• 15th edition of Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics maintains leading position in global market sector.
• Innovation begins to take shape in Chinese textile designs.
• Fair proves to be excellent platform for open dialogue and business.

“Since the fair’s debut in 1995, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics has steadily established itself as the world’s largest international business platform for industry players worldwide,” said Mr Detlef Braun, Member of Board of Management for Messe Frankfurt GmbH. The 15th edition ran for four-days in 10 halls bustling with open dialogue, creativity and business made at the fair. Nearly 54,000 trade buyers came from over 90 countries and regions to source the latest apparel fabrics and textile related products from 2,459 suppliers from China and around the world. These figures represent an astounding success, up eight percent from the previous year.

To commemorate this achievement, a press conference was held on Monday, 19 October at the Shangri-La Pudong Hotel along with some 60 invited journalists and special guest speakers including Mr Detlef Braun, Mr Du Yu Zhou, President for China National & Textile Apparel Council and Mr Ferdinando Gueli, Deputy Trade Commissioner for the Italian Trade Commission – ICE, Shanghai.

“China is an essential location for the textile industry and this is clearly indicated in the phenomenal technological and brand advancements throughout the region. As a result there are now numerous opportunities for business in this thriving market sector,” said Mr Du.

The vast potential of the Chinese textile marketplace is a key factor for many international exhibitors participating at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics. This year, nearly 70 percent of the 716 international suppliers were return exhibitors, with special country and region pavilions from Germany, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Turkey while Taiwan had the largest pavilion and Italy the longest exhibiting one, with 10 years of participation. Other features included the fibre pavilions including Invista Group, Cotton Council International, Dow Fiber, the Lenzing Group and Hyosung.

“The Chinese market is very important as there are many possibilities for us. The visitors at this fair are well informed l and I have made professional contacts with several buyers,” reaffirmed Maurizio Mello Rella of Lanificio Tessilstrona S.R.L.

Ms Sofhia Elise de Lara Harbs, Regional Manager for the Brazil Chamber Alemanha participated with a group of buyers from Brazil. “This new experience for our group has been great. The special networking events really allowed us to feel part of the fair and to get a better understanding of the market here. Next year, our delegation will be much larger as everyone wants to bring their colleagues along.”

Throughout the event, visitors were exposed to the latest apparel fabrics and textile related products from luxurious fabrics in cashmere, mohair, silks and wool to functional fabrics in cotton, linen, tencel and viscose and even accessories ranging from buttons and zips to embroidery plus much more on display.

Innovation begins to take shape in Chinese textile designs

Recognising the shift in Chinese consumer trends and the demand for creative apparel fabrics and textile related products, fair organisers recruited several international and Chinese design studios and associations that were trying to take advantage of this new movement; including Circleline Design, Whiston and Wright and Bernini & C Sas.  “It’s a good platform to speak face-to-face with buyers and meet potential Chinese manufacturers who might be interested in our designs,” said first time exhibitor, Jude Aldred for Larch & Rose, a fashion design consultant from the UK.

“Chinese designers are becoming more innovative and production is becoming more efficient. We are definitely catching up to the international market sector,” explained Mr Kim Nam Won, Design Centre Minister for the Zhejiang Institute of Modern Textile Industry.

Several buyers took note of the creativity that Chinese suppliers were offering at the fair. “I have sourced from this fair for several years now, but this year, the show has been great. I am pleasantly surprised at how creative the Chinese exhibitors are,” commented Ms Rebecca Chong, Vice President – Product Development for agents Li & Fung Group, a participant in the match making business programme. “I have only been here for one day and already three of the five clients I brought with me have made serious business connections. This fair is certainly a great networking destination for open dialogue and serious business.”

Continuing on the creativity theme, several trend forums highlighting the following season’s forecasts provided invaluable research tools for buyers. Attendees even had the chance to participate in a number of inspirational seminars that allowed professionals to receive colour directions from leading companies including WGSN, JFW-Japan Creation, China Textile Information Centre and Stylesight.

Fair proves to be excellent platform for open dialogue and business

The seminar programmes proved to be a success as they welcomed nearly 4,000 attendees, at a rate of 75 percent capacity. They were used to exchange the latest market information, Autumn/Winter 2010/11 trends and relevant topics.

Sharing Wal-Mart’s views on responsible sourcing, Fabric Director, Mr Chieh Chen, commented on the importance of this unique platform. “Quite frankly, I believe that Intertextile has become the most important industry exhibition in the world. It gathers suppliers from all spectrums of the textile supply chain and even allows for professionals to discuss industry concerns openly. While the seminars were very important, regardless if I get invited to speak next year, my team and I will return to source products at this fair.”

The next Intertextile Beijing edition will be held from 30 March – 1 April 2010. For further information, please email textile@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com or visit http:// www.intertextile.com