The European fabric fairs for the spring/summer 2018 season were held in a positive mood. There was a strong accent on creativity, new designs and innovation resulting from the application of ever more creative fabric techniques. At three of the four fairs, there were new sections which looked forward to an era of smart and innovative fabrics. The sections were accompanied by workshops, lectures and seminars, and appear to have been enthusiastically received. This reflects a trend in the fashion industry for fabrics which are more complex, multi-functional and technological. Also important is the continuing trend of environmental sustainability. The overwhelming impression of the fabrics themselves was their lightness and freshness. Light and transparent fabrics were offered in layers, and many were patterned by means of burn-out, or devore, techniques or lacy constructions. Lightness and transparency were even seen in men's wear, and many exhibitors were showing naturally breathable wool open weave jackets for high summer temperatures. Cotton continues to be the dominant fibre for the spring/summer season. However, linen is becoming increasingly important, and many wool weavers have introduced mixes of wool with linen in order to increase their summer sales.
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