On March 5-6, Performance Days will again set the benchmark for sustainable and innovative functional fabrics. With this year’s topic – “Certifications – Which Ones Matter?” – the trade fair will be highlighting the textile industry’s most important standards. Certifications are vital to ensure the origin, specifications, quality and compliance of products with production, social and environmental standards. But it can be daunting to figure out what each certification represents and which are relevant to a specific business. For the first time, the show will be starting on “day 0” – with a conference on the Messe München grounds on the eve of the official event.
Performance Days starts on Day 0, with a conference on high-impact topics
“Better Practice” is a shared aspiration – not just for brands, designers and fabric developers, but also for garment users. For the first time, Performance Days will be holding a Day 0 Conference on the eve of the show’s official start in Munich, offering an opportunity to address and dive deep into the industry’s most pressing issues.
Among the topics to be discussed – in an interactive, hands-on setting – are ”The Role of NGOs & Associations” (with EOG, Textile Exchange & BSI), “The Importance of Sustainability Standards” (with Bluesign, Fair Wear & Hohenstein) and “Retail’s Impact on Sustainability” (with The North Face, iFixit & Picture Organic Clothing). There will also be an “Interactive CSR Workshop,” where Mark Shayler will be speaking about the “14 Factors of CSR.”
Attendees can expect engaging panels, workshops and networking opportunities, all centered on sustainable solutions.
Focus topic: the need for guidance in a bewildering certification landscape
Under the theme “Certifications: Which Ones Matter?” the spring fair’s organizers will be emphasizing the importance of certifications to ensure transparency and responsibility in sustainable practices. At the crux of this initiative are two questions: Which certifications are necessary, and which are recommended by Performance Days to meet current industry sustainability standards?
With the rapid proliferation of standards, many manufacturers have been left wondering which certifications genuinely add value. Performance Days aims to help them navigate this maze, with practical guidance and actionable insights.
Future trends in fabrics: Wool’s grand comeback
At the Spring Performance Days trade fair, the expert jury once again highlighted exciting innovations and trends in various categories for the upcoming S/S 2027 season. One of the most noticeable trends was the comeback of wool, which continues to gain importance in sustainable and performance-driven textiles. Alongside this trend, certifications played a pivotal role in redirecting innovation.
As part of the upcoming Spring Fair, the Wool Area, introduced last fall, will be expanded. Visitors will find a concentrated collection of wool manufacturers prominently located in Hall C4, along the central boulevard. For the first time, there will also be a dedicated Wool Forum. During a meeting held in advance of the fair, the Performance Days expert jury took a critical look at new developments and innovations in the wool sector.
Tech Hub & Virtual Zone: AI meets design
How important are 3D technologies and AI in the textile industry? In the Tech Hub Area, Designer Nina Doll will be demonstrating how artificial intelligence can be integrated into the creative process. As a “Virtual Designer,” she seamlessly combines innovative technology with creative design to produce visionary and forward-thinking results. Live at the show, Nina will be creating a final product using CLO3D, inspired by fabrics from the Loop platform, current sportswear trends and performance fashion on WGSN. Additionally, she will be using AI to develop a unique print design, perfectly tailored to her outfit.
Of course, there will be a packed program of expert talks and some exciting workshops in cooperation with Accelerating Circularity, Ohana Public Affairs, the Fair Wear Foundation and Anna Rodewald from the Sustainability Lounge, with a focus on standards and certifications and deep dives into ESPR.
SAVE THE DATE:
PERFORMANCE DAYS: March 5-6 // Halls C4 & C5; Day 0: March 4 // C54 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
