After welcoming nearly 95,000 visitors from 131 countries and regions, the curtains closed on the latest edition of Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics on 13 March. The international Spring/Summer 2026 sourcing event saw over 3100 exhibitors from 25 countries and regions gather at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. The event highlighted the textile industry’s resilience and versatility, with key features including the debut of the Econogy Hub, the largest-ever Japan Pavilion, and 13 Econogy Talks seminars.

At the conclusion of the event, Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, emphasised the fair’s significance: “This is one of the most comprehensive fairs for the global textile industry, both for sourcing and information exchange. Despite global challenges, attendees were pleased with the business done, reaffirming the importance of in-person connections.”

The event showcased a broad spectrum of the apparel industry, spanning fashion fabrics, functional fashion, sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation. Seven country and region pavilions (France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Türkiye) and three group pavilions (Ecocert, Korea Textile Center, and Lenzing) were featured alongside seven dedicated zones, including the Digital Printing Zone, Econogy Hub, and SalonEurope.

International exhibitor participation rose by nearly 15%, with over 100 first-time exhibitors in the International Hall. Many exhibitors praised the event’s ability to connect suppliers with high-end buyers, particularly through the curated Econogy Hub, which integrated sustainable exhibitors with seminar sessions. Others highlighted the fair’s role in bringing together international industry players and facilitating business opportunities.

The show also saw increased international visitor participation, with numbers up 17% from the previous edition. Visitors included representatives from garment manufacturers, brands, designers, import-export companies, retailers, and e-commerce platforms. Business matching meetings and seven international buyer delegations further enhanced networking opportunities.

Expert insights complemented the exhibition, with panel discussions on sustainability and circularity featuring industry leaders from Eastman, Lenzing, and the Taiwan Textile Federation. The Econogy Tour and guided sessions of the Intertextile Directions Trend Forum also provided valuable insights into industry developments.

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics was co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT, and the China Textile Information Centre. It was held alongside Yarn Expo Spring, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles, CHIC, and PH Value.

Upcoming events

Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics / Yarn Expo Shenzhen: 11 – 13 June 2025, Shenzhen (Futian)

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition / Yarn Expo Autumn: 2 – 4 September 2025, Shanghai

www.intertextileapparel.com