Fabric trend show PREFACE was intentionally designed to stand apart from traditional trade show events. Although it features some of the hallmarks of a trade show like exhibition stands, PREFACE’s main mission since its launch in 2018 has been educating and engaging the fashion industry about textile innovation.
“Where other shows dedicate a corner to innovation, that’s what we’re entirely about,” said Betsy Franjola, the founder of PREFACE Show.
Twice a year, PREFACE convenes sustainably minded mills, manufacturers, fiber producers and fashion brands to encourage new sourcing relationships and foster conversations. The name PREFACE references the preliminary nature of fabric and material sourcing, since these decisions sit at the start of the product development process. “We want brands to begin their design story with us,” said Franjola.
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In 2025, the PREFACE Show will center its event schedule on the West Coast. Along with shows in Los Angeles on Jan. 22 to 23 and in July, the organizer is planning to host a pop-up show in Vancouver later in the year. “We’re trying to be in the right place for our message to be heard, and right now that feels like Los Angeles and the West Coast,” said Franjola. The show plans to return to the East Coast when the time is right.
The January edition of PREFACE will be held at the Los Angeles headquarters of Ambercycle, a material innovation firm that transforms textile waste into regenerated polyester. During the show, attendees will have a chance to take a 30-minute tour of Ambercycle’s lab and warehouse. Ambercycle was on PREFACE’s radar as a potential partner since the show began, but the timing is right now since the material firm has scaled up to commercial production. “It was a long time coming,” said Franjola. “After working on it for so many years, it feels like a natural partnership and like minds coming together.”
Los Angeles is currently experiencing devastating and destructive wildfires, but the show’s sustainability message is more important than ever in the face of this climate change-exacerbated weather event. “Given the ongoing fires in Los Angeles, we took a moment to reflect on whether this was the right time to move forward,” said PREFACE in a statement. “After discussions with our exhibitors and supporters, the consensus was clear: This moment calls for unity and action. It feels like the right time to come together, support one another and work toward meaningful change in the industry—perfectly aligned with the mission and values of PREFACE.”
With the theme of “The Journey,” the January show will follow the production lifecycle, covering the numerous steps needed to make a single garment, from raw material to retail-ready merchandise. “Each step of the process has value, and it’s important for people to understand that value,” said Franjola. Attendees and exhibitors will be asked to write down one singular thing they can do to improve the lifecycle impact of a product, and these postcards will be mailed to them a few months later to serve as a reminder and continue the conversation.
“We’re asking them to consider what is one thing you can do? Because that is measurable, and it’s something that you can feel that you could affect, whether it’s your brand or even you personally,” said Franjola. “We thought this would be a meaningful way to get people to focus and hopefully make actual change.”
A sponsor of the event, Transparency-One, supports companies as they map out their supply chains, monitor social and environmental risks, keep tabs on supplier certification documents, collect and analyze data, and share this information with end consumers. Their team will be onsite to walk attendees through the details of their platform.
Already in its 14th season, PREFACE has grown to include more exhibitors, but the goal is to keep things intimate. The growth plan is focused on increasing attendance rather than exponentially expanding exhibitors. Currently, the exhibitor count is capped at 20, but the organizers do not anticipate growing this number beyond 30 or 40. Keeping numbers small has allowed the show organizers to carefully select who can participate, ensuring that partners are aligned with the shared mission of using innovation to advance the textile industry in a sustainable way. In addition to innovators that PREFACE identifies, increasingly brands and suppliers are requesting information to participate. “We want to be recognized as the premier event for textile innovation,” said Franjola. “We want to be intentional about selecting meaningful partners to grow with.”
Roughly 70 percent of exhibitors return, pointing to the positive experience and differentiated opportunity. Attendees also plan to come back for more. “Amidst all of the fabric shows, I found my oasis in PREFACE,” said Audrey Alegre, design manager, Anine Bing. “PREFACE is beautifully curated with the right amount of mills that fit our sourcing needs. I loved that I could spend enough time with the mills and I didn’t feel rushed to meet with everyone. The trend forecasting and the guest speakers are also inspiring and genuinely the best. I can’t wait to see what they have in store for their Los Angeles show!”
Along with a carefully curated exhibitor lineup, hosting on a smaller scale allows PREFACE to follow through on their sustainable goals for the event production. They carefully consider how to reduce environmental impact by utilizing reusable cotton canvas booth signage and non-disposable cutlery and plates. Reducing waste is another primary focus, and the event composts waste to shrink what is trashed. Going a step further, the show plans to track carbon metrics, including impacts such as exhibitors’ travel, energy and gas used, as well as waste volume. As Olivia Schott, director of creative operations at PREFACE, explained, “We strive to walk the walk when it comes to putting on our events because it is important to us to set an example.”
Click here to learn more about PREFACE and to register for the January show.
