With expectations high, nearly 4,000 international and domestic exhibitors from 27 countries and regions including Argentina, Belgium, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Thailand, The Netherlands, the UK, and the US, just to name a few, will gather at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) for a productive three days of business. High quality fabrics and accessories will be on display in the 240,000 sqm hall space, with 9 thematic halls designated to meet various sourcing needs. Buyers can also visit Yarn Expo Autumn which is held concurrently, while over 40 seminars and forums will be conducted to enrich participants’ experiences.

Ms Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, is optimistic about the fair: “With its key strength coming from its diversity and internationality reach, Intertextile Shanghai is the leading marketplace for global industry players to enhance their business prospects, and discover fashion trends and innovations. Building on the success of the previous Spring Edition, we are ready to offer the most comprehensive platform worldwide, catering to visitors across all critical sourcing criteria, ranging from sustainable and speciality fabrics, to international and top-tier functional materials.”

Visitors to the fair can expect a stellar line-up of brands and exhibitors. Numerous country and region pavilions, group pavilions and product zones will be featured, all designed to help exhibitors meet their target buyers:

• Featured product zones include Accessories Vision, All About Sustainability, Beyond Demin, Functional Lab, Premium Wool Zone, SalonEurope and Verve for Design
• Country / region pavilions include Hong Kong China, India, Italy (Milano Unica), Japan, Korea and Taiwan China
• Group Pavilions include ECOCERT, Hyosung, Lenzing, LYCRA, Korea Textile Centre, Oeko-Tex and Sorona

Each year, the fair attracts buyer delegations from around the world and this year is no exception. Seven associations have arranged their members to source for the next season:

• The Malaysia Knitting Manufacturers Association
• The Malaysian Textile Manufacturers Association
• The Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association
• The Russian Association of Fashion Industry
• The Thailand Textile Institute
• The Association of Garments, Textiles, Embroidery and Knitting
• The Vietnam Textile & Apparel Association

Reflecting the impact of technology and innovation in the business world, this year’s fair is presenting the world’s first-to-market artificial intelligence system – AiDA (AI-based Interactive Design Assistant for Fashion). AiDA has the ability to create unique designs based on the inspiration and personal style of designers. Fashion drawings of exhibitors’ iconic fabrics will be designed by AiDA and displayed at the Intertextile Directions Trend Forum, providing a new source of purchasing inspiration for buyers.

In addition to this, more than 40 seminars are scheduled throughout the three-day fair to provide fairgoers with a holistic sourcing and information gathering experience. The fringe programme will be categorised into four key themes that shape the future of the apparel and textile trade industry: Design and Trends, Market information and Business Strategies, Technology and Solutions and Sustainability Issues.

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2023 is co- organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre. It will take place alongside Yarn Expo Autumn, CHIC and PH Value from 28 – 30 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). For more details on this fair, please visit: www.intertextileapparel.com.