From the Sector

From September 1 to 3, 2026, Groz-Beckert will present its latest innovations and solutions across the product areas of Nonwovens and Knitting at CINTE Techtextil China.

Nonwovens 
In the Nonwovens product area, Groz-Beckert will present its latest innovations. One of the highlights is the advanced Litespeed™ felting needle designed to significantly reduce insertion and removal times, thereby simplifying handling and increasing operational efficiency. Furthermore, the newly developed CB-Barb felting needle will be part of the showcase. 

For the Nonwovens Carding segment, Groz-Beckert will introduce its specialized Mounting Service. The portfolio is complemented by the innovative SiroLock™ plus wires from the Groz-Beckert InLine card clothing family. These products are designed to deliver high levels of precision, performance and reliability throughout the carding process. 

Knitting 
In the Knitting product area, Groz-Beckert will present its expanded product portfolio for the warp knitting industry. The extended range of modules offers high levels of precision, stability and efficiency during the loop formation process. 

With its comprehensive product portfolio, Groz-Beckert provides customers with integrated and precisely coordinated solutions from a single source. This approach simplifies procurement and production processes, reduces coordination effort and ensures that all components are optimally matched for reliable machine performance.

The sustainable fashion sector is facing the challenging economic situation with realism and pragmatism – this is the note on which INNATEX closes its doors on 20 July 2026. The Green Fashion community is not letting itself be discouraged by the crisis warning issued by the German Retail Federation (HDE) a few days ago. 

"The reluctance to spend among consumers, as perceived by the retail sector, is naturally a concern," says Alexander Hitzel, project manager at INNATEX. "Nobody is expecting a major breakthrough at the moment, but the industry is taking a constructive approach and is ready to implement the necessary measures. It appreciates that the trade fair is a reliable partner. We, too, recognise new challenges and are addressing them." 

Whilst the Kids section is currently showing a decline this summer, international brands' interest in INNATEX is growing. The trade fair will therefore focus more strongly on well-known and international newcomers and reorganise its offering into new clusters at the Messecenter Hofheim Rhein-Main in the future. The organiser, MUVEO GmbH, intend to further expand the Retail Summer Camp and link it more closely to strategic partnerships and campaigns. 

Green Fashion with a Future 
As part of the trade fair, the Association of German Fashion and Textile Designers (VDMD) presented its Design Award for Sustainable Collections to Vaude, Jan'n June, Wote and Sweersocean. The laudation was delivered by Dr Jürgen Janssen, Secretary-General of the German Council for Sustainable Development. He praised the award winners for remaining true to their vision. 

"We now need companies that stay on the course. The headwinds we are currently experiencing on many sustainability issues will turn around," predicts Dr Janssen. "After all, we are not just talking about costs, but also about benefits that are evident, for example, in higher quality and durability. And the fact that the use of sustainable raw materials, as well as transparency and fairness in the supply chain, receive less public attention than they did just a few years ago does not in any way mean that these issues are irrelevant, including from a business perspective. These values will regain importance. We are simply dealing with trends that are constantly changing. I am convinced that companies such as those exhibiting at INNATEX are fit for the future." 

Conscientious Companies Benefit from the EmpCo 
The "Textilwirtschaft Expert-Talk” session has now become a fixture on the INNATEX programme. In this edition, correspondent Kirsten Reinhold spoke to Ronja Hüttinger, sustainability consultant at BAM! Bock auf Morgen, about the impact of the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (EmpCo) on the industry. Both agreed that EmpCo gives small and medium-sized fashion companies a strategic and financial edge over the large, conventional corporations. 

"EmpCo is about putting an end to brazen environmental lies," said Hüttinger. "Instead of sweeping generalisations, what counts now are concrete, verifiable facts. Companies that have poured their heart and soul into their products for years – those that work with natural fibres, produce fairly and recycle – have a clear advantage because they know their supply chain. This is precisely the advantage the big players don't have: they lack the evidence. Under no circumstances must the EmpCo lead to greenwashing. On the contrary, it should finally highlight the difference between genuine, conscientious work and greenwashing." 

"Industry players need to join forces" 
One of the most important ways for companies to move forward is through collaboration – that is the general consensus among fashion designers and experts. The possibilities range from partnerships between brands and retailers to charity projects and joint events. 

„When we created a T-shirt with our favourite falafel shop in Mülheim an der Ruhr, we didn't expect it to sell out so quickly," says Henry Canton of Mazine Streetwear. "People love it because it makes them feel part of a movement. Collaborations don't always have to follow the classic patterns. Alongside large campaigns, smaller, local partnerships can have just as strong an impact. What it takes above all is openness and creativity – and exchange with a community that inspires one another. That's exactly what makes INNATEX special to me." 

The INNATEX Showroom in Bern on 16 and 17 August 2026 rounds off this ordering season. The next INNATEX will take place from 16 to 18 January 2027.

At Bluezone ISKO is debuting its FW 27–28 Collection, structured around a trio of core sensory pillars: color, texture, and touch. This season, the textile leader showcases a creative vision where emotional connection and advanced technical innovation come together. The entire range is anchored by a dedicated commitment to eco-conscious material creation, utilizing patented processing technologies and high-quality Next-Gen materials powered by RE&UP. 

ISKO FW27–28 collection: Supreme Colors and beyond 
Anchoring the new season is Supreme Colors, a concept that highlights ISKO’s deep mastery of color innovation through a broad and adaptable shade spectrum spanning various product lines. Enhanced by strong yarn character, fast fading properties, and laser-compatible finishing techniques, the range delivers a high-definition visual depth alongside authentic, vintage denim characteristics. 

Building upon this color-focused story, Iconic Craft redefines fabric texture as a central design element. Bold surface treatments, multi-layered structures, and progressive finishes produce highly tactile textiles that fluidly shift from heritage authenticity to experimental, techno-inspired aesthetics. Completing the collection's sensory profile is ISKO™ Wondersoft, which prioritizes the physical hand-feel by introducing fluid, silky, and remarkably soft qualities that balance everyday durability with refined comfort. 

Capsule Collections: Four Creative Expressions 
This seasonal design philosophy comes to life across four distinct capsule collections, each exploring the overarching aesthetic theme through a unique point of view: 

• City Glam 2.0: Explores the boundaries of denim through a polished, metropolitan lens. It introduces a balance of matte and glossy finishes to add subtle luminosity and elevated sophistication while respecting denim’s classic roots. 
• D.Lite 2.0: Concentrates on lightweight fabric weights and fluid comfort. This capsule features flexible, exceptionally soft denim qualities designed for effortless movement and a relaxed aesthetic, meeting the modern demand for comfort-first apparel without losing a sleek edge. 
• Chino’s Utility: Reimagines traditional chino archetypes with a contemporary, laid-back sensibility. Classic, seasonless navy and beige baselines are updated with progressive colorways, tactile surfaces, and technical weave constructions that blend functional wear with elegant style. 
• Natural Meal: Presents an organic exploration focused on off-white and natural ecru palettes. Centered on raw authenticity, this capsule pairs clean tonal depth with distinct 
• fabric textures, offering a softer, more organic take on denim culture that highlights material character and mindful engineering. 

“Our presence at Bluezone highlights a deep commitment to pushing the boundaries of what denim can be,” said Fatma Korkmaz, Product Development Manager at ISKO. “This season, we are shifting the conversation toward an immersive, sensory experience where color depth and intricate textures take center stage and blending it with the incredible circular capabilities of RE&UP, to show the industry that high-end design and environmental responsibility belong together.” 

ISKO™ Luxury by PG – H.A. HUMAN ART 
Running alongside the core range, ISKO™ Luxury by PG debuts H.A. HUMAN ART, a visionary project celebrating artisanal craftsmanship in the era of artificial intelligence. Created by Paolo Gnutti, this line returns the focus to analog, human creativity, emphasizing tactile experimentation and emotion-driven design. The concept explores eight distinct directions, spanning tailored denim structures and highly textured black surfaces to multi-colored weaves, faux-fur techniques, and innovative reverse-side prints, merging artisanal spirit with premium technical luxury

EDANA, the voice of nonwovens, in partnership with the Business Coordination House (BCH), will welcome filtration professionals from across the world to FILTREX™ India 2026, taking place on 7–8 October 2026 at the Eros Hotel, New Delhi. 

Recognised as one of the leading meeting points for the filtration industry in the region, FILTREX™ India brings together decision-makers, technical experts, researchers and innovators from across the entire filtration value chain. The two-day conference and tabletop exhibition will provide a platform to explore technological advances, market developments and the evolving regulatory landscape shaping the future of filtration. 

Building on the success of previous editions, the 2026 conference will feature a comprehensive programme covering some of the industry's most pressing topics, including filtration standards and regulations in India, automotive filtration, industrial filtration, clean water and clean air. The event will also provide extensive networking opportunities, enabling participants to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships and discover new business opportunities. 

The programme includes keynote presentations and technical sessions delivered by internationally recognised experts from leading organisations, including MANN+HUMMEL, Ahlstrom, Camfil, Hollingsworth & Vose, UY Trienviro and Schlegel und Partner. Topics will range from next-generation filtration materials and air quality solutions to wastewater recycling technologies and the implications of evolving European chemical compliance requirements for international markets. 

"Launched in Europe in 2004, FILTREX™ has grown into a recognised international platform for knowledge exchange within the filtration industry," said Murat Dogru, General Manager at EDANA. "The Indian market continues to play an increasingly important role in the global filtration landscape, making FILTREX™ India an ideal forum for bringing together international expertise and local innovation to address shared challenges."

As global demand for effective filtration solutions continues to grow—driven by challenges related to air quality, water treatment, industrial processes and sustainable technologies—FILTREX™ India 2026 will offer participants valuable insights into the innovations and collaborations shaping the industry's future.

As Scoop returns to Olympia National from 19–21 July 2026, Founder and Creative Director Karen Radley introduces a new cohort of international designers making their debut at the show, each bringing a distinctive perspective on how fashion, accessories and lifestyle are evolving.

Carefully selected from across Europe and beyond, the latest additions to the Scoop line-up reflect a growing movement away from fast-moving trends and towards collections rooted in craftsmanship, creativity and individuality. Spanning footwear, accessories, resortwear and contemporary fashion, the designers share a common desire to create products with purpose, personality and a strong sense of identity.
 
Among the strongest themes emerging from this season's new arrivals is a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship and the human touch. Italian designer XIWIKJ combines European creativity with traditional artisan techniques from Jaipur, creating richly detailed collections that celebrate the beauty of handmade production. A similar philosophy underpins London-based Myyaz Studio, where handcrafted footwear and accessories place making and experimentation at the heart of the design process. Together, they represent a growing appreciation for collections that value artistry, authenticity and the stories behind the finished product.
 
Alongside craftsmanship comes a commitment to more thoughtful production. French designer LO NEEL demonstrates how contemporary luxury and responsible design can work hand in hand through collections crafted from innovative ethical materials, while Korè Collections embraces limited production runs, organic fabrics and hand-painted prints inspired by Mediterranean living. Their arrival at Scoop reflects the increasing demand for collections that balance creativity with conscious decision-making, without compromising on design appeal.
 
Elsewhere, personality and self-expression take centre stage. Never A Wallflower brings a vibrant approach to contemporary dressing through bold colour, confident silhouettes and an unapologetically optimistic aesthetic. Footwear designer Good News similarly challenges convention through a fresh approach to trainer design, reflecting a wider appetite for products that offer individuality and character in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
 
Fresh perspectives also emerge through a diverse mix of accessories, footwear and lifestyle designers, each responding to the growing consumer appetite for products with both purpose and personality. From Hindbag's considered approach to everyday accessories and Gondolina's commitment to craftsmanship, to Hagase's refined detailing and Cacatoès' playful interpretation of contemporary summer style, the collections bring a distinctive energy to the show floor. Together with Alessandra Salvatore and MRP Star, they demonstrate how functionality, creativity and individuality are increasingly shaping modern retail. 

For Karen Radley, these designers represent exactly the kind of discovery that has always defined Scoop.  Karen said: “What excites me most is finding designers who bring something genuinely different to the conversation. Buyers today are looking for collections with a strong identity and a story behind them. They want products that feel considered, authentic and distinctive.

“When I look at this season's new arrivals, what I see is a group of designers who are approaching fashion in very different ways, but who share a commitment to creativity, quality and individuality. They are creating collections with personality, and I think that resonates strongly with both retailers and consumers today.”

As retailers continue to seek differentiation in an increasingly competitive market, Scoop's newest arrivals offer a timely reminder that innovation does not always come from scale. Whether through artisanal craftsmanship, responsible production, bold creativity or a fresh approach to design, these debut designers demonstrate the breadth of talent emerging across the international fashion and lifestyle landscape.

Together, they reinforce Scoop's reputation as a destination for discovery, providing buyers with access to fresh perspectives, exciting new talent and the collections shaping the next chapter of contemporary retail.

Leading Japanese computerized knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD., along with its Italian subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA S.p.A., will exhibit at the 99th edition of the Pitti Immagine Filati exhibition in Florence, Italy. It will once again exhibit as part of the CustomEasy section, which explores various aspects of customization in the presence of textile machinery and design software, realized at the SHIMA SEIKI booth through its lineup of WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machine, design and knit software, as well as various web services. 

MACH2®XS173 
SHIMA SEIKI will be exhibiting its WHOLEGARMENT® knitting technology whereby an item can be produced in one entire piece on the machine without linking or sewing. The MACH2®XS173 WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machine in 8L, featuring 4 needle beds and SHIMA SEIKI’s original SlideNeedle™, is capable of producing high-quality WHOLEGARMENT® knitwear in all needles. While fine gauges have remained popular, there has been renewed interest in coarser gauges, which is why the machine will be featured in 8L knitting a Norwegian sweater. 

APEXFiz® 
APEXFiz® subscription-based design software supports the creative side of fashion from planning and design to colorway evaluation, realistic fabric simulation and 3D virtual sampling. Virtual sampling is a digitized version of sample making, accurate enough to be used effectively as prototypes. By replacing physical samples, virtual samples reduce time, cost and material that otherwise go to waste. APEXFiz® thereby helps to realize sustainability and digitally transform the fashion supply chain. 

SDS® KnitPaint-Online 
KnitPaint is proven software used by knitting companies across the globe to create knitting data for programming SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting machines. Previously available only as part of SHIMA SEIKI's SDS®-ONE APEX series all-in-one design system, with SDS® KnitPaint-Online, KnitPaint becomes available as standalone software that carries over the same familiar KnitPaint functions, but enhanced with basic planning and design functionality as well. 

SHIMA SEIKI Online Services 
The product planning capability of APEXFiz® is enhanced by several web services featured as part of the SHIMA SEIKI Online Services (SHIMA online) web platform. These include yarnbank® digital yarn sourcing web service that offers digitized yarn data by yarn companies from around the world available for free download and use in virtual sampling, SHIMA Datamall™ digital content web service that allows users to search, browse and purchase a variety of useful data for streamlining the planning and production of fashion items, as well as SHIMANAVI® e-learning system. 

The booth also features several companies exhibiting in collaboration with SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA, including specialty yarn and fabric manufacturers. In addition, SHIMA SEIKI will be exhibiting under the concept "The New Generation" to emphasize the need for nurturing future designers and creatives through the synergy of corporations and educational institutions. Samples produced by students from schools with which SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA is collaborating will be exhibited on site.

Neuthread has been named as Source Fashion's Charity and Design Partner in a new 12-month collaboration designed to champion circular fashion, inclusion and industry innovation.

Created by autism and neurodiversity charity Daisy Chain, Neuthread has gained industry recognition for transforming textile waste into high-quality fashion collections and became the first charity-led fashion brand to present a scheduled runway show at London Fashion Week in 2024. Through the new partnership, Source Fashion and Neuthread will work together to raise awareness of circular fashion, promote innovative approaches to tackling textile waste and encourage greater collaboration between brands, manufacturers, retailers and sustainability leaders.

Founded to challenge the perception that textile waste has reached the end of its life, Neuthread transforms donated, surplus and reclaimed textiles into contemporary fashion collections that combine environmental sustainability with social impact. The brand has rapidly gained recognition for its innovative approach to circular fashion, demonstrating how waste materials can be repurposed into desirable, commercially viable products while creating opportunities for autistic and neurodivergent people to develop skills and access employment pathways within the fashion and textiles sector.

Building on its London Fashion Week success, the organisation has since secured £1.5 million in investment from The National Lottery Community Fund to establish a pioneering circular fashion manufacturing facility in the North East of England, designed to reduce textile waste while creating training, volunteering and employment opportunities through its linked skills academy programme, Mend It Don't Rag It (MIDRI).

Over the next 12 months, the partnership will focus on building an eco-system of brands, manufacturers and retailers with innovative circular solutions, encouraging collaboration across the supply chain and creating new opportunities to repurpose surplus materials and textile waste.

As Design Partner, Neuthread will headline the Source Catwalk throughout the July edition, presenting its collections three times a day alongside trend-led showcases from Source Fashion exhibitors and bringing circular fashion to the forefront of the show's content programme. The partnership will provide a platform to demonstrate how surplus, reclaimed and donated textiles can be transformed into commercially relevant fashion collections, while highlighting the opportunities that circular design presents for the wider industry.

The catwalk showcases will also support Neuthread's ambition to build new relationships with brands, manufacturers and retailers looking for innovative solutions for surplus fabrics, deadstock materials and textile waste streams. Through the partnership, Neuthread hopes to encourage greater collaboration across the industry and demonstrate practical alternatives to landfill and low-value textile recycling.

Johnathon Pickard, Director of Business Development & Income Generation, Neuthread commented: "We are incredibly proud to be partnering with Source Fashion as both Charity Partner and Design Partner for the July show. Source Fashion has established itself as one of the most influential platforms driving conversations around responsible sourcing, sustainability and the future of fashion. Those are conversations that sit at the very heart of what Neuthread is seeking to achieve.

Neuthread was created to challenge the perception that textile waste has reached the end of its life. Through innovative design, circular manufacturing and the talents of autistic and neurodivergent people, we are demonstrating how fashion can create environmental, social and economic impact simultaneously.

Following our journey from becoming the first charity to showcase a scheduled fashion brand collection at London Fashion Week through to securing £1.5 million to establish a pioneering circular fashion manufacturing facility, we are now entering an exciting period of growth. Working alongside Source Fashion provides an opportunity to share that vision with a wider industry audience and inspire new ways of thinking about sustainability, creativity and inclusion.

We are excited about what this partnership can achieve over the next 12 months and look forward to collaborating with the Source Fashion team to demonstrate that fashion can be a force for positive change.”

Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director of Source Fashion, added: “Neuthread is a natural fit for Source Fashion because they bring together creativity, circular innovation and practical action in a way that genuinely resonates with the challenges facing our industry today.

"As our Charity and Design Partner, they will play a central role in the July edition, headlining the Source Catwalk with showcases that demonstrate how surplus, reclaimed and donated textiles can be transformed into commercially relevant fashion collections. Their ambition to build new partnerships across the industry also aligns closely with our mission to connect businesses, encourage collaboration and drive meaningful change.

"From their pioneering manufacturing facility in the North East of England to the Source Fashion catwalk in London, Neuthread showcases the incredible innovation taking place across the UK fashion and textiles sector. We are proud to provide a platform that helps bring those stories to a wider audience and look forward to working together over the next 12 months."

Visitors to Source Fashion's July 2026 edition will be able to experience Neuthread's catwalk collections, engage directly with the team throughout the show and learn more about the organisation's pioneering approach to circular manufacturing, textile waste reduction and inclusive employment.

More than 620 talents, nine editions, one milestone: Neo.Fashion. celebrates its 10th edition this July and announces a new organizational structure — a clear statement of commitment to the long-term development of emerging talent in the German fashion industry. 

Germany’s most versatile platform for emerging fashion talent marks its 10th anniversary with a strategic repositioning and a new venue: For its 10th edition, Neo.Fashion. will take place during Berlin Fashion Week from July 2 to 4, 2026, in a former industrial hall at “Neues Ufer 13” in Berlin-Moabit. The program includes the Best Graduates Shows and Aspiring Designer Shows, alongside the presentation of the Neo.Fashion. Award and the Digital Fashion Award. To date, ten universities from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Ukraine have confirmed their participation. A strong emphasis on sustainability defines this year’s collections. With the establishment of the non-profit Neo.Fashion. e.V. in 2025, the initiative has further professionalized its organizational structure, creating a more robust foundation for the long-term promotion of emerging design talent. 
 
What started in 2017 as a vision has since become a defining fixture for young fashion designers across Germany: Neo.Fashion. is celebrating its 10th edition this year. Since the inaugural graduate show in the fall of 2017 at Motorwerk Weißensee in Berlin, more than 620 graduates from across the country have presented their final collections on the Neo.Fashion. stage. In 2019, the platform became an official part of Berlin Fashion Week, cementing its place in the international fashion calendar. With the Best Graduates Shows, the Aspiring Designer Shows, the Neo.Fashion. Award, and the Digital Fashion Award — launched for the first time last year — Neo.Fashion. has grown into a unique ecosystem that goes far beyond a pure presentation platform. 

The founding of the nonprofit Neo.Fashion. e.V. in 2025 marks a pivotal step toward sustained, structured talent development. A newly expanded organizational team now manages the full range of Neo.Fashion. activities — from university coordination and communications to technical production, industry partnerships, textile research, and startup outreach. Workshops, competitions, mentoring programs, and international collaborations will be part of the platform’s expanded offering going forward. 

Neo.Fashion. is also making a geographic move. From July 2 through 4, 2026 — as always, in sync with Berlin Fashion Week — the event relocates to “Neues Ufer 13” (“New Shore 13”) in the Berlin district of Moabit: a former industrial hall whose raw, urban aesthetic provides an authentic backdrop for young, uncharted fashion voices. “We see ‘Neues Ufer’ as a metaphor — for us as a format that has reinvented itself time and again over ten years, and for the talents who show their collections here with a new shore as their destination,” says Jens Zander, CEO of brand experience agency S49, founder of Neo.Fashion., and director of the new Neo.Fashion. e.V., where he oversees production and strategic development. 

More than ten professional runway shows are planned, featuring selected graduates from nearly all German fashion schools presenting their collections. Each show will spotlight six to eight emerging designers. In total, up to 80 participants will take the stage in July, presenting their work to a broad public audience—well beyond the industry itself. This open and inclusive approach sets Neo.Fashion apart from other formats. 
Ten universities have already confirmed their participation: Hochschule Pforzheim (Pforzheim), Hochschule Niederrhein (Krefeld, Mönchengladbach), AMD Akademie Mode & Design (Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Wiesbaden, Munich), Hochschule Reutlingen (Reutlingen), Hochschule Hannover (Hannover), Hochschule Bielefeld (Bielefeld), Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin – HTW Berlin (Berlin), Hochschule Macromedia (Berlin), Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle (Halle/Saale), and HAW Hamburg – University of Applied Sciences (Hamburg). On the international side: the University of Art and Design Linz (Linz, Austria), the Academy of Art and Design Basel – HGK FHNW (Basel, Switzerland), Fashion Art Toronto (Toronto, Canada), and the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design – KNUTD (Kyiv, Ukraine). 

One theme runs through nearly every collection shown at Neo.Fashion.: sustainability. What was a niche concern a decade ago is now a core driver of young designers’ creative work. From material sourcing and production processes to circular design principles, Neo.Fashion. graduates are rethinking fashion from the ground up — and setting new standards for a responsible future in the industry. Neo.Fashion. actively supports this shift, providing space for innovative, sustainable approaches. 

Nurturing Talent as an Investment in the Future 
Germany’s fashion economy — including retail, startups, and FashionTech — contributes approximately €70 billion to the country’s GDP and supports around one million jobs, according to research by Oxford Economics commissioned by the Fashion Council Germany (FCG) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The German textile and apparel industry generates around €32 billion in annual revenue and employs more than 120,000 people across approximately 1,400 companies. The German apparel market as a whole recorded revenues of around €67.7 billion in 2025. 

Maintaining and growing that position demands a consistent pipeline of new talent. Platforms like Neo.Fashion. play a central role in bridging the gap between education and professional entry — giving emerging designers the visibility and industry connections they need to launch their careers. 

Success Stories and International Partnerships 
The impact of Neo.Fashion. as a launchpad for young designers is evident in the careers that have followed: many alumni who showed their first collections on the Neo.Fashion. runway have since returned with their own labels — and are now fixtures in the Berlin Fashion Week calendar. 

Particularly noteworthy is the partnership with Ukrainian Fashion Week, established in 2022, which gives Ukrainian design talent an international platform despite the difficult situation in their home country. Strategic partners including the Fashion Council Germany (FCG) and the German Textile and Fashion Federation (Gesamtverband textil+mode) support Neo.Fashion. in broadening its reach and opening doors into the industry for emerging designers. 

Neo.Fashion. — The Ecosystem 
Best Graduates Show: The flagship show of Neo.Fashion. during Berlin Fashion Week, in which the best final collections from fashion design students across Germany are presented in professional runway shows. 

Neo.Fashion. Award: An award recognizing outstanding emerging talent distinguished by exceptional creativity, innovation, or sustainability in their collections — designers who are setting the agenda for the future of the industry. 

Aspiring Designer Shows: A platform for young designers who have already taken their first steps toward independence and are building their own labels — giving them the opportunity to present their current collections to a broad professional audience. 

Digital Fashion Award: Launched in 2025, this award signals a shift in how fashion engages with the digital world — treating it not just as a tool, but as a creative space in its own right. For Neo.Fashion., it marks a key step in the evolution of the format and opens a new chapter in supporting digital emerging talent. 

As a valued Monforts customer for many years, Türkiye’s Kipaş Textile has just installed a new Thermex dyeing range and a Monfortex sanforizer at its new dyeing and finishing plant in Kahramanmaraş.

Founded in 1984, Kipaş has grown into the largest vertically-integrated textile manufacturer in Greater Europe and now employs some 5,500 people throughout its operations. It produces 400 tons of yarn on a daily basis, with annual capacities of 48 million metres of denim and a further 36 million metres of non-denim fabrics.

“Türkiye offers fast logistics to European markets thanks to its strategic location, while its strong textile heritage and qualified workforce enable us to produce high-quality products,” says Kipaş CEO Halit Gümüser. “Our R&D capacity – especially in sustainable and technical textiles – makes Türkiye an indispensable solution partner in the global supply chain.”

Fully operational
Kipaş already operates a number of Monforts lines and the two latest machine systems have been operating 24/7 since the first day they were commissioned.

Thermex continuous dyeing ranges are well known for their ability to deliver high productivity, excellent dyeing quality and significant energy savings. The Thermex system combines precise application technology with advanced process control to ensure highly uniform dye penetration and outstanding colour reproducibility across long production runs, while also enabling smaller lot sizes to be rapidly executed.

Monfortex sanforizers are meanwhile designed to deliver minimum residual shrinkage with excellent fabric hand and highly reproducible quality. Their enlarged shrink cylinder and optimised rubber belt technology enable enhanced shrinkage performance at lower contact pressures, extending rubber belt life while reducing production costs.

“We are extremely satisfied with the installation process of the two Monforts machines installed in our new fabric dyeing and finishing plant, and with the professional support provided by the technicians,” says Mr Gümüser. “In particular, the uninterrupted remote support they provided to ensure operational continuity played a major role in quickly resolving any potential problems.”

Recycling platform
At the end of 2025, Kipaş announced the launch of its fibR-e recycling platform designed to tackle the hurdles that have stopped polyester from becoming truly circular.

In a partnership with fellow Turkish company, Adana-based Meltem Kimya, waste garments containing 70% or more polyester are now being regenerated and turned into certified, high-quality filament yarns and staple fibres ready for new collections.

“Recycling has barely scratched the surface of the polyester problem,” says Mr Gümüser. “With fibR-e, we can take real post-consumer waste in all its complexity and return it to the market as certified, high-quality filament yarns and staple fibres. This is how the industry moves from linear to circular, not through pilots but through commercial scale.

“As the global market’s expectations for sustainability and circularity increase day by day, we at Kipaş see this process not just as an adaptation phase, but as an area where we can assume leadership. With our innovative investments such as fibR-e and strong technology partnerships with companies like Monforts, we are ready to meet these demands at the highest level.”

“Ahead of this year’s ITM exhibition in Istanbul, we are very pleased to be able to highlight one of our latest showpiece projects for an industry leader in Türkiye,” adds Monfort Marketing Manager Nicole Croonenbroek. 

Leading computerized flat knitting technology provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Turkish representative TETAS IC VE DIS TICARET A.S., will participate in the ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition in Istanbul, Türkiye this month with a full product lineup. In addition to flat knitting machines and design software, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the full range of SHIMA SEIKI textile machinery with its automatic cutting machine exhibit, all geared toward the fashion apparel market as well as non-apparel related businesses. 

With its geographic location of Istanbul traditionally serving as a gateway between East and West, ITM has established itself as one of the largest textile machinery exhibitions, attracting visitors from all ends of the globe. 

As pioneer of WHOLEGARMENT® seam-free complete garment knitting, whereby the knitted product can be produced in one entire piece without linking or sewing, SHIMA SEIKI has been setting the standard almost exclusively with over 30 years of experience with its WHOLEGARMENT® knitting technology. WHOLEGARMENT® knitting has gained heavy interest from various apparel and non-apparel markets due to the shrinking workforce of skilled sewing and linking personnel, as well as for its sustainable benefits by requiring the minimum amount of material to produce one item at a time. To meet that interest, the company is showing its MACH2®XS153 WHOLEGARMENT ® knitting machine in 15L. Featuring 4 needle beds and SHIMA SEIKI’s original SlideNeedle™, MACH2®XS is capable of producing high-quality fine gauge WHOLEGARMENT ® knitwear in all needles. Other WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines include the MACH2®VS V-bed machine for producing WHOLEGARMENT® items using every other needle, shown in 8 and 16 gauges. An economical proposal in V-bed WHOLEGARMENT® knitting will also be shown in the form of the N.SVR®183 machine in 24 gauge. 

Meanwhile SHIMA SEIKI's benchmark technology in computerized shaped knitting is represented by its N.SVR®122 computerized flat knitting machine in 18 gauge, and features such innovations as the R2CARRIAGE®, WideGauge® knitting, spring-type moveable sinkers, DSCS® Digital Stitch Control System, stitch presser, yarn gripper and cutter, and takedown comb. Two new models in the N.SSR® series lineup will be shown for the first time in Türkiye at ITM. The N.SSR®132 and N.SSR®112 both offer industry-leading technology in an economical yet reliable package made in Japan. The N.SSR®132 will be exhibited in 7 gauge, while the N.SSR®112 will be presented in 14 gauge. The SFG®20 seamless glove knitting machine rounds out SHIMA SEIKI's knitting machine exhibit, in 21 gauge. 

On the design side, demonstrations will be performed on APEXFiz® subscription-based design software, providing comprehensive support throughout the production supply chain, integrating production into one smooth and efficient workflow from yarn development, product planning and design, to production and even sales promotion. Especially effective is the way the design evaluation process is improved with ultra-realistic simulation capability, whereby virtual samples replace physical sampling, consequently reducing time, cost and material that otherwise go to waste. When a design is approved for production, knitting data, which is automatically generated, can be easily converted into machine data with SDS® KnitPaint-Online knit software. Furthermore, SHIMA KnitManager™ knit production management software offers solutions for maximizing productivity through monitoring of machine status and production progress. By digitally bridging the gap between design and production, the various software solutions from SHIMA SEIKI help to realize sustainability while digitally transforming the supply chain. 

SHIMA SEIKI’s display at ITM will also feature its P-CAM®223 multi-ply computerized cutting machine (NC cutting machine). Fast, efficient and reliable, the P-CAM® series is known for its innovative functions and Made-in-Japan quality, and boast the largest market share in Japan. P-CAM®223’s multi-ply cutting capability allows cutting of material up to 3 inches (80mm), across a cutting area of 2,200 mm x 1,700 mm with option for expansion. A knife sharpening system produces a sharp, strong blade every time. Strong, robust components permit quicker response times for knife movement and more accurate cutting of materials for fashion apparel and other industries.