{"id":9760,"date":"2020-01-25T08:00:11","date_gmt":"2020-01-25T08:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.munichfabricstart.com\/interview-with-simon-angel-curator-of-sustainable-innovations-2\/"},"modified":"2026-10-05T15:06:02","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T15:06:02","slug":"interview-with-simon-angel-curator-of-sustainable-innovations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.munichfabricstart.com\/en\/interview-with-simon-angel-curator-of-sustainable-innovations\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Simon Angel, Curator of SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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Simon Angel has been the curator of the Sustainable Innovations Area in the KEYHOUSE<\/a> since 2018. For the Munich Fabric Start fair, he is looking for exciting young designers, extraordinary innovations and new perspectives from the textile world. Register now to attend Sustainable Innovations at KEYHOUSE.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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\u00bbSimon, what Sustainable Innovations can we look forward to this season?\u00ab<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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Each season, we try to present textile tendencies and new materials to inspire and broaden the context, techniques, meaning and value of textile related topics. Our goal is to show a glimpse of a possible future, so the industry and its professionals can use it to get to the next level. It is a constant dialogue. We are a community, growing and connecting together, sharing visions and ideas \u2013 it\u2019s an inspiring atmosphere.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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This edition of Munich Fabric Start\u2019s Sustainable Innovations is a prime example to this approach \u2013 not only in respect to the responsibility held as a textile fair but also from the attitude and perspectives of the designer\u2019s present. You see their visions in sound-created and laser print work. You feel their ideas in the provocative perspective that plastic is part of our natural landscape. And in the concept that ditching seams can lead to new manufacturing techniques and design approaches. But also, in revaluing materials like sisal and paper and the use of core natural elements like milk, starch and salt-crystals. I am positive that these projects will start a dialogue we can all learn from.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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\u00bbAgain and again, the fear of the future, the consequences of environmental pollution and climate change emerge in the curated works. Challenge or opportunity, what do you think?\u00ab<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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Your question shows that we are all still at very different stages in the process. Some people are aware and concerned about the transformations our environment is facing. Some are becoming aware of the changes and starting to value what still is. Others are reacting with action, ready to change the game. Specifically that we all have different point of views \u2013 with even more concerns to consider. So, there is not one dialogue, there are hundreds. There is not one solution, there is \u2013 as I refer to it \u2013 a chain of change happening on all levels. Therefore, I there is no \u201cor\u201d in between, instead it is an \u201cand\u201d: We have challenges AND opportunities. All of the designers offer opportunities through different approaches and create change, as challenging as it is.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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\u00bbThe use of potato starch, old printing methods and traditional Korean craftsmanship \u2013 one could almost say that \u201cback to the roots\u201d is the motto of the upcoming season. Posing the question, where does this development come from?\u00ab<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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As designers are digging deeper, they often rediscover historic production processes and design principles, that make sense in the now as well. \u201cWe learn from history that we never learn from history\u201d, a quote of a dear friend of mine. Now I learn that there are two meanings to this. The project of Caterina Tiolo is a good example for how changing the order of an old process can lead to totally new approaches \u2013 design and material wise. The development of redefining traditional processes and ingredients is really exciting. Or look at \u201cConsumption of heritage\u201d by Lee Sun: She uses traditional crafts and simple materials like paper in a modern fashion context and in that way values her heritage. So yes, if \u201cback to the roots\u201d to you means \u201crevitalise tradition and values\u201d, it is certainly a dominant development.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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\u00bbYou are curating the Sustainable Innovations for the fifth time this season. What has changed?\u00ab<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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From my perspective, it is not working on changes \u2013 we are working on this as a journey. I see many strong developments and tendencies and they are driven by dedicated professionals. Not only business and money-driven but instead also by values. I see that the industry is working on becoming a better version of itself. Feeling a glimpse of shared responsibility between designers, manufacturers, press and media, I am very optimistic. In the end it is all about the perfect couple: quality and consciousness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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\u00bb2020 \u2013 a new decade begins. Looking to the future: how do you think the interplay of sustainability and textiles will develop?\u00ab<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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As optimistic as I may sound \u2013 the more research I do in the field of textiles and fashion, it all comes down to our individual responsibilities: our behaviours as a human, existing as a consumer in this economic system. The causality of change has two central elements to start with: demand and supply. We have to stop putting \u2018the good\u2019 into a colonial and capitalistic context as from the early start of textile history to the fashion world of the now: The more we are aware and the more we share, together we can make this a great journey. Let\u2019s take this chance and restore the enthusiasm to this economic world. Let\u2019s thrive!<\/p>\n

Visit Sustainable Innovations at KEYHOUSE <\/strong>on February 4-6 2020<\/strong> in Munich.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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