Recently Intertextile Apparel has concluded the Asian leg of a busy A/W 2026-27 exhibition season for the global textile industry – but, according to many fairgoers, this was the one platform they could not miss.
At Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2025, over 3,700 exhibitors from 26 countries and regions welcomed over 100,000 visitors from 123 countries and regions to the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. With China boasting the world’s largest industry manufacturing base, highest exports, and second-largest consumer market, there were many reasons for global industry players to gather for the flagship fair. Chief among them was the chance to gather much-needed insights in an uncertain market, discuss business with new and existing partners, and explore the fair’s spectrum of products and services covering fashion, functionality, sustainability, and innovation and digital transformation.
“Now more than ever, it is imperative for key players to keep tabs on emerging trends, discover new innovations, strengthen partnerships, and find new markets,” said Ms Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. “Intertextile Apparel is the ideal platform to achieve these goals, welcoming the best and brightest of the industry from all corners of the world, and from all segments of the market. This is not just the leading apparel textile fair in Asia, it is one of the most important industry fairs in the world. The need to find new markets or suppliers is a common theme that’s emerged from our discussions with fairgoers, and we have made strong efforts to facilitate that this autumn.”
In China, efforts to diversify are being made. While overall exports to the US dropped in the first half of the year, the country’s trade with ASEAN (up 13%), the EU (up 6.9%), and Africa (up 21.4%) expanded sharply, more than making up for the shortfall. As exhibitors try to navigate the potential loss of business in their biggest markets, and look to explore new ones, the fair facilitated exchange between key stakeholders. Around 150 representatives of eight international buyer delegations, from Bangladesh, Brazil, Malaysia, Thailand, Türkiye, Vietnam, and more, participated in 130 business matching meetings and three delegation tours, while 50 VIP buyers from 14 countries took part in 350 business matching meetings.
One delegate from the Federation of Malaysian Fashion Textiles and Apparel, Mr Ricky Tan, Director of Sri Majutex Industrial, said: “This platform’s resources are exceptional and the matchmaking is efficient. China’s textile and apparel fabrics industry leads the global innovation and sustainability trends, and gives us extremely valuable references to clearly identify market demands, anticipate industry trends, and inject momentum into our own development and transformation.”
Trade on the show floor bolstered by new and enhanced offerings
The show took place across nine halls and 240,000 sqm. Driven by the demand for accessible, everyday fashion, the Essential Suits & Shirts zone made its debut, alongside other featured zones and country / region pavilions from Hong Kong, India, Italy (Milano Unica), Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Taiwan, and the first-ever Türkiye Pavilion. The Econogy Hub increased in scale by over 60% compared to last autumn, with its strong sustainability theme and open booth design complementing its dedicated seminar and display areas. Highlighted products from new exhibitors included Chloris Biochem’s sustainable dye solutions, and PEELSPHERE’s fabrics and bio-leather made from fruit waste and algae.
Ms Youyang Song, CEO of PEELSPHERE, was satisfied with the company’s debut: “The Econogy Hub strongly aligns with our positioning and has connected us with our target customers, providing a clear, effective sourcing guide for brands and manufacturers seeking bio-based, biodegradable, recycled, and other innovative eco-friendly materials. Sustainable material innovation has become a major trend across multiple sectors, and this fair has provided us with deep insights and strengthened our resolve to drive high-quality development.”
In Functional Lab and beyond, first-time exhibitors spotlighting functional innovation were Cathay (HK) Biomaterial, producing bio-based fibres and polymers; Fibrant, with nylon made from recycled waste like fishing nets and carpets; and Regina Miracle, showcasing high-tech lingerie, sportswear, and functional apparel. Meanwhile, in the enhanced Innovation & Digital Solutions Zone, exhibitors such as AiDLab and Shima Seiki presented various solutions, including AI-driven textile inspection technology, and design systems and software, respectively.
For the fringe programme, 37 seminars and nine themed forums provided insights across a range of categories. Featured design events covered topics such as fusing textile artistry with contemporary trends to create competitively sustainable products, and unpacking the upcoming vogues for A/W 2026-27. Leading experts on innovation discussed various industry AI applications, such as material inspection and design; how smart manufacturing, advanced materials, and sustainable solutions are shaping the future of functional textile production; and more. Meanwhile, the Intertextile Directions Trend Forum, and display areas such as Bespoke Performance and The CUBE, collectively showcased over 900 on-trend, premium, and functional samples, increasing exposure for numerous exhibitors.
Exhibitors’ feedback
Prof Calvin Wong, CEO & Centre Director, Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab), Hong Kong
“What makes AiDLab unique is that we’re not just selling a machine. We deliver a total solution, making defect data on the fabric transparent and integrating it with computerised market planning systems to enhance supply chain efficiency. The number of visitors at this fair is much higher than before, and by placing our booth in the Innovation & Digital Solutions Zone, the synergy created with other technology companies brought us even more inquiries and opportunities for collaboration.”
Mr Jim Cai, Sr. Account Manager Consumer Business Group, 3M China Limited, USA
“At this edition, 3M highlighted innovations across two key product lines: our functional thermal insulation material, Thinsulate™, and our functional protective agent, Scotchgard™. Our ongoing participation at Intertextile Apparel stems from its unparalleled capacity to gather and engage buyers, develop partnerships, and gauge trends, particularly within the Chinese market, where new outdoor brands have proliferated in recent years.”
Mr Tommaso Pieri, Area Manager, Lanificio Luigi Colombo S.p.A, Italy
“We do fashion with function, sustainability, and innovation. For example, we have a 100% worsted cashmere – probably one of the finest cashmeres, and completely wrinkle-free. It sells very well globally, and we have been getting lots of interest here. We are quite happy with our situation worldwide, but if there are new opportunities of course we’d be willing to take them. It is important to keep coming to this fair because we want to be present in this market and China will definitely come back strong in the future.”
Buyers’ comments
Ms Becky Godfrey-Faussett, Director, Snuggy Hoods Ltd, UK
“Intertextile Apparel is a highly effective platform for both sourcing and networking, with an extensive range of manufacturers providing exactly what we need, making it efficient to compare options and gather high-quality samples in one trip. We’ve already connected with several promising contacts and reviewed strong product offerings. A key takeaway is the industry’s clear shift toward sustainability. It’s now a central theme across exhibitors, and aligning with eco-conscious partners is a growing priority for us.”
Mr Ahmet Fikret Kileci, Coordinator Chairman, Southeast Anatolian Exporter’s Association, Türkiye
“Intertextile Apparel is undoubtedly a powerful global business platform – a central hub for information exchange, trend forecasting, trust-building, and deal-making. For the Turkish textile industry, this fair provides unparalleled opportunities to directly engage with tens of thousands of Chinese and international buyers, designers, and key brand decision-makers. Both Türkiye and China are making significant investments in Industry 4.0, opening vast opportunities for collaboration between technology equipment suppliers and software solution providers from the two countries.
Mr Wang Zhe, Fabric Manager, WEISSMAN, USA
“For our stage costumes and dancewear, we must balance striking design with the performer’s freedom of movement, which means we pay meticulous attention to function, colour palettes, and accessory applications. Intertextile Apparel features premium exhibitors spanning almost the entire value chain, and we attend every year to source functional fabrics, jacquard and embroidered textiles. The Trend Forum unveils eye-catching new fabric innovations, and its shift this year from classic to dramatic styles has proved highly instructive.”
Speakers’ insights
Mr Michael Bonzom, Lead Curator, Intertextile Directions Trend Forum A/W 2026-27 (Creative Director, NellyRodi™ Agency, France)
“As we are close to the industry through fairs like Intertextile Apparel, we analyse buyers from different countries. The Trend Forum acts as a human link, a bridge connecting cultural references and ensuring these are transmitted effectively. It not only promotes creativity and supports fabric makers, but also builds a relationship with buyers. Essentially, it’s a relay of human connection, and I believe this shared understanding should be deeply received.”
Mr. Daniel Connolly, Senior Executive, UK Fashion & Textile Association, UK
“Intertextile Shanghai is an invaluable platform, not only for gaining firsthand insights into the Chinese market but also for connecting with industry peers from across Asia and beyond. In just one morning, I’ve already exchanged ideas with associates from India, Japan, and Korea, all of us grappling with similar challenges and opportunities. China is a crucial partner, and it’s inspiring to see so many Chinese exhibitors here showcasing impressive innovations that can help
