This week sees the launch of Performance Days’ second US spin-off event and the first on the West Coast: the Functional Fabric Fair in Portland, Oregon. Held 22-23 October, this

standalone event in Portland will feature outdoor, lifestyle and activewear functional textiles and accessories planned for Winter 2021.

Portland was a natural choice for the West Coast because, according to organisers, it’s the “US mecca for performance brands”. The event will include over 100 exhibitors and a selection of expert sessions. 

Among the topics covered in expert sessions: “Color Trends” with fashion and design consultant Nora Kühner, “Choosing the Right Technology” with senior technical director of the Hohenstein Institute John Frazier, and a conversation on “Sustainability: What’s New & What’s Next”, led by industry execs and thought leaders Andreas Gürtler, Christine Hubner, Elizabeth LeMay, Emily Walzer and Charles Ross.

Last year, Performance Days launched a similar event in New York City, which ran again this past summer. Organisers said the New York fair doubled in size from 2018 launch, and that this year’s sold out exhibit hall showcased more than 120 textile manufacturers, suppliers and service providers. 

The original Performance Days has been running since 2008, with events in April/May and November to coordinate with seasonal sourcing schedules. The next Performance Days will be held in Munich, 13-14 November, with nearly 300 exhibitors from 31 nations. 

Photo: Entrance to Functional Fabric Fair New York, held in July. This week marks the event’s debut in Portland, Oregon.    Credit: Ron Denny