Messe Frankfurt France, the leading events organiser, is launching Avantex, a trade fair dedicated to high-tech fabrics for fashion and to research in that field, highlighting intelligent, connected fabrics, materials, which combine nanotechnology and cosmetics, as well as finishes and coatings.

The exhibition offering visitors a chance to learn about the development of today’s technologies will be held at the Le Bourget, Paris, from 14-17 September, alongside Messe Frankfurt France’s textile trade fairs.

“I wanted to bring Avantex’s vision of uniting high-tech companies with fashion product designers and managers to Paris, the capital of fashion. The market is now mature and I am thrilled to be launching Avantex in September,” said Michael Scherpe, CEO of Messe Frankfurt France.

Innovative functions

The exhibition will host innovative exhibitors, chosen by the trade fair’s selection committee, which has relied on experts appointed by the Taiwan Textile Federation. Companies attending Avantex must exhibit fabrics, which have at least three innovative functions and/or hold unpublished patents.

At this first event, Avantex will present the best of the high-tech textile industry, with almost 30 exhibitors from Europe and Asia, who will share their R&D achievements with visitors.

International exhibitors

Switzerland will be present, represented by Forster Rohner Textile Innovations, the technical section of the Swiss embroidery maker Forster Willi. The Taiwan Textile Federation will present around 15 companies, including Camangi, from the Umorfil group, and its cosmetic solutions, and Everest, a sports specialist.

Austria will present, through the work of the Lenzing Group, with a specific space: the Lenzing Innovation. China will be represented by two companies, Ruisheng Textile (Shaoxing) and Tianzhuo Textile Science&Technology (Suzhou). The Centre for Microsystems Technology (CMST) of the University of Ghent – IMEC, will come from Belgium to present its research.

High tech and fashion programme

A fashion show will be scheduled, presenting a meld of technological materials and fashion on the Avantex Paris catwalk. A dedicated Trend Forum specially staged by artistic directors Louis Gérin and Grégory Lamaud, also demands investigation.

A seminar is also scheduled for anyone requiring information on development in this field. Designers and brands are ready and interest is growing, organisers report.

According to Messe Frankfurt France, the support from the industry has given rise to the launch of this new trade fair that will run alongside Texworld with its more traditional fabrics greatly prized by fashion buyers, and Apparel Sourcing Paris, the number one European trade fair for global garment sourcing.

www.messefrankfurt.com