From the Sector

• "Altogether to Munich"

Das Retail-Programm "Altogether to Munich" unterstützt ab sofort Sportfachhändler aus Großbritannien, Italien, Spanien, Österreich, Polen, der Schweiz und Skandinavien bei der Messeplanung für die ISPO Munich und vor Ort. Das Rundum-Sorglos-Paket beinhaltet von der Registrierung und Hotelbuchung bis zur Vereinbarung von Gesprächsterminen und Messerundgängen in Landessprache alles, was Sportfachhändler brauchen, um sich einen Marktüberblick auf der Weltleitmesse des Sports Business zu verschaffen. Das Programm erweitert den "Club ISPO France", der bereits seit fünf Jahren Händler aus Frankreich mit Partnern und Ausstellern vernetzt. Die ISPO Munich findet von 3. bis 6. Februar statt.

Mehr als zwei Drittel der Besucher, die jedes Jahr auf die ISPO Munich kommen, haben einen Bezug zum Handel. Die einzige Multisegment-Messe im Sports Business ist für Einzel- und Großhändler, Handelsvertreter und Distributoren aus der ganzen Welt die wichtigste Plattform, um sich über Marktentwicklungen, Innovationen und Trends in der Sportwelt zu informieren und sich mit Geschäftspartnern auszutauschen.

"Altogether to Munich" unterstreicht die Internationalität der ISPO Munich

Um internationalen Händlern den Zugang zur ISPO Munich zu erleichtern, bietet das Retail-Programm ab sofort zusätzlich Sportfachhändlern aus Großbritannien, Italien, Österreich, Spanien, Polen, der Schweiz und Skandinavien ein umfangreiches Paket für ihren Messebesuch in München. Neben der Unterstützung bei allen Anreiseformalitäten bringt die Initiative Ansprechpartner von Marken, Händlern und Distributionen zusammen, zeigt Best-Practises-Shops auf einer Retail-Tour durch die bayerische Landeshauptstadt und sorgt mit einem Abendprogramm für eine zusätzliche Netzwerk-Plattform. Darüber hinaus dient eine jeweils länderspezifische Online-Plattform zur einfacheren Terminvereinbarung und zum Networking im Vorfeld der Messe. Das Händlerprogramm hat sich für den französischen Fachhandel bereits bewährt. 2018 kamen mehr als 600 Teilnehmer über den "Club ISPO France" nach München.

Markus Hefter, Projektleitgruppenleiter der ISPO Munich: „Die Initiative ist sowohl für Aussteller als auch Händler ein Gewinn. Während Marken und Hersteller die Präsenz des internationalen Fachhandels als wichtigste Besuchergruppe schätzen, erhalten teilnehmende Händler einen Zugang in Landesprache und können sich Dank der Organisation im Vorfeld optimal auf Ihren Messebesuch vorbereiten.“

Um zusätzlich den Charakter der ISPO Munich als Handelsplattform zu unterstreichen, wurde die Ticketstruktur für Sportfachhändler optimiert. Das online gebuchte Händlerticket kostet ab 2019 nur noch 19 Euro. Weitere Informationen zur Preisstruktur sind online zu finden. ISPO Munich macht die Zukunft des Sports Business erlebbar Die ISPO Munich bietet neben einen Ausblick auf Innovationen und Trends alljährlich den Blick über den Tellerrand. Da auch im Sports Business die Digitalisierung immer bedeutender wird, widmet sich ISPO verstärkt digitalen Trends, auch für den Retail-Bereich. Mit der ISPO Digitize wurde eine Plattform geschaffen, auf der sich unter anderem Sportfachhändler von digitalen Vorreitern inspirieren lassen können und digitale Retail-Technologien zum Anfassen präsentiert bekommen. Während der ISPO Munich findet die ISPO Digitize in Halle C6 statt.

Für Internationalität und Wissenstransfer sorgt zudem die ISPO Academy. Sie ist mit einem umfangreichen Konferenzprogramm auf der ISPO Munich vertreten und bietet ganzjährig Konferenzen, Seminare und online wie offline Trainingsprogramme für das Sports Business an. Zusätzlich greift die ISPO Academy auf lokalen Konferenzen etwa in Frankreich, Korea, Japan, Brasilien, Polen oder der Schweiz Themen auf, die einzelne Märkte bewegen.

• At Kingpins Show Amsterdam (24-25 October) the new “Committed Accessories” dedicated to denim take centre stage.

For the appointment with the exhibition dedicated to denim Metalbottoni focuses on its new range of increasingly green accessories which have captured the attention of the northern European brands most attentive to sustainability in the world of jeans and elsewhere. A range of proposals which, in recent months, has progressed remarkably, following the rules established by the corporate responsibility protocol called NO IMPACT.

This is a responsible approach underlined by the promise “Committed Accessories”, but also a strategic choice with a view to approaching those markets which so far have appeared to be most keen on the subject, for example northern Europe, Benelux and the United States, California in particular. This means that Metalbottoni is acting with increasing assertiveness on those scenarios where it has been present for a long time, in order to increase the segments depth, intercepting new ones, thanks to its wide-ranging eco-compatible proposal.

NO IMPACT: “Committed Accessories” expanded

It is the constant search for sustainable innovation that reveals the extent of the progress made over the past few months by Metalbottoni. For the Kingpins Show exhibition, there are many novelties in store from the company, extending its range in terms of sustainability. Firstly, there is the new MONSTER line eco-processing, special for pure denim, which – apart from metal – includes new material solutions developed through high-profile collaborations.

Also the LEATHER ACCESSORIES line is extending its range of sustainable materials. The line of tags and rear waistband labels is enhanced through interpretations based on two new eco-friendly materials: recycled jacron and cork. For denim designed to be 100% green, also in accessories. Sustainable proposals are increasingly integrated throughout the Metalbottoni range, for example the new glossy and satin finishing developed for the line LABORA on exclusive metal accessories.

Partnerships with brands from northern Europe: Bik Bok and Kings of Indigo

One of the most important collaboration in sustainable fashion is the one with the Norwegian brand Bik Bok. The brand that was founded in 1973 dedicated to young women, today offer accessible trend driven fashion through a network of over 200 single-brand stores in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Austria. The brand has since 2017 chosen to use only BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) certified cotton for their in house premium denim brand Never Denim. For Never Denim Metalbottoni has realized a series of jeans buttons and personalized rivets, all entirely produced according to the NO IMPACT protocol; which means recycled raw materials, no use of chemical agents, through processing and machinery that minimize the use of water and electricity, resulting 100% from photovoltaic panels. All these features are part of a capsule developed for the new AW 2018 collection for Never Denim entirely made with Fair Trade certified cotton. Thanks to this project, the No Impact becomes an integral part of a collection that is aimed at a very large, young and aware public.

Another important brand which has chosen the new NO IMPACT metal accessories is Kings Of Indigo, the Dutch denim mill which is presenting top-quality jeans, inspired by traditional American style, combined with Japanese attention to detail, which today has as many 250 authorised dealers in 12 countries, with a very strong focus on northern Europe.

More and more sportswear for the new Monster SS 2020 collection

The great Metalbottoni classic dedicated to denim confirms the trend of strongly merging with the world of sportswear. The MONSTER line introduces the style developments of the SS 2020 season, with the range being more and more influenced by technical and sports interpretations, alongside sustainable production processes based on the NO IMPACT protocol. The new MONSTER proposals include items made of non-metal material, using sustainable processes, of natural origin and 100% biodegradable; these accessories are similar in appearance to traditional polyester, interpreted in a responsible way, developed through a series of special and unique effects. Also the button, rivet and small plate range has been restyled, having always been the core of the MONSTER line. Today the number of solutions available increases  hanks to new vintage finishing, developed on metal accessories, which are also totally green. “The denim world is moving in a clear direction: that of sustainability.” says Maria Teresa Ricciardo, Creative Director at Metalbottoni, “This is true in particular for some markets, which are strategic for us, and where we are proving increasingly successful, thanks to constant product and process research from a green  perspective, which Metalbottoni today is able to offer within the framework of the NO IMPACT pathway which we have been pursuing for a long time”.

• Italian expertise, research and green innovation.
• METALBOTTONI ups the stakes with one-of-a-kind interpretations, to enhance its market presence.

At Première Vision Accessories (Paris, 19-21 September) the company presents the new collection VÀNITA, a mix of leatherwear and sportswear, based on Made in Italy craft, with an increasingly wide and coordinated range.

Based on product experience, combining new trends in accessories. The METALBOTTONI strategy is enriched with product novelties which aim at exploring new existing market segments. A strategy which increasingly leads great artisan production skills to meet constant research and expansion of the range, with the world of sportswear becoming more and more pivotal; without forgetting the important sustainable innovations of the NO IMPACT protocol.

No Impact becomes “Committed Accessories”

The guideline for restyling the METALBOTTONI range over the past two years has been the recent implementation of the NO IMPACT corporate sustainability protocol, which has just acquired a new “dress”, associated with the following pay-off: “Committed Accessories”. It is a way of underscoring the constant green development of the company over the past few years, in terms of process and product: use of recycled raw materials, development of finishing without chemicals, implementation of processes which today have allowed to reduce electricity and water consumption to almost zero.

Moreover the range of NO IMPACT proposals for this season has expanded to include not only new metal finishing but also leather label completely made from processing scrap, thus establishing Metalbottoni as “partner for branding elements” also in terms of sustainability. Pure Made in Italy and constant expansion of collections towards sportswear The great skill in metal processing, which for sixty years now has characterised the top-of-the-range quality of METALBOTTONI products, is now combined with constant research work conducted by our in-house Style Office, resulting in new collections which are more and more in line with the trends emerging from major trade fairs. Maintaining a presence on strong markets (central Europe, Northern Europe and United States), increasing the depth of segments and intercepting new ones. This is the main goal also chosen for the Première Vision Accessories Exhibition where, alongside the autumn-winter 2019/2020 collections, there will be a preview of VÀNITA, the new collection dedicated to leatherwear and more.

METALBOTTONI is proving to be one of the most dynamic companies in the accessory industry.

Over the past two years, in fact, it has introduced numerous product and process innovations, aiming at increasing its range especially as regards sportswear accessories. This trend was driven by a substantial increase in demand by read-to-wear and luxury brands in the past two seasons, and today it means new proposals which account for 35% of the range for METALBOTTONI. New collections have been presented in the past two seasons expressly dedicated to the sportswear world, namely GRAVITA, the first line designed by the company for pressure buttons, and MÀRYA, the new beachwear collection. Also the line called LABORA, the classic collection of accessories for fashion and ready-to-wear has been constantly enhanced with proposals combining style and technical performance. This mix of fashion and sport elements is increasingly evident in the company’s product range, for example in the combination of different materials, using metal with nylon or other resins to create new and unique accessories.

Vànita: beyond leatherwear, a world of accessories

The meeting between fashion, luxury and sportswear has produced VÀNITA, the brand new collection which presents a new approach to accessories dedicated to leatherwear, from an allround perspective from luxury to sportswear. Developed starting from solid product research by the company’s in-house Style Office, VÀNITA is a true meeting of styles and elements, a combination of high product standards with unique elegance. This line introduces one-of-a-kind visions for accessories, exploring highly original pathways dedicated to the world of leather. The VÀNITA proposal ranges from accessories for leatherwear and small leatherwear, to those for shoes, bags and the sportswear worlds. There are two main lines within this collection: one is expressly designed for the world of luxury, the other has a more technical and sporty approach. A true mix between artisan metal processing, based on the great METALBOTTONI expertise in this sector, and “ingredients” such as nylon, rubber finishes or innovative 3D processing, which are often combined together.

“Our goal is to offer an increasingly comprehensive range which allows us to explore new segments on the markets where we are present” - says Gregorio Valli, CEO and President of METALBOTTONI S.P.A – “a ‘recipe’ which should be able to integrate our unmatched product expertise with a constant expansion of our range and continuous implementation of our pathway towards corporate responsibility and sustainability”.

RONSE, Belgium - Textile finishing expert, Devan Chemicals, launched its brand-new, patent-pending Moov&Cool technology at Performance Days (18-19 April) in Munich. Detailed as a 'cool comfort technology', the innovation has the potential to improve the athletic performances of both amateurs and professionals alike by regulating core body temperature.

Moov&Cool, Devan’s latest textile finish, consists of a multi-functional polymer technology that absorbs heat during performance and improves the moisture management properties of the fabric. Applied by either padding or spray, the treatment targets and regulates core body temperature and simultaneously reacts to sweat build up and heat emission.

Devan’s technology has been brought to life in an effort to boost the performances of athletes. The company collaborated with the University of Leuven (Belgium) and the Bakala Academy to evaluate and prove the finishing technology. According to Devan, the first results look promising as they have seen an effect on heart rate and lactate levels. Furthermore, the first test results also highlighted a decrease in core temperature of around 0.4°C.

Devan will continue testing in order to evaluate the impact of Moov&Cool when applied to different fibre types and fabric structures. The company aims to provide different application levels to optimise the benefits of the technology for individual sporting activities where performance intensity may play a major role in the protection required.

Volle Funktion für die Lilien

CRAFT wird blau-weiß: Zur Saison 2018/19 wird der Funktionsbekleidungs-Spezialist offizieller Ausrüster des SV Darmstadt 98. Die Schweden blicken auf über 40 Jahre Erfahrung mit funktioneller Sportbekleidung zurück und bringen ihr geballtes Knowhow zur kommenden Spielzeit auch auf den Darmstädter Rasen. Der Ausrüster-Kontrakt läuft über drei Jahre. Nach der SG Dynamo Dresden und dem niederländischen Erstligisten PEC Zwolle sind die Lilien bereits der dritte namhafte Fußballclub, den CRAFT mit seinem Konzept und der neuen Teamsport-Kollektion überzeugt hat.

1977 war CRAFT Pionier in Sachen Funktionsunterwäsche. Seither steht die Marke für hochwertige und hochfunktionelle Sportbekleidung. 40 Jahre später brachten die Schweden diese Expertise auch in den Teamsport: Seit 2017 produziert CRAFT eine eigene Teamsport-Kollektion. „Ein neues Spielfeld und eine große Herausforderung“, erklärt CRAFT-Geschäftsführer Andre Bachmann, „aber der stellen wir uns sehr gerne. Der Einstieg in den Teamsport ist ein wichtiger und großer Schritt für uns als Marke. Wir wissen, wo unsere Stärken liegen. Funktionalität, Komfort und skandinavisches Design – dafür steht CRAFT."

Ab der Saison 2018/19 bringen die Schweden diese Stärken auch auf den Rasen der Lilien aus Darmstadt. „Mit dem SV Darmstadt 98 konnten wir einen spannenden und traditionsreichen Club von unserem Konzept überzeugen. Das freut uns sehr“, sagt Bachmann, „wie auch bei CRAFT sind Leidenschaft, Begeisterung und Wille wichtige Leitmotive der Lilien. Aus diesem Grund freuen wir uns sehr auf eine erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit."
 
„Wir haben sehr angenehme Gespräche mit den Vertretern von CRAFT führen können. Man hat sofort gemerkt, dass das Unternehmen und seine Mitarbeiter großes Interesse daran haben, sich noch stärker im Fußball und insbesondere bei Darmstadt 98 zu engagieren. Unsere Profis, alle Jugendmannschaften und nicht zuletzt unsere Fans können sich auf die Zusammenarbeit sowie die gemeinsamen Produkte in der nächsten Saison freuen“, sagt Michael Weilguny, Geschäftsführer des SV Darmstadt 98.

Neben dem SV Darmstadt 98 läuft auch die SG Dynamo Dresden in der nächsten Saison in CRAFT auf. Der niederländische Erstligist PEC Zwolle trägt schon heute die sechs Punkte der Marke auf der Brust.

For buyers that prioritise having the widest range of sourcing options in one place, their best bet is March’s Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics. Boasting pavilions from Japan, Korea, Pakistan and Taiwan, individual exhibitors from Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and Vietnam, not to mention 2,800-plus Chinese exhibitors, the fair is the largest gathering of Asian suppliers under one roof for the spring / summer sourcing season. To ensure convenience for buyers, international exhibitors are grouped by country or region, while Chinese exhibitors are located in product halls including fabrics for casualwear, functional wear / sportswear, ladieswear, lingerie & swimwear, shirting and suiting, as well as for accessories and denim.

In total, around 3,300 exhibitors will showcase their apparel fabrics and accessories at the fair, with the SalonEurope zone hosting premium suppliers from Europe – including pavilions and zones from France, Germany, Italy and Turkey – while the International Hall also houses other overseas exhibitors from the likes of Argentina, Australia, Peru the US and elsewhere.

Japan Pavilion keeps ‘Banshu-Ori’ tradition alive
Organised by the Japan Fashion Week Organization (JFW), the Japan Pavilion will house 22 exhibitors and also feature a Japan Trend Corner. After the immense popularity of this pavilion with buyers in previous editions, the organisers are in a good position to comment on the trends in the local market. “The now mature Chinese market tends to seek out very different types of products and purchase in smaller batches, which is a world away from the mass-production focus of the past,” JFW commented.

Included in this edition’s Japan Pavilion are three companies from the Nishiwaki region, which is famous for its ‘Banshu-Ori’, or Banshu weave. Banshu-Ori is a yarn-dyed fabric, woven into various patterns, such as checks and stripes, with yarns that are dyed before being woven by weaving machines. This tradition dates back to 1792, and will be showcased by Bon Co Ltd, Ueyama Orimono Corp and Kuwamura Co Ltd at the fair. Bon will showcase a range of new products using this traditional technique, including organic cotton fabrics, paper yarn fabrics and indigo items. Ueyama Orimono, which boasts Japan’s largest dyeing factory in Nishiwaki, designs its own fabrics in Tokyo, and will present cotton, cotton / linen and medium-thin yarn-dyed fabrics at the fair. Kuwamura will showcase fabrics based on 100% yarn-dyed cotton, as well as cotton and cotton-blend materials.

Taiwan Pavilion the place to find innovation
The Taiwan Pavilion, with over 40 participating companies, is a guaranteed source of innovation at the fair, with a number of exhibitors also offering eco-friendly options. Some of the highlights include:

• Keen Ching Industrial: they will have a number of their patented KCC-branded zippers at the fair including a durable double-coil zipper, an invisible zipper with a movable retainer box, a track type water-repellent zipper, a curved metal zipper and more.
• Handseltex Industrial: will showcase a wide range of products including lace, jacquard and mesh, made with the likes of organic cotton and recycled polyester with an eco-friendly production process.
• Paltex: the company’s ‘From Waste to Yarn’ regeneration system involves turning waste fishing nets and plastic bottles from the ocean into polyester and nylon fabrics, membranes and trimmings.
• Superwill: their unique gradient fabric combines specialty yarns and a special knitting process, and features a thickness that decreases from top to bottom. This design allows the fabric to be tailored to different garments.
• Tri Ocean Textile: will feature its own DreamFel® high-performance filament polypropylene yarn which is lightweight, durable and environmentally friendly, and used in sports & outdoor apparel and outdoor furniture.

The Taiwan Pavilion will be full of innovative textile solutions again this edition
The Korea and Pakistan Pavilions round out the Asian offerings. Nearly 60 Korean exhibitors will showcase predominantly manmade, fancy, knitted, acetate woven, tricot, jacquard, faux leather and printed fabrics, as well as lace and embroidery, for ladieswear, while other members will feature fabrics for sportswear and outdoor wear. Those from Pakistan, meanwhile, will feature in the Beyond Denim hall and offer a wide range of denim products.  

In addition to Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, four other textile fairs also take place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center: Yarn Expo Spring, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition, fashion garment fair CHIC and knitting fair PH Value.

• Subtly accentuated classics and vibrant colors in sportswear

The collections are evolving, featuring a sharpened profile and improved focus. In narrowing the focus, eye-catchers and favorite pieces become even more important. At the same time every brand has to carefully consider where and how it wants to position itself. Trims and accessories, especially buttons, are an ideal way of harnessing and playing to this trend. The broad variety of classic pieces for Season SS 19 is also reflected in the diversity of trims and accessories used. Garment and button enter into a dialogue that, while subtle, is always valuable, even when it’s just about playing with contrasts. By setting a particular accent, the button completes the look, playing its role as a key piece.

Formal wear:

Vegetable ivory in a variety of finishes is a key material for summer. In a light bone color it emphasizes the texture and colorfulness of natural materials, lending them a distinct touch of sophistication.

Echt Perlmutt Twice brings an element of tension to high-end classic looks through subtle material contrasts and a subdued interplay of color