TRIP BOOKED FOR MUNICH

From the 2nd to the 4th February, twenty-four Portuguese textile companies will be attending the Munich Fabric Start. Their participation in this German fair has the support of Associação Selectiva Moda, under the From Portugal internationalisation project, supported by NSRF.

Munich Fabric Start is regarded as one of the leading international trade fairs for haute couture fabrics and accessories. Twice a year, more than 850 exhibitors from around the world and about 18,500 visitors attend the season opening, in Munich. 

Twenty-four Portuguese exhibitors will be attending this edition of the fair: A Têxtil Serzedelo/Texser | A. Sampaio & Filhos Têxteis SA | Adalberto Estampados | Albano Morgado | Arco Fabrics | Gierlings Velpor | Lemar | Living Colours Têxteis SA | Lurdes Sampaio | NGS Malhas | Paulo de Oliveira SA | Penteadora | Riopele | Sanmartin | Somelos Tecidos | Tessimax | Teviz by Polopique | Tintex | TMG Fabrics | Troficolor Têxteis SA | Vilartex | Lipaco | Sidonio Malhas | Burel Factory.

The German market is one of the most important for Penteadora, so the company tries to be present whenever possible. The collection to be presented conveys a less formal look and aims to consolidate and increase turnover, said Paolo Zantonelli, the company's sales director.

In order to strategically position itself to tackle the German, Austrian and surrounding markets, Vilartex arrives in Munich with a collection in which the circular, basic, multi-coloured, sustainable, organic, special and functional knitwear textiles stand out. The company sees the fair as an opportunity to "promote its collection of circular knitwear, conquer new customers and meet with agents and customers of its current markets", said Carlos Coutinho, employee of the company.

NGS Malhas will exhibit fine knits and rich compositions at the fair. The aim of its participation is primarily to increase and enhance sales in a market that is booming.

The German market has been the focus of investment by Troficolor from the very start of its internationalization process. "It's a very demanding market and difficult to get a foothold in, which has set constant challenges for the management of Troficolor", stated Flávio Dias, marketing director of the company.

The 2016 Spring-Summer collection to be presented focuses on developing new jacquard patterns in Indigo fibre; the launch of new designs and checkered shirt constructions, as well as new developments in Denim Knitwear; the extension of the Ready-to-Wear and Red Selvedge Raw Denim lines. Its participation in the event fits in with the strategy to promote proximity with Germans customers and the rest of the world.

The Adalberto Estampados company considers its participation in the fair to be hugely important, since the German market has economic potential and it allows the company to contact medium and large brands. The collection is based on fabrics and knits with patterned and special finishes, with particular emphasis on the Digital Stamping process, a major focus of the company.

Lipaco describes this target market as "very technical and highly demanding in terms of product quality," as highlighted by Jorge Pereira, CEO of the company, and that's where the company intends to be positioned. The collection consists of technical stitching thread and textured yarns for trimmings, weaving and for the socks industry, particularly in polyester and polyamide. The main highlight is the new range of textured polyamides for weaving and sports socks.

The Sanmartin company underlines the importance of the trade fair since it is held in the centre of Europe, so it "attracts customers from diverse markets. It is an excellent opportunity to market our name and the quality of our products", stated Alexandre Leitão, the company's marketing manager. Its fabrics are intended to create wedding and ceremony dress, as well as other clothing. There will be special emphasis on bridal lace with precious stones, coloured lace, sequins and new brocades for party dresses. It also wants to highlight its new collection directed at more causal, but luxurious clothes, with fabrics that have elegant, and above all comfortable, features.

Alexandre Leitão emphasized, "Munich Fabric Start is a good opportunity for obtaining new customers, thereby strengthening the presence of Sanmartin as an important player in the fashion and haute couture sector".

A. Sampaio & Filhos arrives at Munich with its Spring/Summer 16 collection of knitwear, possessing a wide range of structures, materials and types of end use.  Its range of environmentally sustainable products - "pure life" range - is a highlight, which places particular emphasis in this season on organic cotton fabric and recycled polyester as well as blends of these fibres with linen. In the sports sector - the "sport/Active" range - the influence of fashion visuals applied to high performance materials is evident.