Intertextile Apparel Shanghai, which wrapped up three days of business on 29 August, has reiterated its position as one of the world’s most important sourcing platforms for apparel textiles and accessories, and an important avenue to overcome the industry’s structural changes and recent challenges.

Nearly 4000 exhibitors from 26 countries and regions showcased the products and solutions set to define fashion’s coming seasons, with a renewed focus on functionality, sustainability, and digitalisation. They were met at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) by over 100,000 visitors (2023: 95,000) from 115 countries and regions, with this edition’s 29% rise in international buyers marking back-to-back increases after overseas visitors doubled in spring.

There was also a 15% increase in visitors attending for two or more days, reflecting the fair’s relevance to industry players. Beyond Autumn / Winter 2025-26 sourcing, fairgoers were able to network and discover new trends, digital innovation and market insights at the fair’s expansive fringe programme.

Speaking at the fair’s close, Ms Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, said: “We have been eager to communicate that while Intertextile may be the world’s largest sourcing hub for apparel textiles, it is so much more than that. Industry players from all over the world come here seeking inspiration and innovation for the constantly evolving textile market. For 30 years, this fair has grown and stayed relevant by consistently moving with the times – hence the launch of our new Econogy Hub and Digital Solutions Zone, and an expanded fringe programme that featured leading experts discussing everything from testing compliance to generative AI’s role in textile design. These kinds of insights are key for companies looking to operate successfully in a sustainable, technology-driven future.”

Ms Shea continued: “Our exhibitors recognise this need for change, and their on-trend, innovative and sustainable offerings strongly complemented the themes at our fringe events. Whether showcasing regenerated functional fabrics, organic buttons, or all-in-one traceability platforms, the variety on show was astounding. None of this would have been possible without the outstanding contributions of our pavilion organisers, as well as our supporting organisations, numerous exhibitors and buyers, and speakers, whose active contributions over the past 30 years have helped make this the leading fair for apparel textiles.”

Across the 240,000 square metre exhibition space, highlights included the debuts of the Malaysia and Uzbekistan Pavilions. Among the seven returning pavilions from Asia and Europe, the Japan Pavilion made its 21st appearance, Milano Unica featured for the 20th time, and the Korea and Taiwan Pavilions celebrated over 25 years at the show.

The fair’s new Digital Solutions Zone contained industry-leading knitting machinery, design systems and software, various AI solutions, and more. With other sustainable suppliers spread throughout the fairground, Econogy Hub, the rebrand of the fair’s longstanding All About Sustainability zone, included 36 exhibitors, three display zones and ecoBoutique. Meanwhile, the latest accessories, denim, fabric designs, functional fabrics, premium wool and more were displayed in the fair’s various product zones.

On the visitor side, organisations from India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam brought delegations to the fair. With buyers including global garment manufacturers, wholesalers, brands, department stores and more, international visitor numbers grew again this autumn, adding to the strong visitor flow.

Visiting the show as part of the Singapore Fashion Council delegation, Ms Monika Januavita Kopeng, Lead Fashion Designer at Love, Bonito Singapore, said: “Intertextile Apparel is a really great place to meet many exhibitors from different countries, with suppliers bringing their own expertise and fabric specialties, and to expose ourselves as a brand to opportunities from different mills. We came here with a sourcing agenda, and we’ve discovered new advanced technology and fabrics that we’ve never seen before. It has been a really great opportunity for us. We would like to join the fair next year for Spring / Summer.”

Of the 30th anniversary edition’s more than 50 fringe events, 25 were sustainability-focused with 14 under the Econogy Talks umbrella, which has been a major focus for the organisers as Messe Frankfurt extends its Texpertise Econogy concept worldwide. In addition, there were two guided Econogy Tours of exhibitors who passed the independent sustainability verification, while Econogy Finder allowed buyers to easily discover the fair’s eco-focused suppliers.

Exhibiting within the Econogy Hub, Mr Marc Sidler, Group CMO at Testex AG, noted: “Intertextile is the most important apparel fabrics fair on the planet. This fair has got much greener, you can also see that at our booth, it’s also become more professional and more digital. What has not changed is the interaction between human beings, this is what fairs are for – we are all social creatures, we want to interact, we want to talk, we want to explore our friendship. There has been strong visitor interest in Made in Green, it’s our most sustainable product where you can really see the transparency of the supply chain towards the end consumer.” 

Within the fringe programme, other overarching topics included global and regional market insights, including a panel discussion organised by AFTEX on textile investment opportunities in the ASEAN region; digital innovations, featuring seminars from Avery Dennison, Shima Seiki, Symmpix, and more; and various theme and trend discussions from the likes of Pantone and WGSN related to upcoming fashion seasons.

Participating as an exhibitor and as part of the fair’s fringe programme, Mr Herman Chan, General Manager of Symmpix, said: “The introduction of the new Digital Solutions Zone, and the Digital Solutions Exploration Space aligns perfectly with our company’s development direction. This is an excellent platform to connect, start conversations, and build relationships with industry players, and for showcasing our solutions to customers. On the fair’s first day we have already welcomed many potential buyers who specifically reached out to us, with the clear goal of finding digital solutions for their business.”

The fair is co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre. It took place alongside Yarn Expo Autumn, CHIC and PH Value at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), with the venue playing host to the entire apparel textile value chain.

The next Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition will be held from 2-4 September 2025.

www.intertextileapparel.com