Written by Cassell Ferere

In its 56th edition, the MODtissimo sustainable fashion trade and fabric show in Porto, Portugal, brands based in and outside of the city were there to showcase their ethically focused collections and sustainable fabrics. 

Portugal happens to be a manufacturing base for brands and Porto is the place to get up to date on the latest textiles and clothing made from such. This is also a good place for learning about the latest sustainable fashion styles, fabrics, and processes.

MODtissimo56

The two-day MODtissimo events took place during Porto Fashion Week, September 23 to the 24. Although, the fashion week runway shows have been canceled for the season in regards to the health crisis. 

With the current state of the world in pandemic mode, the journey to Porto is an interesting one. For one, the process in and around the event is monitored with all the necessary safety measures. 

Taking place at the Alfandega Do Porto venue, security guards electronically check people in and out of each showroom floor, sanitizer can be found everywhere, and plenty of space was provided for social distancing.

iTechStyle

Early into the experience iTechStyle showcase displayed the brand’s innovative designs and fashionable aesthetics. Mannequins dressed in full outfits and concept designs made from sustainable fabrics and processes greet buyers. Consciously sourcing material and updating manufacturing processes to complement, all of the brands here at MODtissimo have elements related to sustainability. 

This is refreshing to learn in the vein of how the past several months have shown the flaws in the fashion industry. As the pandemic moved over the world, brands canceled their future orders on fabrics, and simultaneously fabric factories were restricted from shipping to clients. 

“The Textile and Clothing industry was one of the first to feel the impact, first with disruptions in the supply chain, and followed by the drastic drop in orders as a result of the consumption accentuated decrease.” 

Mario Jorge Machado, President of ATP [Associaçao Textile & Vestuario de Portugal].

As the world rebounds safely, MODtissimo brands are confident and have made efforts to remain operational. Portugal essentially competes with places like China for manufacturing fashion textiles.

Manufacturing

There were many brands in attendance displaying their latest collections. Textile manufacturers brought their latest fabrics and processes to the show, like Tintex Textile who work to create eco-sustainable strategies and solutions for fabrics and applications. 

Working materials unfamiliar to the major fashion industry, like cork, which happens to be a staple of the Porto culture. Cork-A-Tex happens to specialize in creating fabric and finishes using cork. The cork fabricators are award winners in this area, claiming the 2019 Techtextil Innovation Award. 

Cork happens to be a 100% natural product that is recyclable. Biodegradable and renewable cork is a truly sustainable source. The cork waste is composed of cotton and other sustainable materials to create the yarn.

Fashion Brands

One brand to take the idea of cork to another level is the vegan line, Marita Moreno. Founded in 2017, the namesake accessory brand creates bags and shoes from cork, wood, and rubber material, vegan leather from chromium. Moreno also upcycles creating micro-fiber fabrics with finishes of suede, including a cork texture. 

All found throughout the different clutch bags, dress shoes, sneakers, and boots with a sleek design. Cork is also found in the design of brands like Sensify, which they created a cork-net poncho. This and other fine natural fabrics, like wool, alpaca and bamboo are used to make this line of drapery style clothing.

Brands use upcycled, recycled, organic natural materials, and has a zero-waste footprint, while ethical producing their collections. At just the surface, that is sustainable. 

Founded in 2013, Nazareth Collection, designed and photographed by Marcia Nazareth, takes t-shirts and polo shirts and prints her photographs on them. Images of the city of Porto cover the entire garment a seamless "wearable photographs" and using raw stopped material from factories. 

Future Fashion

Elementum brings a sense of duality to wearing clothes. Designer Daniela Pais creates styles that can be converted without tinker the material, rather adjusting the garment as you wish. The multifunctional ethical style essentially doubles your wardrobe inventory per garment. 

Other brands like Katty Xiomara, Luis Buchinho, and Miguel Vieira favored high-end, couture-like designs. This while streetwear was on full display with Skulk who also offers custom facemask manufacturing. 

TexBion, a nano-technology was exhibited in a less-Ironman fashion, but as a responsive recycled fabric when impacted.

No shortage of futurist thinking, MODtissimo was a look into the future of textiles and fashion. The sustainable method was the focus, and technology was the catalyst at the 56th MODtissimo show. 

in partnership with Kulture Hub

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