Preface Fabric Trend Show Unravels Circularity in Los Angeles with Dynamic New Format

The Preface fabric trend show, established in 2018, is set to unveil a dynamic new format on January 28 and 29 in Los Angeles. Hosted at 356 S. Mission Road in the Arts District, the upcoming edition will delve deep into the critical subjects of circular design, upcycling, and sustainability, exploring their future impact on the fashion industry.

This pivotal new chapter for Preface marks a significant shift towards a fully collaborative approach, as stated by founder Betsy Franjola. The event is produced in partnership with two innovative organizations: Re/Assembly and Here/After. Re/Assembly, co-founded by Sohyun Cho, Jodi Everding, Stina Randestad, and Ida Esteri Karkkainen, is dedicated to assisting creative talent in the transition to circularity within the fashion and textile sectors. Here/After is a unique collaboration between Amy Leverton, founder of Denim Dudes, and Erin Barajas, a renowned producer and writer specializing in denim. These partnerships promise to enrich the event with profound educational content and forward-thinking trend programming, shaping what is anticipated to be Preface’s largest and most inspiring event to date.

Operating under the theme "Unraveling Circularity," the show aims to bring together industry pioneers, educators, and suppliers. The objective is to provide invaluable tools and insights into circular design for designers and brands actively seeking textile and resource alternatives that surpass conventional materials. Attendees can expect a carefully curated selection of exhibitors, engaging interactive sessions, expert-led panels, and ample networking opportunities, all designed to equip them with practical resources for integrating circularity and upcycling into their design and production processes.

A notable expansion for this edition is the dedicated collection of denim supply chain players on the Preface show floor, meticulously organized by Denim Dudes. This curated section will feature prominent exhibitors such as Orta, Iskur, Lab Denim, Desert Studio, Denimai, and Maritas. Visitors will gain access to global denim insights, attend trend forecasts, review industry reports, and participate in panels exploring the culture, creativity, and evolution of the denim landscape. Amy Leverton, co-founder of Here/After, expressed excitement about broadening their reach, bringing their signature focus and energy, previously seen in intimate community experiences, to a wider audience.

A key highlight of this year's event will be Re/Assembly's Upcycling Fashion Design Competition, a real-time spectacle challenging traditional design practices. Following an expert-led educational program, selected emerging designers will face an intense six-hour challenge directly on the show floor. Their task will be to transform post-consumer clothing, textile waste, and recycled materials into runway-ready garments, all live in front of the attendees. The competition targets 3rd and 4th-year fashion students, as well as recent graduates, with finalists chosen based on their design language, craftsmanship, design process in previous work, and their demonstrated commitment to sustainability in fashion design. Stina Randestad, an award-winning fashion designer and creative director of Re/Assembly, emphasizes that the competition serves as the ultimate proof of concept, illustrating that circularity is not a limitation but rather a catalyst for the most creative, original, and compelling design in contemporary fashion.

The winning team designers of the Upcycling Fashion Design Competition will each be awarded a Juki sewing machine and a 750 euro gift card from Weturn, a premium European recycled fabric manufacturer. Further prizes may be announced by the organizer at a later date. The trade show anticipates drawing a diverse attendance, including representatives from established brands such as AG Jeans, Frame, Reformation, Good American, Paige, True Religion, Staud, Buck Mason, Rails, Doen, and L’Agence, alongside emerging designers, sourcing teams, and sustainability leaders.

Preface is designed to welcome visitors from all echelons of the fashion supply chain, encompassing founders, creative directors, and production and sourcing managers. Attendance at Preface is entirely free of charge, and interested brands and designers are encouraged to register online to secure their spot at this essential industry event.