Next month will see the global industry converge on Shanghai to source the latest apparel fabrics and accessories from some 3,000 exhibitors from 24 countries and regions at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition.

There will be much more than sourcing taking place at the fair though, with both international and domestic trend forums revealing the Spring / Summer 2018 trends. The international trends will be presented in the Intertextile Directions Trend Forum, which this year is curated by Elementi Moda Srl.

The overall mood of next season’s trends is Feel Good, which is encapsulated in three themes:

Merge with Nature

Feel good with the harmony of sea horizon. Give rise to a deep feeling of wellness through a meditative walk on the seaside, in total harmony with the natural elements. Feel the dryness of the windswept sand dunes, immersed in sandbanks, shellfish, seaweed and shingle… Plunge your eyes into the sea waves, foam and fish, and take a breath of fresh air to remind what is really essential… For those who are seeking the harmony of body and soul, through a slow and natural way of life made of essentials products.

Care for the Future

Feel good and feel positive, thanks to a fresh energy full of vitamins! Science and mindfulness are now cooperating, while technology is going emotional. A new creative 3.0 wave is emerging, both hyper connected and totally relaxed; radical and thoughtful; logical, rational and poetic – all at once. A playful and technological universe inspired by the pop sixties era, for a new generation aiming to mix modernity with wellness and comfort in order to boost their style.

Meet with Culture

Feel good through the world journey and cultures mixing… An ode to beauty and elegance, created by the luxurious mix of East and West. An initiatory journey from Asia to the north of the Mediterranean, where the young generations mash up influences, wardrobes and references to reinvent aesthetic codes.

Inspired by melting pots and nomadism, we discover a multitude of new savours, through the charming flower and spice markets, the majestic mosaic compositions and ornamental gardens…

Trend Forum introduction tours will also take place on days one and two of the fair. What’s more, the latest domestic trends can be discovered in three Chinese trend forums curated by Fabrics China. These include the Fashion Focus Trend Forum in hall 7.2 which focuses on colour, and trend forums for suiting in hall 6.1 and ladieswear in hall 8.2.

Each of these will reveal the Spring / Summer 2018 trends in four themes: Fantastic Dimensions, Roaming Mindfulness, Emulative Heritage and Naturalistic Poet.

Panel discussions and seminars explore S/S18 fashion trends and much more

Those looking for more on the latest developments across the entire industry will benefit from a number of seminars and panel discussions taking place during the fair. To date, Carlin Creative Trend Bureau, Elementi Moda, the NellyRodi Agency, Peclers Paris and Promostyl are confirmed to host seminars on various aspects of the Spring / Summer 2018 trends, while Pantone and Liberty will also present on design and trend topics.

And under the sustainability issues topic, Hohenstein, GOTS, UL, SGS and Testex will also host seminars. Furthermore, panel discussions on three themes – eco-fabrics, linen in fashion, and trends and new opportunities in retailing and sourcing, moderated by The Hong

Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), CELC PROMOTION and Trendstop, respectively – will take place on the first two days of the fair.

"Verve for Design" exhibitors set to benefit from maturing domestic market

Further design and trend inspiration will be on display in the fair’s Verve for Design zone, which features a number of leading original design studios from Australia, Italy, Japan, Korea and the UK. Some of those already confirmed to exhibit in this zone include Alex & Kate, Amanda Kelly, Anteprima Disegni, Atelier Mineeda, Bernini Studio, Boggia Disegni, Camilla Frances Prints, Canvas Print Studios, Circleline Design Studio, Design Union, Fairbairn & Wolf Studio, Karolina York, Longina Phillips Designs, New Age, Nix and Whiston and Wright.

Italy’s Bernini Studio return to Intertextile Shanghai after many years exhibiting at the fair, and reported last edition that demand was stronger in China than some of their other key markets as economic growth slowed in certain countries. “Buyers here are getting more professional now compared to six years ago; they know much more what they want in terms of original designs. It’s the time of the brands here in China now so there’s so much potential for original designs. Demand is slowly building in China still.

In this sector, Shanghai is like Los Angeles, it’s always looking to innovate and doesn’t stop buying just because the economy slows,” Mr Daniele Sidraschi explained.

In addition to Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, four other textile fairs are taking place concurrently at the National Exhibition and Convention Center. These include Yarn Expo Spring (hall 5.1), Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition (hall 4.2), CHIC (halls 1, 2, 3 & 4.1) and PH Value (hall 3).

China International Trade Fair for Apparel Fabrics and Accessories

National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai)

Shanghai, China,

15 – 17 March 2017

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2017 is coorganised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre.