FFE NY Edition

Future Fabrics Expo NYC

Journeying from Boston on a bright, sunny early November morning, a train ride provides the perfect distraction to enter the opportunity to explore the Future Fabric Expo NYC 2nd edition.  After attending this event in London in 2023 and being pleasantly surprised that the tone was inclusive, kind, collaborative, and community-led, replicating nature, all reflecting the future of fabrics – Can this be replicated in NYC?

After receiving a warm greeting at the unassuming entrance into the Metropolitan Pavilion, the Future Fabrics Expo did not disappoint. It was a smaller curated edition of high-value interactions, fabrications, and panel talks. At first glance, you may think there wasn’t much there, but there was plenty to see, learn about, and people to meet.

Linen, hemp, and nettle were well represented, albeit not in a dedicated bast fibre section like London. A dedicated linen rail with fabrics, hemp, and nettle blends was interspersed throughout the exhibit.

Notable mentions were in the Innovation hub on the bio fabrication tables, where cellulose was a solid and encouraging theme.

Decomposition library by notgroundbreaking This life cycle composting of cellulose fibres is poignant, showing linen and hemp de-composing in week 3.

NUVI in Germany uses undyed linen-viscose as a backing for biomaterial textile coatings

Fabricandy cellulose fibers from fabric waste are transformed into glucose that can be used for candy.

Simplifyber is an Innovative cellular-based liquid used to transform the production process with additive manufacturing in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Rezero in Ireland recycled cellulose acetate from seized cigarette butts into pellets to create buttons and sheets for accessories like eyewear frames.

Rootful by Zena Holloway, I’m already a fan from meeting in London, and it’s great to see these wheat grassroots being planted stateside.

Helen Kirkum Studio creates collaged sneaker leather from single-shoe sneakers sourced from Traid in the UK.

Generative Ai

NANOLOOM in the UK

The panel discussions were well attended and provided opportunities to learn about topics ranging from Regenerative Agriculture to Next-Generation materials and products.

The FFE NY Edition is well worth the visit, the transatlantic experience translates really well and looking forward to representing RegenTextiles and North American Linen Association at the event in 2025!