The Future Fabrics Expo
- Project Fashion Fixed
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
Known as the biggest dedicated showcase for sourcing sustainable textiles in fashion, the 2025 Future Fabrics turned up the innovation big time. We saw banana, olive, mycelium, alpaca and more. Europe's biggest textile show had people coming from all over. We attended a few weeks ago representing Project Fashion Fixed and a younger generation for learning.
The two days saw some incredible guest speakers including the likes of Guilaine Ipert (Louis Vuitton), Dilys Williams (CSF), Priyanka Khanna (Fashion For Good) and Rhea Loucas (Planet Play). The topics were broad from designers embracing circularly, were we heard from Benjamin Benmoyal and his take on using circularity as a craft to innovation to sustainability in games. The best part of the FFE were the plethora of materials and usages. Take a look at some of the highlights we spotted.
Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp
Often an underdog, Flax-Linen & Hemp call for a great material source. The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp is an organisation that serves as a global reference and brings together all players in the Europeans Flax-Linen and Hemp value chain. It is the only European agro-industrial organisation. A fun fact is that today 3/4 of global Flax-Linen production takes place in Western Europe. It creates local agricultural and industrial jobs in Europe in compliance with international labour standards. Grown from southern to northern Normandy in France, from Belgium to the Netherlands, the plant has a rich history. Fun fact: Flax-linen is the oldest textile material. Fragments of flax fibres were discovered in a cave in the Caucasus in 36,000 BC.
To learn more check out:
Pacomarca
Storytelling is something that Incalpaca & Pacomarca do best, we know that Alpaca wool isn't a new concept but they are making communities out of the process, based in high Peruvian andes. Since 2022, they have built up to have 9 Cottages and organic gardens for farmers and families where they can grow vegetation. You can read more about the project here:
Global fibre production increased to a record 124 million tonnes in 2023, which is crazy compared to when production was 58 million tonnes in 2000. It is expected to grow to 160 million tonnes in 2030 if business continues. (Future Fabrics Expo)
Current global fibre demand
57% Oil-based synthetics (polyester)
20% Cotton
10% Nylon & other oil-based synthetics
6% Man-made cellulosics
5% Other plant based
1% Protein
One interesting talk was "How can regenerative agriculture infuse business and become the norm" where the focus was on how fashion brands can work with farmers to improve conditions, help with funding and turn to a regen approach. One quote stuck with me: "... A chef knows a potato comes from the ground, then why don't consumers & designers understand that viscose comes from cutting down trees." This is precisely why we are doing what we do, to educate and to make people understand where their clothes are coming from.
"The industry must take responsibility for the textile waste it has cerated and mist do its part to build a truly circular system into the future. To do this, we will need to reduce the overall volume of new materials being extracted and produced, and where synthetic materials are used, ensure that feedstocks from new fossil fuel extraction aer not entering the supply chain." - Beth Jensen, Senior Director at Climate and Nature Impact, Textile Exchange.
The two days in London also coincided with Climate Action Week! It is reassuring to know so many people are working together to try and make the world a better place.
Comments