#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2012-03-23

Final report Interstoff Asia Essential Spring

Exhibitors, buyers and designers alike unanimously agree – after 25 years Interstoff Asia Essential continues to be the region’s pioneering fashion, functional and eco textiles trade event leading Hong Kong’s industry in terms of design and innovation. Ending on 16 March 2012, the spring edition welcomed 7,625 visitors worldwide, an 8% rise from the previous year.

+After 25 years Interstoff Asia Essential continues to lead way in terms of industry design and innovation

+More than 7,600 professional buyers with considerable increase from China

+More buyers from China recorded on-site

+Debut Origin Africa pavilion attracts new business possibilities

To commemorate the show’s silver anniversary, Hong Kong designers Dorian Ho, Chen Dao and fashion brands Modele de Prudence and WHOSTHAT presented their Spring\Summer 2012 collections to nearly 1,000 guests and press on days one and two of the fair. This season, 14 exhibitors supplied their fabrics including Prosperity Lace from Taiwan who worked with both Dorian Ho and Modele de Prudence.

During the welcome ceremony before the fashion shows, Mr Zhang Yan Kai, Vice President of the China Textile Industry Federation optimistically said: “This fair has always been at the leading edge of the textile industry, especially nurturing design talent and enhancing exchange and industry development between Hong Kong and Mainland China.”

In addition to the fashion events, a key attraction was the forum on Trends and Developments in China’s Apparel and Textile Industry with nearly 200 attending delegates.

One of the guest speakers at the forum, Mr Ray Lau, Director and Deputy General Manager for Jeanswest International HK Ltd shared his views on how to cope with the current industry developments between the two neighboring regions. “25 years in the industry is indeed a remarkable achievement and I am honoured to have been invited to discuss practical information as well as offer a fresh perspective.”

Equally as important were the new partnerships with the Hong Kong Institute of Textile and Apparel (HKRITA), China National Textile & Apparel Council (CNTAC), Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), who jointly organised the Technology Zone, a display area highlighting new garment applications and innovative spinning, finishing and foam dyeing technology products.

“We are proud to represent Hong Kong and we treasure this opportunity to showcase our innovative products – this collaboration is a value-added service for textile industry, who have given us genuine feedback and we hope to work with some of the buyers we met on-site,” commented Mr Barry Tai, Business Development Manager of The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel.

“It’s certainly a great achievement for us to collaborate with a number of industry heavyweights in China and Hong Kong, helping us forge towards further building Interstoff Asia Essential’s positioning parallel to the region’s industry needs,” stated Mr Detlaf Braun, Member of the Executive Board for Messe Frankfurt GmbH.

More buyers from China recorded on-site

A positive trend recorded was the increase of participating trading companies and buying offices and a growing number of buyers from China. Ningbo Huayi Garments, K-Boxing, Septwolves and Shenzhen Eeka Fashion were among the domestic Chinese brands sourcing at the fair.

“After meeting many Chinese sportswear brands, we are confident in joining this fair again in the future,” commented Mr Kim Heon, International Division Manager of Quantum Energy Co Ltd, a high performance and functional fabrics supplier from Korea.

Among the top ten visiting countries were Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Korea, Australia, Japan, the US, Indonesia, Thailand and India. Overall, close to 50% of attending buyers were from Hong Kong. Meanwhile the remaining buyers represented garment manufacturers, designers, wholesalers/retailers and press.

Representatives of major fashion labels and high-street retailers came in their droves to see what new and innovative products were on offer. Buyers recorded on-site included American Eagle Outfitters Asia, Ann Taylor Sourcing, Adidas, Benetton, Burberry, Charming Shoppes, Columbia Sportswear, Cortefiel Commercial SA, Debenhams HK Ltd, Eddie Bauer, Esprit De Corp, Esquel Group, Forever 21, Fornari International, H&M , Hanes brands, L.L. Bean, Marks & Spencer, Macy’s Merchandising, Moiselle, Otto Int’l, Perry Ellis, Phillips Van Heusen, Puma, Tommy Hilfiger, Quicksilver, Rebecca Taylor, Reitmans (Canada), S.Oliver, Sears Holdings, Tangs Department Store, Victoria Secret, Tesco, Target Brands, Toppy, Triumph International, Zara and many more.

“It’s been better than expected! I’ve met with buyers from All Saints, DKNY, Lacoste and Li & Fung already,” said Florence Kwok, General Manager for Toray Industries HK Ltd, a knitted fabrics and woven fibre supplier from Japan.

This year 246 suppliers from 13 countries and regions showcased a wide variety of fashion, functional and eco textiles as well as accessories on 8,000 sqm of exhibition space. Participating companies and designers represented Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Kenya, Macau, Mauritius, Pakistan as well as special six country and region pavilions from Africa, China, India, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

Debut Origin Africa pavilion attracts new business possibilities

For the first time, eight companies from Africa showcased a variety of organic and fair trade cotton including Craft AID (Mauritius Co Ltd, Enterprise Mauritius, Palmer Limitee Knits, Palmer Limitee Wven, Star Knitwear Group Ltd, Tamk Textile Ltd, Texto Limitee and World Knits Ltd.

“We have all been very happy to see some well-known buyers and are pleased to make our debut in Hong Kong as we’re hoping to offer buyer more African sourcing opportunities globally,” said pavilion organiser, Mr JC Mazingue from USAID, a US agency providing assistance to countries in need worldwide.

Buyers also responded positively to the debut pavilion: “I am impressed with the Origin Africa pavilion. This international landscape is at the core value of what all textile trade fairs should possess – not just a sourcing point for new products but also an opportunity to explore diversified business possibilities worldwide,” praised Ms Flora Lai, Director of Ralph Lauren Sourcing Company Ltd.

For press photos of Interstoff Asia Essential 25 years anniversary trade fair and events, please visit www.interstoff-asia.com or contact amra.durakovic@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com

For information on all Messe Frankfurt textile fairs worldwide, please visit: www.texpertise-network.com

Cinte Techtextil China maps textile future with specialised zones and forward-looking fringe events

As global demand for high-performance materials evolves, Cinte Techtextil China is set to steer the industry’s next growth phase by driving the convergence of global expertise, specialised zones, and forward-looking tech and insights. Building on its diverse scope, the upcoming edition will especially spotlight critical sub-sectors such as Medtech & Protech, Indutech and Buildtech. The offering will be augmented by the well-received Mobiltech and Textile Chemicals and Dyes Zones, alongside the high-calibre German and European Zones. Beyond the booths, the fringe programme structured around four core pillars will chart a definitive roadmap for technical textiles and nonwovens.

Next week’s focus: Intertextile Shenzhen & Yarn Expo Shenzhen fuse textile tradition with sustainable, digital trends

Fashion will not be left behind in one of the world’s undisputed tech and manufacturing capitals. Which is why next week, at Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026, the organisers have made special efforts to integrate textile topics such as materials innovation, holistic sustainability, digitalisation and AI. Yet, from 9 – 11 June at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the platform also includes timeless tradition and heritage-inspired evolution in equal measure. Across both shows, over 600 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions are set to showcase everything from Peruvian alpaca wool fabrics to tea-derived fibres, while their fringe programmes will explore diverse solutions along the entire value chain.

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles unveils Trends 2027 alongside new lifestyle zone and product expansion

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition 2026 will spotlight forward-looking design directions and evolving consumer demand, as the global home and lifestyle market continues to adapt to sustainability priorities, emotional well-being, and diversified living spaces. Taking place from 18 – 20 August 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the fair will present its latest trend theme, ‘BREATHE UP!’, developed in collaboration with leading international trend forecaster NellyRodi™ Agency, alongside expanded product categories, and the debut of the Home Textiles Lifestyle Zone.

From advanced fibres to eco‑focused yarns: Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 set to welcome global industry to Shanghai

From 25 – 27 August, Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 will return to the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) to reinforce its role as a key meeting point for the global yarn and fibre industry. With over 22,000 visitors, the previous edition gathered nearly 580 leading exhibitors from 16 countries and regions, showcasing advanced developments and creative applications that support innovative, sustainable textile design. The upcoming edition will not only present an extensive range of fibre and yarn products, but will also feature a comprehensive fringe programme, including industry forums and trend display areas, providing innovative upstream enterprises with a stage to introduce next‑generation materials and sustainable concepts.

Messe Frankfurt commits further to East Africa: three textiles trade fairs during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week from 2027

Messe Frankfurt and its Texpertise Network continue their steady, successful trajectory in the region. As Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) opened today, Member of the Executive Board Detlef Braun announced that Messe Frankfurt is licencing its three leading international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya for the first time in 2027. From now on, they will take place annually as part of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) Nairobi.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.

Keeping products moving with Swedish automation at FILTECH 2026

At FILTECH 2026, taking place in Cologne from June 30th to July 2nd, members of TMAS – the Swedish textile machinery association – will highlight how the country’s engineering expertise is enabling filtration manufacturers to increase productivity, improve traceability and reduce dependence on labour-intensive manual processes.