The eighth edition of Texworld USA showcased 139 exhibitors from 14 countries and welcomed 2468 attendees.  In accordance with the apparel fashion cycle, the January shows feature Spring/Summer fabric collections, while the July editions feature Fall/Winter.  Organiser, Messe Frankfurt says  the verified attendance for the January 2010 show represents an increase of 20% over February 2009 and 5% over January 2008, providing evidence that apparel fabric buyers are returning to markets in 2010 with increased confidence and in search of new merchandise.

David Audrain, President of Messe Frankfurt USA, said:  “The record attendance we achieved at last week’s edition of Texworld USA confirms that the market in the USA is coming back.  We continue to invest in bringing the right buyers to meet with our excellent mills, and we are already hearing very positive comments from new and returning mills planning for our July 2010 edition.  With the launch of our new International Apparel Sourcing Show, and Home Textiles Fabric Sourcing Expo, to run alongside the July 2010 Texworld USA, we expect to bring even more qualified buyers than ever before to New York this July.”

Observations from the show floor include continued interest in trim and embellished fabrics, which have been important for the last couple of seasons.  Enkay Exports (India) Ltd., which offers sequined fabrics, appliqués and hand-beading, was able to benefit from this trend during their first season at Texworld USA.  According to Enkay Exports representative Ankit Jain, they saw “more buyers than expected and plan to exhibit at Texworld USA again in July”.  Attendees such as Anne Ragland, Product Development at TIBI, will be happy to see them.  According to Ragland, “the show was good, but we wish to see more trim and embellishment exhibitors in July”.

Texworld USA remains a strong destination for knits.  North American customers demand softness and exhibitors featuring blends containing Lenzing Fibers such as Modal and Tencel are able to meet these needs while also creating beautiful drape and fashion relevance.  Knitters offering goods in organic cotton or with recycled polyester continue to appeal to eco-conscious attendees.

Increased attendance from design and product development teams on behalf of fashion-driven contemporary brands was also noted.  This category seemed to prefer the ‘Sensual Nature’ theme, presented as part of a preview of the Texworld Paris Trends for Spring/Summer 2011.  Sensual Nature favours body-hugging fluidity in silkier fabrics. Monochromatic looks play out in colours such as ecru, mineral khaki, rosewood, chalky grey and blue tones.  Paper white and apricot are used for subtle accents.

Though attendance numbers reflect a dramatic increase from last year, the message at Texworld USA continues to be one of quality over quantity on behalf of both exhibitors and attendees.  Attendee Tannese Williams, Fabric Director at Rocawear, indicated that she had made “more quality supplier contacts” at Texworld USA than during previous seasons.

Christy Cheng, who works in Sales with Taiwan-based exhibitor Labtex, was optimistic about meetings at Texworld USA with what she described as “important buyers” from Coldwater Creek and Chico’s.

Lenzing Innovation

Lenzing Innovation continued to partner with Messe Frankfurt for the eighth edition of Texworld USA. The pavilion is an expansion of their successful fabrics trade fair, Innovation Asia (formerly TENCEL New York Inc.) and once again showcased Lenzing customers and their products.

July 2010 show

The ninth edition of Texworld USA will take place July 13 - 15, 2010 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. For further information, visit www.TexworldUSA.com