Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, a leading product sourcing platform, which takes place from 11-13 October in Shanghai, China, will discuss some of the most interesting topics currently facing the industry as part of its panel discussions programme.

The Athleisure panel discussion will focus on the future of athleisure and discuss its implications for the industry. Whilst some believe it is not just a passing fad, but a fundamental shift in the way people dress, others believe that wearing athletic clothes and shoes in formal contexts will become less common in the coming seasons, including Stephen Tierney from WSA magazine and sportstextiles.com who will moderate the panel.

“The fact is, people like dressing up. We are beginning to see some signs that the practice of wearing athletic shoes for all occasions may be dwindling because the numbers are down for Foot Locker and others, and Stella Group is one that says sales of more formal fashion shoes are increasing again,” he said. Joining the panel will be a number of speakers, including Nilit, to discuss the topic Athleisure – is it more than a buzzword in the fashion industry? Understanding the impact of athleisure and how to respond.

Another event sure to draw the crowds is the Sustainable Fast Fashion panel discussion. Moderated by Redress, the discussion includes panellists Sustainable Apparel Coalition and DuPont who will share their insights on which aspects of the supply chain can be fine-tuned to make fast fashion sustainable.

More topics

More confirmed panel discussion topics to date include:

• Sustainable Denim: A Holistic Approach: moderated by Archroma. Panellists include Advance Denim and Lenzing
• Global Organic Textile Trends & Certification: moderated by Beijing ECOCERT Certification. Panellists include Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Rare China, Chifeng Dongrong, and Shaoxing Ecou
• Linen: Innovation for Autumn & Winter: moderated by European Flax & Hemp Confederation (CELC). Panellists include CELC Textile & Sustainability, Northern Linen and TUNGA
• Innovative Technology in Fashion Industry: moderated by American & Efird. Panellists include Unifi, CSI, Toread and Beijing Engineering Research Center of Digital Apparel Industry
• Trends and New Opportunities in Bangladesh Textile Industry: moderated by Amin & Jahan Corporation Ltd and Bangladesh Textile Today. Panellists include H&M, Marks & Spencer, The Institution of Engineers (IEB) and Promoda Apparels

Seminar programme

Besides panel discussions, fairgoers can also learn the upcoming trends and the industry’s latest developments through the comprehensive seminar programme. Confirmed topics and speakers to date include:

• Fall Winter 2018-2019 Trends, by the NellyRodi Agency
• Textile Softness Analyzer, by emtec Electronic
• Oeko-Tex product portfolio 2017, by Hohenstein
• Introduction of Global Recycled Standard New Version 4.0 & Recycled Claim Standard New Version 2.0, by Control Union

Trend forums

Eight trend forums will illustrate Autumn / Winter 2018-19 domestic and international trends in different market sectors. Some of the highlighted forums are:

Intertextile Directions Trend Forum: curated by NellyRodi, it will present the next international trends under three themes: Origins, Hygge and Subversive. With NellyRodi curating the forum this year, its Asia Creative Director Michaël Bonzom will lead three trend introduction tours on the first two days of the fair to further elaborate the upcoming trends.

Five Fabrics China Trend Forums: including Fashion Focus Trend Forum, Accessories Trend Forum, Menswear Trend Forum, Womenswear Trend Forum and Casualwear Trend Forum, these will reveal the domestic trends under four themes: Re-Youth, Re-Primitive, Re-Master and Re-Future.

Beside the trend forums, the Beyond Denim display area, designed by New York’s Doneger Creative Services, will showcase the newest range of denim products, trends and technology under three themes: Azure, New Age and Cultural.

www.intertextileapparel.com