The first Avantex trade fair, an initiative by Messe Frankfurt France dedicated to high-tech fabrics and R&D for the fashion of tomorrow was held concurrently with Apparel Sourcing fair. It drew the attentive curiosity of visitors and exhibitors at the Le Bourget Exhibition Centre.
Avantex was perceived as a significant indicator and catalyst of an ongoing trend in the fashion industry towards more technological, more connected, multi-functional aspects. “We wanted Avantex to drive fashion into the future, which was exactly what fashion product designers and directors wanted. With the invaluable support of the Taiwan Textile Federation, we brought together 28 exhibitors who offered a host of techniques; encapsulation, intelligent micro systems, conductive textiles, thermal solutions and new digital processes and high-tech materials which are - unusually - already available for immediate use in garments,” said Michael Scherpe, CEO of Messe Frankfurt France.
By the evening of September 16, 2015, 13,075 visitors from 109 countries had arrived at the venue. Especially visitors from France increased 12 per cent, for whom the subject was particularly apposite in view of the current atmosphere on the domestic textile market. Visitors from China up one per cent and Hong Kong - up 48 per cent also appreciated the Avantex offer.
The 17 exhibitors from Taiwan were offering multifunctional fabrics, highly technical and high-performing, featuring moisture transfer, quick drying, UV protection, insulation, anti-bacterial, deodorising and antistatic properties, expandable in four directions, etc, in colours and patterns.
The dedicated, highly eclectic forum, staged by Louis Gérin and Grégory Lamaud, was a perfect expression of the skills and technologies available to integrate collections of garments and accessories. A programme of 14 well-frequented presentations allowed the general vision of combining fashion with promising technologies to be defined more precisely and adopted. The participating experts addressed emerging subjects and prospects such as fascinating applications of intelligent textiles, linen of the future, 3D printing and the meld of electronics and fashion.
Avantex also celebrated the alliance between contemporary design and intelligent textiles at a fashion show featuring outfits produced by students at ESMOD under the tutelage of Eymeric François, emeritus fashion designer.
www.avantex.messefrankfurt.com
