At the fair’s close, Ms Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, spoke to its importance: “This is one of the most comprehensive fairs for the global textile industry, both for sourcing and information exchange, located in the heart of the world’s largest market and production hub. And it is clear that despite global issues affecting every sector, fairgoers have been happy with the business done across the fairground, and reiterated that there is no substitute for the in-person business and connections at this fair.”
Ms Shea continued: “Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics is a platform that offers opportunities to the entire industry, no matter the size of the company, where they’re from, or the type of product, and the fantastic participation of returning and new exhibitors and visitors this spring demonstrates their votes of confidence.”
Full spectrum of apparel industry represented at Shanghai showcase
From fashion fabrics and accessories and functional fashion, to sustainability, innovation and digital transformation, prospects for the industry’s future were on show across the show’s seven halls. In addition to a host of domestic exhibitors grouped by product end use, the fair gave a platform to seven country and region pavilions and zones (France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Türkiye), three group pavilions (Ecocert, Korea Textile Center, and Lenzing), and seven featured zones (Digital Printing Zone, Digital Solutions Zone, Econogy Hub, Functional Lab, Premium Wool Zone, SalonEurope, and Verve for Design).
Compared to the previous Spring Edition, there was an overseas exhibitor increase of nearly 15%, with a more than 50% return rate, while over 100 suppliers made their debuts in the International Hall. Beyond showcasing at their booths, exhibitors submitted visual-tactile samples to not only the Intertextile Directions Trend Forum, but also to two new display zones: The CUBE (Functional Lab), and the Functional Suiting Display Area (Premium Wool Zone).
Exhibitors’ feedback
“We are a sustainable materials and trims company from Sweden, specialising in packaging, labelling, trims, and digital innovation. This is our first time exhibiting at Intertextile Apparel, and it has been very satisfying overall. Particularly, the VIP Tour provided us with an excellent opportunity for in-depth discussions with high-end buyers. What most incentivised our participation was the specially curated Econogy Hub, bringing together sustainable exhibitors. Connected with Econogy Talks, this created an integrated ‘exhibition + seminar’ model, offering a one-stop experience for sourcing and knowledge sharing, and giving more value to exhibitors and buyers.”
Ms Karen Chui, Merchandising Manager, Rudholm Group, Sweden
“We have been to Intertextile Apparel for 25 years straight, and the three features we value here are fashion, function and sustainability, which match with our products. A great pool of industry players from all over the world has gathered here. Exhibiting at this fair helps us explore high-end clients from China and greatly boosts our business. This time, we have brought high-quality stretch fabric for suiting and jackets and received good feedback, with many potential clients from China and Australia coming to our booth on just the first day.”
Mr Rejno Marangone, Sales Director, Vitale Barberis Canonico SpA, Italy
“Despite challenges in global supply chains and rising costs, I should underscore that Intertextile Apparel is still able to attract high-value buyers from various regions, fostering critical face-to-face interactions that digital platforms cannot replace. This is a comprehensive platform including the whole supply chain, becoming somewhat of a trendsetter for the textile industry. The show’s emphasis on innovation, such as modernising ancient techniques for contemporary trends, resonates strongly with the mission to blend tradition with sustainability. It also caters to high-end luxury brands, aligning perfectly with our craftsmanship-focused positioning.”
Ms Shuchi Singh, Director, Mirandola Designs Limited, Hong Kong
“This is our first time exhibiting at this fair, which attracts a high visitor flow, and many quality buyers. Several brand buyers attended with their entire teams, which reflects their recognition of the show’s positioning. This platform is ideal for different materials, fabrics, manufacturers, and brands to connect and learn from each another. That’s why this fair is very important to us, and we plan to return to the next edition. Our product lavalan® is a thermal wool fabric that is natural and fully biodegradable. Thanks to its comfort and breathability, wool is increasingly being used in functional fabrics.”
Mr Johnson Qiu, General Manager, Shanghai Ruizha New Material Co Ltd (agent of Baur Vliesstoffe GmbH), Germany
“Every year we bring new concepts, innovations, and technologies to Intertextile Apparel. For the Chinese market, it is very important for us to develop something new, and to introduce the newest in technology and innovation. The buyers at Intertextile Apparel are excellent – they are forward-thinking and eager to try new things, and highly innovative. Their fabric development skills and technologies are also ideal. That's why we choose this platform to debut our latest innovations and fabrics, and this year we are very happy to launch Naia™ On The Move at Intertextile Apparel.”
Ms Karen Yang, Global Marketing Communication Leader, Textile, Eastman Chemical (China) Co Ltd, USA
In addition to an increase in domestic buyers, international visitor numbers rose by 17% compared to the previous Spring Edition. Visitors included garment manufacturers, brands, designers, import and export companies, agents, retailers, e-commerce platforms, and more. Among the visitors, as well as arranging nearly 300 business matching meetings, the fair welcomed seven international buyer delegations with over 160 delegates, led by prominent textile manufacturing and business associations. For the first time at the Spring Edition, the Econogy Finder allowed visitors to more easily connect with eco-focused exhibitors.
Visitors’ comments
“Intertextile Apparel is a platform I know very well, where my team and I can meet many suppliers. The business matching which Messe Frankfurt coordinated was a great help. We have found a few interesting items, one is sustainable materials in the synthetics itself, such as Sorona; some milk protein-based fabrics; as well as recycled nylon products. Sustainability and functionality really stand out at this platform, and we can find more innovations than within our sourcing network. I don’t think online will ever replace in-person sourcing, because in-person you have that human touch and connection.”
Mr Ganesh Anantha, VP- Operations, XYXX, India
“As opposed to Europe, it’s a lot nearer to fly to Shanghai from Singapore, and all the European and Japanese suppliers come here. China is the biggest hub, and Intertextile Apparel really serves all the purposes I have. All the exhibitors have warehouses in China, so it’s also very easy for our manufacturers to get the stock. I feel we have more buying power compared to last year due to tariffs. I also really like Verve for Design, there are more exhibitors this time which is helpful for my prints.”
Ms Eileen Tay, Creative Director, Elizabeth Little LLP, Singapore
“Intertextile Apparel is a trendsetter showcasing beautiful fabrics and gathering many talented specialists, giving us designers lots of inspiration and aesthetic insights. The fair is a valuable platform to discover new fabrics and materials, to see the latest trends and innovations in the fashion industry, and to network with other industry players. In addition to biodegradability, the integration of technology into the fashion industry is also fascinating. This can lead to innovative designs and products that push the boundaries of traditional fashion.”
Ms Maria Cristina Fedriani, ARCH., Progetto Stile, Italy
Offering trend-related insights and vital perspectives on overcoming challenges, the fringe programme’s expert speakers and tour leaders complemented the business done onsite. Events included multiple seminars dedicated to sustainability, innovation, and design, as well as an Econogy Tour and three tours of the Intertextile Directions Trend Forum. Meanwhile, two in-depth panel discussions considered the industry’s future. Shaping the Future of Sustainability Through Innovation featured speakers from Eastman, High Fashion, HKRITA, and TextileGenesis; while Circularity in the Global Textile Industry gave a key platform to representatives from Ecocert, Lenzing, Redress, and the Taiwan Textile Federation.
Fringe speakers’ insights
“In my presentation, I shared insights into the future trends of yarn and women’s apparel fabrics for 2026, keeping attendees informed about industry developments, and helping them navigate the fair with greater focus and precision. After years of growth, Intertextile Apparel has built strong connections within the industry. For those of us in the apparel business, it’s a much-anticipated biannual event, where we can discover the latest materials and cutting-edge trends. When it comes to fabrics, sustainability remains a timeless theme, while another trend is the integration of technology.”
Ms Maggie Men, Trends Director, WGSN, UK
“My seminar focused on the mainstream practices of European and American brands in supply chain traceability, as well as how Chinese textile companies can enhance their traceability capabilities to better meet the traceability demands of brands. Hosting fringe events at such a high-level, large-scale textile industry event is, in my opinion, of extraordinary significance, as it facilitates industry exchange, builds trust among participants, and attendees’ feedback helps us better understand market and customer expectations.”
Ms Sing Yang, Customer Engagement & Service Manager, TextileGenesis, Netherlands
The fair was co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre. It took place alongside Yarn Expo Spring, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition, CHIC and PH Value at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). For more details on this fair, please visit: www.intertextileapparel.com.
Other upcoming shows:
Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics / Yarn Expo Shenzhen
11 – 13 June 2025, Shenzhen (Futian)
Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition / Yarn Expo Autumn
2 – 4 September 2025, Shanghai
Press information and photographic material:
https://intertextile-shanghai-apparel-fabrics-spring.hk.messefrankfurt.com/shanghai/en/press.html
Social media:
www.facebook.com/intertextileapparel
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Your contact:
Jason Taylor
Phone: +852 2230 9296
jason.taylor@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com
Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd
35/F, China Resources Building
26 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
www.messefrankfurt.com.hk
Background information on Messe Frankfurt
The Messe Frankfurt Group is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,500* people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 28 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2024 were around € 780* million. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of Messe Frankfurt’s key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services.
Sustainability is a central pillar of our corporate strategy. Here, we strike a healthy balance between ecological and economic interests, social responsibility and diversity.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com/sustainability
With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
*Preliminary figures 2024
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