THE BACKSTAGE OF DENIM: SOURCING TRENDS
While trend-forecasters are divided between a near future of slower, earnest, and durable approaches to denim versa a proper "bonkers behavior trend," craving the latest crazy and disposable luxury catwalk denim, one thing strikes the entire denim industry. And it strikes the industry backstage. Rising electricity, gas and petrol prices have given an extremely hard upcharge to raw material and product prices. Add to that the horrendous new costs of containers and logistics to understand the pressure on all product managers these days. Luckily, solutions exist.
The "New Near" or "re-manufacture locally" movement has already been a trend. Now, it has become a necessity and a chance at the same time. From ginning to spinning to weaving, sewing and laundering: Europe and North Africa have become the new dynamic centers for nearby denim manufacturing. Initially, we noted this in Western European countries for premium products. However, with the new international sourcing context, even value chains are working hard to make these "made around the corner" factories fully functional. For example, factories in Tunisia, Morocco, and Turkey have been contacted by many buyers to suddenly "re-source" former Asia-manufactured products to stay closer to their retail destinations. It has become key to drastically reduce distances when shipping denim goods. Knowing that closer destinations also provide more !exibility and working with different mills than Asia, it's not too difficult to predict the changes that will influence the industry.
The cards of the game have been seriously scrambled. It’s a new beginning for many. Sourcing needs to be reinvented in all its aspects. The need for information and physical encounters with these new and closer players has become even more urgent. And it is also changing the approach of the next BLUEZONE.
In line with the increasing importance of sourcing solutions, the upcoming BLUEZONE and MUNICH FABRIC START will open a new independent larger hall for sourcing suppliers as a stand-alone show-in-show concept. Rounding off the current international exhibitor portfolio, European all-inone providers with a focus on nearshoring will complete the global offer of sourcing solutions for brands, labels, and the retail sector in a brand-new ambiance. Directly opposite the MOC and adjoining the Zenith area, the new Motorworld site offers a spectacular event hall of around 2500 square meters that will be hosting prime manufacturing solutions from all over the world to offer broad solutions to the industry’s needs.
BLUEZONE is a crucial physical platform for all denim lovers and experts to experience futuristic innovations. In between the shows, the blue community can dive into trend inspiration and denim information on www.bluezone.show. Stay tuned for the next show happening August 30-31, 2022 in Munich, Germany.