Interstoff Asia Autumn Final Report

Interstoff Asia Autumn -- International Textile Show
5 - 7 October 2005, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre

• New Interstoff Asia concept a resounding success
  
• Show closes with 10,500 buyers; 2,600 from overseas
  
• Fair''s position as the premier Asian trading hub for high-
  end and functional products reinforced

The ''''new look'''' Interstoff Asia took place for the first time last week at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. With a clear focus on the three key concepts of creation, function and fashion, the entire event was re-shaped to best cater to the needs of a changing textile and garment industry. Post-show feedback on the new direction of Interstoff Asia was excellent, on both the exhibitor and visitor sides. A total of 10,514 trade visitors attended the fair, with around 2,600 of these from overseas.

"It was time to re-think the show," says Katy Lam of Messe Frankfurt. "Interstoff Asia has been running on a very successful formula for 18 years, but the industry is changing. There is a real need for an event reflecting new vertical sourcing methods in the textile and garment business."

Local industry apparently agrees. "The Textile Council of Hong Kong fully supports the new Interstoff Asia concept," said Mr. Willy Lin, Vice Chairman of the Textile Council of Hong Kong speaking at the Interstoff Asia press conference. "Considering how business is being done these days, it makes perfect sense to give manufacturers a platform to show all their capabilities, and widen the scope of the show in this manner."

The new look show clearly appealed to manufacturers around the Asian region, with many new companies signing up as a result of the widened product scope and revised concept. "We do not only supply garments, we also manufacture textiles," said Mr. Johnny Yong from new exhibitor Mandarin de Apparel. "We couldn''t ask for a better place to promote both our product lines side-by-side. To attract buyers these days we have to propose something new; it is no longer enough to follow what the Americans and Europeans do, Asian companies have to find ways to be creative and original with their products. Interstoff Asia is a place where buyers know they will be able to find something with the ''''X'''' factor."

Over 280 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions participated in the show, and feedback was on the whole very positive.

"We specialise in embroideries and specifically target the European and US markets," said Ms. K.H. Judy Cho from Korean company Top International. "We chose to exhibit at Interstoff Asia Autumn because we know that visitors to this show are looking for products of a certain standard and with a high level of creativity."

"This is our first time at Interstoff Asia Autumn and we are very happy with the result, " said Mr. Laurent Kasparian from Marey Textile, a French company with manufacturing centres in China. "We decided to exhibit at this fair to promote our high-end products to major international buyers and we have not been disappointed. We know this fair attracts major buyers looking for special products."

Exhibitors were not let down by the buyer turnout, as representatives from many leading retailers, fashion chains and design houses were out in force at the show. Major labels sourcing on-site included Ann Taylor, Armani Exchange, Bossini, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Eddie Bauer, Elle, Esprit, French Connection, Fossil, G2000, Gap, Giordano, Guess, H&M, Hugo Boss, J C Penney, Levi Strauss, Liz Claiborne, Mango, Marks & Spencer, Mastina, Mexx, Next, Prada, Polo Ralph Lauren, Sears, Talbots, Target, Tesco, Tommy Hillfiger, Timberland and Tough Jeans.

Sportswear and lingerie brands Body Glove, Bodywaves, Everlast, Nike, Quicksilver, Rip Curl, Running Bare, Triumph, Victoria''''s Secret and Wacoal were also present looking for functional and innovative body-wear fabrics. The wide array of special events and exhibits that were running alongside the show were all formulated to reflect Interstoff Asia''''s new concept;

• ''''Fabric-to-Fashion'''', a mannequin display of made-up garments from exhibitor fabrics, allowed visitors to closely inspect fabrics and workmanship of garment manufacturers. A bridge between textiles and garments, Fabric-to-Fashion demonstrates clearly the concept of a one-stop-shop for buyers.
• Catwalk fashion shows -- co-organised by the Hong Kong Apparel Society -- showcased the garments from Fabric-to-Fashion, as well as designs from young up-and-coming designers from Hong Kong and Taiwan.
• The Functional Fabric Demonstration Area was divided into three thematic areas: work, leisure and sport, to highlight how functional textiles becoming more and more prevalent in everyday wear. The Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) conducted simple fabric tests on-site, revealing the hidden properties of the textiles.
• Design for the Trend Forum was undertaken by Nelly Rodi of Paris, who came up with an original and stylish display of the Directions fabric trends for Autumn/ Winter 2005. Following four themes: ''''Blue note'''', ''''landscape'''', ''''heritage''''and ''''sweet secrets'''', the central aisles were filled with dazzling colours and textures. "Shows like these are an important tool with which to inform people of trends to come," said Ms. Nelly Rodi at the show. "We really enjoyed receiving exhibitors textiles to illustrate the new trends and found some extraordinary products."
• The ''''Designers Gallery'''' featured award-winning creations of five European textile design graduates and winners of the Texprint competition held in the UK: Marie Brisou, winner of the weave category, Holy Marler, winner of the print category, Kanako Kajihara, winner for Breaking New Ground, Carla Wash, winner of the colour category and Nancy Kelly, winner of the knit category.

This Autumn, Interstoff Asia''''s highlighted two countries: Korea and Taiwan. The companies exhibiting under the ''''Fabulous Korea''''and ''''Amazing Taiwan''''pavilions attracted visitors with their latest collections.

Another new innovation at this year''''s show was the focus on ''''ecotextiles''''. In an effort to help buyers identify specific products, or exhibitors supplying eco-friendly products, booths were marked with special silver or green logos.

"We thought the idea of highlighting eco-textiles was excellent. It gives us the opportunity to better promote our range to buyers looking for these specific environmentally friendly products, and to stand out from the crowd," said Jessie Zhang of Shaoxing County Jiade Weaving and Dyeing of China.

The next Interstoff Asia will run from 22 – 24 March 2006 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. For further information, please visit www.interstoff-asia.com, fax (852) 2598 8771 or e-mail textile@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com Interstoff Asia Autumn belongs to a global family of seven apparel textile fairs in four countries. For more information, please visit www.interstoff.com.

Media contacts:

Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.
Ms Elisabeth Grisoni or Ms Jennifer Lam
Tel (852) 2238 9941/ 9956
Fax (852) 2519 8632
elisabeth.grisoni@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com
jennifer.lam@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com

Exhibitor comments

"I have participated at Interstoff Asia for four years. The new concept of this fair is good and I think to add in garment manufacturers is a good idea. As a local company, I think it is important to join trade fair here like Interstoff Asia because it is a platform for us to meet people around the world. I will come again for sure."

-- Mr.Thomas Wang, Director, Hong Jin International, Hong Kong

"We have participated at Interstoff Asia Autumn a few years ago and we thought it was time to come back as beside textiles we also supply garments. We had many visitors to our booth mainly from Hong Kong, but also from Greece, Mexico, Russia, Ukraine. "

-- Ms. Pauline Lie Pie Chiao, PT Argo Manunggal Trading, Indonesia

"I have participated in this show for a few years now, and we come here to further open up our markets in Europe and the US. We have met our existing clients here, but also new contacts from Spain and Canada. There are many potential buyers and we have already received some orders."

-- Mr. Frank Fu, Haicheng Yongfa Linen Weaving Mill, China

Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.