Walter Rodrigues, the coordinator of the Research and Design Center at the Brazilian Association of Companies of Components for Leather, Footwear, and Artifacts (Assintecal), presented the inspiration research “The Turning Point” on August 26th. This research will be materialized in over a thousand products at the next INSPIRAMAIS event in Porto Alegre/RS. The study was detailed in a hybrid format, both at Assintecal’s headquarters in Novo Hamburgo/RS and online.

As is customary, the stylist began the presentation by detailing the Pyramid methodology, which guides the fashion show’s research for new releases. This method considers insights from the 10% (innovation lab and top of the pyramid), 30% (materials under development in the middle of the pyramid), and 60% (products already market-approved and the base of the pyramid).

At the 33rd edition of INSPIRAMAIS, the research presented in the released materials will be “The Turning Point,” representing the 10% of the pyramid. The study references the book “The Turning Point,” written by Fritjof Capra in 1981. According to Rodrigues, we are living in times very similar to the 1980s, with a “more closed” world, growing protectionism, extra tariffs, and polarization. The book highlights the need for a turning point from an ecological and feminine perspective.

Within this context, the research points out that we have moved from Liquid Modernity—a concept popularized by Bauman in which everything was fluid and adaptable—to Gaseous Modernity, where things not only flow but “evaporate into thin air,” conveying an idea of volatility and speed. Starting from this point, “The Turning Point” brings three main themes.

Holistic Gaseous

The first is “Holistic Gaseous,” which, from a feminine point of view, presents design as a means of contemplation, regeneration, and affection with the aid of technology. “Here, we see a lot of lightness and silhouettes in materials that act as a channel for transformation, evoking movement, light, and vapor. In this context, fashion is greatly assisted by Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in its creations,” Rodrigues emphasizes. “Increasingly, creatives are developing things to put on their feet.”

In this theme, materials with transparencies, tulles, nylons, volumes, and mixtures predominate.

Biological Gaseous

The “Biological Gaseous” subtheme is influenced by the digital ancestor, featuring organic textures, many layers, cellular (plasma-like) aspects, gelatinous features, amorphism, and futurism, all with the help of AI. The standout materials are biopolymers, nanocelluloses, and fabrics developed with bacterial culture.

Rupture

The third theme is Rupture, which reinforces the need for transformation and the creation of “narrative disorders.” The importance of going against the status quo and allowing for the recovery of individuality—lost in a homogeneous world filled with repetition—becomes fundamental. The re-evaluation of form, a strong trend of the 1980s, reappears, bringing a sense of strangeness while maintaining classic foundations and highlighting inventiveness in shapes.

For material creations, the predominant influences are three-dimensional constructions with abrupt folds, overlays, and fragmentation, using the body as a base for creating new geometries.

The color palette for “The Turning Point” features ice violet, yellow, and acqua as its main colors.

The 30% and 60%

The stylist also commented on the 30% and 60% of the pyramid, which are respectively in the development phase or already in the mass market. For the 30%, the theme “Human” brought Hope and a sense of Community and Utopia as keywords. The creations feature technological bases that evoke dance and movement, with many transparencies, satins, circular shapes, neoprene bases, malleability, maximalism, shine, light, and a pop language, among other aspects.

For the 60%, the theme “Burnout” presents a more somber scenario, with characteristics referencing fetish, romanticism, and the Victorian era, contrasted with sci-fi and its inorganic, technological aspects. In materials, “Burnout” translates into large volumes, varnishes, gloss, metal finishes, and many studs and pins that harken back to the 80s and a “dark” culture.

The Event

INSPIRAMAIS is an event organized by Assintecal in partnership with the Center for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB), the Brazilian Association of the Textile and Apparel Industry (Abit), and the Brazilian Association of the Furniture Industry (Abimóvel). It is a production of Brazilian Materials with support from Sebrae Nacional. The next edition of the event will take place on January 27 and 28, 2026, at the FIERGS Events Center in Porto Alegre/RS. For more information, visit the website www.inspiramais.com.br.