One of the leading textile trade fairs in Asia will feature 40% more trade space and new special zones for lingerie fabrics and accessories when it runs 20 - 23 October 2008 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai. Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics will include an unprecedented 115,000 sqm of trade space, making it one of the largest textile trade destinations in the world.

The show includes 10 halls - three more than in 2007 - and a variety of special events including a new lingerie and swimwear fabrics zone, a complete seminar programme, trend forums and more.

The show will also feature country and region pavilions with some of the biggest names in international textiles. Pavilions confirmed so far will come from Germany, Japan, Italy, Portugal, Korea and Taiwan. Several companies will create group pavilions to serve as a one-stop-shop for their fibres and fabrics, including BASF, Dow, Invista and Lenzing.

Lingerie and swimwear - key segments in the textile market
Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics has developed into a comprehensive textile trade event featuring a complete range of textiles and accessories. The show is now expanding into lingerie and swimwear textiles, a fast-growing segment of the market.

Demand for high-quality imported lingerie and swimwear textiles is surging in China. Rising incomes and advertising and product education campaigns have created a boom in high-end undergarments. There are more than 200 million women of bra-wearing age in China, and annual consumption will soon exceed 600 million pieces. The underwear market is expected to expand 20% per year for the next 10 years while famous names in lingerie open stores across the country every day.
 
Meanwhile, Chinese-made swimwear is developing a reputation for quality and affordability worldwide: China is among the five main suppliers to the Spanish market with one-third of the market, equivalent to Euro 45 million in 2007.

An important event in an essential region for trade
International fabric producers are continuing to find great value in importing to China. Garment exports are on the rise - up nearly 25% in the first half of 2007 after a decade of constant growth - which in turn creates greater demand for fabric, augmented by a rise in domestic demand for high quality products.

Joining Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics is an ideal way to enter this market. The show attracts 54,000 buyers including many from famous retailers and brands such as Marks & Spencer, Michel Rene, Mango, Levi Strauss, Adidas and Li & Fung. A special invitation-only "Exclusive Buyers" day has been praised by exhibitors for allowing important buyers uninterrupted access for one full day.

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and The Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT-Tex and the China Information Textile Centre.