SPINEXPO, a leading yarn and knitwear trade show that caters for knitters, weavers, hosiery manufacturers and ready-to-wear brand manufacturers, will take place from 1-3 September at the Shanghai World Expo Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Autumn/Winter 2016-2017 collections and products will be on display at the 26th session of the show, organised by independent textile specialists, under a theme Directions, which will lead the upcoming trend directions at SPINEXPO Shanghai and New York.

The trade fair will also focus on the possibilities and future prospects of knitwear production in China, discussing the benefits of keeping the knitwear manufacturing in China with fibre producers, spinning and knitwear specialists.

Challenges

The biggest challenge for fibre manufacturers is to accompany emerging fashion directions and back up product innovation, research, development and integrity of the latest developments, organisers report.

Machinery manufacturers need to partner with stylists to push the machine out of its boundaries, adapt and adjust to new strongly technical directories. Both fibre and machinery manufacturers need to be more proactive working with the industry, organisers believe.

SPINEXPO encourages new initiatives that aim at linking all the elements of a textile chain to achieve better creative products, while taking environmental and ethical issues into consideration.

Directions

Key concepts for the trends presented at SPINEXPO show textures extending into ribbons, cordials and compact looking novelties that are as light as air. Yarns are furry, diffused through surface hair, plush and velvety, matted and slightly felted with subtle uses of shine.

This trend is accompanied by skilfully creating the unexpected, mixing it up and breaking the rules. Yarns explore fluffy mohair, luxurious noble fibres, felted wools, tweeds with metallic, irregular and homespun appearances, silky chenilles and plush, suede finished and more.

Fibre producers join with spinners

Fibre producers join their forces with spinners to create new products with strong market appeal. This year, Mohair South Africa has launched its new mohair label. Although Mohair South Africa developed and registered the mark, qualifying products can also contain mohair from other locations. The focus is on granting the licence for use to a trusted manufacturer or spinner, which will also assist in protecting the integrity of the mark.

“We collaborate with spinners to help develop specific products for different markets,” explained Deon Saayman, General Manager at Mohair South Africa. “Each market has its own unique preference; for example, some prefer very fluffy yarns, while others like a smoother surface. Our goal is to provide spinners, knitters and retailers with inspiration as to how they can use mohair collections.”

Traditional fibre with modern twist

Innovation plays a crucial role in The Woolmark Company’s operations. Suitable for garments to wear all year round, Merino wool remains a premium ingredient in producing luxurious yarns.

“A lot of our products development is collaborative projects with Merino wool spinners,” said Jimmy Jackson, The Woolmark Company General Manager, Product Development and Commercialisation. “Nowadays, consumers prefer a product that has a more casual look. We work with spinners to develop yarns that meet what the market wants. Often this involves changing some of the current manufacturing processes.”

For SPINEXPO Shanghai, The Woolmark Company will be promoting three key pillars of innovation: Touch, Technique, and Texture. The company will also be conducting two seminars during the first two days of the trade fair. One of them will be dedicated to The Wool Lab, showing the directions of the research undertaken.

www.spinexpo.com