Fabric sourcing at Portugal’s trade show, Modtissimo

day 2

Looking to Autumn Winter 23/24 fabric trends, I explore the fabric suppliers and product manufacturers at this year’s 60th Modtissimo trade show in Porto Portugal.

The second day of Modtissimo, a much cooler day I might add, is all about visiting as many of the fabric and product manufacturers as possible. (In case you missed it, read Day 1 here)

Not wanting a repeat of yesterday’s overly warm outfit in navy blue denim culottes, I wore more summery fabrics this today.

A viscose short sleeved button up blouse, and modal wrap pants - my own design - with my President’s coat over top, hair pulled back in braids.

I snap a pic for Instagram and take my blazer off, leaving it in the car.

When I arrive, I have another look at the AW 23/24 fabric lines and then head straight into the vendor’s area. Glancing at the Portuguese fabric manufacturers I am most familiar with, I make a note of which fabric suppliers to make a one-on-one visit with at their showrooms after the trade show.

Part of my day is connecting with more product manufacturers, but I still have a couple low MOQ clients I am looking for. Connecting my Rode Wireless Go ii mic to my phone so I can have clear audio over the buzz of the room when I make client videos, I point myself in the direction of the agents’ booths and wholesale fabric suppliers.

These textile agents represent multiple fabric mills and often sell stock fabric, meaning it is already produced, with no MOQs. 

Flipping through the hangers, there is a lot of polyester. Too much polyester. Most very pretty but still, polyester.

Admittedly, I am disappointed to see so much polyester on the hangers. When it comes to fashion fabrics, we still have a ways to go to find better, cleaner replacements for this petroleum based product that the industry has become so dependent on. While polyester is as versatile as heck, and so many creative styles can be made from it, it is a dirty fiber that we have to learn to step away from as an industry.

Digging deeper into the fabric hangers, I find some cleaner options, like Tencel Lyocell. I make an order for samples and move on.

Stopping by the Italy based agency, I met their Portuguese representative and I see cupro on a hanger. With another client on my mind, I order a sample.

Cupro, or cuprammonium rayon, is a regenerated cellulose fabric made linter, short fibres from cotton seeds that are too small to spin. This waste is made into this slinky cellulose fibre, cupro.

All morning, I have been asking around for a non-polyester based wool alternative, a unicorn if you will. Asking this vendor the same question, he sits down. I anticipate the answer I get from everyone so far: I’m looking for a unicorn.

But instead, he is all smiles and tells me about a wool replacement made from 100% linen that they have been creating. I’m over the top excited, not only for my client but to see the samples myself.

While I was writing this post, the linen samples arrived and they are absolutely stunning! Soft, luxurious linen in a variety of weights, and a perfect replacement for wool.

Next up, there is a vendor from Greece that seems to have a few fabrics of interest, and they are stock fabrics. I meet the Portuguese representative and then the one who seems to be in charge of this booth. His blue eyes shine when he learns I am from British Columbia, Canada. He is determined, he tells me earnestly, to get to Whistler one day to mountain bike. 

I start browsing through the hangers of fabric, while the Portuguese representative is a few hangers ahead of me. She calls back every few seconds, pulling hangers of soft silky woven fabric out to see their qualities, and calling back to the mountain biking Greek fabric supplier about this fabric or that. My personal shopper.

I can see the day slipping away and I am running out of time. We select a few fabrics together, I put my order in for samples and have to move on.

Portugal is known for some of the finest circular knit fabrics in the world. I’ve met these vendors many times before at past Modtissimo trade shows. I don’t stop. I know their MOQs, and their fabric lines. I can connect with them at their showrooms anytime.

I’ve explored the fabrics section, I’ve walked past the fashion designer’s area and taken a quick look to see what their AW 23/24 collections look like.

Entering the aisle with the manufacturers, I slow down to start asking about each vender their specialty. 

Socks manufacturers, trouser and denim manufacturers, tuques (for us Canadians) beanies for the rest of the world, and scarf manufacturers, shirting, circular knit garment manufacturers. The area is full of some of the best of the best when it comes to Made in Portugal. A tagline the Portuguese wear proudly, and deservedly so.

My pile of information brochures and business cards is piling up. My notebook (and brain) is full of scribbles to decipher when I return to my office. This is the best kind of information overload, in my opinion.

The 60th Modtissimo fabric sourcing event is a wrap for me. 

Some of the gorgeous designs from yarns suppliers

I share a lot of behind the scenes on my Instagram stories, be sure to follow along!

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