Survey of the European denim fairs for spring/summer 2025

Survey of the European denim fairs for spring/summer 2025

The European denim fairs for the spring/summer 2025 season were well attended, and in most cases there were increases in the numbers of exhibitors and visitors at the fairs compared with the editions for the autumn/winter 2024/25 season.

Several key trends in design were presented at the fairs. In terms of colour, grey was important, bleached pastel colours were prevalent, and denim fabrics in rich vintage shades were popular. At the same time, black was also popular—reflecting the development of new and novel black dyes which are being described as “eco black”.

In terms of decoration, effects and finishes, there was a trend towards iridescent coatings, metallic glazes, leather effect finishes and wax effect finishes, and maximalist and oversized print designs were popular. So were denim fabric collections featuring bleached, distressed, faded, stained and washed effects.

Other trends presented at the fairs included stretch denim fabrics, and denim fabrics made using organic cotton and regenerative cotton. Also, many exhibitors showcased denim fabrics which had been made using traceable cotton sourced from sustainable cotton programmes. For other exhibitors, a major focus in the development of denim collections for the spring/summer 2025 season was “next generation” cellulosic fibres derived from pre- and post-consumer textile waste.