Porto, Portugal
Portuguese textile fair gathers 100 exhibitors and industry leaders.
The first edition of MOD’Unica, the textile fair promoted by ATP – Textile and Clothing Association of Portugal with the support of SPORMEX, brought together around 100 exhibitors at Exponor on 26 and 27 February, establishing itself as a key meeting point for the Portuguese textile industry.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to all participants, highlighting “the individual and collective effort that has shown resilience, dedication and confidence in facing this new stage.” Looking ahead, they remain committed to strengthening collaboration with various entities and municipalities to further enhance the event’s representation of the Portuguese textile sector.
The fair welcomed 3,500 visitors, including 150 international attendees, and presented over 110 collections featuring 300 materials in the Trends Forum.
On the second day, Paulo Rios, a member of AICEP’s Board of Directors, visited the fair and acknowledged the sector’s transformation. “We are aligned with the sector, and we continue to believe in its great potential. I take with me the concerns of the companies,” he stated. He also reaffirmed AICEP’s commitment to supporting businesses and emphasised the importance of MOD’Unica in driving the industry forward.
Several institutional representatives attended the event, including officials from the city councils of Fafe, Guimarães, Santo Tirso and Vila Nova de Famalicão, gaining firsthand insight into the industry’s capacity for innovation.
The Trends Forum SS26, curated by Teresa Pereira from CITEVE, was structured under four themes: Tonic Essence, Dynamic Essence, Sensory Essence and Immersive Essence.
The iTechStyle Showcase, organised by CITEVE, featured over 30 textile innovations, including fabrics, products and accessories. The finalists for the iTechStyle Awards were selected from this showcase, with the winner set to be announced at the iTechStyle Summit in May.
Featured exhibitors in the iTechStyle Showcase:
Fabrics: Inovafil, Lameirinho, LMA, TMG Textiles
Products: Benedita Formosinho, Chewiec, Mundotêxil, JF Almeida
Accessories: JOF, Bordados Oliveira, YKK Portugal
In addition to highlighting textile culture and design, MOD’Unica featured an artistic entrance hall displaying pieces by visual artist António Jorge, as well as designs inspired by traditional Valentine’s handkerchiefs, created in collaboration with Vila Verde City Council and the Namorar Portugal initiative. The exhibition area also showcased the Guimarães Marca platform and the Covilhã Triennale.
The MOD’Unica Talks programme included over 20 presentations, covering innovative projects such as DIGI4FASHION, Metaskills4TCLF, RDC@ITV, RESOTEX, TEXAD, Vetrine and Waste2BioComp. Contributions from institutions such as AE Minho, Circular Strategy, CITEVE, Humana Portugal, MAAB Consulting, Modatex, OMA, Universidade da Beira Interior, and Universidade do Minho enriched discussions on the industry’s evolution
Expanding its scope, MOD’Unica is now welcoming companies from the home textiles, decoration, and technical textiles sectors, reinforcing its status as a premier platform for Portuguese textile excellence.
Industry participants expressed strong support for the fair’s continuity, emphasising its role in showcasing innovation and fostering business opportunities. “Portugal has a highly differentiated textile ecosystem, and this event is a privileged showcase for this capacity for innovation and adaptation,” stated a representative from Fashion Details.
Bordados Oliveira highlighted the fair’s value in providing visibility in a new format and fostering partnerships: “MOD’Unica creates an ideal space for collaborations and networking.” JF Almeida echoed these sentiments, recognising the event’s importance in strengthening partnerships and keeping up with market developments.
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