Textiles & Fabrics Eventos en Switzerland
DesignGut
DesignGut: A Celebration of Creativity, Craft, and Conscious Design
In an age where design is everywhere from the chairs we sit on to the apps we use there’s something uniquely powerful about coming together to talk about what design really means. Enter DesignGut, an innovative design event taking place at the historic Casinotheater in Winterthur, located in the heart of Zürich, Switzerland. Far from being just another industry expo, DesignGut is a thoughtful and vibrant celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and the deep-rooted connection between form and function.
This annual event serves as a meeting ground for designers, artisans, makers, and creative thinkers, offering a space to explore new ideas, materials, processes, and challenges in modern design. Whether you're a seasoned professional or someone who simply loves beautifully made things, DesignGut has something to offer.
The Venue: A Fitting Space for Creative Exchange
The Casinotheater Winterthur is more than just a venue it’s part of the experience. Known for its blend of architectural charm and cultural energy, the Casinotheater provides an inspiring backdrop that perfectly reflects the spirit of the event. The setting feels warm and human, not sterile or corporate exactly the right place to discuss what thoughtful design means in today’s world.
As attendees step into the venue, they’re greeted by an environment that sparks curiosity: beautifully designed installations, friendly conversations, and a sense that creativity is not just welcomed here—it’s celebrated.
What Makes DesignGut Stand Out?
DesignGut isn’t about flashy gimmicks or chasing fleeting trends. Instead, the event focuses on conscious, sustainable, and impactful design design that is beautiful, yes, but also useful, responsible, and deeply human.
Key elements that define the DesignGut experience:
Curated Exhibitions showcasing sustainable, small-scale design and craft production
Hands-on Workshops that invite participants to experiment with materials and techniques
Engaging Keynotes from thought leaders and innovators across various design disciplines
Interactive Talks and panels that spark dialogue between creatives and the audience
Product Demos by artisans who blur the lines between traditional crafts and modern aesthetics
A Platform for Designers With Purpose
DesignGut is especially known for giving a platform to independent creators and small design labels those who often work behind the scenes, handcrafting products with care and passion. These designers don’t chase mass production; they aim for meaningful impact, often working with ethical materials, fair-trade practices, and innovative forms.
Visitors can expect to meet:
Furniture designers focused on sustainable materials and ergonomic comfort
Jewelry makers experimenting with recycled metals and unexpected forms
Fashion labels that prioritize ethical sourcing and timeless design
Textile artists blending tradition with modern sensibilities
Product innovators creating household items that combine minimalism with function
The Power of Hands-On Learning
One of the biggest draws of DesignGut is the interactive nature of the event. It’s not just a place to look it's a place to touch, try, question, and create. Workshops offer visitors the rare opportunity to engage directly with materials and processes.
Some examples of past and expected workshops include:
Woodworking basics with local artisans
Natural dyeing techniques using botanical ingredients
Upcycling and reimagining everyday objects
Introduction to 3D printing in product design
Calligraphy and printmaking for modern branding
These sessions are open to professionals and hobbyists alike, and many are child-friendly, making the event inclusive and family-oriented.
Bridging Industry and Emotion
Unlike traditional trade shows that focus solely on business, DesignGut operates in the space between commercial design and emotional connection. Exhibitors are encouraged not just to sell, but to share stories how a piece was made, what inspired it, what challenges came up, and how they were overcome.
As a result, visitors don’t just walk away with a product they leave with a story, a sense of appreciation for the craftsmanship, and sometimes, even a newfound connection with the maker.
A Community-Oriented Approach to Design
DesignGut isn’t just for designers it’s for the wider creative community. Architects, students, educators, entrepreneurs, and everyday design lovers all come together in this space. The result is a cross-pollination of ideas that sparks collaboration and fresh perspectives.
This community approach is reflected in the event’s layout. There are open discussion zones, casual cafés for networking, and quiet corners where you can reflect or sketch out your ideas. It’s as much a space for thinking as it is for doing.
Why Attend DesignGut?
There are many design events around the world, but few have the heart and authenticity of DesignGut. Here, you’ll find more than objects you’ll find conversations, connections, and maybe even a creative breakthrough.
Some reasons to attend include:
Discover new and emerging talents before they hit the mainstream
Find sustainable and ethical alternatives to mass-produced goods
Engage in dialogue about the role of design in a changing world
Shop consciously, knowing that your purchases support small-scale creators
Fuel your own creative journey, whether for work or personal passion
Design With Purpose
In a world flooded with overproduction and overconsumption, DesignGut is a breath of fresh air. It’s an invitation to slow down, to think more deeply about the objects we use every day, and to celebrate the creative minds that make them.
Whether you’re designing the next big product or just trying to make your home a little more beautiful, DesignGut offers something valuable: meaningful inspiration.
It reminds us that design isn’t just about things it’s about people, stories, and the quiet beauty of thoughtful creation.
INDEX
INDEX – The Global Heartbeat of the Nonwovens Industry
In the fast-evolving world of materials and industrial textiles, one event has firmly established itself as the definitive meeting point for innovation, technology, and meaningful business connections: INDEX. Held every three years in Geneva, Switzerland, this exhibition is not just an industry event it is the largest and most important global gathering in the world of nonwovens.
With more than 12,700 visitors from over 100 countries, over 660 exhibitors from 41 nations, and an exhibition space that spans an impressive 50,000 square meters, INDEX stands as a true symbol of scale, reach, and relevance in this niche yet vital sector.
A Triennial Milestone That Shapes the Future
Since its founding in 1973, INDEX has been a staple for professionals and decision-makers across the nonwovens value chain. What makes it especially unique is its triennial schedule, which gives it a sense of anticipation and prestige participants don’t just attend, they plan around it.
Each edition marks a moment of reflection and projection for the industry: What have we achieved in the past three years? What innovations are changing the game? Where are we heading next?
In a field that often operates behind the scenes powering industries from hygiene and medical to automotive, filtration, geotextiles, and construction INDEX shines a spotlight on the incredible depth, complexity, and creativity involved in nonwoven technologies.
Exploring the Innovation Ecosystem
One of the biggest draws of INDEX is the opportunity to witness cutting-edge innovations across a wide spectrum of sectors related to nonwovens. Whether you are a manufacturer, supplier, buyer, or R&D specialist, the exhibition floor offers a comprehensive view of the industry’s most important developments.
Visitors can explore the latest in:
Nonwoven machinery and equipment
Chemical treatments and surface finishes
Adhesives and bonding systems
Composites and hybrid materials
Binders and resins
Recycling and waste management technologies
This wide focus makes INDEX much more than a trade fair. It becomes a live map of where the industry is heading from sustainability solutions and digitalization to smart materials and automation.
A Global Stage for Business and Collaboration
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of INDEX is its ability to bring together a truly international audience. Over its decades-long history, the event has grown into a business hub that transcends borders. It is the preferred platform for:
Networking with key decision-makers
Building lasting relationships with suppliers and clients
Sourcing high-quality raw materials
Staying ahead of regulatory trends
Entering new markets and forming strategic alliances
Being held at Palexpo, Geneva’s leading venue, only adds to its credibility and ease of access. Geneva's central European location makes it a natural gathering point, while the city’s international spirit enhances the show’s diverse, collaborative atmosphere.
Learning Opportunities That Go Beyond the Show Floor
INDEX isn’t just about exhibition stands and product demos it’s also a rich educational platform. Throughout the event, visitors can attend a variety of free workshops, seminars, tutorials, and presentations covering key themes and challenges facing the industry today.
These learning sessions offer insights into:
Sustainability in nonwovens
Circular economy innovations
New testing and quality control methods
Regulatory and certification updates
Emerging applications for nonwovens in growing markets
This blend of education and exhibition ensures that attendees leave with practical knowledge and strategic foresight, not just sales brochures.
Who Should Attend INDEX?
The real beauty of INDEX lies in its cross-industry relevance. The world of nonwovens touches far more sectors than most realize. This event is a must-attend for professionals working in:
Hygiene and personal care
Medical and surgical products
Filtration and air purification
Automotive interiors and components
Construction and insulation
Agriculture and landscaping
Textiles and fashion (technical textiles)
Whether you're a buyer looking for new suppliers, a materials scientist researching breakthroughs, or a startup exploring entry into the nonwovens space, INDEX offers you an unmatched opportunity to engage, learn, and grow.
Why INDEX Matters More Than Ever
In today’s world, material innovation is a key driver of sustainability, health, and efficiency. Nonwovens, though often unnoticed by end consumers, are at the heart of some of the most crucial products and systems we rely on every day from medical face masks and baby diapers to automotive filters and smart packaging.
Events like INDEX are critical because they bring together all parts of the ecosystem to discuss the future with transparency and collaboration. This is especially important as global industries seek to improve recyclability, energy efficiency, and product safety.
INDEX also provides a platform for startups and smaller players to stand alongside industry giants. With innovation zones, concept showcases, and demo areas, the event highlights how new voices and technologies are being embraced in this traditionally specialized field.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Experience Event for the Nonwoven Industry
Attending INDEX is not just about attending a trade fair it’s about being part of a global movement that is shaping the material world of tomorrow. Every three years, this gathering in Geneva becomes the pulse point for:
Innovation
Sustainability
Global collaboration
Market expansion
Industry transformation
Whether you're a long-standing veteran of the sector or a newcomer with a fresh perspective, INDEX offers a welcoming and strategic platform to connect, contribute, and move forward.
So mark your calendar for the next edition. Because at INDEX, the future of nonwovens isn’t just on display it’s being made.
