The year 2023 will definitely be under the banner of textile hemp! In February, there are two absolutely unmissable events for hemp textile enthusiasts, or for anyone who would like to find out more about this environmentally sustainable fabric!

From Perth (virtually) to Forlì is an instant and the protagonist is always textile hemp, but let's look at the details now.

Natural Expo

After the success at Heimtextil in Frankfurt, where I had the honour of speaking about textile hemp in the bed linen sector, in February I will have the pleasure of presenting the benefits of this ancient and precious fabric also at Natural Expo in Forlì.

The Natural Expo trade fair, now in its 16th edition, is the meeting point for enthusiasts of holistic wellbeing for the individual and respect for the environment and will be held from 18 to 19 February 2023 at the Fiera di Forlì. With the aim of promoting good practices for wellness that nourish the body, soul, and mind, the event will also offer a multi-sensory experience with workshops, courses, exhibitions, laboratories, as well as exhibitions, cooking shows, and many new stimuli aimed at enriching visitors' knowledge and sensitivity.

In particular, also for this edition, there will be a Hemp Corner, i.e. an exhibition space where all useful information on products, innovations in the sector, market prospects and recent results of the use of hemp in the medical, industrial and gastronomic sectors will be presented. Leading companies and associations in the sector will present their products, and there will be conferences and in-depth discussions on the sector. In fact, even I with Hemp-Style Magazine will be present in the conference area and will have the pleasure of talking about the rediscovery of textile hemp and its benefits for our skin, but also for our planet. The presentation will take place on Saturday, 18 February 2023, at 2 p.m., more details at the following link.

As far as the textile sector is concerned, the presence of two companies is confirmed at the fair: Luciduci and Hupi, who will be showing their soft hemp fabric that they have used for their underwear and children's collection respectively. Hemp-Style had the opportunity to interview the two founders and report on their rediscovery of hemp textiles and their entrepreneurial journey. You can read their stories here:

‍LuciDuci: the softness of hemp butter® in intimate apparel

Hupi: a hemp cuddle for all children

Natural Expo Fair, copyright: Fiera Forlì, Natural Expo

In addition to the Hemp Corner, there will also be sectors dedicated to: Life and Home, Bio Beauty Fashion, Vegan Heart, Back to the Origins (organic and gluten-free food), ethical and ethnic clothing, fair trade and 0 km products market, and Area "Creative Soul" dedicated to creativity and handicrafts. A very rich programme, full of stimuli for body and mind.

On the conference side, the talk by Matteo Gracis, who will speak on critical thinking and the benefit of the doubt, is certainly worth mentioning for fans of the industrial hemp sector and beyond.

In the end, I will give you the details of the fair and hope to see and meet you personally at Natural Expo:

Where and when: 18 to 19 February 2023, Forlì Fairground, via Punta di Ferro 2

Hours: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tickets: full price 8.00 Euro, online presale 6.00 Euro. Children free up to 12 years.

Before Forlì, however, there is a chance to visit Perth (even if only virtually) and meet all the leaders in the textile hemp industry and beyond.

The Hemp Textile Expo

International, but based in Perth, Australia, the hemp textile fair will be held on 4 February 2023 (online only) and aims to connect apparel manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, buyers and the general public interested in hemp textiles and the development of the industry.

In particular, the event is dedicated to all those who would like to get closer to the hemp textile industry, understand the history of this ancient and valuable fabric, but also explore innovations in the sector and engage with the industry. Several Australian and international speakers will cover a range of textile-related topics.

The event opens with a speech by the Australian Sophia Moermond MLC, who will give a global view on the importance of the textile sector. This will be followed by international speakers from New Zealand, Ukraine, Canada, USA, Colombia, Nepal, India, China, Brazil and Israel, who will present their textile hemp products and discuss possible developments in the textile sector.

Among the prominent speakers on the textile side will be Oksana Devoe, with her DevoHome (which I have already mentioned in the article on bed linen). The company, based in Ukraine, deals with the cultivation of hemp and the subsequent development of hemp textile products for the home sector. DevoHome's collection includes hemp fibre duvets and pillows, bed linen and other accessories for a sustainable home.

Another hemp textile pioneer is Erin Lindley from Canada, who will give a presentation focusing on the history of hemp clothes. Erin Lindley is a researcher and journalist specialising in industrial hemp and founder of abbri. (Advanced Botanical and Biomass Research Institute) based in Ottava, Canada.

As innovative products, workwear made of textile hemp (Wortkoorl), Hemprino (hemp and merino wool), and blockchain & hemp fashion are also worth mentioning.

A very rich programme which I invite you to see in detail at the following link. Pay attention to the time, because obviously the presentation time is indicated in Australian time. Reserve your post now: for the next 24 hours you will still find the 50% discounted ticket for AUS $24.5!

Hemp Mundi

Lastly, from 17 to 19 February, Canapa Mundi, the international trade fair dedicated to the hemp industry, will be held in Rome, but as there is no definitive and detailed programme yet, I cannot understand who, and if, there is any corner dedicated to textile hemp as well.