#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2021-04-29

2021 Taiwan fashion Design Award inviting new talents to the stage of Taipei Fashion Week

Taiwan Fashion Design Award (TFDA), a major annual event in Asia’s fashion industry, is now open for registration to worldwide new generation fashion designers. In the 35 years of history, TFDA has drawn over 14,000 participants and 90,000 works into the contest of top fashion design, including contestants coming from the art and fashion academy of USA, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, China, Hong Kong, Macau, etc.

2021 Taiwan Fashion Design Award Inviting New Talents to the Stage of Taipei Fashion Week

TFDA has been served the purpose of discovering new talents in fashion design over the past 34 years. Through the promotion of this contest and the cooperation between industry and design academia, the foundation of the textile and fashion industry has been enforced, and therefore, TFDA has the mission to lead designers to make the further refinement of the industry through the newly discovered design ideas and perspectives.

For the inspiration in the theme of design, the 4 keywords to note are CREATIVITY, PERFORMANCE, FUNCTION, and SUSTAINABILITY. CREATIVITY is to communicate with people in aesthetic methods. PERFORMANCE is to utilize High-tech, high-value-added textile materials to enhance comfort experience. FUNCTION is to create innovative and practical apparel, making our life better. Furthermore, the competition expects designers to focus on "SUSTAINABILITY" in terms of environmental friendliness and extending the life of materials and garments, in line with the global concern of green fashion issues.

Through this competition, contestants of TFDA from different places are encouraged to explore more possibilities in design, to enhance their skills by observing and learning from other talents. Also, they are noticed by the industry and media and extend their global vision. Hsieh, Yi-Ting, the designer who won the First Prize of 2020 TFDA, is currently studying at Fu Jen Catholic University for a Master's Degree in Fashion & Textiles. She said, "Being recognized on the stage of TFDA not only granted me the media attention and coverage, but also the opportunities to work with stylists, photographers, make-up artists, and celebrities. My design capability gained more and more recognition, which is a great encouragement for me to keep up with more excellent work."

The Finalist Designer Tang, Tsung-Chien is studying in Institut Français de la Mode of France. He mentioned, "After the competition, I received many work opportunities such as Merryson, Karomax, Sinta, Junmay Label, T-sa Tailor Shop, and Maluda Awi the Taiwanese Austronesian Craftman. I’m planning to develop my own brand in Taiwan and France."

The Chinese designer Hou, Qinglin, who currently studying at Berlin University of the Arts, stated, "I’ve been benefited a lot from my finalist fashion show during the TFDA, for example, I used my reward to have an internship at D’heygere of Paris. Getting in the finalist of TFDA is a milestone of my life and also the stepping stone of future career."

TFDA is sponsored by the Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs in Taiwan and is organized by Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF). This year, with strong sponsorship from industry, including Lealea Enterprise Co., Ltd., Li Peng Enterprise Co., Ltd., Coddy Global Ltd. and Fortune Industrial and Commercial Development Foundation, etc. to contribute the prize reward. The Preliminary round is estimated to be held in July, only 12 of the elite finalists will be chosen to enter the final round to claim the total prize of US$ 35,000. In addition, TFDA is also supported by the Ministry of Culture, and the best works will be exhibited on the international stage of Taipei Fashion Week, and will also be presented live worldwide.

“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.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Hong Kong strengthens position as Asia's leading sustainable fashion hub

Hong Kong's position as one of Asia's most prominent sustainable fashion hubs has been further strengthened, with the HKTDC ESG Index 2026 released by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) for the fashion industry rising to 65.5 in 2026, up 2.3 percentage points from 2025. The increase reflects growing industry confidence in Hong Kong as a premier platform for sustainable fashion development and ESG-related business opportunities.

Première Vision Paris expands innovation focus across fashion and beauty

From September 1–3, 2026, Première Vision Paris will bring together more than 900 exhibitors from across the global fashion value chain. This year's edition places a strong emphasis on Innovation-Tech, highlighting technologies and materials that are reshaping product development, manufacturing and sustainability.

Intertextile Apparel opens next week with strengthened focus on performance, sustainability, and innovation

Opening 25 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2026 prepares to welcome thousands of global industry players for three days of sourcing, networking, and trend forecasting. Spanning 240,000 sqm, this edition will feature over 3,500 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, providing a comprehensive platform for fairgoers to explore new products, market directions, and business opportunities across the entire apparel textile value chain – with high-potential segments noticeably magnified.

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.