MarediModa returns to Cannes with Europe’s leading fabric and accessory companies for beachwear, underwear and athleisure
Following its stops in Miami and Milan, the industry’s eagerly awaited annual event is finally here. The 24th edition of MarediModa Cannes, taking place from 27 to 29 October, as always at the Palais des Festivals, brings more than 100 collections of fabrics and accessories for beachwear, underwear and athleisure for Summer 2028, unveiled exclusively by Europe’s leading companies.
This year’s edition offers an even richer programme, with ethics and environmental responsibility at its core. Events, workshops, trend forecasting by David Shah, an area dedicated to athleisure, installations, a selection of the finest studios specialising in exclusive prints and designs, and contract manufacturers make the Cannes show the must-attend annual event for the industry. Its global overview is truly unique, showcasing the very best of European textile manufacturing, the cornerstone of the exhibition since its debut.
“We return to Cannes following our initiatives in Miami and Milan, confident that we have prepared the year’s key industry event to the highest possible standard,” explains Claudio Taiana, President of MarediModa. “Above all, we remain the leading international event for the premium segment. In a climate of widespread and profound uncertainty, MarediModa represents a safe harbour in terms of product quality, ethics, innovation and creativity. Despite improvised attempts to imitate our format, for 24 years the Cannes show has remained the industry’s undisputed hub: where collections take shape, where professionals meet, where ideas and visions are shared and, why not, where the industry continues to grow through new experiences.”
SUMMER 2028 TRENDS
Five themes, five creative directions
The trend forecasting programme, curated as always by David Shah and his team, explores and distils the key themes set to define Spring/Summer 2028 across beachwear, bodywear and athleisure. Three of these themes will be unveiled first at MarediModa Miami and subsequently at MarediModa Milano. In Cannes, visitors will discover the complete overview, bringing all the themes together, alongside Shah’s unmissable presentations exploring sociology, emerging lifestyles, and colour and material trends.
Five fashion attitudes shaped by music
One of the key elements shared by swimwear, bodywear and athleisure is their ability to take fashion beyond the routines of everyday dressing. As the way people dress becomes more personal and less constrained by rules, they increasingly turn to other cultural references to express their individuality.
Today, music is once again a major source of inspiration, bringing a vibrant blend of energy and aesthetics that influences mood, attitude and identity. It acts as a kind of creative muse, bringing our innermost emotions and feelings to life.
OCEAN VIBES is a concept that sets the course towards hope and positivity. It captures the cultural mood and the evolution of style preferences, translating musical subcultures into tangible design directions. These fashion moods work much like music itself: an antidote to the current climate, inspiring a renewed drive towards regeneration, community building and revitalised energy.
THE LYCRA COMPANY CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF THE BIKINI THROUGH TEXTILE INNOVATION, ART AND MUSIC
The LYCRA Company confirms its participation as an official partner of MarediModa 2026, taking place in Cannes from 27 to 29 October, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the bikini with its “Designed to Move. Built to Last” project, developed in collaboration with Carvico and Jersey Lomellina.
The project traces the evolution of beachwear from the 1960s to the present day through an exhibition of bikinis and artistic illustrations, highlighting the role of LYCRA® fibre in textile innovation. At the heart of the initiative is LYCRA XTRA LIFE® fibre, which delivers outstanding resistance to chlorine, heat, sun lotions and UV rays, helping garments retain their comfort, fit and performance over time.
On the opening evening, 27 October, at 6:00 p.m., a special show will bring together live music, imagery and technology to celebrate the history of the bikini and the value of durability.
Through this initiative, The LYCRA Company reaffirms its commitment to more durable and sustainable beachwear, underlining how garment longevity is essential to bringing innovation, quality and sustainability together.
THE LINK 2026: CREATIVITY IS ALIVE AND BOLD
The 2026 edition of The Link has been a resounding success. The talent-scouting project is designed to identify and promote the creative vision of young designers enrolled at some of Europe’s best-known universities and art and design schools.
The response has been outstanding, both in terms of participation and quality, with 133 projects submitted, a significant increase compared with the 2025 edition.
The first and second selection rounds have now concluded, with the finalists chosen. In Cannes, they will have a dedicated exhibition area and take centre stage in the fashion show scheduled for the evening of 28 October.
The finalists in the Underwear category:
ISIDORA INES BONVALLET RECART – CHILE – LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION
KARINA STEFANIA BURA – ROMANIA – UNIVERSITY OF ART AND DESIGN – CLUJ-NAPOCA
MATILDE PACINI – ITALY – ACCADEMIA ITALIANA
The finalists in the Athleisure category:
ALICE BETTINI – ITALY – ISGMD
DENNIS DE PETRI – ITALY – NEXT FASHION SCHOOL BY CARLA SECOLI
LILI VEH – HUNGARY – MOD’ART INTERNATIONAL
The finalists in the Beachwear category:
MARIA LUCIA BIFULCO – ITALY – ACCADEMIA DELLA MODA IUAD NAPOLI
ANNALISA MATTEINI – ITALY – NEXT FASHION SCHOOL BY CARLA SECOLI
SHARONE OULATO – ITALY – NEXT FASHION SCHOOL BY CARLA SECOLI
The Link is a competition that celebrates pure creativity and a new vision, as suggested by its own campaign imagery. It aims to dress timeless forms in contemporary languages, free from commercial constraints.
RAFFAELA D’ANGELO AND MONTCE RECEIVE THE 2026 MAREDIMODA CREATIVE EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Different in style and identity, the two brands share the same vision of the value chain, built around creativity, ethics and sustainability, certified European fabrics and a strong focus on quiet luxury.
“This year, once again, we want to celebrate two major global brands with which we share choices and objectives,” says Claudio Taiana, President of MarediModa. “Both have long been strong supporters of our event. In an increasingly polarised industry, we feel the need to highlight and give value to a particular beachwear culture, beyond the mainstream. Around the world, this culture brings together the excellence of our fabrics and the creativity of inspired, visionary designers.”
Raffaela D’Angelo, an undisputed name in the world of luxury beachwear, will receive the MarediModa Creative Excellence Award in Cannes. This prestigious recognition celebrates brands that have distinguished themselves on the international stage through creativity, talent and strong ties with leading European textile manufacturers.
For more than twenty years, Raffaela D’Angelo, born in Como and based in Milan by choice, has developed a close relationship with Italy’s leading textile mills, translating it into a unique and instantly recognisable design language. She understands the finest nuances of fabric creation and knows how to transform textiles into imaginative, distinctive garments.
Her enduring love of drawing, her sensitivity to the weight and depth of colour, and her constant pursuit of new cuts and geometries have enabled Raffaela to celebrate every woman’s femininity in its most authentic and pure expression. Her vibrant, unmistakable talent represents an example of modernity, expertise and uncompromising respect for craftsmanship for the entire beachwear industry.
Montce, the American beachwear brand founded in 2013 by Alexandra Grief, began with a simple idea: creating custom swimwear from her Florida apartment. It quickly established itself in the swimwear market thanks to an aesthetic that combines sensuality, retro nostalgia and contemporary design, capturing the attention of international celebrities and influencers.
The brand’s philosophy centres on creating silhouettes that enhance the body’s natural shape through carefully considered cuts and high-quality materials. Montce swimwear stands out for its romantic, feminine details, including bows, ruching, ribbed textures and vintage-inspired floral or geometric prints, always balanced by a modern, daring edge.
Alongside its focus on style and fit, the company has progressively integrated more sustainable practices into its supply chain, incorporating recycled fabrics and responsible manufacturing processes. Today, Montce offers not only mix-and-match bikinis and one-piece swimsuits in a variety of styles and sizes, but also a complete resortwear collection, establishing itself as a go-to brand for those seeking a sophisticated, comfortable and on-trend beach look.
FLASH! FABRICS TAKE FLIGHT AND STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT
Now in its fifth year, FLASH!, the project conceived and organised by MarediModa to bring fabrics to life through contemporary stories, takes centre stage and brings collections to the runway.
The initiative was launched in 2022 to create a contemporary language for the fabric collections presented by MarediModa exhibitors. Participating companies, with the support of the ISGMD design institute, develop a mini collection of garments using fabrics selected by each participant to showcase the bestsellers that will be presented at the fair.
A contemporary photo and video shoot captures the spirit and potential of these creations. The resulting content is then made available to participating companies, providing them with effective, modern promotional tools.
The concept is further brought to life at the fair through a dedicated exhibition and, starting this year, the CANNES FASHION SHOW: a dedicated runway event showcasing the prototypes, highlighting their design and, above all, the use of the most innovative fabrics.
A new way of presenting collections through a distinctive, vibrant style.
PRIVATE LABEL: THE BEST IN OUTSOURCING AT MAREDIMODA
For nineteen years, MarediModa has offered qualified solutions for contract manufacturing through its dedicated outsourcing area.
This is a key segment for the beachwear, underwear and athleisure industries, enabling brands to find reliable manufacturing partners in Europe and across the Mediterranean region. Over the years, the sector has continued to expand, driven by the exponential growth of reshoring.
Brands are increasingly looking to bring production back to reliable, geographically closer manufacturing districts and countries, without the need to commit to large minimum quantities. They are also seeking a stronger focus on environmental responsibility and closer working relationships than those typically established with Asian partners.
The companies featured in the Outsourcing area can support both emerging designers developing their first collections and established brands or retail chains requiring medium-to-large production volumes, providing expertise throughout the development and manufacturing process.
Geographical proximity, ease of communication and shared ethical and environmental values make bringing production back to Europe an increasingly urgent priority.
Cannes brings together the entire European supply chain for beachwear, underwear and athleisure: fabrics, functional and decorative accessories, design studios and garment manufacturers. Three days of essential events and opportunities to support collection development and planning.
Spring/Summer 2028 starts at MarediModa Cannes.
From Research to Creation – Athleisure 2028
On the occasion of Mare di Moda 2026, ISGMD Design Academy presents an exhibition that explores the creative and design process in fashion, from trend research to the creation of the finished garment.
The highlight is the Athleisure 2028 collection, where the fluidity of sportswear meets the precision of contemporary tailoring. Textures, material contrasts, and a sophisticated palette of rust tones, black, and natural shades give life to a new stylistic language.
Through mood boards, fashion illustrations, technical drawings, pattern templates, and garments created by the students, the Academy invites visitors to discover the work, experimentation, and skills that transform inspiration into a concrete design.
MAREDIMODA WELCOMES INSIDEOUT BY C.L.A.S.S.: THE TEN PRINCIPLES OF VALUE COME TO CANNES
InsideOut by C.L.A.S.S. – Trust Is the New Luxury is a project dedicated to transparency, traceability and defining measurable values across the fashion supply chain.
InsideOut’s presence is part of MarediModa’s ongoing commitment to innovation and the transformation of the fashion system. An international reference point for the beachwear, underwear and athleisure industries, the fair provides a particularly relevant setting for the project, bringing together companies, manufacturers, designers and industry professionals who play a direct role in defining a product’s quality and values.
At the heart of InsideOut lies a vision of integrated quality, which combines the visible aspects of a product – aesthetics, design, performance, look and feel – with a deeper dimension of information, processes and tangible, measurable values.
The goal is to foster a more informed relationship between product, supply chain and consumer by telling the story of the journey from raw materials to finished product.
The centrepiece of the exhibition will be the Ten Principles of Value, developed by C.L.A.S.S. to make ten fundamental dimensions of quality immediately recognisable: Ethics, Social Initiatives, Traceability and Transparency, Environment, Health, Circular Economy, Design, Ingredients, Production, and Dyeing and Finishing.
These ten values are represented through a series of ten icons created by artist Gianluca Cannizzo.
MarediModa is the next stop in the ongoing dissemination of InsideOut, bringing the Ten Principles of Value to a strategic meeting point for international debate on fashion, innovation and sustainability.
On Tuesday, 27 October, at 3:00 p.m., Giusy Bettoni, CEO of C.L.A.S.S., and David Shah, owner of Metropolitan Publishing BV and Director of DRS Consultancy, will also take part in the discussion “Trust Is the New Luxury.”
The conversation will explore the role of trust in contemporary fashion, examining the relationship between transparency, demonstrable values and integrated quality, across both the visible and invisible dimensions of a product.
