The concluded spring edition of Functional Fabric Fair, powered by Performance Days, marked a significant success for product sourcing, networking, innovation and education with over 2,100 attendee visits, as it wrapped up on April 18, 2024, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.
This edition featured over 260 highly vetted textile suppliers from all over the globe, offering sustainable functional fabrics for the apparel industry’s spring 2025/2026 collections.
“This spring’s event exceeded all expectations—the success of the first day has laid a solid foundation for what led to be an unforgettable event, filled with inspiration, creativity and groundbreaking advancements,” stated Steve McCullough, event director of Functional Fabric Fair.
Attendees had access to explore key areas on the show floor for opportunities to learn, discover and be inspired by the Trend Forum, showcasing a carefully curated collection of 100% sustainable trend fabrics and accessories, handpicked by a panel of experts with QR codes to garner more information, request samples and visit the exhibitor and the Footwear Area, highlighting the latest in shoe design and construction techniques as well as materials. The Innovation Zone showcased never-before-seen products and technologies that are soon to hit the market, while the new Sustainability Lounge provided a collaborative environment shaping the future of sustainability. The Outdoor Recreation Archive from Utah State University highlighted the trends and innovations of the 1990s, showcasing four different genres of outdoor clothing that emerged during this decade, including urban outdoor, grunge, heritage and climb-inspired. It was a space where attendees could reflect upon the history of some of these key innovations and ignite ideas for the future.
New to Functional Fabric Fair was a stimulating exhibition highlighting the NASA Technology Transfer Program, which ensures that innovations developed for exploration and discovery are broadly available to the public, maximizing the benefit to the Nation. Additionally, the Utah State University’s Outdoor Product Design & Development student projects showcased revolutionary designs using the NASA Technology patents.
Functional Fabric Fair also debuted the “Day (0) Zero: Sustainability Workshop,” which opened one day before the fair opened, drawing over 140 attendees eager to learn about critical topics like supply chain dynamics and transparency, facilitated by sustainability experts like Jill Dumain of Fractal CSOs.
“I want to thank the industry for supporting this inaugural Day 0. I was so happy to see such a full house with a great mix of people and companies all up and down the supply chain. The speakers did a great job of presenting information in their areas of expertise to a very receptive audience. I am hopeful that this will become a gathering place for the community to engage in sustainability conversations that lead to solutions well into the future,” said Jill Dumain of Fractal CSOs.
In addition to the sustainability workshop, the fair also saw the debut of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) Testing and Standards Exhibition. This new feature provided practical demonstrations and educational insights across five key topics, including Visual Color Evaluation and Water Resistance, and was accessible to all fair attendees.
Throughout the two-day main event, industry professionals had the opportunity to engage with suppliers and partake in a series of comprehensive Expert Talks sponsored by Ashford x Intai. This year’s spotlight “Beyond Bottles,” discussed the need for alternatives to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling amidst impending legal regulations and circular economy principles. With the complexity of polyester variations, concerns about microplastics and the urgent demand for PET replacements, the expert-led sessions confronted significant hurdles.
The Expert Talk sessions also covered various industry-relevant topics from trends to new textile developments. According to a trend expert, Nora Kuehner’s “Performance Colors” forecast for Summer 2026, titled “Eruption,” reflects a vibrant palette energizing positive emotions amidst global turmoil. She noted predominantly featuring reddish and yellow hues, anchored by classic black or dark teal, the color trends evoke the creative spirit of graphic novels with chalky summer brights. Complete details, including color codes and estimates on wash & light fastnesses, will be accessible from May 10, 2024, on The Loop – Digital Sourcing.
Lounges throughout the show floor and a complimentary coffee inflatable igloo sponsored by Thermore as well as a Happy Hour sponsored by Drirelease added to the event’s vibrant atmosphere, fostering networking opportunities and relationship building.
McCullough noted, “We’re thrilled with the success of this spring edition, which underscores the dynamic nature of our industry and the importance of face-to-face interactions in driving forward-thinking developments. The positive feedback and energy from attendees and exhibitors alike have laid a solid foundation for future editions and we cannot wait to see what is to come.”
The next editions of the Functional Fabric Fair will take place:
Summer 2024 | July 16-17 at the Javits Center, New York
Fall 2024 |November 19: Day 0 Conference and November 20-21: Exhibit Hall |Oregon Convention Center, Portland
