CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS OF FUTURE FABRICS EXPO 2011

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRESS OF FUTURE FABRICS EXPO 2011

"Future Fabrics Expo is brilliant and cohesive and provided me with lots of interesting new solutions" - Ada Zanditon (Designer)

"I really appreciate the initiative and think it’s very important to have this expo on sustainable fabrics. It was a clear set up and I’m looking forward to pass by the next time!" - Marlien Kulsdom, Kuyichi (Womenswear Designer) 

The Future Fabrics Expo showcases a selection of fabrics made from natural and man-made fibres, suitable for mid to high end fashion brands. The fabrics were chosen according to quality, innovation, and demonstrating an ongoing commitment to improved performance across the supply chain. This includes fibre cultivation and processing, spinning, weaving, knitting, bleaching, dyeing and finishing, addressing the following environmental principles which were established with the Centre for Sustainable Fashion:

Water – the reduction of water use and wastage across the textile supply chain

Waste – the utilization of identifiable waste streams for textile production and the reduction of waste creation throughout the textile supply chain

Energy – reducing the carbon impact across the textile supply chain

Biodiversity – the preservation and promotion of biodiversity, with an emphasis on diversification in textile fibres; moving away from a global dependence on raw materials that utilise unsustainable agricultural practices or result in the depletion of finite natural resources. 

The expo is organised by The Sustainable Angle. It intends to promote innovative and commercially viable fibres and fabrics that embody a range of sustainable principles and new technologies, sourced from suppliers and mills who demonstrate a commitment to lowering environmental impact across the textile supply chain.

Fabrics are often the first step in the designer’s creative journey, and are therefore a good starting point for a more conscious and responsible approach to the creation of fashion products.

There is a pressing need to transform the way clothes are made. Our choice of materials has an impact upon a product’s entire life and therefore making intelligent and creative sourcing decisions can ultimately help to create clothing with minimal negative impacts upon the environment, animals and human welfare. Eliminating wasteful practices, reducing electricity, water and chemicals consumption can have a positive effect on the balance sheet and moreover, the adoption of an innovative future ready approach to business can help to attract a talented and loyal workforce as well as increasing consumer loyalty.

The current dominance of cotton and polyester fibres in the market is unsustainable; together they account for over 80% of the world’s clothing output. This lack of diversity has led to growing problems such as excessive water consumption, pollution, loss of soil fertility and biodiversity and an over dependency on oil. Fabrics that offer innovative alternatives are part of a better future - one in which we are able to manage our resources wisely and cost effectively.

The sourcing and curation of the fabrics that make up the expo has been approached with an emphasis on a high quality luxurious offering. They have been selected because they represent the best examples of development and innovation that we have identified through our research. They also embody the key sustainability criteria that The Sustainable Angle has established in consultation with the Centre for Sustainable Fashion at The London College of Fashion, taking in to account biodiversity, water, waste and energy. The fabrics have been organised in specific groupings that encapsulate certain textile ‘stories’ and visual and tactile ‘feelings’, rather than fibre defined categories. This approach was taken in order to present the qualities from a designer’s perspective, and showcase the commercial potential and versatility of certain fibres and fabrics. The selections include examples of new interpretations of perennial fashion classic qualities, as well as more experimental novelties relevant to a variety of markets.

The expo may pop up in different places and return again with new developments and categories. 

Over the last few years developments in technology producing textiles with a low environmental impact have generated sophisticated new qualities in fashionable fabrics that are suitable for high fashion and are able to withstand stringent quality controls typically used by the fashion industry. Bringing these fabrics to the attention of as many fashion designers and their brands as possible is leading the fashion industry to catch on to the zeitgeist, and demonstrates that it is possible to lower the environmental footprint without compromising on style or quality.

The expo shows more sustainable alternatives to the widely available conventional fabrics that currently dominate the market, helping fashion companies to begin diversifying their fabric base and lowering their environmental impact at the same time. Sourcing woven fabrics of high quality that also offer clear sustainability gains can be an onerous and time consuming task, as no fair or marketplace is showing such fabrics in one place at present. The expo features sample lengths of fabrics rather than swatches allowing designers and buyers to experience the hand and drape. The intention is to creatively inspire designers and fashion brands as well as educating them about the newest developments in sustainable fabrics and ending outdated cliches (mostly the assumption that sustainable fabrics are either low quality organic cotton knits and jerseys or are mainly artisanal fabrics that are vegetable dyed).

Targeting mid to high end influential fashion brands and engaging them with the sustainability agenda will have a trickle down effect on the high street, this top down approach is under explored in the fashion arena. The pioneering companies that show it is possible to be design lead and still have a strong environmental and social ethos, will find themselves ahead of the curve in legislative terms, will build customer loyalty for the long term, foster innovation within the company and attract the young talented workforce.