The international trade fair for footwear components, leather, textiles, machinery and technology took place at IFA-Fira Alacant, presenting materials and innovations for the A/W 2027/28 season.
According to organiser AEC (Spanish Association of Footwear Component Companies), the event featured 171 companies, including ten first-time exhibitors. Participants came from countries including Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, China, Turkey, Taiwan and India. International companies accounted for 44 per cent of the total.
Futurmoda president Pedro Vives acknowledged the decline in participation compared with previous years, attributing it to the situation in the market and industry. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism, stating: “We have positive expectations for the fair.”
The event also featured a programme addressing challenges facing the footwear industry. Álvaro Sánchez, Director General of AEC and Futurmoda, explained that the edition would focus on “the problems affecting the sector, such as the decline in production.” Discussions covered industrial competitiveness, intellectual property protection, sustainability and artificial intelligence.
The Trend Forum showcased materials and design developments for A/W 2027/28, while the Green Planet area presented solutions aimed at more responsible footwear production.
