EACH OTHER
In conversation with the organizers of MUNICH FABRIC START about the future of trade shows, 20 years of BLUEZONE, and new dates.
1. each other …
Sebastian Klinder: … is our guiding theme this summer – a very clear one. And one that I think offers little room for interpretation about what we believe will become the key influencing factor on the trends of the coming season: namely, the importance of personal contact, of sharing and being there for each other, of listening carefully and looking closely.
Frank Junker: And there is a meta-level that resonates with and is very important to us: In these current times, it is about not being discouraged, but on the contrary, to take courage, to recognize one’s own scope of action and then to use it to create something beautiful with the form of expression that is inherent to us through our profession – fashion, aesthetics, quality – and thus to make a positive contribution to this world.
Frank Junker, Creative Director MUNICH FABRIC START; links
Sebastian Klinder, Managing Director MUNICH FABRIC START; rechts
2. Mid of July …
Sebastian Klinder: … is currently, in our opinion, exactly the right date to bring the right people together at the right place and to set the right focal points and topics.
Frank Junker: The date is neither a matter of course nor due to any vanity, but the result of many discussions and considerations. And it is not a compromise – we are convinced that the majority of our visitors and exhibitors will benefit from the rescheduling.
3. Beginning of September …
Sebastian Klinder: … Munich is also a beautiful city. And of course we know that this order date will remain a relevant week in the order rhythm, regardless of the daily sequence of the MUNICH FABRIC START – that’s why the RE:VIEW will take place at this later date in the future.
Frank Junker: Then, by the way, also for the first time at Motorworld. We are sure that with the new early date for MFS and BLUEZONE, the RE:VIEW in September and the PRE:VIEW at the end of November, we have found an optimal solution for many needs.
4. 8 Areas…
Frank Junker: … are the result of a natural process. As a trade show platform, we strive to reflect the needs of our visitors and exhibitors – and clearly, a central place. Where everything that is needed to work purposefully comes together in a concentrated form and in a professional atmosphere. This is exactly what the market is looking for. Our now eight areas – FABRICS, ADDITIONALS, the BLUEZONE, the DESIGN STUDIOS, RE:SOURCE, THE SOURCE, the KEYHOUSE and the SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS – offer the essence of what fashion professionals need as points of inspiration and orientation to successfully work on their next collections.
Sebastian Klinder: Ultimately, we want to represent a cross-section of the relevant ecosystem of the fashion industry. We are less concerned with universality and sheer size than with real added value. Thus, our concept THE SOURCE, which will take place for the second time this summer in Hall 8, is the logical answer to the current process of progressive backward integration. And the consistently high frequency at KEYHOUSE over the years is proof that the entire industry is intensively addressing its medium- and long-term future prospects.
5. Speaking of … the future …
Sebastian Klinder: … seems even more difficult to predict today than I could have imagined in 2021. In this respect, the values that are particularly significant to us at MUNICH FABRIC START – continuity, reliability, humanity – are more important today than ever before.
Frank Junker: … to me is the unalterable conviction that physical events, perhaps especially in fashion, are and will be essential!
6. Buzzword bingo: Edutainment …
Frank Junker: … is far more than a buzzword, but cannot be taken seriously enough. The need for orientation and inspiration in this multipolar and over-complex present will even increase.
Sebastian Klinder: It is precisely because of this complexity that we focus on collaboration and cooperation: we want to work with the right experts and some of the best-connected people in the fashion world and trust their advice – whether it’s about our broad lecture program, our trend forums or our innovation areas.
Frank Junker: Because one thing is obvious: nowadays, no one can provide guidance on their own. To do justice to this mission, we need a really good team. And fortunately, we have one.
7. 20 years of BLUEZONE …
Frank Junker: … is our fulfillment of a vision. From the initial idea, to the actually impossible activation of a former industrial wasteland, BLUEZONE has become one of the most important denim platforms in Europe in a very short time. Thanks to a great continuity and in close proximity to MFS. Two completely different worlds, just a few steps away from each other.
Sebastian Klinder: Being able to celebrate 20 years of BLUEZONE is truly an emotional moment. It feels a bit like watching a child grow – of course you try to contribute your best, but it has to grow up on its own. We are very proud of our team, but in particular we want to thank all those who have always believed in BLUEZONE and made it the community platform for and from the denim world that it is today.
8. ConneXXion …
Frank Junker: Everything is interconnected. And this year, everything fits together perfectly. That’s why ConneXXion is the right guiding theme for the BLUEZONE anniversary. I truly believe that bringing the fun back into our beloved denim, fashion and textile world is key. And that’s why we all need to reconnect: reconnect with our personal goals and beliefs; reconnect with our companies and values; reconnect with what’s important and, last but not least, reconnect with each other.
Sebastian Klinder: So the guaranteed best opportunity to connect us all once again is, as always, our MUNICH FABRIC NIGHT – this summer on Tuesday, July 18, when we celebrate 20 years of BLUEZONE, the MFS in general and the entire industry. With this in mind: let’s bring the fun back into fashion together: Let’s get this party started!
