Interstoff Asia Essential: Fabrics and trends for Autumn'14

Interstoff Asia Essential-Autumn, one of Asia’s best known annual trade fair showcasing the latest fashionable, functional, eco textiles and accessories concluded in Hong Kong on September 27 on a high note. Over 175 exhibitors from across

Asia displayed their latest innovations in fabrics and textiles while trend seminars and a designer studio gave an insight on what to expect in fashion for Fall/Winter 2014. Buyers from across the world attended the three-day event to get acquainted about the latest fabrics, trends and also make bookings for next autumn. Another high point were the various fashion shows, where well-known designers gave their interpretation and creations inspired by the fabrics on display.

Fabric innovations for autumn ’14

Perhaps what makes Interstoff Asia Essential stand out each year is the number of exhibitors who display new fabrics created through ongoing research at their labs. For example, DJIC from Taiwan exhibited cotton knitted fabrics like rayon viscose and bamboo, bamboo charcoal with spandex and loose terry fabric with melange effect; fashion fabrics like lace, jacquard, different terry laminate with WIPU and mesh print laminate with WIPU for making raincoats, jackets outerwear. Its customers list include the likes of Adidas, Puma, G-Star et al. And as Daniel Wu, President, DJIC says “We came to showcase our new creations.” He felt Interstoff was the right place to tap new customers. “With a slowdown in Europe, we are trying to increase our footprint in the U.S. and Asian region.” However, Wu rues even though analysts say the situation is improving, customers are yet to show interest. “This time our focus is more on catching the attention of customers.”

Similarly, Wan Hua Textile from Guangzhou, China put up burn out lace fabrics. They already have a customer base in India and Bangladesh but were looking for new ones at the fair. Hong Kong’s New Jersey Enterprises displayed high end fabrics like strip jacquard jersey which was 100 percent cotton yarn dyed and new pattern and textures, mallow interlock, bonded jersey etc. With brands like Donna Karen, Hugo Boss and Armani as its clients, the company caters to the super premium brands. Dali Fibre Industrial from China displayed its new dual- and tri-colour ‘Draw Textured’ mélange series which boasts better dyeing effects. And Korea’s PAKA Intertex introduced its micro nylon/cotton and reversible fabrics.

Indo Rama made a splash with its sustainable ‘Nusantara’ fabrics. It’s made out of recycled plastic and pet bottles, which consumes 50 percent less energy while being made and has 50 percent less carbon emission. As Marc Sparkel, VP Operations & Development says brands like Adidas, Nike etc, are already using this fabric for their products.

Effects of a slowdown

While the number of footfalls at the show was more than 6,500 this year, a few notches above last year, yet bookings were a slow. Most exhibitors said they did generate a lot of interest with their products, yet actual bookings were not up to the mark. Many of course said they were not really looking for bookings, rather it was more about showcasing what’s new. Enquiries were good and they were satisfied with the samples having been taken away by interested customers. And some like Japan’s Sunwell Co known for its functional synthetic fabrics were inundated with bookings. “This year our customers doubled over last year. And over 90 percent of them were new,” said Kohei Yamamoto.

However, the general feeling was that the economic slowdown was surely hampering business. Even though there is a sense of optimism, yet the overall sentiment and bookings was slow. Perhaps a reflection of apparel business worldwide.

Organised by Messe Frankfurt one of the world's leading trade show organisers with 536.9 million euros in sales, Interstoff Asia Essential is home to cutting-edge fashionable, functional and eco textiles. It is the region’s best known trade fair for showcasing latest fabrics, trends and technologies.