T
A composed Portugal delegation participated between the 28th and 30th of November in building the future of the sport through its presence at ISPO Munich. The companies were in two collective stands, organized by Associação Selectiva Moda (ASM), located in pavilions A1 and C1. The first was next to the Sustainability Hub, the sustainability center, and the second was next to the ISPO Textrends forum (more than 300m2).
The fair got off to a promising start, with customers at the various stands, including Sancar Premium Socks: “We started to see some movement. Expectations are optimistic, although it is not the ideal time: the market as we know is undefined, there is a lack of purchasing power, but we hope for the best”, said the CEO, Manuel Anjo, speaking to T Jornal on the first day of fair, which mainly hoped to attract new customers in the Nordic countries. “We want the markets that buy in the sports and casual areas. Customers that provide added value”, continued. As this is one of the most important fairs on the calendar, Sancar invested in differentiating products in “noble and sustainable materials”, such as lyocell and bamboo.
With visitors in the early hours, there was also Olmac: “Our space reflects all the types of products we can make, from down-filled coats to synthetic-filled coats. We are also presenting basic layers, which was something we usually didn’t bring to the fair; workwear, woman and man underwear, athleisure, a sample of everything we are capable of producing”, introduced Olga Jones from the commercial department. The company is open to all interested customers, “whether they come from Asia, America or Europe”, added. “Our reversible polo continues to be successful”, added the sales director assistant, referring to its partnership with the Portuguese company A. Sampaio. “In terms of materials, we have t-shirts made with A. Sampaio knits, one of them made from recycled polyester, wool, and elastane, a knit that we work a lot with, but more in mid-layer jackets, and that we are able to incorporate a first layer”, concluded.
Proving the Portuguese ITV experience on sustainability was also the iTechStyle Green Circle, a showcase organized by ASM in partnership with CITEVE, which was on display in pavilion C1. “A total of 12 coordinates with application in athleisure were presented in a slightly different approach as we increasingly prioritize sustainable finishing processes and do not just focus on fibers”, said Cristina Castro, public relations at CITEVE.
The second day was even busier, as J. Caetano said: “Yesterday, for the first day, went normally; today we are already seeing more movement”, noted Pedro Pinto, sales executive, showing a remarkable interest in local markets, northern and central Europe. Bloomati also pointed out that “you can already see more people”, having served, alongside regular customers, potential customers from Germany, Latvia, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and France.
J.Caetano focused on clothing for the sports sector but with a fashion touch: “We brought a lifestyle product with associated performance, such as being waterproof, windproof, we also have items that apply sealed seam technology ”, introduced Pedro Pinto, speaking to T Jornal. The commitment to sustainability by the Penafiel company was notable: “We are GOTS and GRS certified, we bring products with recyclable compositions, organic cotton, with technical fabrics developed in Portugal, lightweight and with several functional characteristics”, summarized the person in charge.
Bloomati had technical knits on display, in “recycled polyamide and polyester, elastic knits, some cotton and, on a less sports-oriented side, mixtures of hemp and linen”, thus demonstrating its full production potential. The company highlighted two references for the ISPO Textrends awards and contributed to a jumpsuit made from lyocell and organic cotton (which was at the iTechStyle Green Circle showcase).
With ISPO at the top of the most important fairs, Dune Bleue repeated its participation in the event: “Yesterday we had an interesting day, with many customers. From Germany of course, but also from the Netherlands, France, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Brazil, and Croatia”, said CEO Ricardo Faria. The demand was notable, especially in the ski, cycling, and paddle tennis areas. “All items are made from sustainable and recycled materials”, highlighted.
With an offer covering the areas of clothing, sports footwear, accessories, materials and even equipment for swimming pools and snow sports, there are also companies: 2Move Garments, 8000 Kicks, A Fiuza, A. Sampaio & Filhos, Acatel, Beppi, Brandbias Manufacturers, Lda, Clothius | RDD, Color For Tex, Confecções Calvi, Dehora, FLM – Filipe Marinho, Fiorima, Fradelsport, Gormarti, Gulbena, Hanken, Active, LMA, Lunartex, Mania 4, NCFHK Company, P&R Têxteis, Sidónios Knitwear, SmartInovation, TMG Textiles | MGL and Vale & Vilas Textiles, accompanied by Impetus, JF Almeida, CITEVE and CeNTI.
The participation of Portuguese companies in ISPO is an initiative by Selectiva Moda and ATP – Associação Têxtil e Vestuário de Portugal, which aims to promote the internationalization of Portuguese companies in the Fashion sector. The “From Portugal” project is co-financed by the European Union, within the scope of Portugal 2030, through the Compete 2030 – Innovation and Digital Transition thematic program.