Avantex is a symposium first organized in 2000. The second symposium is described here and was held in Frankfurt, Germany sometime in 2002. Dealing with the overall subject of advanced textiles, the symposium blocks ranged from high technology textiles to textile manufacturing tomorrow via discussions on innovative yarns and fibres, digital printing, high technology fabrics, and high technology apparel. Some 80 textile companies including companies such as DuPont, Bluesign Technologies and Siemens showed more than 100 new concepts and products. Just a brief flavour of these new products is given with mention of a dress that messages the wearer, a cooling jacket for summer wear, outdoor jackets with integral telecommunications facilities and safety garments that either protect (from fire and smog) or monitor life functions of the wearer. Comments from exhibitors indicate that the symposium is a highly effective forum for new contacts, the display of new products and for some companies the receipt of numerous orders.