According to the organisers of SpinExpo, Spring/Summer 2011 reflects the desire for a change of direction, taking on new challenges with clarity of vision and finding new energy to move forward.

140 spinners and fibre marketers from 16 countries are getting ready to show their Spring/Summer 2011 collections at the 15th edition of SpinExpo – Shanghai, which will take place next month from 9-11 March at the Pudong Expo Centre in Shanghai. The showcase will include an extended range of fibres, yarns for flat knitting, yarns for circular knitting (underwear, active wear, sportswear, lace), yarns lace and other textile applications.

Trend Forum

This season’s Trend Forum will combine a selective and creative global range of samples from the participating spinners, new creations and de signs by textile fibre producers and the latest technical innovations by textile machinery manufacturers, with a particular emphasis on seamless production.

At this edition, SpinExpo has decided to give a voice to a younger generation, anchored in the world of the future, craving different products that are more suitable for day-to-day life in the 21st century. The Trends Forum also continues its development, with the addition of innovative ideas from a new wave of young stylists, some of whom have already achieved recognition. 

Desire for change of direction

For Sophie Steller, who coordinates the work of the team of stylists, the time has come to modernize and meet the needs of our era, with a view to create a captivating future. Spring/Summer 2011 reflects the desire for a change of direction, taking on new challenges with clarity of vision and finding new energy to move forward.

Light, clarity and crispness are reflected in yarns as well as colour by moving away from cautious basics and seeking out more surface interest; yarns can be perfectly smooth and polished or rough and textured, as long as they are interesting or special. 

This trend for a clean, fresh start or blank canvas is highlighted at SpinExpo by the concept of white as an underlying message for the four trend families.

White Light

Yoga and dance are an important influence, while looking at drape and volume working with function.  Fabrics are sophisticated and delicate, and are contrasted with abstracted, harder-edged embellishments, modern and strong but not too pretty. 

This aspect is highlighted in the ‘ActiveWear-Soft Sports’ line produced by G. Cavagna which is devoted to circular seamless knitwear  as well as in the Stoll Fashion & Technology Centre trend area.

Porcelain White

The story it tells is romantic but tough - pretty and crafted, with a slightly washed and worn feeling.  Fabrics have a free, open-road spirit, with pretty embroidery, stripes and ginghams - alongside tie-dyes, printed and denim-like finishes.

Ethnic White

A fusion of cultures, embracing a new sense of spirit; a big play on patterns and stripes, with bold graphic shapes and both tonal and clashing stripe combinations. Multi-textural surface effects and fabrics can be both relaxed and casual, though a touch of glamour has been added with shimmering aspects and gold.

Neon White

A clean, bright line with an active feel.  Stripes, colour blocking and sporty-style layering are modernized by creating ripples, waves and liquid looks by draping and folding both the yarns and the fabrics.  The technical properties add function to the sporty form.

The Forum will emphasize all of these trends with developments in knitwear, circular knits, and woven swatches specially developed for SpinExpo as well as garments created by Sophie Steller, Giovanni Cavagna, the students of Nottingham Trent University, UK and Hong Kong Poly U, China.

Participant highlights

AKSA (Turkey), a world leader in the production of acrylic fibres, takes its PillouT technology into a new dimension: Micro PillouT.  The no-pilling properties of 0.9 dtex ensure that Micro PillouT meets expectations with its light, fine, fragile and perfect appearance, whether glossy or matt. Developments with Micro PillouT will be presented in the forum and at the AKSA booth during SpinExpo Shanghai.

Seamless knitwear collection

Santoni will unveil for the first time the new, Complete Rib Border Seamless Knitwear. Santoni’s new Rib 6 circular knitting machine is said to have the ability to produce circular seamless knitwear in the finer gauges, where its superb uniformity of stitch formation and very high productivity make it both attractive and accessible.  Santoni Fashion & Technology Department has developed an entire collection of seamless circular knitwear, working together with the Stylist G. Cavagna.

Knit structures of various kinds, including eyelet fabrics will be featured, made on the new Rib 6 and TR machines. Garments will be shown in gauges up to 20, can be produced in very high speed and which require very little post-knitting labour.

Seamless warp knit collection

Santoni will also demonstrate accessible seamless warp knitting from their new compact raschel machine for garments made with the unique non-run and breathing qualities of warp knitting, requiring as little post-knitting labour as possible. The collection has been produced in collaboration with G. Cavagna.

One Stop Solution

Hope Power International, Hong Kong, a knitwear manufacturer with over 30 years of experience, offers customers a ‘One-Stop-Solution’ service from product design and material sourcing to final production.  With impressive client names such as Michael Kors, Episode, Esprit, Calvin Klein, Cerruti 1881, Nicole Farhi, Eros and John Varvatos, the company has a diversified knitwear product line ranging from 1.5 to 18 gauge, from flatbed and circular to hand-knit.  The company also has experience in handling all kinds of add-on processes, such as beading, embroidery, felted wool, cut and sew, special washing, printing and special dyeing.

Hand painted garments

Kamful, Hong Kong is one of the largest factories producing hand-painted garments in the world.  Patents protect many of its processing techniques.  Knitted and woven garments are hand-painted with designs developed exclusively by the company's team of artists and graphic artists. The individual aspect of hand painting is said to bring a highly artistic character to a garment, which could not be achieved through normal printing. 

Vertical cashmere knitwear production

Shanghai Pipigou Woollen Textile, established in 1995 in Shanghai, specializes in cashmere knitwear.  The company's main advantage is that is has an entire production line, from raw materials to yarns and sweaters, and manufactures one million cashmere sweaters a year.

Shanghai MagicKnit Factory, located in the MinHang District – Shanghai, occupies an area of almost 400 square metres and includes a Research & Development section focusing on new crafts and techniques, employing over 200 highly trained professionals and experienced workers.  With its ability to handle various gauges and techniques, Magicknit provides a complete service, from knitwear development to manufacturing.

Other knitwear suppliers at the show include Honor Industry, NingBo Jinglian Woollen Knitting, Shijiazhuang Shan Yuan Cashmere Garments, Zhejiang Springair Textile Group, Hebei Zhonglian Cashmere Woollen and Zhongqi Company.

Further dates:

SPINEXPO New York, 2nd edition

Metropolitan Pavilion/Altman Building, 125/135 West 18th St., NYC

July 19-21, 2010

SPINEXPO Shanghai, 16th edition

Shanghai Pudong Expo, Shanghai, China

September 7-9, 2010