The Performance Forum

“To say that the Performance Forum at Performance Days is unique is no exaggeration,” says show organiser Weichert Agencies.

Season by season, designer Alexa Dehmel sets up nine tables plus the Innovation Tower, where she presents the exhibitors’ most important fabric trends and innovations sorted by topic. Performance Days also provides the quintessentials of these trends in advance to registered guests via a mailing, which the organisers say is a very special service and the ideal preparation for the trade fair.

Major trends for Summer 2013

For this edition of the show, the nine tables plus the tower will be displaying the major trends for Summer 2013 as well as the updated collections for Winter 2012/13. The tables are organized according to topics and categories familiar to buyers, product managers, and designers.

“Each fabric on the table has an equal opportunity to be seen and handled - no product is neglected and none is given special treatment – the perfect opportunity for the guest to get quickly oriented on the themes and gain an overview of the manufacturer’s highlights,” organisers say.

The Performance Forum is mobile and can be attended at both Roadshow exhibition sites: in Annecy and Munich. “The Innovation Tower once again lives up to its name and is especially exciting as it introduces the most important trendsetting innovations for the sector,” says Weichert Agencies.

Major trend categories at the show are:

Waterproof & Breathable

A game of contrasts defines the new fabrics in this category. Natural, woollen surfaces cleverly hide function: jeans look, fishbone, salt and pepper, or mélanges make top-function suitable for both sportswear and city wear. At the opposite end, the new lightweight 2.5-layer fabrics show their function at first sight. These fabrics are filigree, soft, and smooth, with halfway inner linings that appear as geometric patterns, sometimes showing all the way through to the surface. Here, you will see all nuances of gray, shades of greens from apple to lime, royal blue, bright yellow, or pink – clear, sporty colours accent performance.

Softshell & 3-Layer

Three-layer fabrics are more popular the softer they are and the more textile quality they have. This explains why the focus for the coming season is on the softshells. Multilayer laminates with breathable/water repellent membranes reveal exciting and contrasting back sides, for example, with checked patterns or floral print tone-in-tone as burn-out or embossed prints. The surfaces are also vibrant, with eyelet or honeycomb structures, dobby or knit backing. The new three-layer laminates are low noise, soft, lightweight, elastic, and with a textile feel. Offsetting the classic black, gray and ink blue are the active sport colours like pink, green apple, and royal blue.

Fleece & Brushed Knit

The new fleeces have fun with structure and soft handle. Shaped floral patterns in burn-out prints, peached qualities with hairy pile, soft and velvety to the touch, and smooth surfaces all appear in the new collections, sometimes with floral jacquards. The knit look is very important. Visible loop structures lend the fabrics a valuable handmade character and evoke memories of nature; teddy back sides make the fleece especially snug and cuddly. No compromises have been made in function either as these fabrics dry quickly, will not pile, and often have built-in UV protection or antibacterial features.

Lightweight, Shirt & Bottomweight

Functional fabrics are getting even lighter. These lightweights weigh in on the scales less than 30 gr/m², but are still breathable/windproof and deliver a waterproof rating of up to 10,000 mm hydrostatic head. Stretch is possible too, with close to 40% spandex providing maximal freedom of movement. A new look is achieved by brilliant high definition prints and a sleight transparency, while mini-ripstop provides the structure. Plaids are still a hot topic for shirts, flannels from polyester contribute to the perfect combination of rugged looks and functional fabrics, all produced in high quality twills, some of them even yarn dyed. Trouser fabrics play the entire keyboard of functions – durable, waxed surfaces are available along side extra-light, elastic ripstop features.

Knit

Circular and warp knits are essential in the first layer close to skin. Lighter and softer are next season’s qualities for this category. Several topics emerge from the knits: On the one hand, there are rugged elastic qualities with a high percentage of spandex that are appropriate for lightweight compression garments. They offer additional benefits as well, for example, a sun protection factor (UPF) or odour management system. On the other hand, we find the natural materials like fine cotton piqué and the mixes of virgin wool or thermo-cool. The glowing clear colours like intense pink or sunflower yellow are catching to the eye. These structures are lightweight. Mesh or eagle-eye knitting techniques allow air to circulate over the skin.

Fancy

Surprising surfaces, extraordinary textures, complex prints, and contrasting back sides: these are the themes that make the Fancy Table so unique. Sporty plaids are reversible with high gloss due to single-side coatings. Jacquard weaves of different fibres bring out all over-prints in extraordinary colours. Double-surface or bonded fabrics show bright solids or pearl sheens on one side and open, mesh-like structures on the other side. Laminates in subdued solids catch you by surprise with all-over motifs on the inner layer, while rough-knit prints on smooth knitted fabrics fool the eye. The appealing contrasts give these fabrics a vibrant, high quality look and make them even more interesting. In this way, they are equally well-suited for sport and active wear.

Workwear

Robust, highly abrasion-resistant, flameproof and heat resistant, highly visible and protective - all these features are offered in the fabrics of the workwear specialists. However, the new generation of these highly functional fabrics is no longer stiff, rigid, and uncomfortable. Rather, they are convincing with waterproof and breathable laminates with stretch and soft back sides, by comfortable jersey on the skin, and cosy fleeces. Function, wearing comfort, and a pleasant feel are always combined with practical built-in extras. Antibacterial properties minimize odor, quick drying materials provide a good climate management system, and UV gear provides protection from the damaging rays of the sun. Much thought has been given to the environment as well: many of these materials have already been recycled or are recyclable.

bluesign ®

The eco-table at the current Roadshow can be found under the bluesign® logo. It presents only fabrics and accessories produced by bluesign certified manufacturers. Proof that bluesign® “fits” together perfectly with top-function is provided by the latest membranes, laminates, micro-fleeces, and knits as well as tapes, labels and paddings. All ecologically correct and absolutely safe for humans and the environment, some of these fabrics are even produced from recycled materials.

Accessories & Trimming

Articles of sport clothing also need the optimal extras to be really perfect. Important for the coming season are the yarns with matte finishes, water resistant zippers with deco designs, plus reflective pipings, zipper pullers, insets and trimmings – all made from soft textile fabrics. Safety is a theme in sports and impact protection is topic of growing importance: foam inserts with specially formulated silicon coatings can soften the impact by absorbing the excess energy. In the final analysis, it is wearing comfort that decides the question of whether the article is liked or not liked, and the new paddings provide this exceptionally well. They are especially lightweight, soft, and offer high performance and insulation without appearing bulky.

Innovation Tower

According to Weichert Agencies, only exceptionally pioneering developments gain a place at the Innovation Tower. This season, in addition to highlighting the bluesign® standard, the triangular tower presents innovations in the area of climate management and lightweights.

Especially visible this year are the new colourful downs, which are said to ensure a completely new look thanks to extremely lightweight and transparent outer fabrics from Dyntex (only 27 g/m²).

Another especially lightweight, almost transparent, and highly functional fabric is the new Filltex innovation named Airshell. This material is said to be particularly suited for highly-aerobic sports and “feels like nothing more than a breath upon the skin”, while the innovative coating technology “skin+” is said to provide good water resistance and great breathability.

“Similarly, the new fabrics from A. Sampaio with innovative PES fibers from Outlast are designed for maximal climate comfort. Provided with a core of Outlast, this new fibre can even compensate temperature variations during the sports activity,” the organisers say, adding:

“Thanks to innovative technologies from Pontetorto, an outstanding climate management system is possible for the mid-layers. Techno-Air Mid is a softshell material with surprising intrinsic value and is available in a variety of weight classes. The built-in PU membrane is provided with tiny slits that regulate the passage of air and ensure the highest breathability and optimal wind screening.”

Background to Performance Days

Performance Days Functional Fabrics Roadshow - “The trend fair where sportswear is made” was launched by the Weichert Agencies in 2008 and is the first and only event of its kind. Created as a special platform for functional sports- and workwear fabrics to include yarns, finishes, and accessories, Performance Days has become established as a semi-annual event currently held in Munich, Germany and Annecy, France.

The concept of a combination exhibition and roadshow was initiated to provide immediate visibility to textile manufacturers and suppliers in the major centers of the European sportswear industry. Organisers say that the workshop format is an ideal platform to showcase new fabrics and to establish new business relationships. 

More information on the current roadshow and its exhibitors is provided online at: www.performancedays.eu

The upcoming collections and roadshow dates are:

Kickoff Winter 2013/14 & Summer 2013:                21-22.11.2011 in Munich, 24-25.11.2011 in Annecy

Kickoff Summer 2014 & Winter 2013/14:                7-8.05.2012 in Munich, 10-11.05.2012 in Annecy