Interstoff connects dots for Intl buyers and exhibitors

Working with official eco partners, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and eco certifiers including Control Union Certification, Control, IMO and SGS, the concept of sustainability was further enhanced with the specially designed area “Eco-Zone”, showcasing environmentally conscious products of a high standard. A comprehensive and environmentally friendly labeling system also allowed visitors to understand the eco-credentials of each fabric and easily locate the exhibitors manufacturing the products.

 

"I didn’t know about the labeling system before coming to the fair and I think it’s huge,” said Ms Bahar Shahpar, Sustainability Consultant and Brand Manager of GUILDED, also a speaker at the seminar “Sustainable Fashion Design: Values & Trend”. She added: “When we’ve attended shows in the west, we haven’t seen anything like it before. So we have to ask each and every supplier. I’d certainly like to see this labeling system more broadly used.”

 

Audience members like Andrea Einhelling, Director of Sue Vet, appreciated the in-depth discussion. “I loved the seminar because it has such interesting topics. I always recommend this fair to young designers because they can learn a lot here.”

 

Reflecting on Messe Frankfurt’s value of originality, two eco fashion designers were sponsored to attend the fair and showcase their creations at the Designers’ Studio. Sean Watson from Pure Pod Design believed that the trip extended his business network with sustainable fabric suppliers. Tarra Shaylor, designer of T Shay agreed and believed that China could play an important role in pushing sustainable fashion. “China is a big fabric producer. If they are leading the way to sustainable fabrics, then the rest of the world would have to follow the trend.”

 

 A special Research and Education Zone was also set up to educate visitors and industry leaders on environmental impacts throughout the textile supply chain with contributions, including the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparels (HKRITA), China Water Risk, Greenpeace, Reset Carbon and Redress.

 

Roy Man, the representative from HKRITA praised the arrangement of the specially designed zone. “It is great to have a designated display zone to promote HKRITA. The open area is more eye-catching, inviting, attractive and well decorated. Visitors are more readily to come into the area to touch and feel the fabrics, as well as ask questions and pick up leaflets, generating more interest and achieving the educational purpose.”

 

For the first time, Messe Frankfurt collaborated with Textile Exchange and Ecotextile News, both highly regarded sustainable textile institutions, in organising the Sustainable Textiles Conference. Held concurrently with the fair, the conference brought together international buyers and professionals to Hong Kong, who gave positive feedback on having the conference and the fair take place at the same time.

 

"Excellent arrangement, no doubt,“ said Annie Ip, Fabrics & Trim Development Manager of Quiksilver Asia Sourcing Ltd., who participated in both the conference and the fair. “This is the first time that the conference is happening in the Far East. It can definitely attract more international professionals to Interstoff Asia Essential. I hope that this collaboration will continue in the future.”

 

Conference audiences from abroad were eager to find out what the Asian fair could offer and agreed that the collaboration created strong synergies with the fair. Susanna Perez, Director of Marketing South Europe of Lenzing, who travelled all the way from Spain, commented: “The conference created an opportunity for the growth of ideas with the industry’s professionals. It’s an ideal networking occasion, so it’s definitely a good idea to have both events together. The exchange brings key brands and retailers, who will also visit the fair.”

 

Representatives of major fashion labels and high-street retailers visiting the fair included Abercrombie & Fitch, adidas, American Eagle Outfitters, Banana Blue, Benetton, Bershka, Burberry, Coach, Columbia Sportswear, Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani, H&M, K-Boxing Men's wear, New Balance, Nike, Puma, Quiksilver, Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, The North Face and Victoria's Secret.

 

 Wang Xuan, Vice General Manager of Finity Fashion (Shenzhen) Co Ltd, believed that the fair provided an ideal sourcing platform. “Our brands sell tailor-made mature ladies wear and we were able to find 5 to 6 potential suppliers from South Korea and Taiwan on this trip. I will definitely bring along designers and merchandisers next year.”

 

Olive Kim, President of CLO Cielo Sereno, a first-time Korean exhibitor hailed the outcome of the fair.  “Visitor quality seems to be quite impressive at the fair, especially those clients arranged through business matching services. I think this service helps both exhibitors and visitors a lot.”

 

Impressed with the arrangement and business potential of the fair, many exhibitors returned to the fair this season. Alice Chen from Learned Winner Enterprises Co Ltd, a veteran Interstoff Asia Essential exhibitor from Taiwan, commented: “The fair offers much better quality in terms of visitors for the Chinese market. We met representatives coming from the buying offices of BCBG, a swimsuit brand from Australia and international brands such as Armani for menswear, H&M and Chico’s for ladies wear. They are interested in our functional fabrics, sports knit, animal print and triple pattern jacquard.”

 

Top visiting countries and regions of the autumn edition were China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, the UK and the US, with a significant increase from the US and Germany.

 

One of the fair’s highlights was a series of fashion shows incorporating local creativity with exhibitors’ fabrics. Popular designers, such as Arthur Lam and Ranee K were invited to create runway fashion using fabrics submitted by exhibitors.

 

Matha Ngai of San Shing Cotton Weaving (H.K.), which supplied denim to the designers, was amazed by the transformation. “It’s a nice surprise to see our fabrics on the runway. As a denim fabric manufacturer, most of our customers only associate the fabrics with jeans and jackets. Yet the designers managed to incorporate the materials in high-end fashion. This will surprise and inspire our customers.”