Sourcing at Magic prepares to explore sustainability through technology

By

Robin Driver

Published
Jan 8, 2019

The next edition of UBM-run sourcing trade show Sourcing at Magic, set to kick off at the beginning of February, will focus on sustainability through technology and will feature innovative VR experiences, as well as the latest in production and design tech and sourcing tools.

 
February’s Sourcing at Magic will explore both smart design and advanced manufacturing as ways of making the fashion industry more efficient and sustainable, displaying new devices presenting breakthroughs in 3D to 2D digital pattern rendering, virtual inventories, digital direct-to-garment printing and on-demand manufacturing.
 
As part of this push, the trade show will be hosting a “Micro-Factory Experience”, presented by EFI/Optitex, showcasing new apparel production technologies and smart design software through live demonstrations.

Sourcing at Magic will also be using technology to think about sustainability in a different way, through the “X Ray Fashion VR Experience” by Francesco Carrozzini. The immersive experience uses a VR headset to take participants from the catwalk back to India’s apparel sweatshops and cotton fields, encouraging them to think critically about the fast fashion industry and adopt a more sustainable attitude.
 
The installation is accompanied by the “X Ray Fashion Tool Kit”, which provides information about the negative environmental and social impacts of fast fashion, as well as descriptions of the industry’s mechanisms and processes, and advice on how to be a more sustainable consumer.
 
As usual, Sourcing at Magic will also be presenting a full program of seminars, among which the trade show’s organizers have highlighted “U.S.A. Fashion Innovators: recycling, relaunching and rethinking fashion”, led by speakers Huston Textiles founder Ryan Houston, Kali Made founder Victor Kali and Vidalia Denim CEO Dan Feibus.
 
Other seminars include discussions of the impact of the ongoing trade wars between the US and China on sourcing, one of which will be led by James Schwartz, president and CEO of MGF Sourcing, and a presentation from FindSourcing.com founder Elias Gronder on the tools offered by his platform to help make sourcing more transparent and accessible.
 
Sourcing at Magic will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, February 4 through 7, 2019.