FROM THE TREND JURY: THREE SHIFTS SHAPING A/W 27/28

What is emerging in next-generation activewear and bodywear? At the latest PERFORMANCE DAYS Trend Jury Meeting, the jury reviewed the latest fabric and material developments submitted for A/W 27/28, revealing a clear move towards materials designed more closely around the needs of the body.

Three directions stood out in particular:

• MINERAL — BODY FUNCTION: Zinc, magnesium and zeolite-infused yarns bring odour management and skin-focused functionality directly into the material.
• CELLULOSE — SKIN COMFORT: Cotton, Lyocell, hemp and wood-pulp blends deliver breathability, softness and a more natural next-to-skin experience.
• CONSTRUCTION — ENGINEERED PERFORMANCE: Seamless knits, cellulose-rich ribs and advanced yarn constructions use structure to create stretch, support and body mapping, reducing the need to rely solely on synthetic elastane.

Together, these developments point towards a broader shift: performance is no longer engineered only around movement, but increasingly around comfort, skin contact and the needs of the human body.

Have a closer look at all material innovations at the Bodywear Forum in Hall A5.

WOOL × BODYWEAR: TWO AREAS, ONE NEW PERSPECTIVE

What happens when Wool meets Bodywear? At PERFORMANCE DAYS, the Wool Forum and Bodywear Forum are located side by side in Hall A5, creating the perfect setting to explore the growing potential of wool for next-to-skin applications.

A new Wool × Bodywear Pop-Up, created in collaboration with Südwolle Group, The LYCRA Company, UTO and The Woolmark Company, connects both worlds and explores wool as a next-generation on-skin performance fiber.

Advanced yarns, seamless knitting and wool expertise come together to take natural fibers beyond traditional baselayers and into activewear, bodywear and wellness. The focus: softness and stretch combined with natural thermoregulation, moisture management and odor control.

“The biggest opportunity for innovation in bodywear lies in combining high-performance functionality with responsible material choices.” Roberto Circelli, Innovation & Business Development Manager, Südwolle Group

Discover the Wool Forum & Bodywear Forum side by side in Hall A5.

ON-SKIN INNOVATION: NEW MATERIALS FOR STRETCH, COMFORT & BODY MAPPING

What will next-generation bodywear be made of? For A/W 27/28, material innovation is moving beyond conventional stretch and softness. Bio-based elastane, regenerated and cellulosic fibers, thermoregulating technologies and engineered constructions are opening up new possibilities for garments worn closest to the skin.

Here are six developments to discover in the Bodywear Forum:

• Tex Tile Enterprise | BioBase Free420: Bio-based stretch offering a renewable alternative for highly elastic bodywear applications.
• Sun Hing | Recycled Nylon + Bio-Based Elastane: Recycled nylon meets bio-based stretch for high-performance, next-to-skin applications.
• Fujian Fynex | TENCEL™ + Bio-Based Elastane: TENCEL™ combined with bio-based stretch for soft, flexible second-skin performance.
• Hong Jing | 3D Jacquard: Engineered structures integrate body mapping directly into the textile – placing structure and support where they are needed.
• Zhejiang Textile Group | TENCEL™ Lyocell Micro: Fine Lyocell fibers combine next-to-skin softness with thermoregulating properties.
• Sidónios Malhas | Double Luxe: A premium construction focused on sensory performance, demonstrating how softness, surface and touch are becoming increasingly important elements of functional bodywear.

Together, these developments highlight three major shifts in on-skin materials: more renewable stretch, more natural and regenerated fibers, and more functionality engineered directly into the textile.

SEAMLESS, REIMAGINED: FROM CONSTRUCTION TO BODY INTELLIGENCE

At the dedicated Seamless Area, INTAI, Nextil, Cifra, Tefron and more showcase the latest developments in advanced knitting, natural fibres and body-mapped performance.

Seamless is moving far beyond simply removing seams. Digital knitting now enables ventilation, support, stretch and thermoregulation to be engineered precisely where the body needs them – opening up new applications across activewear, sleep, recovery, outdoor and wellness. One innovation to watch: Tefron’s latest FIR yarn technology for recovery sleepwear, combining seamless construction with a wellness-focused approach to rest and recovery.

MATERIAL + MACHINE + HUMAN: Material and knitting intelligence are coming together with a deeper understanding of the body – turning seamless into a platform for next-generation performance.

THE FUTURE OF BODYWEAR? INTELLIGENT COMFORT.

We asked leading industry experts one question: What is the biggest opportunity for innovation in bodywear over the next 3–5 years?

Their answers reveal a common direction: bodywear is moving from passive comfort towards materials and garments that actively respond to the wearer. “The biggest opportunity in bodywear will be the evolution from passive garments to adaptive systems that continuously manage the skin's microclimate”, says Beth Amason, VP Fabric Innovation, 37.5® Technology by Cocona Labs

Temperature and humidity management, natural fibers, intelligent stretch, skin-safe materials, circular design and seamless engineering are increasingly becoming part of the same conversation. As Emine Dereli of Zeynar Tekstil puts it: “The future of bodywear is not about choosing between comfort, functionality and sustainability, it is about delivering all three seamlessly.”

Read the whole story here.

A/W28 TREND TALK WITH NICHOLE DE CARLE: PERFORMANCE, REIMAGINED

Discover the material, design and technology directions shaping the next generation of Bodywear, Activewear and Outdoor.

Where is performance heading next? From Bodywear and Activewear to Outdoor, Nichole de Carle, takes a forward-looking view at the visual, material and technological directions shaping A/W28.

Expect everything from sleek functional minimalism to expressive performance textures and smarter surfaces with fiber innovation at the heart of the story. Next-generation yarn technologies, engineered constructions and circular material solutions reveal how comfort, durability, adaptability and sustainability are being reimagined for a new generation of consumers.

Part trend forecast, part material innovation deep-dive, the session connects future-facing developments with real-world applications and offers an early look at what will matter for A/W28.

A/W28 TREND INTELLIGENCE | Performance, Reimagined

Nichole de Carle
Wednesday, October 14 | 09:30–10:15
Expert Talks stage hall A5  | PERFORMANCE DAYS Munich