IFA Paris › The School › Blog ›

Sustainable Fashion: Powered by Tech & Innovative Materials

It is in this context that the AVANTEX trade show, where IFA Paris participates in each edition, plays an essential role in highlighting the materials of the future. A few months before the next edition in February, let's focus on the materials that are revolutionizing the world of fashion.

Biosourced Materials: Towards Sustainable Fashion

Biosourced materials are increasingly popular in fashion, addressing ecological concerns of reducing CO₂ emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Avant-garde brands are developing sustainable alternatives such as banana, pineapple, or even mushroom fibers, which offer not only a reduced environmental impact but also unique textures and aesthetics.

The AVANTEX team confides: “Biosourced materials are no longer just a trend, but a real necessity for the fashion industry. Their growing adoption demonstrates the industry’s commitment to move forward a more environmentally friendly future, without sacrificing style or quality.”

Smart and Connected Textiles: The Future of Design

The marriage of fashion and technology has given rise to smart textiles, capable of performing specific functions and enhancing the user experience. Among the Innovations, we find thermoregulating textiles that adapt their warmth to the external temperatures, or fabrics capable of measuring biometric data, which are very popular in sports.

Connected textiles offer designers a vast field of exploration: they allow for the integration of interactive visual elements or even the transformation of clothing into a communication tool. “Smart textiles are transforming the perception of fashion by adding a new functional dimension. It’s no longer just a way of dressing, but a tool for well-being and performance,” we heard at the last AVANTEX event.

Recycled Materials: A Second Life for Fashion

Recycling in fashion has become central to combating textile waste. Recycled PET (from plastic bottles), vegan leather, or fabrics made from production scraps allow for giving a second life to resources that, once, ended up as waste. These recycled materials meet the needs of brands seeking originality while inscribing their creations in a circular economy approach.

“By reusing materials, we demonstrate that fashion can be responsible and innovative. This circular approach reduces the industry's environmental footprint and allows us to offer unique pieces, full of history”. Delphine Durieux, Pedagogical Fashion Design Program Leader at IFA Paris.

Self-Healing Materials: A Sustainable Innovation

Among recent advancements, self-healing materials are positioning themselves as a solution to the durability problems of clothing. These materials, capable of regenerating after wear or damage, extend the lifespan of garments. Developed through biological or chemical processes, they offer consumers a long-term investment, reducing the need for repurchasing and contributing to a more sustainable consumption model.

The Importance of Research and Training

Innovative materials are transforming design practices and opening up new possibilities for creators. However, to integrate these materials into collections, it is essential to train oneself in the specificities of each textile. The International Fashion School IFA Paris plays a fundamental role in raising awareness among future designers about the challenges and techniques of working with these materials.

“The fashion of tomorrow is being created today, and by training young designers in these new materials, we are shaping a more responsible and innovative future,” concludes Jean-Baptiste Andreani, Director of IFA Paris.

Innovative materials are redefining fashion practices, offering concrete solutions to environmental challenges and the growing expectations of consumers for ethical products. By participating in the AVANTEX trade show, IFA Paris is committed to raising awareness among its students and partners about technological and ecological evolutions of the industry, for a fashion that combines style, innovation, and sustainability.

Next February, the AVANTEX trade show will once again be the unmissable event to discover the latest textile innovations, an event where the fashion of the future will come to life.

To be at the forefront of sustainable fashion, consider pursuing IFA Paris’s MBA Fashion Entrepreneurship - Tech Major or MBA Sustainable Fashion - Business Major. These programs equip you with the knowledge and skills to drive innovation and sustainability in the fashion industry. Join us and shape the future of fashion.