INSPIRAMAIS: innovation, sustainability and international business
The latest edition of INSPIRAMAIS, held on January 21 and 22 at the FIERGS Event Center in Porto Alegre/RS, brought together more than 1,000 materials and components for various industries, such as footwear, costume jewelry, apparel, furniture, and upholstery. With over 150 exhibitors, the event reflected the transversality of the exhibited offering.
This edition also stood out as an example of resilience, marking a recovery of the production chain following the floods that affected the state of Rio Grande do Sul in May 2024.
During the inauguration, Gerson Berwanger -president of the Brazilian Association of Companies of Components for Leather, Footwear and Manufactured Goods (ASSINTECAL)-, recalled how the exhibition center had been under two meters of water nearly a year ago. In contrast, he emphasized that this edition presented a vibrant event that combined sustainability and innovation.
In this sense, sustainability in its social and cultural aspects was one of the fair’s central themes. Silvana Dilly -ASSINTECAL's superintendent-, highlighted that cultural sustainability is one of the least explored dimensions and was showcased through special initiatives.
Walter Rodrigues -coordinator of INSPIRAMAIS’s Design and Research Center-, presented the concept BURNOUT as the main research theme. This concept captures work-related exhaustion and its impact on fashion, depicting a brutalist environment that emphasizes the expressive nature of materials.
Within this idea, the aesthetic called "Broken Doll" stood out, reflecting an artificial and depressive state with influences from Victorian style and science fiction. It incorporates materials with shiny finishes, details like zippers and buckles for a heavier feel, and deep colors such as navy blue and eggplant, along with pastel tones and sand beige.
The Buyer Project brought 23 international groups from Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Paraguay to Brazil under the BRAZILIAN MATERIALS program, promoted by ASSINTECAL in collaboration with APEXBRASIL.
These companies, which collectively produce over 5.3 million pairs of shoes per month, generated business exceeding US$ 7.5 million, including finalized transactions and deals initiated during the event. This figure surpassed the results of July 2024, according to pre-established expectations.
Luiz Ribas Júnior -ASSINTECAL’s International Market Manager-, highlighted that these companies were interested in innovative and sustainable materials, such as synthetic laminates, adhesives, and PVC compounds.
Additionally, this edition featured a delegation from Peru, with 11 entrepreneurs visiting the fair to explore and acquire Brazilian materials and components, as reported by the organization.
Under the same program, the Image Project invited six press groups from Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico to showcase Brazilian products.
BRAZILIAN MATERIALS also promoted the RESPIRA ACRE project, presented as an initiative to explore biomaterials, primarily from the Amazon rainforest.
The project involved an in-depth study of the culture of Acre (a state bordering Peru and Bolivia), identifying 18 biomaterials viable for use in the footwear and accessories industries. These include natural fibers from banana and buriti trees, as well as jarina, açaí, tucumã seeds, and sustainably extracted latex.
During the event, products originating from these communities were displayed in a dedicated space, allowing attendees to view and purchase them.
Meanwhile, CIPATEX represented the automotive upholstery sector at the fair, showcasing a refurbished car and motorcycle using its own materials. As an exhibitor, it demonstrated the applicability of its proposals and generated strong business in both domestic and global markets.
The 32nd edition of INSPIRAMAIS will take place on July 15 and 16 at Pro Magno, São Paulo/SP. In advance, Walter Rodrigues revealed the concept “Human 2026_II”, which will be central to the next season.
This concept arises as a counterpoint to the BURNOUT theme, which focused on uncertainty and conflict. For July, the aesthetic is based on the hope for a better future.
The research is defined by a key term: “Hope”, with two sub-themes: one centered on spontaneity and elements of dance and pop, resulting in hope rooted in community; while the other theme focuses on utopian and extravagant hope, opposing romantic and egocentric consumerism.
Materials for this season will feature shine, volume, transparency, prints, satin fabrics, contrasting textures, and layering.
MATERIALS PRESENTED AT INSPIRAMAIS JANUARY 2025
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