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Dates: September 23 (Wed) - 25 (Fri), 2020
Venue: National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai)
Exhibition area: 236,000㎡
The international trade fair for fabrics and accessories, “Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn 2020,” opened on the 23rd at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China.
This exhibition features the latest textiles and accessories in zones organized by category, including SalonEurope made up of European countries including Milano Unica, as well as pavilions from Asia, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea, and themed zones for sustainability, eco-friendly materials, functional materials, denim, and more.
Unfortunately, we had also planned to exhibit, but due to the impact of COVID-19, we were unable to do so this time.
Even among Japanese companies, only 18 companies, including TORAY, the Teijin Frontier Group, and YKK, exhibited (five of them were Chinese subsidiaries).
Although we could not go there in person, we watched recordings of the seminars from this exhibition online and found them very informative.
In a seminar on fabrics, consumer sentiment regarding supply and demand for clothing was analyzed, and fabric trends for 21SS were predicted accordingly.
The presentation focused on four themes: “delicate, natural, soothing, and individuality.”
In addition to pursuing quality, the presentation introduced autumn/winter fabrics with a warm feel, such as high-density outer fabrics made from natural materials and airy wool mohair, and also presented the concepts of “multi-use clothing” and “2-mile.” “2-mile” refers to clothing designed to handle various situations within a two-mile radius from home. For example, fabrics with a soft hand and a simple striped or checked design are comfortable at home and not too casual when worn outside.
The presentation focused on recyclable eco-friendly fabrics with consideration for the global environment. With current technology, I think fabrics that are 100% biodegradable are no longer unusual. In addition, it was suggested that denim made with waterless dyeing and organic cotton may attract attention.
In this theme, TORAY’s 100% plant-derived polyester fiber was also introduced. One of the raw materials for polyester synthesis, ethylene glycol, is already being made from sugarcane, and it is expected to be used in sportswear, women’s wear, automotive interior materials, and more.
Functional fabrics with antibacterial, antiviral, deodorizing, and other properties
The seminar introduced the concept of “after COVID-19,” meaning that consumer sentiment toward clothing has changed due to the impact of coronavirus in 21SS. In this special period, demand for products that are more soothing and functional is expected to increase.
By the way, regarding antibacterial and antiviral functions, I would like to introduce the fiber-processing technology “CLEANSE®”/クレンゼ, which has been verified effective against the novel coronavirus. The antiviral fiber-processing technology “CLEANSE®”/クレンゼ is Kurabo’s proprietary processing technology that uses the immobilized antibacterial ingredient “Etak®”/イータック and strongly fixes it to the fiber surface. It reduces the number of certain viruses on the fiber by more than 99%.
It also suppresses the growth of Moraxella bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus on fibers, which are said to be one of the causes of the unpleasant “musty after-wash odor.” It is also a material with excellent wash durability.
This theme mentioned artificial spider silk.
Spiber creates protein-based materials artificially, including the artificial synthetic spider silk material “QMONOS®.” It has high strength (four times that of steel), greater elasticity than nylon, and heat resistance exceeding 300 degrees, so it is used in a wide range of applications, including transportation equipment such as cars and airplanes, electronic devices, and in the medical field for surgical sutures and artificial blood vessels, and it is also being utilized in apparel.
That’s all for today’s share.
I believe trends span a wide range, so I hope this is helpful as a reference.
Thank you for reading to the end.
