Textile Insight

6 • Textile Insight ~ September / October 2017 textileinsight.com IN THE MARKET | OUTDOOR RETAILER So Long Salt Lake, Hello Confusion Suppliers Offer a Diverse Offering of Aesthetically-Appealing Goods. By Emily Walzer Top, A first: Polygiene anti-odor tech used in a sleeping bag application with brand partner Rab. And another first: DuPont launches Intexar, a "Smart Meets Fabric" product featuring a thin stretchable ink and film that when integrated in a fabric is washable like any other clothing. hile this past summer's trade show was the final Outdoor Retailer held in Salt Lake City, there were also several firsts, too. Never before in OR's 22 years in Utah did politics dominate to such a degree that attendees and exhibitors alike abandoned the show floor to participate in a protest march. And never before did Patagonia stay home. And this was the first time The North Face booth had a stage where organizers provided daily updates on the Show's political agenda. Another first for OR, in conjunction with the show's exit from Utah and relocation to Denver, is the proposed three-show schedule in 2018. Summer Market 2017 was also notable for a diminished display of apparel and equip- ment and an elevated accessory selection. Where outdoor technical gear once held court, now grills, beach chairs, camp gadgets, and food items dominated floor space at the Salt Palace this July. The textile community took these changes in stride. Many described ORSM17 as "business as usual," and came prepared with a plethora of versatile, performance textiles designed to capture the attention of brands in the hunt for functional fabrics with lifestyle aesthetics. Natural and man-made fibers, bio-based products and even wearables were presented along with an array of blends, finishes and treatments. Cottons, linen, hemp and merino are strong for S/S18 alongside polys, nylons and engineered materials meant to feel natural. Sustainability remains a focus, with eco-attributes such as recycled, chemical-free and waterless important. Many of the latest looks highlight texture and irresistible softness without sacrificing performance features. New materials are equally at home on a paddleboard or when worn ashore with properties that cool the skin, provide anti-odor qualities and protect from the sun and pesky summertime bugs. Faster dry times, reduced weight and better feel result from the latest innovations and blends. (For details see trendinsightmag.com) While material suppliers kept a focus on innovation with a fabric-first approach, this Outdoor Retailer Summer Market was an issue-driven show, where product took a backseat to policy and the traditional trade show refrain of "what's new?" was replaced by "what's next?" Onward to Denver "Three years ago there was never talk about policy to this extent. Now OIA is leveraging the voice this industry has. The message is advocacy by industry," said Chemours' Bob Buck. "This is a call to action; the fire trucks are out of the station." "This Land is Our Land" was the rallying cry for the industry march to Utah's capitol in protest of the admin- istration's review of policy regarding America's national monuments and parks. An estimated 3,000 individuals – OR members and Utah locals – participated in the march. Many were sporting merchandise sold at the trade show and holding signs created at a dedicated space on the show floor. While some textile company execs marched, and/or applauded the effort, gaining clarity on what's to come in Denver was a high priority. Among material suppliers the jury is out on the timing and necessity of January, June and November shows next year. David Newey, director global marketing, PrimaLoft, expressed a positive outlook. He stated, "I'm happy about the shift in dates. The November show is a better moment in time to speak with brands." On the other hand, Lisa Hardy, NA marketing manager, Chemours, asked, "Why do we need a November show? Three shows are too many." Peter Klingler, president, Klingler Asia, LLC, mentioned an overlap with ISPO as a potential stumbling block for attending January's SIA/OR show. "The timing is bad because we go to ISPO. Two shows is good, but we will go to Munich in January." Schoeller president Stephen Kerns, said, "My question is how will they make all three shows different. I would love to see folks double-down on Denver, which hasn't happened yet." Questions also arose regarding booth size and booth placement in Denver, particularly regarding the January show that will combine the Snow Show with Outdoor Retailer in a Denver convention center smaller than the Salt Palace. A rumor about needing to downsize booths did not go over well with everyone. Unifi for example debuted a brand new, interactive booth at OR, and Unifi's Jay Hertwig hoped downsizing was not on the agenda Denver 2018. Hertwig said he was told he may not see a floor plan until November, and others concurred that they were in the dark about details. Said Klingler, "The only thing we've been told is "you have to be flexible." Lisa Hardy spoke for many in the textile community when she concluded, "One thing's for sure, it's going to be interesting." O

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