busto Arsizio near Milan, the capital of Italian fashion.

RUDOLF GmbH has been a leader in the textile chemicals industry for 100 years. The decision to open HUB 1922 has a specific objective: to give life to collaborations with brands and international retailers. And through product innovation, give space to new ideas and useful functionalities at the crossroads of Italian fashion: Milan. 

The task of HUB 1922 is to research and develop innovation primarily for the garment processing industry, denim and beyond. And it will do so with the introduction of its own exclusive elements of diversity: deep scientific knowledge, true environmental responsibility, technical innovation and creativity. 

«The strategic intent is to introduce a whole new approach that embraces both product and concept development. An extraordinarily robust R&D centre that is also a novel marketing and communication channel» says Dr. Wolfgang Anton Schumann, Managing Director of RUDOLF GMBH. He continues: «HUB1922 can count on RUDOLF’s global service, manufacturing, sales and distribution networks as a secure and transparent global fulfilment partner for brands/retailers and their supply chain partners». 

«The idea is to start pursuing ideas that are conscious, necessary and useful» says Alberto De Conti, Head of Fashion Division at RUDOLF Group. «If they meet all those criteria, we won’t hesitate to make them beautiful». He continues: «Emphasis is put on listening attentively to the market and on engineering solutions proactively, even before being prompted». 

Nowadays science plays an irreplaceable role in society: fashion research should focus more on scientific research. HUB 1922 is born for this. To get away from consolidated industrial processes from an industrial point of view, but increasingly incompatible with the environmental point of view. And to give space to every opportunity that can change the state of things and give things a new state: the quality of the product. 

The bi-anual event Magic, by UBM, which takes the US fashion industry to Las Vegas has started with many visitors pouring in. Magic now combines multiple fashion trade shows under one roof. Asides the classic menswear collections in Project and (the more premium lines) in The Tents, one can also discover exciting womenswear lines from all over the world at Project Womens.

This season Project Womens partners with the Conscious Fashion Campaign supported by the United Nation Office for Partnership to drive sustainable development goals set by the United Nations. For this occasion, Project Womens has also published a special lookbook to raise awareness: “We are honored to continue leverage our platform and audience to propel the mission of the Conscious Fashion Campaign supported by the United Nations,” shares President of Womenswear, Danielle Licata. “We are proud to amplify this partnership with first-ever PROJECT WOMENS look book created by Egyptian-Australian dancer and content creator, Mimi El-Ashiry that features several Conscious Fashion labels as well as Australian labels in an exquisite setting.”

WeAr’s team is once again at the Magic shows and reports here live about the brands and booths.

Black Orchid creates a fresh wind in LA’s denim scene

LA based brand Chasor stays on top for tops

Scotch & Soda surprises with a cool booth

Johnny Was shows a very L.A. collection

L.A. based brand Rails shows its collection

Cool for dudes – Robert Graham also launched a womenswear collection last year

Project Womens has special decoration

Hats can also be found at Magic

…as can accessories and cool items for concept stores

Further impressions

Hunting World, the 54-year-old brand collaborates with Ben Eine, a street artist based in London renowned worldwide, regarded as a pioneer in the exploration of graffiti letterforms and for his projects with fashion brands. The collaboration was revealed during the FW2019 fashion week and included T-shirts, hoodies, caps as well as HUNTING WORLD’s iconic bags and small leather goods. 

“The understated timeless style of Hunting World luggage makes the perfect canvas for EINE artwork. It brings a whole new meaning to The Elephant in the Room, interpreting the signature logos and symbols of both brands and creating complimentary contemporary products that will be deemed future classics.” Ben Eine

Launch dates of Hunting World x Eine London collaboration will be announced soon.

The international textile and fashion industry kicks off the 2020 Spring/Summer season of Munich Fabric Start. More than 1,000 fabrics, additionals, denim & sportswear suppliers exhibited their latest product and trend developments in 1,800 collections from 29th to 31st January 2019 at the MOC Munich and in the Zenith Area. 

They were complemented by a growing number of service and sourcing providers as well as young brands and start-ups that presented their philosophies and the ideology of forward-looking process solutions as well as solutions for resource-saving material sourcing and their areas of application. 

This dynamic and mutually inspiring exhibitor structure brought about one of the most important international trade fair platforms for sourcing materials and in-depth networking and, hence, for linking fashion with technology with a view to shaping the future.

In terms of trend concepts for 2020 this future is characterised by emotionality, empathy and community. This is expressed by WHAT IS LOVE as a source of inspiration – passionate, playful, pragmatic. Spring.Summer 20 indulges in a rich choice of fabrics, in innovative silhouettes, in philosophical wealth but also in tongue-in-cheek kitsch and – last not least – a new lightness at heart, which is never entirely uncritical. 

The ReSOURCE segment is MUNICH FABRIC START’s enhanced sourcing platform flagging up new dimensions of sustainability for an innovative and future-oriented production. This is how a forum initiated and supported by experts was established that offers comprehensive sustainability solutions. Boasting over 500 articles ReSOURCEshowcases the latest developments in sustainable fabrics and findings as well as innovations in the categories:  RECYCLED | ORGANIC / NATURAL | REGENERATED CELLULOSICS | INNOVATIVE (HYBRIDS & BIOPLASTICS) | LEATHER & ALTERNATIVES | DENIM | GOTS.

Shandong Ruyi Investment Holding, one of the leading textile and apparel companies in China, announced that it has completed its acquisition of INVISTA’s Apparel & Advanced Textiles business. The transaction includes all associated assets and contracts. 

The new company will operate as The LYCRA Company, an independent subsidiary, and will continue to manufacture advanced fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and hygiene industries. The LYCRA Company is named for LYCRA fiber, the original spandex/elastane fiber and the company’s best-known product.

“We are fortunate to be purchased by Ruyi, a company that shares our vision and our commitment to delivering high-quality products, technical expertise, and unmatched marketing support to our valued customers,” said Dave Trerotola, chief executive officer, The LYCRA Company. “With the continued investment of Ruyi, we look forward to working with our customers to bring exciting innovations to market. Our new shareholder’s textile and retail experience will be a tremendous asset as we develop differentiated fibers that deliver the lasting performance benefits consumers have come to know and expect from our brands.” 

“We are thrilled to acquire The LYCRA Company and will continue to invest in its innovation pipeline and brands in order to reach our objectives for business growth,” said Yafu Qiu, chairman of the board of Shandong Ruyi Investment Holding. “As a spandex producer ourselves, we have admired the iconic LYCRA® brand for years, and we see the value The LYCRA Company adds to our business. We believe its assets and capabilities are a perfect complement to our own and will help strengthen our position as a world-class, fully-integrated textile company.” 

For summer ’19, BARTS  is going back to the beach. The brand’s summer collection will be extended with swimwear for men, women and kids, designed with creativity and produced with the quality standards that you are used to from Barts. The collection includes bikinis and bathing suits for women and girls as well as swim shorts for men and boys. It’s the answer to a common problem of their customer: there seems to be no qualitative, sparkling swimwear collection that fits well ánd is friendly to your wallet-Until now. The collection includes classic Breton stripes, leopard prints and beautiful trend colours. Of course sun hats, kaftans, (beach) bags and towels are also back.

Kelly Wieck, responsible designer for this new launch, had been searching for a high quality swimwear brand for a long time. Born and raised in Australia, she  was kind of spoiled with all the best swimwear brands. Here in Europe, she never really found a competing brand. Now that Barts has developed a solid summer collection, it’s time to complete it. And that’s how Barts swimwear was born.  Starting point was combining quality and fit from Australia within a price range that’s corresponding to Barts. Kelly is proud with the results: “I really wanted a premium collection based on high quality fabric and materials. I love the beach and surf lifestyle. If it were up to me, I’d live in a bikini!” Barts targets a young, self-assured woman, but the age group can be much wider – like you’re used to from Barts. Expect beautiful bathing suits, sexy triangle bikini’s, but also wire cups. In addition, there are bottoms for every figure: from high cut briefs to hipster bottoms with a wider brim. The designs are versatile: beautiful florals, leopard prints, Breton stripes and chic solids. Commercially strong, but distinctive.”

The Only at TRANOÏ operation presents simultaneously a selection of 25 capsule collections only available at TRANOÏ Paris for buyers and also a limited choice from these same collections, presented exclusively at Galeries Lafayette for end customers, from January 16 to February 4 2019.  Among the 150 participating brands, 25 of them are showcasing a 20-piece capsule next January. Only available in Paris, for buyers, in an immersive itinerary, at the Palais Brongniart, the historical TRANOÏ location. At the same time a selection of these limited edition pieces will immediately be released for sale at the 1st floor of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, within a ONLY AT TRANOÏ corner designed by  Studio Avoir – Arthur Van Peteghem.

To create a strong and lasting link between designer, buyer and final customer is one of the major challenges of tomorrow’s retail industry. ONLY AT TRANOÏ is part of this dynamic combining BtoB and BtoC in a project on the scale of Paris.
By placing exclusivity at the heart of its approach, this operation allows buyers and customers to discover new collections first and only in Paris. 

During our visit to the Tommy Hilfiger denim lab in Amsterdam we got to know more about this workshop laboratorium where denim is constantly tested and treated with several techniques such as laser printing, dry-washing and various colour treatments. The lab is used internally by the brand to develop new fits and also give workshops externally. There is a huge focus on sustainability throughout!

On the morning of 15th January 2019, Anita Tillmann, Managing Partner Premium Group, Michael Stracke, Chief Business Development Officer and Ole Tillmann, Founder & CEO Peak, welcomed the auditorium at Kraftwerk to the ninth edition of #FASHIONTECH BERLIN.

Stracke says, “We are extremely pleased with this year’s edition of #FASHIONTECH BERLIN. Our thanks must once again go to our high-calibre international speakers and partners without whom this continuous growth wouldn’t be possible. We are unique in Europe at this level, which is also apparent from the consistently positive feedback from participants during and after the conference.Among other things, we have increased the exhibition space by 300% and we have had even more interactive workshops and masterclasses going on for those attending, to ensure knowledge transfer. The slightly modified concept – #LISTEN, #LEARN, #EXPERIENCE and #BUSINESS – was very well received, as we want to do justice to the individual needs of all participants.”

“It was especially gratifying this year to experience the positive atmosphere on site and to ascertain that the topic of digital transformation has finally grown in importance for the fashion industry too, which was also evident in the renewed increase in and international character of the visitor numbers. Digitalisation is fun of course, and you can achieve much more in a short space of time than was possible previously, and respond to customers’needs much more strongly and in a more targeted way.”

The goal of the conference is for everybody who faces digital disruption to walk away with inspiration and hands-on advice to be able to get started or continue their own digital transformation and get ready for the future. Learn from leaders and innovators from other industries to be among the first in the fashion industry to implement innovation.

On the main stage: keynote presentations from innovators and visionaries from fashion and other industries (#LISTEN). In the exhibition area: the latest developments, products, solutions and innovations in the fields of retail and ecommerce solutions, robotics, AI, omnichannel or digital model booking with international exhibitors from Germany, France, UK, Hungary, Sweden, Israel and the USA (#EXPERIENCE). Telekom Fashion Fusion presented the latest developments in wearable technology and Bonprix used the platform to introduce the “fashion connect”pilot store,which opens in Hamburg in February.

Anyone interested in a closer look at how to transform their own organisation was able to find more in-depth approaches in the masterclasses,or get hands-on in the workshops (#LEARN). Electrolux AEG gave insights into caretech,and Collabary by Zalando showed how to create an engaging Influencer Marketing campaign in just one hour.In the networking area visitors can connect with the speakers, industry insiders and entrepreneurs to foster business connections and meet potential business partners and generate new business leads (#BUSINESS!).

The central question was: “How to transform your organisation”, which was broken down and discussed through four aspects: Leadership & Culture, Future of Work, Innovation & Technology and Customer Journey.

Today marked the premiere of Neonyt, showcasing state-of-the-art sustainable collections and innovations during Berlin Fashion Week.

What does the future hold for the fashion industry? Answers to this question can be found from today at the premiere of the global hub for fashion, sustainability and innovation at Kraftwerk Berlin. “The change of fashion is now – we are certain of that. And what this transformation looks like is being demonstrated at Neonyt. We are pooling the most urgent topics currently facing the fashion industry, offering space for discussion and presenting well thought-out solutions. Even more varied events and the fashion expertise of around 150 brands are making the kick-off of this pioneering, forward-looking format a real must-attend event!” says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President of Textiles and Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt.

At the Neonyt Trade Fair, which is replacing the two successful formats Greenshowroom and Ethical Fashion Show Berlin, international and national sustainable fashion brands are presenting their autumn/winter 19/20 collections. And in addition to the tradeshow itself, there is an even more comprehensive line-up of accompanying events with the Fashionsustain and Fashionimpact conferences, the design-thinking format Thinkathon and the Neonyt Fashion Show during MBFW, as well as showcases, presentations, press conferences, networking events, the Neonyt Party and influencer and blogger event Prepeek. This makes Neonyt the world’s biggest B2B event for sustainable fashion. Against this backdrop, the United Nations, as a partner of the Conscious Fashion Campaign, will be presenting their sustainability agenda known under the name Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to a European fashion audience.

Check out our Buyer’s Guide on WeAr Global Network for Neonyt brand highlights and impressions!

With keynote presentations from leading international experts on stage (#LISTEN!), interactive masterclasses to boost your knowledge (#LEARN!) and the exhibition area that will introduce visitors to the latest developments, products, solutions and innovations on the market (#EXPERIENCE!), #FASHIONTECH has united the four most important sections to prove being the leading content hub for technology, digitalisation, and innovation in Europe. 

#FASHIONTECH stages also as the platform for interdisciplinary exchange between the various industries. In the networking area visitors can connect with the speakers, industry insiders and entrepreneurs to foster business connections and to meet potential business partners and generate new business leads (#BUSINESS!). 

The main topic at the upcoming conference is “How to transform your organisation”, which will be addressed through aspects of Leadership & Culture, Future of Work, Innovation & Technology and Customer Journey. 

With the collaboration between PREMIUM GROUP holding the #FASHIONTECH conference taking place on 15 January 2019, and Messe Frankfurt with FASHIONSUSTAIN taking place on 16 January 2019, visitors are provided with an extensive programme containing industry-relevant content. 

For this edition, PREMIUM is partnering with Spanish fashion label and sustainable clothing pioneer ECOALF. The brand will present its lifelong mission and latest collection in a dedicated space as well as an art installation together with conceptual artist Juan Garaizabal. 

ECOALF creates high-quality garments using recycled materials collected from the bottom of our oceans. Commitment, sustainability and innovation are at the core of everything the company does, resulting in both conscious and stylish urban, adventure, knitwear and activewear pieces. 

On Wednesday, January 16th, at 10am and 2pm, Goyeneche will present his brand’s values, philosophy and way of working on the experience floor of SHOW&ORDER X PREMIUM at Kühlhaus, right next to the STATION area. Show visitors, media and other exhibitors are invited to listen, learn and discuss. 

The art piece in partnership with Garaizabal unveiled at PREMIUM on January 15th is filled with waste to portray our everyday reality, and purposefully interactive so that visitors can throw their own trash inside the installation. The aim is to educate about correct waste disposal and show that every individual’s decision matters: Stop, Think, Act. 

“2019 is all about digital first and an active debate about social and environmental issues. Transparency and sustainability are key words. By reducing plastic waste on all our shows, teaming up with ECOALF and giving this wonderful brand dedicated space and time for spreading their message, we are taking steps into the right direction. Every little action counts. We should talk about the things we do more instead of talking about what we are not doing. We all need to wak up. Now.” – Anita Tillmann, CEO PREMIUM Group 

The global hub for fashion, sustainability and innovation – this is the claim that Neonyt aims to live up to from 15-17 January. The Neonyt Trade Show will thus be supported with a broad-ranging fringe programme. This will examine the sustainable transformation of the fashion industry along the entire value chain from different perspectives. 

Four stages, three days, two conference formats, one goal: a paradigm shift in the fashion industry towards a fairer future that saves more resources. ‘The current change in consciousness’, says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt, ‘is not taking place in a vacuum. It’s hasn’t just appeared from nowhere. Rather, it is the result of discourse and discussions, competition and collaboration. The aim of Messe Frankfurt as a global player in the fashion and textile industry is to accompany this process of change and give it a platform. This is why we’ll be expanding the fashion trade show Neonyt in a consistent manner to include an even more broad-ranging fringe and conference programme whose content will partly be generated from our global Texpertise Network and will in turn be reflected in it’. Neonyt, which is taking place for the first time, is the synthesis of the two successful formats Greenshowroom and Ethical Fashion Show Berlin and will take place from 15-17 January 2019 as part of Berlin Fashion Week at the Kraftwerk, thus continuing the tradition. 

Pitti Immagine will be thirty years old in 2019. In fact, back in January 1989 it was actually Pitti Immagine Uomo that inaugurated the group’s new name and all the other fairs followed on its heels. To celebrate this anniversary a stamp dedicated to Pitti Immagine will be issued – created by Italo Lupi, one of the best known and most highly esteemed Italian designers in the world – and an exhibition, The Fashion Mail Box, about the relationships between the world of fashion and that of stamps to be staged in the Pitti Uomo Press Room at the Fortezza: around 80 stamps particularly beautiful and in some cases very rare, linked to fashion from all over the world. The issue of the Pitti Immagine stamp by the Italian Ministry for Economic Development was realized thanks to the Istituto Poligrafico, Zecca dello Stato and Poste Italiane, and the official presentation will take place on Tuesday 8 January, during the official inauguration of Pitti Uomo (Palazzo Vecchio – 10.30 a.m.) and at the same time in the Fortezza da Basso (Entrance Hall).

Vilebrequin Denim – the Seventies capsule: The logo is the 1971 original designed by the founder of the brand, Fred Prysquel. Jacket, trousers, overalls, hat… all the must-have variations of denim make up the Seventies capsule from the first VILEBREQUIN DENIM collection. An ode to the same sense of freedom, comfort and fun that you could feel in St Tropez in the same years in which Vilebrequin was born. The capsule will be on sale starting from March 2019 exclusively at the Vilebrequin boutiques in Milan, Milan Malpensa airport, Rome, Rome Fiumicino airport and Forte dei Marmi.

The VILEBREQUIN DENIM collection is entirely made in Italy thanks to the license agreement with Giada SPA that will oversee all production and distribution.

“Vilebrequin has been thinking about creating a denim collection for a long time: cool and chic and emblematic of the ’70s – denim pants are definitely part of our heritage. It is a true opportunity for us to be able to work with Giada: we share the same attention towards quality and the same Mediterranean roots “, said Vilebrequin CEO Roland Herlory.

“The launch of VILEBREQUIN DENIM” – adds Giada SPA CEO Franco Catania – “is an exciting venture for our company that certifies its position as a leader in the denim and luxury sector. We are really pleased to add VILEBREQUIN, a brand with a strong tradition and global recognition, to our portfolio. This opportunity will contribute to strengthen our expertise in design, production and distribution. The prestige of the brand Vilebrequin will be an incentive to broaden an extensive international distribution as we expect that VILEBREQUIN DENIM will be well received from the market.”

Hand picked makes its return to Pitti Immagine Uomo with a new collection that features many new styles. New cuts of pants are added to their offer of iconic denim styles – the trademark of the brand – together with other pieces, for a man that wants to stand out for the quality and sophistication of its wardrobe.

High-quality denim is the starting point: it is produced with a particular cotton that is grown using
traditional techniques with great attention to water consumption, creating a fiber that guarantees unparalleled performances. The resulting fiber is spun in Japan, a land with a millennial tradition in textile industry and a worldwide reference point for denim.

The new collection that will be presented at Pitti Immagine Uomo is made of iconic elements of the men’s wardrobe for the Hand Picked man.
The classic five-pocket denim pants with buttons and rivets in hand-worked copper and grosgrain in the closure will be enriched by five new colors of back tags combined with grosgrain ribbon. Four new pant shapes, from chino to five-pockets, will be coordinated with matching vests made of soft fabrics in warm colors, and knitwear, jackets and classic-cut coats with an urban feel. Technical pieces too will be featured, such as brand-new denim windbreakers and comfortable cotton sweatshirts.

Pure London has confirmed that it will be launching a new floorpan for its February edition taking place in London. Visitors to February’s fashion trade show Pure London will be treated to a re-edited layout and a surge of new British and international brands who have signed up to showcase their AW19/20 collections.

Julie Driscoll, Managing Director of leading festival of fashion Pure London says; “The show must go on. We are at a crossroads in terms of Brexit uncertainty and in the way the fashion industry works but Pure London is demonstrating that not only can we make a stand for better practices in fashion, we can provide a space for the most inspirational, creative and exciting brands and designers to showcase their wares. The February show will offer visitors a host of new brands and we are really looking forward to revealing our floorplan re-edit which will freshen the show, offer new discoveries, and give the space new life.”

Effective immediately, Raf Simons has departed his role as Creative Director at Calvin Klein. The Calvin Klein brand will not be showing a collection for the upcoming season this coming February. Simons was appointed Creative Director at the brand in 2016, after departing his role at Dior.

Pitti Uomo is an extraordinary Surprise Box, a container of ideas and news to open and change from season to season. At the Fortezza da Basso, in a set design curated by the lifestyler Sergio Colantuoni, the new theme THE PITTI BOX presents a multi-sensory journey “in-and-out of the box”. As a welcome, the Infinity Box, a special video-art gallery with high energy potential curated by Visual Fodder; the Park Box dedicated to sharing food and relax with the Soup Bar, the Pasta Bar, a large central fire and much more; the Recharge Box to recharge the batteries, the Silence Box to allow 5 minutes of unmissable “switch-off”; and again Out of the Box, ten large nature photo-windows from the Reda archive, inviting us to look beyond and listen to a message of responsibility towards nature.

The Pitti Box is a tribute to a feature common to all the Pitti Immagine fairs: that they are “Surprise Boxes”, extraordinary receptacles of ideas and innovation to be opened up every season in order to present the latest vibrations between fashion and lifestyles.

The WeAr team wishes their readers, clients and visitors a very happy holiday season! May these days bring you happiness, love and joy.

Best Wishes,

The WeAr team

Zalando, the German online retailer, who just announced its cancellation of the Bread && Butter event in Berlin has further bad news.
On Monday, Dec. 17th 2018 Zalando slipped 18% on the stock market. This is almost the lowest level, since its stock market debut 2014. Bad numbers in fashion retail are given as a reason. ASOS, the UK competition to Zalando was equally shocking the market with a turnover and profit warnings.
ASOS made a significant decrease in the fashion environment responsible. Its shares lost around 38% in London. In light of ASOS problems, also shares of Hugo Boss, adidas and PUMA lost. Since months bad news from the fashion retail segment are making the round. Last week Sportsdirect and Superdry published bad news and so did in Germany Tom Taylor.
We got used to bad news by classic brick-and-mortar retailers, but now even online retailers like Zalando and ASOS are getting under pressure.

By February 2019 Dondup will launch its first D/Zero sustainable jeans capsule as part of a project aimed at redefining its own identity as premium forward-thinking denim brand. The project was developed as a collaboration with premium denim manufacturer Candiani Denim and Chicco Barina, head of design, Dondup, a longtime insider of the jeanswear industry as well as the owner of creative consulting agency Black Studio.

“The new D/Zero capsule collection offers 100% Made in Italy organic cotton T-shirts and a selection of six jeans treated with sustainable, traceable and certified washes and carrying water-printed graphics on their inner surface. The jeans are made with Candiani Denim fabrics produced according to eco-friendly manufacturing processes that employ Kitotex and Indigo Juice, exclusive treatments using 50% less water and 70% less chemicals than the production of standard fabrics. By adding special certified treatments and finishing on this special selection of denim garments, Dondup can save an average of 75% water, 20% chemicals and 58% energy, as verified by E.I.M. software by Jeanologia.”

The retail-program ‘Altogether to Munich’ supports starting immediately sport-retailer from the UK, Italy, Spain, Austria, Poland, Switzerland and Scandinavia with their planning for ISPO Munich.
This ‘no trouble’ package includes registration and hotel booking to setting of appointments and trade-show walks in their own language and everything that retailers need in order to gain a good market-overview.
This program is an extension of the ‘Club ISPO France’.
ISPO will be taking place in Munich February 3rd-6th.

German company Handstich, known for its high-quality outerwear collection, has signed a new distribution agreement. Ben Botas and his agency BEN&. based in Düsseldorf and Munich will take over its distribution for Germany and Austria starting Autumn/Winter 2019.

Handstich will start its wholesale season with Pitti Uomo 8th of January in Florence and will focus on its expansion in the international market. It will further present its collection at Premium during Berlin Fashion Week. “Handstich is already positioned as an important brand, thanks to our efforts and that of our distribution partners. Today we start a new level which is stamped with our values and our ever newly interpreted own brand DNA.”, says André Berger, owner of Handstich.

Star of the new FW 18/19 collection, the exclusive cashmere-lined denim by Richard J. Brown offers new contemporary style for a warm, sophisticated Christmas. Entirely lined in cashmere and silk, the RJB 5-pocket wraps the wearer in precious softness. The elegant, distinguished Richard J. Brown denim was created for those who won’t give up a personal, dynamic look even in the coldest winter weather.

Not just jeans, but true trousers created with quality fabrics and embellished with unique details combined in an original way. Unlimited colours and materials chosen for tags, labels, buttons, rivets and lining at the centre of a versatile scheme that favours the utmost personalisation like the Tokyo model created for the contemporary, spirited man who favours a slim fit or the Jacklyn model for women who want the latest trends and prefer a closer fit.

Available in landmarks of style like La Rinascente in Milan and Rome, Lodenfrey in Munich, Boon the shop in Seoul, Salon le Chic Select – Takashimaya in Tokyo, Cavour in Oslo, Pauw in Amsterdam, and Cashmere and Silk and Bosco dei Ciliegi in Moscow and Sanahunt in Kiev.

The January edition of Top Drawer has announced the launch of MR.—
a dedicated area designed as a concept store, showcasing an exclusive edit of the hottest, out of the ordinary men’s fashion accessories and jewellery.

With the menswear market set to outperform womenswear globally by 2020, MR. has been developed in response to industry demand and will present the UK’s most dynamic display of design-led accessories, jewellery, grooming and lifestyle products for gents.

As the first lifestyle buying show of the year, Top Drawer’s MR. is committed to bringing the latest offerings and newest brands to the most influential buyers with its impactful and enticing curation of what customers will be seeking next. Arne Jacobsen Watches, Mr ELK, Il Bussetto, Anchor & Crew, Thomas Clipper, Double00, Orbitkey, Mahi Leather and Secrid are amongst the brands on display.

Only a few more months to go until the next MICAM, the international footwear show coming up at Fiera Milano (Rho) February 10 through 13 next year. Following a number of initiatives around the world intended to establish contact between Italian footwear makers and the world’s biggest markets, MICAM prepares to come back to Italy in an event-packed show with a bold personality.

There are plenty of preparations underway for this important event, and a number of strategies are being put in place behind the scenes which – just like a pair of top quality shoes – combine a knack for understanding the demands of the market with plenty of imagination and creativity, indispensable traits for anticipating trends in consumption with an innovative charge.

In order to offer the best possible response to the demands of the companies and professional dealers, MICAM has organised an in-depth analysis of its exhibitor database, in line with its visitor profiling initiative, comparing the figures collected over the past six editions of the event (from February 2016 to September 2018).

The analysis had four key goals: mapping exhibitors’ categories, origins, interest, and frequency of participation in the event (identifying faithful returning exhibitors and new exhibitors); coming up with actions for promoting the event (such as new marketing, promotion and retention programmes focusing on the various different exhibitor clusters identified); improving a number of organisational aspects (the layout of the pavilions and stands); and comparing analysis of the MICAM exhibitor dashboard with the results of customer satisfaction surveys.

Art, the creativity that will be the key to MICAM 87, shifts the focus from the conflicting “sinful” sentiments associated with the covetous desire to possess a pair of quality shoes to the object itself. The slogan “Be inspired by Art, ye who enter” underlines the discovery of the object as work of art, a template for joy and completeness for all those capable of appreciating it, bringing new life to everything around it.

PROJECT TOKYO, previously MAGIC Japan, will take place on March 27-28, 2019 at Tokyo International Forum. The Tokyo International Forum is highly regarded for its architecture and sits between Marunouchi, Tokyo’s central business area and the Ginza shopping and entertainment district.

Unlike MAGIC Japan, which encompassed a broad mix of categories from men’s, women’s, children’s, footwear, accessories and sourcing, PROJECT TOKYO will serve as a highly curated event focusing on men’s and women’s advanced contemporary, denim and accessories, including Japanese, European and American brands.

“We have continued to generate momentum from the Asian market through MAGIC Japan and look forward to delivering a more focused, curated event that our customers have been asking for and that best serves the industry,” states Christopher Griffin, President, International Business Development for UBM Fashion.

Additionally, PROJECT New York, which takes place at the Jacob Javits Center in midtown Manhattan and serves as the leading men’s fashion trade event in the U.S. will host and introduce 5 Japanese menswear designers to the U.S. market. PROJECT Las Vegas which houses both men’s and women’s contemporary brands will also host 5 womenswear designers during MAGIC which is held at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

ReMode’s inaugural edition brought together over 1,000 participants, both days, representing all sectors of the fashion industry including thought leaders, top brands, retailers, technology providers, finance partners, and NGOs. Partnering with schools and educational institutions around the world, ReMode’s content reached a global audience with an additional 1,000 participants viewing ReMode’s sessions via live stream. Attended by 115sponsors and exhibitors, and 100 press and journalists, ReMode’s debut served as an innovative platform for collaboration, network building, and opportunities for growth and partnerships across the industry. 80% of ReMode attendees actively used the AI-powered ReMode networking app to make over 2,700 connections and 1,600 meeting requests. 

After two days of panel discussions, workshops, and sessions, recurring themes around how to scale sustainable supply chains, adopt new technologies, authentically connect with customers, and create engaging retail experiences consistently emerged. Over the course of ReMode, sessions were scribed in real-time by a visual graphic artist allowing attendees to reflect and make connections throughout the sessions and experiences happening simultaneously at ReMode.

Closing out day one of the event, ReMode presented the ReMode Fashion Awards, a celebration of the solution providers and brands at the forefront of innovative platforms, disruptive technologies, and sustainable practices in the industry. Winners were selected across ten categories by an elite jury selected for their expertise in fashion, technology, and sustainability. Entries in each category were judged based on creativity, sustainability, and consumer experience. The 2018 ReModeFashion Awards winners include:

 Best AI Solution: Heuritech

Best Blockchain Technology: Arianee

Best Cross-Border Ecommerce Solution: Flow

Best Customer Experience Solution: EverThread

Best Design Technology: Euveka

Best Digital Wholesale Solution: INTURN

Best Financing Solution: Affirm

Best Sustainable Manufacturing Solution: Nineteenth Amendment Smart PLM

Best Virtual and Augmented Reality Solution: Allure Systems

Sustainable Brand of the Year: Reformation

German retailer Manufactum celebrated the opening of its 11th store in Hannover, Germany.

The retail space stretches over 600m2 and through three levels. Once entered customers can find groceries and kitchenware, whereas the lower floor shows garden and office articles as well as furniture. The first floor then displays fashion and beauty and on the top floor is a restaurant.

Manufactum started being a catalogue and developed from there its retail houses, it aims to invest into high-quality and sustainable products since 30 years.

The store wants to host in the future regular events and seminars as well as workshops with the aim to elevate the store to a destination, adding to a growing number of successful brick-and-mortar stores that aim to deliver experience and quality to an established and growing customer base.

Amongst others it carries brands like Armor Lux, Ecoalf, Lanius, Haikure and Engel Sports

Manufactum Warenhaus Hannover
Georgstraße 34
30159 Hannover
Opening: Mon-Sat 10am – 7pm

For the first time in Russia, the Moscow Kremlin Museums presents a retrospective exhibition with pieces of high jewellery art by world-known Italian Maison BVLGARI, which history dates back more than a hundred and thirty years. Over four hundred unique pieces of high-end jewellery from the Bulgari Heritage Collection, as well as pieces from the private collections from around the globe, will be on display at two exhibition halls of the Kremlin museums — the Exhibition Hall of the Assumption Belfry and the Exhibition Hall of the Patriarch’s Palace.

The formation of such an original style of BVLGARI in all its variety is represented by works created during many decades, beginning with the earliest silver items, accomplished in Neo-Grec tradition by the founder of the family business Sotirio Bulgari in the 1870s and 1890s, including luxury pieces of the 1950s and 1960s —La dolce vita epoch, as well as extraordinary works of the 1970s and 1990s. The exhibition is on until 13th January 2019.

Menswear trade show Jacket Required has announced that it is adding two new sections to its line-up for its upcoming edition taking place in January 2019. ‘Introduces’ and ‘Living’ are the sections where visitors will find new talent and homeware products alike. 

Taking place at The Old Truman Brewery in London on January 23rd and 24th, the new ‘Introduces’ platform will showcase Jacket Required’s breakthrough talents of the new season and future contemporary classics. These emerging designers will sit alongside its international line-up of contemporary menswear, selected womenswear, footwear, accessories and lifestyle products.

The ‘Living’ section will offer a selection of contemporary products and accessories from some of the most progressive interior design brands.

At the recent Denim Days in New York City, a panel of experts solidified the notion that denim is entering a new era of sustainability—one that prides minimizing water use just as much as ushering in the latest trend.

Speaking on a panel moderated by Lenzing director of global business development for denim, Tricia Carey, industry experts including, “The Godfather of Denim” Adriano Goldschmied, 3×1 founder Scott Morrison and Reformation director of denim and special projects Jordan Nodarse spoke about denim’s shift and what to expect from a greener blue-rooted industry.

Putting it plainly, Goldschmied said, “We’ve realized that our industry doesn’t have any future at all if we’re not seriously thinking about sustainability.” Carved in Blue caught up with some bluebloods in the audience to hear their insights into the discussion.

Beyond just the discussion of sustainability, innovative concepts emerged from the talk, too. “What struck me as new from this discussion was Adriano‘s point that there should be a Silicon Valley-esque global innovation hub for our industry…and it should be in Los Angeles because California is arguably the birthplace of the jean,” said Michelle Branch of Markt & Twigs. “The indigo culture certainly exists. And there’s loads (pardon the pun) of talent there. Not to mention that it would help to keep the existing denim economy in LA alive. It’s an intriguing idea!”

For Denimology managing editor Lisette Geller, the panel took things even one step further for her. “The most impressive and probably the most important issue for the whole world is and should always be sustainability. Especially with denim that used to go through a lot of chemical processing,” Geller said. “But the most impressive mind-changing thing happened after the ‘official’ talk. When I spoke with Jordan about connecting and asked for his card, he said he’s ‘paperless.’ What an amazing flash—I never had thought about this in terms of business cards. Just bank statements and recycling newspapers and boxes. No more printed business cards for me.”

“ What a highlight to New York Denim Days to have three generations of denim designers explain their design philosophy.  With so much passion for the blue world, I enjoyed hearing their responses to the question ‘ If you were not in denim industry, what would you be doing?’.  For Scott it was an architect; Adriano said something in technology; and Jordan quickly responded the music industry.  I am pleased they are blue-bloods!, “ stated Tricia Carey from Lenzing.

ISKO hits ReMode, the LA-based platform promoting growth and sustainability, to foster networking and knowledge sharing by showcasing its active commitment towards responsibility. The leading denim ingredient brand set the agenda with several activities: 

• Impressive sculptures made of ISKO Earth Fit denim by the artist and fashion designer Lucy James showcased at the ISKO booth.
• The new Eyether capsule collection, created in collaboration with François Girbaud, was unveiled at the ISKO booth.
• Garments made of ISKO Arquas innovative fabrics were on display at the Trend Gallery special section.
• ISKO took part in the “The Future of Denim” panel. Denim with a Conscience – Responsible innovation and ISKO Earth Fit
  Nature, beauty, and responsibility turned into inspiring denim art. ISKO innovative fabrics are the ideal materials to shape into life the mindful creativity of Lucy James, artist and fashion designer: with an experience designing and developing menswear collections, Lucy combines conceptual fashion with art and music and is now creating projects related to sustainability in the fashion and textiles industry.The collaboration with ISKO sparked three nature-inspired denim sculptures – a coral, a wood, and a feathery wing –, which have become the focus of the new ISKO’s “Denim with a Conscience” campaign. These are made entirely of denim fabrics from ISKO Earth Fit, the top-end ISKO collection when it comes to a fully integrated responsible approach and the only one worldwide to have been awarded both the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and EU Ecolabel certifications. The ISKO Earth FitTM line, which embraces articles from all the ISKO collections, uses innovative and responsible fibers such as organic cotton, recycled cotton and recycled polyester from PET bottles.

  Responsibility for ISKO goes beyond just using low impact materials, extending to its entire culture and systems. ISKO is the first denim manufacturer in the world to obtain pre-certified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for the Life Cycle Assessment (LCAs) of all its 25,000+ denim fabrics, meaning there is full transparency about the environmental impact of all fabrics in the collection. These EPDs have been used to create independently developed Product Category Rules (PCR), which will help, for the first time ever, to have standardized assessments for denim across the industry. 

In May 2018, COMME des GARÇONS announced “a new brand using the CDG symbolic logo signifying Forty Years of COMME des GARÇONS creation”. The brand launched with a preview capsule, ‘CDG BREAKING NEWS’. A dedicated CDG e-shop shipping exclusively to Japan followed in July.

From 27^th October, physical CDG retail spaces launched within DSM Beijing, London, Los Angeles, New York and Singapore as well as COMME des GARÇONS Hong Kong and Seoul. Also opening are two standalone brick-and-mortar CDG stores in Tokyo and Osaka.