MarediModa trade show kicks off at Palais des Festivals in Cannes

The MarediModa trade show is a key event for the textiles and beachwear industry. Its 22nd edition, currently being staged in Cannes at the Palais des Festivals, is showcasing over 100 European textiles and accessories collections for beachwear, lingerie and sportswear, plus exclusive design studios and specialised suppliers, as well as a plethora of events, workshops and trend forums.

“At a time like this, characterised by great uncertainty and an overhaul of the global textile industry, our show stands as a reference of excellence, creativity and innovation,” said Claudio Taiana, president of MarediModa, in a press release. “[MarediModa] is still extraordinarily relevant, even 22 years after its first edition, while everything has changed around us except our notion of working together.”

Taiana went on to say that “if it is true that cross-pollination and fluidity are central themes in international fashion today, the companies in our ecosystem are called upon to support designers in their choice of technical, creative, traceable and controlled-origin fabrics suited to the most diverse uses.”

Alongside its textiles exhibitors, since 2007 MarediModa has featured a section presenting quality producers that can act as reliable partners for private-label collections.

‘Waterworld’ is the central theme of the summer 2026 trend forecasting presentation by David Shah, held in two sessions on November 5 and 6 at 11:00 a.m. CET.

“Creative exuberance, sharing and discipline. A journey to discover the depths of the oceans, where water generates and preserves secret histories. A water-based world with its vital force, unceasing flow and constant motion, producing beauty and wonder,” said Shah, whose Trend Talks will help visitors navigate the new trends for beachwear, lingerie and athleisure collections, underpinned by an in-depth sociological analysis and yielding forecasts for style directions, materials and colours.

MarediModa is again featuring the competition designed to select tomorrow’s emerging talents from the top European fashion design academies. The participants are required to design a beachwear, lingerie and athleisure collection, focusing on pure, unfettered creativity, with no commercial constraints. The finalists will showcase their work in a runway show on November 6 at 6 pm CET.

The finalists of The Link 2024 are:

Beachwear

Matilde Balduzzi – Italy – Next Fashion School by Carla Secoli – Milan
Sebastian Crucianu – Romania – University of Art and Design – Cluj Napoca
Moises Rivero Galvan – Spain – School of Art and Design Gran Canaria – Las Palmas

Lingerie

Beghim Genghiz – Romania – University of Art and Design – Cluj Napoca
Marianna Luca – Italy – Next Fashion School by Carla Secoli – Milan
Lucia Trabazos – Spain – Falmouth University – Falmouth

Athleisure

Alessia Marenghi – Italy – Milan Polytechnic University – Milan
Aurora Scorrano – Italy – ISGMD – Lecco
Nicolai Vulpe – Romania – University of Art and Design – Cluj Napoca

The ‘Flash’ project, now in its third edition, will feature fabrics presented via their prototypes, to promote a new visual approach, based on pictures and video, for showcasing the fabrics more effectively. The show’s ‘Seam’ section is again dedicated to private label producers.

Another exclusive MarediModa initiative is the ‘ATH Project’ section, with nine producers showcasing innovative fabrics suitable for creating athleisure garments that anticipate tomorrow’s trends. The section’s looks are designed by ISGMD, the show’s fashion academy partner.

The MarediModa Creative Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate the status of brands with a long and prestigious record in the lingerie and beachwear sectors. For the event’s 2024 edition, the prizes will be awarded to Melissa Odabash and Aguaclara.

British brand Melissa Odabash will be recognised for her ability to combine high fashion and wearability in swimwear, featuring luxury contemporary models with an aura of timeless sophistication.

Peruvian brand Aguaclara will be recognised for its creativity, refinement and high-quality printed fabrics, characterised by sophisticated, harmonious designs.

The Lycra Company, official partner of MarediModa Cannes, is presenting its bio-derived ‘EcoMade’ fibre, 70% made using renewable raw materials such as maize. Alistair Williamson, vice-president EMEA & South Asia Apparel of The Lycra Company, will present the new fibre’s characteristics. EcoMade helps reduce the carbon footprint of garments while ensuring a performance comparable to that of elastane.

During MarediModa, it will be possible to take a close look at the new fibre and its journey, which begins from Iowa-cultivated maize, at an immersive virtual reality section outside the Lycra Brand Lounge.

Among the show’s other speakers, Heidi van den Hul, from the European marketing division of textiles company Nilit, talking about the benefits of Sensil, a sustainable fibre suitable for luxury beachwear, high-performance activewear and ultra-soft underwear.

Finally, after featuring at MarediModa 2019, Janne Baetsen is back in Cannes, to start a conversation about circularity and chaos. In other words, about industry changes driven by sustainability, circularity, climate change and artificial intelligence. Baetsen will give her view of the road map to change, based on her belief that, in order to be genuine, change is also likely to be messy, slow and uncomfortable.