Though Munich Fabric Start managed to pull off the first edition of its new abbreviated in-person trade show, Fabric Days, in September, organizers announced this week it must postpone the Jan. 26-28 event to March 2-4.
Last week the German government announced it would extend its partial lockdown by three more weeks, which will carry into early January. Gatherings are currently limited to no more than 10 people. Bars, restaurants and gyms are also closed.
This is an attempt to curb Germany’s rising number of Covid-19 cases. Despite having control on the virus at the start of the pandemic, Reuters reported on Thursday Germany’s confirmed coronavirus cases increased by 22,046 to 1.1 million.
“Unfortunately, there are no signs yet of a steady decline in infection numbers, which decreases the chance that Fabric Days would be approved in the first weeks of the new year,” organizers stated, noting that the time frame is too short to expect that conditions will improve as they did prior to the September event.
Rather than cancel at the last minute, Sebastian Klinder, Munich Fabric Start managing director, said the show is trying to be proactive.
“If we look realistically at the next few weeks with the knowledge and experience gained over the past months, the date for Fabric Days from [Jan. 26-28, 2021] is no longer justifiable for our exhibitors, visitors and for all contributors,” he said.
Fabric Days debuted in September with around 3,600 visitors from 30 countries. The consolidated version of Munich Fabric Start and Bluezone was a first look at the season for many as previously scheduled trade events like Denim Premiere Vision and Kingpins have been canceled and supplemented by digital shows.
The trade show asserts that the first feedback from exhibitors regarding the new date is understanding and positive. Approximately 300 international suppliers are expected to present their Spring/Summer 2022 collections in March.
“This underlines the very good response to Fabric Days and the trust in the organizers,” the show stated.
