27.01.2012 Texcare International a trend show for workwear

Suppliers with future-oriented models and materials

The traditional boiler suit has been symbolic of many trades almost since time immemorial. Now, however, its time is past. Instead of monotone royal blue and standard twill fabric, the image of trade and industry is characterised by modern colours and designs, as well as multi-faceted materials and surfaces. Elegance and style have conquered large sections of the workwear sector. Even protective clothing is oriented more than ever before to the world of fashion.

From 5 to 9 May 2012, Texcare International, the world’s leading trade fair for modern textile care, will show the latest developments in the modern workwear field. Then, exhibitors from the textile and apparel industry, as well as the accessories and the finishing sectors will present the latest trends for a modern, functional and professional appearance. Concepts for corporate fashions will also play an important role – a uniform appearance is a vital aspect of corporate identity and rounds off a company’s image.

From leisurewear to workwear
Workwear and protective clothing have been influenced by streetwear, sportswear and important fashion trends for many years. The reasons are not difficult to find. People who discovered and came to appreciate the benefits of high-tech garments during their leisure time do not want to miss the combination of functionality, comfort and style at work. Membrane technologies and materials such as soft-shell fabrics offer protection against sudden rain showers. Antimicrobial shirts and underwear stop bacteria reproducing so quickly and prevent unpleasant odours. In the case of jobs involving a lot of moving around, e.g., in restaurants, elastic fabrics are necessary to ensure full freedom of movement. And the evergreen subject of jeans is also the prototype for high-functional protective clothing with a trendy appearance.

Other new ‘sporting’ products from the fabric and ready-to-wear fields will also be on show at Texcare International. Thus, Tencel (Lenzing) and elastomer fibres play an important role in workwear while new membrane systems, flame-resistant viscose and modacrylic are influencing developments in the protective-clothing segment.

New looks at work
Designs and colours are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Fabric manufacturers are taking up decorative elements from the seventies, using striped patterns in herring-bone and satin weaves, creating new Panama looks, reinventing the cavalry style and interpreting denim for workwear applications. In addition to vintage-look hues, the current colour spectrums are supplemented by fashionable natural and earth shades. Other highlights are classics from the world of suits and costumes, such as black, graphite, anthracite and night blue, which are now playing a leading role on the workwear stage.

The collections are mainly influenced by streetwear trends. The outfits are more robust in appearance, the pockets bigger, the cut more casual although practical, the material combinations and colour mix less conventional, the details more stylish. Conspicuous contrast seams and decorative stitching reminiscent of the fifties demonstrate that the denim look is more topical than ever before. Nevertheless, figure-hugging lines are still highly acceptable!

For power women
Workwear is not only made for tough guys. More and more women are employed in jobs which demand they be correctly attired. While there is a wide choice of apparel in the health-care and hospitality sectors, the ready-to-wear industry is now catching up with collections for handicraft and industrial jobs.

Made-to-measure
Corporate fashion will be another important theme at Texcare International. Workwear and protective clothing tailored around the overall image of a company and its corporate identity are de rigueur in many businesses. The ready-to-wear industry, hire services and the customising sector are increasingly being called on to develop new solutions for individual corporate apparel. Important aspects of this include smaller batch sizes, no restrictions on colour combinations within existing ranges and a uniform overall concept for protective, business and professional clothing. Therefore, considerable interest is likely to be shown in the latest developments in the sector, which will be presented at the world’s leading trade fair for professional textile care.

Around 250 exhibitors will show their high-tech solutions for the textile-care sector at Texcare International. The spectrum of products to be seen at the world’s leading trade fair includes machinery and equipment, as well as detergents, disinfectants and textiles for the leasing business. Messe Frankfurt expects over 15,000 visitors. Further information about Texcare International can be found on the internet at www.texcare.com. Photographs are available on request.
Please contact Susanne Brendle at
susanne .brendle messefrankfurt .com.