#Associations

2022-07-21

12 New-generation designers are shortlisted for “2022 Taiwan Fashion Design Award”

The online registration deadline for the 36th "Taiwan Fashion Design Awards" was June 30, and the competition among the design works is fierce. Five experts in apparel-related fields constitute the judges of the preliminary selection, and have selected 12 sets of outstanding works with an admission ticket to the final contest.

Nearly 460 designers participate in the contest, from 17 countries and areas including Austria, China, Egypt, Ecuador, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Japan, Macau, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United States, Vietnam and Taiwan. The works have received inspiration from various fields, with the majority of them coming from the exploration of the environment, technology, or reflection of the retro periods. The works also involve memories of their growth related to hometown, journey, culture, interests, and the acceptance of various imperfections; discussion on awareness for environmental protection from the observation of the environment, issues related to public health in the post-pandemic period, and building their own utopia; topics in new technology such as drawing attention on the privacy of social media, AI, and digital technology, which all descript the future of imagination.

The works gather young “creativities” applying LED bionic light, 3D printing technology, or mobile inflator pump to a gigantic volumn but lightweight. Digital placement printing or whole-garment knitting technology cuts down the wastes through precised calculation by computer. Waste fabrics dye in natural materials such as blue dye, coffee grounds, curcuma longa or tea leaves to reduce chemical pollution. It has transformed the “sustainability” into the norms of design. Some contestants make classic styles into multi-pocket design, adjustable drawstrings for various occasion use, while others use reflective materials to enhance safety. “Function” designs have make wearing more convienient. Materials with “performance” like abrasion resistant, super elastic, moisture absorption or wicking fabrics have been widely used to improve wearing comfort.

Taiwan Fashion Design Award was organized by the Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and exacuted by TTF, with the support of donations by Coddy Global Ltd., Fortune Industrial and Commercial Development Foundation, Lealea Enterprise Co., Ltd., Li Peng Enterprise Co., Ltd., New Wide Enterprise Co., Ltd., New Wide Garment Co., Ltd. The shortlisted works will compeat with each other at Taipei Fashion Week in mid-October.

Relevant registration and contest information:

Official website of Taiwan Fashion Design Award:

http://www.tfdaward.com/

or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaiwanFashionDesignAward/

or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tfdaward/

2022 TFDA Finalists

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

EURATEX urges Member States to prioritise competitiveness in the next EU budget

Ahead of crucial discussions among EU Member States on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034, EURATEX, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, calls on European leaders to safeguard ambitious funding for industrial competitiveness and ensure that these resources translate into concrete investment support in European companies.

Data and skills, not algorithms, hold back AI adoption in textiles, finds ITMF and ITA white paper

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) and the Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA) have published a new white paper entitled AI in the Textile Value Chain: A Strategic Guide to Artificial Intelligence for the Global Textile Industry. The study concludes that the main barriers to artificial intelligence adoption in the textile and apparel industry are not technological limitations, but poor data integration, skills shortages and gaps in governance. According to the authors, further progress will depend on coordinated efforts to develop capabilities across the industry.

Brazil: The Italian textile and textile-machinery sector takes centre stage at two workshops

From 19 to 24 October 2026, Brazil will host a mission showcasing Italian excellence in the textile and textile machinery sectors, with two workshops scheduled for 20 October in the state of Santa Catarina and 22 October in São Paulo. The initiative will bring together Italian companies specialising in textile machinery, yarns, fabrics and clothing accessories, with the aim of strengthening commercial and industrial ties between the two countries and opening up new opportunities for collaboration.

Aachen Summer School: Textiles become smart through 3D printing and origami

From 21 to 29 September 2026, the Aachen Summer School will transform Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University into a laboratory of the future: over the course of a week, students will use origami folding techniques and 3D printing to develop active textile structures capable of performing programmable movements. This interdisciplinary event combines theoretical foundations with practical prototyping – from digital modelling right through to functional textile prototypes.

Trützschler to showcase innovations in spinning preparation and nonwovens at ITMA Asia 2026

From November 20 to 24, 2026, the Trützschler Group will present its latest fiber processing technologies at ITMA Asia in Shanghai, China. At Hall 5.1, Booth D20, the company will showcase solutions designed to increase productivity, simplify operations and improve efficiency across spinning preparation and nonwoven production. Key highlights include the automated can transport system T-CAN, the next-generation card TC 30, innovative card clothing solutions such as STEELTOP and SUPERFLOW, as well as advanced nonwoven technologies for hygiene, wipes and filtration applications.

ROICA™ brings global textile innovation to Functional Fabric Fair Portland

ROICA™, the premium stretch fiber by Asahi Kasei, will make its debut appearance at Functional Fabric Fair Portland on October 27-28, 2026, at the Oregon Convention Center (Stand 256). Bringing together textile developments from partner companies across Europe and Asia, the ROICA™ booth will present a diverse collection of fabric solutions for performance, outdoor, mobility, swimwear, cy-cling, and lifestyle applications.