Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, which opens its doors this week, will focus on sustainability, functional innovations and Autumn/Winter 2019-20 fashion trends. “When a large fashion house’s carbon consumption levels hit global headlines earlier this year, it was evident that people want to see more action taken to achieve sustainability. Eco-friendly, environmentally-friendly, ethical – these buzzwords are backed up by market demand for greener goods,” organisers explain.

“For more than 70,000 visitors, this month’s fringe programme at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition will be a worthwhile visit, as worldwide industry experts join the conversation of sustainability and other pressing issues at the fair’s seminars, panel discussions and trend forums.”

Another highlighted topic to be debated in a panel discussion at the fair is the growing appeal of Africa as a production location, and in the future, a lucrative apparel market. Just a few decades ago, China was considered a similar low-cost production location, whereas now it is forecast to be the world’s largest apparel and textile market in 2019. This growth makes Shanghai a fascinating place to join experts at the fair as they discuss Africa, predicted to be the next area of major expansion in the apparel market.

Industry developments

Environmentally and socially responsible approaches will be discussed by industry experts. Four panel discussions will take place:

• Implementation of Sustainability in Denim Industry: moderated by the China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC). Panellists include Glowtex, Jiangyin Heng Liang Textile, Cotton Council International, Prosperity Textile and Invista
• The Rise of Africa’s Textile Industry: The Final Potential Land of Textile Trade and Investment?: moderated by CNTAC and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT)
• Little Label, Big Impact! How to Create Consumer Trust with an Ecolabel: moderated by Testex. Panellists include ZDHC, DVC Trading Consultancy (Shanghai), Sateri and Loftex
• Functional Lingerie: Trends and New Opportunities: moderated by the Assistant Professor of Fashion & Textile Design at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Panellists include Carvico Trading (Shanghai) and Santoni (Shanghai) Knitting Machinery

FutureCast: The State of the Consumer

Meanwhile, the fair will present this year’s Intertextile Consumer & Lifestyle Trend theme – FutureCast: The State of the Consumer. It will feature two video areas, accompanied by four short talks and a seminar by The Doneger Group. These presentations will take a look at the main sociocultural and innovation developments taking place today and their repercussions on business, design and marketing opportunities.

The Scale up GOTS in China seminar will feature detailed organic policy updates, business matching opportunities at the fair’s first GOTS pavilion, and highlighted brands and retailers, including H&M, Target and Bestseller, showcasing organic textile business. A comprehensive programme of 35 more seminars will be held over the fair’s three days. Highlights include:

• Autumn/Winter 2019 – 20 Fashion Trends, followed by Japan Fashion Trends via Markets, Environmental Issues and How Japan Fabrics Appeal to Global Brands by I. S. Planning and K Laboratory
• All You Need is Wool by Suedwolle Group
• Zipper Fashion Trend Release by Fujian SBS Zipper Science and Technology
• Analysis and Application of 2020 Spring/Summer Key Colour Trends by Coloro
• Fall/Winter 2019 – 20 Fashion Trends by NellyRodi Paris
• European Active/Outdoor Market Mega Trends and Overview Summary by Hyosung

Shared future

Developed by trend experts from Tokyo, New York, Milan and Paris, the Intertextile Directions Trend Forum will present three trends for Autumn/Winter 2019. Exhibitors’ fabrics will illustrate each trend, making the trend forum a convenient first stop for most buyers at the fair. Detailed tours will be held by the Trend Director of I. S Planning (Japan).

Three key Autumn/Winter 2019 – 20 denim trends can be found within the product display forum in Beyond Denim. What’s more, four Fabrics China Trend Forums will illustrate domestic trends in Functional Technologies, Sustainable Fashion, Fashion Focus, and Accessories. For visitors interested in more Asia-Pacific trend forecasts, the Japan Pavilion, Korea Pavilion and Taiwan Pavilion will each have dedicated trend areas.

www.intertextileapparel.com

Further reading

Trends from Asia-Pacific on show at Intertextile Apparel