Returning again this year, Intertextile Beijing Apparel Fabrics offered something for everyone in the apparel fabrics industry. Over 1,300 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions displayed their latest products across 50,000 sqm. of exhibition space in the China International Exhibition Center. And again, Intertextile Beijing Apparel Fabrics maintained an ideal platform for the development of textile industry at home and abroad.

The success of this session is reflected in the exhibitor figures with a record number of companies taking part. Much of this growth is driven by an increase in European suppliers. Thanks to a 36% increase in exhibitors this year, SalonEurope occupied 6,000 sqm. of exhibition space in two halls, an increase of 20% compared to 2012. There, visitors could find premium apparel fabrics and accessories from European suppliers from France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom, as well as the Portuguese pavilion.

The unique Milano Unica Pavilion from Italy could also be found within SalonEurope. 128 of the best Italian textile producers presented the latest fashionable fabrics and accessories for womenswear and menswear. After its successful debut last year, the 2013 edition marks the start of a three-year partnership between the fair’s organizers and Milano Unica. Commenting on this partnership, Ms. Wendy Wen, Senior General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. remarked on the rationale behind the ideal. “This partnership will definitely be a continuous effort to integrate high-quality and well-made Italian textile products to a burgeoning Chinese marketplace.”

While international exhibitor numbers are on the rise, a large range of domestic exhibitors could also be found and grouped by product end-use. “Trade fairs like Intertextile Beijing are the best destination to increase Chinese suppliers’ exposure in international markets,” remarked Mr. Sun Ruizhe, Vice President of CNTAC and Director of China Textile Information Center. “At the same time, they are a gateway for international companies to access the massive Chinese market.”

Mr. Xu Yingxin, Executive Vice President of CCPIT TEX, remarked in the increasing importance of sustainability in the domestic textiles markets. “Intertextile Beijing is the ideal place for industry players in China to network with industry leaders from around the world to advance sustainable development in the country,” he said.

Italy brought quality and style

The third edition of the Milano Unica Pavilion, in partnership with Messe Frankfurt, is a symbol of production and exhibition quality in typical Italian style.

Not only do the exhibitor numbers confirm that this investment made in the Chinese market by Milano Unica has been successful, but so do the visitor figures. 3,000 visitors attended the Pavilion in Shanghai last October, a more than 50% increase from the March show in Beijing. “We have observed that the type of buyer that visits the pavilion has changed since the first edition”, says Mr. Silvio Albini, President of Milano Unica. “Previously, there was more interest in men’s products, but now there is an increase in interest for women’s items. Figures show a majority of buyers are garment manufacturers, department stores and branded chain stores mainly from Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Wenzhou, but also from Hongkong, Taiwan and foreign countries like Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Russia and Thailand.”

As for the exhibitors, the reporters interviewed one typical company named Canclini, about its collections, its design team and its research and development (R&D).

According to Jerome Hanriot, Asian Area Sales Manager, research and development is in the DNA of Canclini, since each department of the company is teasing each other for innovation in a continuous process of information exchange. Obviously, Canclini works closely with its yarn suppliers as well as finishers in quest of novelties. But another big input is coming for Canclini’s strong partnership with main customers such as Zegna, for whom Canclini’s the shirting fabric supplier No. 1.

This constant “treasure quest” brings Canclini in having a wide shirting collection, mixing in a peculiar know-how fashion trends, innovation, and excellence in terms of quality.

Jerome illustrated the three main collections of Canclini to the reporters on its booth. The first one is mainly – but not only – dedicated for the tailoring, with its 4,000 references collected in three articulated stock service books called “I Continuativi”.

It’s amazing to realize that all those references are available in their warehouse in Shanghai, for a 24 hours cut length delivery all around China. “Besides, Canclini developed a brand new App devoted to the professional tailoring partners. Easy to use, it allows after login, to check the availability and directly order the cuttings needed: this is the best ever done from a fabric supplier to B to B in terms of service,” Jerome introduced.

These three books that goes from the ultra classical patterns to fancies but also luxury high yarn counts fabrics, are renewed each two years for the so-called “evergreens”, to one year for the most fancy part.

The seasonable collection then, Spring Summer and Fall Winter, guide the clients through the most updated color trends, split in several styles, from renewed classical patterns, to most fashionable, upper casual, stretch but also denim and printed qualities for the most.

Together with the head designer Mauro Canclini, Jerome introduced some examples of each style, and the reporters were attracted and specially amazed by the linen collection for summer with different finishing and different techniques thanks to the R&D from the suppliers who provide Canclini yarns.

Another amazing collection on Canclini’s booth is Stucchi, which is a VIP and very elegant collection made of high yarn counts. And during the fair, the customers were very positive and attracted about this collection, according to Jerome.

The brand STUCCHI 1893, synonymous of beauty and gorgeousness, directly comes from the Como silk district. Born in the 19^th century, STUCCHI ha treasured its historical and cultural background, and is nowadays able to offer hyperfine handcrafted-like high end cotton fabric for shirting.

Light and soft but very compact, it’s able to reinterpret its origins through an innovative approach, while maintaining the typical classic and elegant taste of the real Made in Italy.

Here are the specifications of the proposed fabrics:

BELLAGIO: 100% cotton 200/2

VARENNA: 100% cotton 170/2

CERNOBBIO: 100% cotton 140/2

MENAGGIO: 100% cotton 140/2

Highlights of Chinese exhibitors

A large range of domestic exhibitors could be found in several halls, grouped by product end-use including suiting, ladieswear, lingerie / swimwear, functional wear / sportswear, casualwear, denim and accessories.

During the fair, Mr. Wang Tiankai, President of CNTAC, mainly asked about the latest situation of the enterprises in the aspects of market sales, product development, technology application, energy-saving and emission-reduction. According to the reply from the enterprises, it can be seen that the current fabric enterprises’ consciousness of environmental protection and innovation has gone through very obvious progress.

Huafu Top Dyed Melange Yarn Co., Ltd., as an upstream fiber enterprise, launched the latest samples, some of which were made to sample clothing in order to better promote the dyed melange yarn and help clothing brands purchase products directly from the enterprise.

Mr. Wang pointed out: “The dyed melange yarn can save energy and protect environment, and can realize the rapid reaction, therefore, the company should make more efforts in the direction of weaving to seek greater market space.”

The polyester / cotton knitted denim-like fabric from Jiangyin Hengliang Textile Co., Ltd. is of distinctive features for its use of finishing technology commonly used by denim fabric. Mr. Wang asked about the discharge of sewage, and the relevant person from the enterprise said that they have established cooperation with many foreign brands with strict enforcement of wastewater discharge standards.

Prosperity Textile exhibited printed denim, mini-jacquard denim, yarn-dyed denim fabric which are relatively distinctive. The technics it used such as cold transfer print, grinding process, especially the laser process, obtained attention and affirmation.

Mr. Du Yuzhou, Honorary President of CNTAC, visited several representative exhibitors with detailed inquiries about business sales, technology development, product innovation, fashion color and the other aspects.

JianYe Textile, a women's fabric enterprise from Guangdong province, mainly showcased lace series and fancy yarn series products, which pay more attention to creativity and fashion. Currently, the exports account for 50% - 60% of the turnover of the company. Mr. Du gave some favorable comments on the product innovation and asked the enterprise to make efforts in sewage treatment.

Verve for Design zone made its debut

The Verve for Design textile designer zone made its first appearance at the fair which features a European showcase of some of the most-recognized fashion designers in the region.

This area features inspirational and creative ideas for textile design, with a particular focus on mid-range and high-end products. “People can find a huge variety of new ideas to choose and be inspired from at Verve for Design,” said Mr. Daniele Sidraschi, sales manager at Bernini Studio.

Kalarav is a champion of this creative approach. The company helps customers define the DNA and originality of their fashion brand by co-ordinating the entire creative process, from creation to production and marketing. It is the integration of all the creative ingredients that help Kalarav create original, copyright-protected designs that resonate so well with the high-end and luxury markets.

In an industry where change is especially swift, having a creative edge is a definite plus to maintaining a competitive profile. It is believed that Chinese clients are very open to every new trend.

Not just a trade fair, Intertextile Beijing Apparel Fabrics is the place to find the latest trend inspirations and market news. The Spring / Summer 2014 trends were displayed in the Trend Forum, which was designed this year by Nelly Rodi, an Intertextile Directions Trend Committee member from Paris, while the Fabrics China Trend Forum showcased the latest suiting and ladieswear fabric trends.

This year also saw an expanded seminar program, with speakers from around the world providing the latest information on a range of topics. These include design and trends, market information and business strategy, technology and solutions, and certification and testing.