Breaking a new record, the leading industry event — Intertextile  Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, opened on 18 -21October 2011 with more than 3,000 suppliers from 23 countries and regions, covering the mass to luxury apparel fabrics and textile related products market. The show ran for four days at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre and spans 150,000 sqm of exhibition space, with a majority of exhibitors returning year after year including Albini, Cerruti, Hield and many others.

“We are indeed very fortunate to have so much support from the international industry,” said Ms Wendy Wen, Textile Trade Fair Director for Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.  “We have grown together with many of our exhibitors including well known luxury fabric producers from Europe, fashion and functional fabric suppliers from Asia Pacific as well as countless other regions and specialists, and together, we offer the best products worldwide in a well-organised and professional business atmosphere.” 

The 13 halls  accommodated two halls (N5 & E7) dedicated for accessories and trims — a 57 percent increase in scale; three international halls (W1 — W3) featuring country and region pavilions from Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the UK plus a new country pavilion entry from Spain as well as fibre group pavilions including Cotton Council International, Hyosung, Invista and Lenzing. 

Among some of the new participating international suppliers are Abraham Moon and Sons (UK), a luxury wool producer; Checkpoint Labelling Services Hong Kong Ltd (HK), a global leader in shrink management, merchandise visibility and apparel labeling solutions; Nilit Ltd (Israel), a leading nylon manufacturer; Manifattura Valle Brembana (Italy), a fine cotton and cotton blend shirting’s fabrics producer; Textil Settam SA (Spain), a fabrics supplier for ladieswear, cocktail and evening wear as well as fashion fabrics for children’s wear plus many other first time participants.

The remaining halls (W4 — W5, E1 — E6)  featured domestic exhibitors who are divided into product end use such as casual wear, denim, suitings, shirtings, functional/ sportswear and ladieswear.

Expertise from around the world

Throughout the four-day fair, exhibitors’ products were on display, complemented the A/W 2012-13 trend forecasts at the Intertextile Directions Trend Forum (W2) by Doneger Creative Services from New York as well as the Fabrics China Trends for Suitings (E2), Ladieswear (E5) and Casual wear (W5).

Other unique displays showcasing exhibitors’ products include:
•    Accessories (E7)
•    Denim (W3 & W4)
•    Lingerie & Swimwear Fabrics (W3)
•    Cotton Display Area (W3)

The “Verve for Design” — Textile Designer Zone (W2) offers innovatived textile designs made in Korea as well as by designers from Italy and China.