Fashion to the fore at the coming Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics
The concept of what is fashionable is subjective, not to mention evolving on a near daily basis and varying from market to market. But with over 4500 exhibitors from nearly 30 countries under one roof at October’s Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics (October 11-13, 2017 at National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), Shanghai, China, there is something for everyone’s unique fashion tastes at the industry’s leading trade fair for the autumn / winter season
This is especially the case in SalonEurope, Intertextile’s premium zone for mid and high-end European fabrics and accessories suppliers targeting Asian buyers who are looking to meet the strong consumer demand in the region for European fashion. Just some of the leading brands participating in SalonEurope this edition include Albini, Alumo, American & Efird (Guetermann), E.Thomas, Freudenberg, Kufner, Marzotto Group, Miroglio, Loro Piana, Woolmark and Zegna.
Within SalonEurope buyers can also find the Milano Unica Pavilion as well as the Premium Wool Zone and Verve for Design areas, each reflecting fashion and style in their own unique ways. Further afield, and the Japan Pavilion is another fashion hub at the fair that is immensely popular each edition with Chinese buyers. And for those looking for something different, it is worth browsing the domestic exhibitor halls to discover how Chinese designers are emerging onto the fashion scene. What’s more, if buyers are on the lookout for what fashions and styles will be gracing the catwalks and sidewalks in autumn and winter 2018, then the eight trend forums found throughout the halls, including an international forum, four Chinese forums, an accessories forum, the Japan Pavilion forum and the Korea Pavilion forum, will provide a snapshot of this.
Style and heritage on display in Verve for Design and Premium Wool Zone
Heritage brands and stylish high-end wool products await buyers in the Premium Wool Zone, as a number of new suppliers join returning favourites this edition. Amongst the new participants are Dugdale Bros from the UK, and Italian brands Ferla, Piacenza and Stylbiella. Dugdale Bros are cloth merchants based in the very centre of Yorkshire’s worsted industry, and supply fine cloth to supreme tailors, designers, couturiers and retailers throughout the world. Ferla offers production rich in fashion content that is reserved for the most prestigious Made-in-Italy trademarks and the most demanding international customers. Piacenza, in business for nearly three centuries, uses wools from Australia, cashmere from Mongolia and vicuna & alpaca fibres from Peru. And Stylbiella produces superfine wool fabrics for some of the world’s leading tailors.
Joining them are other key exhibitors from the UK such as Abraham Moon & Sons, Bower Roebuck, Holland & Sherry, Huddersfield Fine Worsteds, Kenneth Mackenzie and Scabal, as well as Aris Industrial from Peru, Dino Filarte from Italy, Dormeuil from France, and Hayazen Textile and Toyama from Japan amongst others.
As the Chinese market has matured in its appreciation for original fabric designs, this increased demand has led to a diverse range of design studios taking part in Intertextile’s Verve for Design, which can also be found in SalonEurope. This edition see exhibitors from Australia, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Switzerland and the UK amongst those taking part.
Japan Pavilion brings the country’s unique style and production techniques to the fair
If previous editions are anything to go by, the Japan Pavilion will once again be bursting at the seams with buyers looking for the latest Japanese styles and fashions. Delicate, lightweight fabrics are a particular specialty of Japanese suppliers, with Saiei Orimono being one such exhibitor at Intertextile. They claim their ‘Fairy Feather’ yarn-dyed silk fabric, which took them four years to develop, is the world’s thinnest. It is made from 8-denier silk thread derived from silkworms that emit the thinnest fibres in the world, which, at 1.6 deniers, are about half as thin as regular fibres.
Knitted fabric producers can also be found in the pavilion, including A-Girl’s. They supply lightweight fabrics made from their self-developed fine-count yarns which are used by global luxury brands. Lace can also be sourced in the pavilion, with Sun Fashion exhibiting its Leavers Lace one of the highlights. Moving away from delicate fabrics, and Daiichi Orimono are specialists in super-high-density woven fabrics. While the quality of these fabrics makes them suitable for outdoor wear amongst others, the company places great emphasis on ensuring the beauty of the fabrics as well.
Apart from the Japan Pavilion, other Asian pavilions at the fair include Hong Kong, India, Korea, Taiwan, Pakistan and Thailand. And in addition to Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, three other textile fairs take place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center during the same period: Yarn Expo Autumn (hall 5.1), CHIC (halls 2 & 3) and PH Value (hall 3).
Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2017 is co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre.
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