Porto Alegre is about to become the epicenter of material innovation as INSPIRAMAIS returns on January 27–28, 2026, bringing together more than 150 companies and thousands of industry professionals.
Known as the leading Latin American exhibition for materials that shape the future of footwear, accessories, apparel, and even furniture, the event has become a strategic stop for designers, product developers, and brands seeking early access to next‑season innovations.
For Fashion Week Online’s audience—always scanning for what’s next—INSPIRAMAIS offers something rare: a first look at the materials, textures, technologies, and conceptual frameworks that will influence global collections months before they hit runways.
INSPIRAMAIS
A Research‑Driven Vision: “The Turning Point”
One of the most anticipated moments of the event is the presentation of The Turning Point, a research project led by Walter Rodrigues, creative coordinator of Assintecal’s Research and Design Center. Inspired by Fritjof Capra’s seminal work, the study proposes a shift toward an ecological and feminine perspective—an evolution from Bauman’s “Liquid Modernity” to a new “Gaseous Modernity,” defined by volatility, speed, and evaporation.
This conceptual framework translates into more than 1,000 new materials featuring:
- Ethereal lightness
- Organic and cellular textures
- Gelatinous and plasma‑like surfaces
- Amorphous silhouettes
- Futuristic 3D constructions
- Layered and fragmented compositions
- AI‑enhanced design processes
For designers, this is a preview of the aesthetic and material language that may define the next cycle of fashion innovation.
AI, Design, and the Future of Creativity
Artificial Intelligence takes center stage in multiple talks, including:
- Design First: The Secondary Role of Technology, with Daniel Quintana Sperb, exploring how design—not technology—remains the true engine of transformation.
- Artificial Intelligence for Creatives in Fashion, led by Emmanuelle Tonani, offering a strategic look at how AI can expand creative potential rather than replace it.
These sessions reflect a broader industry conversation: how to integrate AI without losing the human intuition that drives fashion.
Local Identity as Luxury: The Amazon Biome Project
Another highlight is the presentation of the Local Iconography – Amazon Biome project, developed in partnership with Sebrae. Through deep territorial research in Santarém, Alter do Chão, Belterra, and Mojuí dos Campos, the initiative generated 80+ new materials rooted in local identity and sustainable practices.
For global brands increasingly seeking authenticity, traceability, and cultural depth, this project offers a compelling blueprint for future collaborations.
A Hub for International Business
Supported by APEX Brasil, the Buyer Project brings 38 international buyers from Latin America and Turkey, representing companies that collectively produce more than 1.5 million pairs of footwear per month. The previous edition generated over R$ 44 million in international business—an indicator of the event’s commercial relevance.
Why INSPIRAMAIS Matters to the Global Fashion Community
INSPIRAMAIS is not just a trade show—it is a forecasting engine for materials and design. For editors, designers, and brand leaders, it offers:
- Early access to next‑season material trends
- Insight into Latin America’s growing influence in global fashion
- A front‑row seat to sustainability and AI‑driven innovation
- Opportunities to discover new suppliers and creative collaborators
As the industry continues to rethink its relationship with technology, nature, and culture, INSPIRAMAIS positions itself as a crucial space for reimagining the future of fashion from the ground up—literally, starting with materials.
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