Star Designer Thomas Rath to Host the FashionTEX Show – Europe’s Young Fashion Talents Take the Stage at the “fabrik” Chemnitz

Dresden, October 2025.  Glamour meets purpose: When the grand FashionTEX Show takes place on November 7, 2025 at the fabrik in Chemnitz, it will be hosted by none other than star designer Thomas Rath one of Germany’s best-known fashion personalities and the European Design Ambassador for Germany.
With his unmistakable blend of style, charm, and international experience, Rath will transform the stage into a meeting place for emerging talents, established brands, and the digital fashion future. “I am delighted to be part of this extraordinary project supporting young creatives. The FashionTEX Festival proves that fashion is much more than clothing – it represents attitude, innovation, and a cultural dialogue that transcends borders,”says Thomas Rath about his participation.

Europe’s Young Fashion Talents in the Spotlight

The FashionTEX Show presents the 24 finalists of the “Next Generation Fashion 2025” Award students from eleven leading European fashion schools who will showcase their visions for the future of fashion, ranging from virtual 3D designs to sustainably produced collections. A special highlight is the 3D show of evening gowns by Dresden-based designer Dorothea Michalk, blending classical couture with digital presentation.
Another highlight of the evening is the appearance of the internationally renowned label bruno banani, whose roots lie in the Chemnitz region. The label will present its latest trends, once again embodying its unique mix of style, innovation, and regional identity.“The show brings together glamour, technology, and young creativity on one stage – and illustrates how fashion reflects social, cultural, and technological developments,” emphasizes Bernhard Reeder, Chairman of the European Cultural Forum and initiator of the festival.

FashionTEX Festival: Fashion Meets the Future Under the motto “Phygital Instead of Analog”, the FashionTEX Festival on November 6 and 7, 2025 will make the rapid transformations within the fashion world tangible.
Digitalization, sustainability, smart textiles, and artificial intelligence converge here to form new creative approaches. Chemnitz, once known as the “Saxon Manchester” for its textile and engineering heritage, provides the perfect setting to unite tradition, innovation, and social responsibility. Over two days, international speakers, universities, and companies will present the latest developments in digital fashion, AI, 3D design, and sustainable production. Visitors can experience firsthand how virtual prototypes conserve resources, smart materials transform textiles, and digital tools revolutionize design processes.

Interactive Experience: Become Your Own Avatar

The festival also invites visitors to take part in an interactive format:
In “Become Your Own Avatar”, guests can be scanned and measured to create a personal 3D avatar. This hands-on experience allows them to see how fashion, technology, and the human body merge digitally offering a glimpse into the future of virtual fittings, personalized garments, and digital identities.

Fashion with Purpose: Young Designers Tackle Major Global Issues

The 24 finalists demonstrate that fashion goes far beyond aesthetics. Their designs are a creative and critical reflection of today’s world.

Many of the collections address pressing issues such as war and peace, environmental destruction, women’s rights, diversity, and sustainability.
Fashion thus becomes a voice of a new generation one that takes responsibility and envisions a fair, sustainable, and inclusive future. A comprehensive festival program, available on-site and online, offers in-depth insights into the students’ concepts, ideas, and artistic messages.

Program Highlights

Thursday, November 6, 2025 – Inspiration & Innovation
• Panels on AI in education and design
• Exhibition “Threads of Unity”
• Fashion Show dress rehearsal at 6:00 p.m.
• Rooftop networking with international guests

Friday, November 7, 2025 – Shaping the Future
• Expert panels featuring Carl Tillessen (German Fashion Institute), Luca Strehle, Jan Jassner (bruno banani), and Modespitze Plauen
• FashionTEX Show at 8:00 p.m. with the Next Generation Fashion 2025 award ceremony, hosted by star designer Thomas Rath

Exhibition & Partners

Leading companies, start-ups, and research institutes present their innovations from interactive avatars and intelligent fabrics to sustainable production technologies. Among the participants: Deutsche Telekom, Hohenstein Laboratories, Vizoo GmbH, Botspot Berlin, CLO 3D, Modespitze Plauen and many more.

Festival Schedule & Tickets

November 6–7, 2025, daily 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
fabrik Chemnitz – European Capital of Culture 2025
Dress Rehearsal: November 6, 6:00 p.m.
FashionTEX Show: November 7, 8:00 p.m.
Tickets from €6: Order here

About FashionTEX

FashionTEX is a European Union–funded university project dedicated to the digital transformation of fashion education. Eleven universities from ten countries including Germany, Italy, Portugal, Croatia, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Ukraine jointly develop new curricula, digital tools, and hybrid learning environments. The goal: to combine creativity, sustainability, and technology, and to establish fashion as a cultural and innovative field for Europe’s future.