Functional Fabric Fair 2024 brings sustainable innovations to Portland

Functional Fabric Fair, powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS, returns for its fall edition on November 19-21, 2024, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. With an expanded show floor, the event will offer an enhanced experience featuring 300+ sustainable-certified suppliers showcasing the latest innovations in high-performance functional fabrics, finishes, trims and accessories for the 2025/2026 fall and winter seasons. The fair also provides opportunities for education and to network at events, lounges and new show floor features like the Bodywear Collective and the popular Trend Forum.

“Functional Fabric Fair is the most curated textile trade show in North America, designed to bring together leading industry innovators and brands under one roof. Our goal is to provide a destination where attendees can not only discover transformative materials but also engage in meaningful discussions that will shape the future of sustainable and high-performance textiles,” says Steve McCullough, event director of Functional Fabric Fair.

Highlights Functional Fabric Fair Fall 2024

Show Floor Experiences

Bodywear Collective (NEW) – Curated by industry pioneer Nichole de Carle, founder of the London Contour Experts Group, and sponsored by The LYCRA Company, the Bodywear Collective spotlights the latest advancements in underwear, swimwear, shapewear and on-skin sportswear. This new area will feature innovative materials, technologies and sustainable solutions for bodywear professionals, along with interactive 3D demos, sourcing opportunities and networking. It serves as a hub for industry leaders and emerging talents to explore advancements in performance, fit and style.

Trend Forum – A favorite sourcing and discovery area among attendees, the Trend Forum will return to highlight 12 key categories, including Baselayer, Midlayer, 2 Layer, 2.5 & 3 Layer, Lightweight & Downproof, Softshell & Outer Midlayer, Shirts, Pants & Tights, Bags & Tents – Safety, Focus Topic, Accessories & Trims and Function Meets Fashion. Attendees can explore a selection of 100% sustainable fabrics, with samples selected by experts from esteemed universities, leading apparel brands, procurement teams and fabric technologists. Scanning QR codes on swatches allows attendees to arrange free sample shipments to their businesses.

Design Lab (LIVE) – New to the Portland edition, the Design Lab (LIVE) will showcase in-person design and construction demonstrations featuring sustainable fashion designer Kelly Dempsey, known for her innovative approach to upcycling secondhand materials and her appearance on Project Runway. On November 20, Kelly will create a performance-focused garment using materials from exhibitor sponsors—FLYTEC, Hemp Fortex, and SHINDO, inviting attendees to observe and engage with her creative process. The garment will be auctioned off during the Happy Hour that evening from 5-6 PM. Proceeds will go to a sustainable fabric nonprofit.

AATCC Textile Test Zone - Located at booth #102, this area offers apparatus and educational displays on five key topics: Visual Color Evaluation, Fiber Fragment Testing, Appearance & Laundering, Water Resistance, and Control Fabrics. This interactive space is open to all attendees without additional registration.

Innovation Zone – Attendees can explore the latest products and breakthroughs in textiles from innovative exhibitors and discover exclusive advancements and gain insights into emerging technologies and trends in the field.

Footwear Area – An area for industry leaders and innovators to unite to share knowledge and inspire creativity in shoe designs, materials and technologies that blend performance with fashion for outdoor activities.

Outdoor Recreation Archive - Utah State University's Outdoor Recreation Archive offers a unique space for attendees to learn about the historical roots of pivotal innovations in the outdoor apparel industry.

Education

The Expert Talks program, sponsored by Schoeller, will center around the focus topic “Colorization: Chemistry is Everywhere,” featuring 10+ expert-led panels and presentations on the show floor stage. Open to all badge holders, these sessions will dive into the chemistry of color, including dyeing techniques, material innovations and much more.

The Day 0 (Zero) Conference: Sustainability Workshop taking place on Tuesday, November 19, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, is a paid pre-show workshop offering in-depth sessions on foundational topics in sustainability, along with case studies, interactive discussions and the latest developments in the field. Hosted by Jill Dumain of Fractal CSOs, the workshop has limited capacity and requires registration.

Community

Attendees can connect with other professionals, gain inspiration and learn from industry professionals at a variety of lounges and networking events.

Happy Hour – The first day of the fair will conclude with a Happy Hour on Tuesday, November 20, from 5:00-6:00 PM, bringing together attendees and exhibitors to toast and forge new connections within the industry, sponsored by drirelease.

Italian Bar (NEW) – This new addition offers a taste of Italy with quick espressos and authentic snacks like prosciutto and parmesan cheese, providing a perfect spot to recharge in the afternoon, sponsored by Kingwhale Corporation.

Coffee Igloo – An inflatable igloo with complimentary coffee in mornings near the registration lobby will be sponsored by Thermore.

Media Lounge (NEW) – This comfortable space for media attendees provides opportunities for networking and features insights from media partners on industry trends and innovations.

Join lounge sponsor 3M for their fireside chat taking place on Day 1 of the fair from 1:45-2:00 PM. Robert Polik, Senior Application Engineer at 3M, supporting Scotchgard Protector and Thinsulate Thermal Insulation for 8 years, will cover topics including tips for selecting the best insulation to maximize comfort and protection in all kinds of garments and activities, the science of warmth, and the science of fabric protection, to name a few.

Sustainability Lounge – A hub for collaboration and discussion, the Sustainability Lounge showcases recent advancements in sustainability, fostering meaningful exchanges to drive future initiatives.

TurboDry Bash: After Hours Party (NEW) – Brands and exhibitors are invited to join the gathering at Hotel Eastlund for the first half of the evening on Day 1, from 6:00–8:00 PM, for the official Functional Fabric Fair After Hours Party. A strong group of partners, including Brookwood, Duraflex, and AATCC, will be present to help strengthen the community and deepen relationships outside of the convention center. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, along with small bites, will be served.

Attendance and Registration

Functional Fabric Fair is open to verified industry professionals – including designers, product developers, purchasing agents, material managers and students – who are sourcing for outdoor, performance and lifestyle apparel.

Show Dates and Hours

Day 0 Sustainability Workshop – Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Exhibit Hall & Expert Talks – Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Exhibit Hall & Expert Talks – Thursday, November 21, 2024, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Note: The content of this press release has not been edited by Fibre2Fashion staff.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)