Some 3,300 exhibitors from around 20 countries covering all apparel fabrics and accessories product groups are expected at the Spring Edition of the industry’s most comprehensive sourcing platform for the spring/summer season, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, during March 14-16, 2018. A special feature of the fair will be the Premium Wool Zone.
The zone will represent mills from countries like the UK, Italy and France. It will also have over 180 domestic wool suppliers. Much of the demand for high-end wool at the fair comes from Chinese buyers thanks to growing affluence in the country.
This is evidenced by the fact that Australian wool prices are at record highs this season, with China accounting for over 70 per cent of Australian wool exports. What’s more, whereas 15 to 20 years ago most wool imported by China was re-exported, nowadays around 60 per cent is used to produce garments for the domestic market.
Intertextile’s number one position in China ensures that high-end domestic buyers are in abundance. “The buyer professionalism here is surprisingly high,” Bob McAuley, Huddersfield Fine Worsteds’ president, explained last October. “We’re looking specifically for tailors and menswear specialty stores, and these type of buyers are definitely present.” Speaking about domestic market trends, he continued: “Retailers are not able to put all fashion in stores, so the made-to-measure market is growing, especially in China. I’m surprised each edition how many new high-end Chinese brands we meet at this fair. There are more menswear specialty stores opening here, whereas in the US, for example, the move is more towards going direct-to-consumer and online.”
Some of the notable overseas brands participating this edition include Abraham Moon & Sons, Aris Industrial, Dechamps, Dormeuil, Dugdale Bros & Co, Ferla, Fratelli Piacenza, Holland & Sherry, Huddersfield Fine Worsteds, Lanificio F.lli Cerruti DAL 1881 and Scabal.
Precious metals such as gold and silver are known to have been worked into garments as long as 3,000 years ago, when they were hammered into extremely thin sheets then cut into ribbons. Modern technology has made this process much simpler. One of these is combining wool and silver, which Holland & Sherry will exhibit.
Their Argento collection of Super 200’s wool fabrics applies a state of the art silver ion technology finish to superfine merino wool. This combination provides effective antibacterial protection, counteracting bacterial odour formation and keeping the fabrics hygienic and fresh. And because the conductive properties of silver prevent the build-up of static charge, the fabrics also benefit from anti-static properties.
Some companies will come up with new or updated collections. Abraham Moon & Sons will showcase new fabrics at the fair for spring / summer ‘19 designed by Creative Director Martin Aveyard, which takes in categories of classic, casual and contemporary, with a unique use of worsted, linen and cashmere combinations.
