INSPIRAMAIS: An event that goes beyond the concept of a trade fair
In statements to local media, Silvana Dilly, superintendent of ASSINTECAL (Brazilian Association of Companies of Components for Leather, Footwear and Manufactured Goods), organizer of the event, emphasized that the 33rd edition of INSPIRAMAIS “generated much more than business.” She noted that the event evolved from a traditional trade fair into a consolidated Innovation and Inspiration Show, offering high aesthetic and technical content for thousands of national and international visitors and professionals seeking new ideas and trends.
As a result, intense interaction was observed between exhibitors and attendees, positioning the exhibition as a space for the exchange of information, opinions and knowledge linked to the fashion industry. Within this dynamic, visitors were able to identify aesthetic and technical concepts applicable to the planning of future collections and product development.
INSPIRAMAIS took place at the FIERGS Events Center in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, on January 27 and 28, 2026. This edition featured 150 exhibitors of leathers, materials, components, accessories and chemicals, and welcomed more than 7,000 visitors from the local market and from countries such as Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Türkiye.
In addition, 38 international groups participated, invited to Brazil by ASSINTECAL and APEX-BRASIL, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency. Through the Buyer Project, several business rounds were held, generating sales exceeding US$ 7.2 million, not including deals expected to be concluded after the event.
The content agenda included a series of conferences and technical presentations, centered on the exhibition of the trend research The Turning Point, presented by Walter Rodrigues, Director of ASSINTECAL’s Research and Design Center. Within this framework, the Preview 2027 and Preview do Couro 2027 presentations were also held, anticipating guidelines for upcoming seasons in materials, components and leathers, with the participation of industry specialists.
Complementarily, the program featured other talks focused on design, technology and interdisciplinary intersections, including Design First: the secondary role of technology; Artificial intelligence for fashion creatives; and Fashion, design and architecture as agents of transformation.
The show was structured around the design research titled The Turning Point, coordinated by Walter Rodrigues. The concept proposes a transition from so-called “liquid modernity” to a “gaseous modernity,” focusing on new ways of thinking about materials and creative processes.
Within this conceptual framework, topics related to a holistic and biological perspective were addressed, with developments prioritizing lightness, material experimentation and alignment with ecological criteria, as well as the use of artificial intelligence as a strategic tool applied to design and the optimization of creative processes.
Local Iconography – Amazon Biome.
An exhibition resulting from research carried out in territories such as Santarém and Alter do Chão, leading to the development of more than 80 materials with Brazilian territorial identity.
Inspiramais Connection.
A space that showcased more than 900 innovative products developed under the “Product Pyramid” methodology, integrating design, technology and sustainability.
Sustainability – Sustainable Origin Seal.
During the event, certifications were awarded to companies meeting high ESG (environmental, social and governance) standards, reinforcing the sector’s commitment to responsible practices.
In parallel with the exhibition and conceptual content, INSPIRAMAIS once again highlighted an organizational model based on coordination between the private sector and public institutions. ASSINTECAL’s management as organizer, together with institutional support from the Brazilian State through APEX-BRASIL, resulted in an operational structure aimed at facilitating the participation of exhibitors, buyers and international press.
Beyond business and trend content, the visitor experience integrated reception, circulation design and scenography into a single showroom concept. From the entrance to the venue through the curated and exhibition spaces, the event presented itself as a comprehensive platform, where planning, attention to detail and the professional work of the teams involved contributed to consolidating an environment aligned with the audience profile and the international positioning that INSPIRAMAIS seeks to strengthen.
Following the 2026 calendar and considering that INSPIRAMAIS is held on a semiannual basis, the 34th edition is scheduled for July 7 and 8 at the Pro Magno Events Center in São Paulo, Brazil.
On that occasion, the fair will be guided by the research ESSÊNCIA 2027_II, whose initial guidelines were previewed during the Porto Alegre edition. The new concept is structured around axes such as Purism: Metallic, Ornamented, Popism and Botanical Garden, which will be developed in depth in the next edition and will shape the creative direction of future collections and materials.
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