The 31st edition of INSPIRAMAIS, a trade show that showcased over a thousand innovative and sustainable materials for the footwear, apparel, automotive upholstery, furniture, and jewelry industries, on January 21st and 22nd, marked the recovery of the fashion supply chain after the impacts caused by the floods in May 2024. Due to the climate disaster that struck Rio Grande do Sul, last year the event was held in adapted editions in Taquara/RS and São Paulo/SP in July. Returning to its original format, which led INSPIRAMAIS to be recognized nationally and internationally as the only trade show for fashion industries, the event returned in January 2025 to Porto Alegre/RS, at the FIERGS Events Center.
With 150 exhibitors of various materials, received over 7 thousand visitors during the two days of the event, INSPIRAMAIS, more than just business and collection launches, offered an intense program of high-quality content. The big news this year was the partnership with Central Única das Favelas (CUFA) and the involvement of the automotive upholstery sector, which, in addition to a talk, exhibited a car completely renovated using materials presented at the show. "The transversality of materials is a new rule for the component production chain in Brazil. In addition to footwear, we have solutions for various sectors of the economy," commented the superintendent of Associação Brasileira das Empresas de Componentes para Couro, Calçados e Artefatos [Brazilian Association of Leather, Footwear and Component Companies] (Assintecal), Silvana Dilly
Burnout
The lecture Inspirations 2026_I took place, highlighting the theme of the research that gave rise to the over one thousand materials presented in the INSPIRAMAIS Connection space, right at the entrance of the event. The coordinator of the Design and Research Nucleus at Assintecal, Walter Rodrigues, spoke about the research methodology and, in particular, this year's theme, Burnout. The stylist revealed that the theme emphasizes the broken doll aesthetic, which portrays a depressive and artificial scenario that is reflected in fashion through a mix of Victorian styles, with the fetish of a closed society, and science fiction and high technology, with a predominant role of Artificial Intelligence.
International Business
In this edition of INSPIRAMAIS, Assintecal, through Brazilian Materials, an export support program for the sector maintained by the association in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), brought 23 international groups to conduct business at the event. In addition to the project, during the 31st edition of the trade show, a delegation of 11 Peruvian entrepreneurs learned more about - and purchased - components manufactured in Brazil.
According to Assintecal's International Market Manager, Luiz Ribas Júnior, groups were selected to participate in the Buyer Project due to their business potential. "In total, these companies produce more than 5.3 million pairs every month. These groups came to Brazil seeking sustainable and innovative solutions in adhesives, synthetic laminates, decorations, PVC compounds, laces, zippers, and elastics, among other materials used to supply their factories,” Mr. Ribas Júnior explained. Groups from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Paraguay were participating in the Buyer Project during the upcoming edition of INSPIRAMAIS. The Project surpassed the number of business transactions made during the last edition of the event held in July, during which more than US$ 6 million were generated between sales made on-site and aligned.
Alternative to large shopping malls
This year, the new addition to the lineup of spaces was Open Design Independente. For the first time in its history, INSPIRAMAIS featured a space focused on B2C business, i.e., aimed at the end consumer. The focus of the exhibition was on fashion accessories, jewelry, and home decor. Open Design aimed to be an alternative to traditional shopping centers and stores, offering direct contact with high-quality products made in Brazil by small entrepreneurs.
The trade show
Promoted by Assintecal in partnership with Centro das Indústrias de Curtumes do Brasil [Brazilian Tanning Industry Center] (CICB), Associação Brasileira da Indústria Têxtil e de Confecção [Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association] (Abit) and Associação Brasileira das Indústrias de Mobiliário [Brazilian Furniture Industry Association] (Abimóvel), INSPIRAMAIS was held by Brazilian Materials in partnership with Sebrae Nacional.