An Italian Pavillion is one of the key new features at this month's Cashmere World 2011, with Italian cashmere brands including, Annalisa Bucci Cashmere, Chianti Cashmere Goat Farm, Giovanni Cavagna, Max Tonso Cashmere, Maglieria D'arte, Pashmere, Terre Nomadiche, Roberto Tirelli taking part.

Cashmere World, which runs next week from 24-26 October at the China National Convention Center (CNCC) in Beijing, covers the full cashmere supply chain from raw material to finished products. The show also covers machinery, industry innovation, and forecasts for colours, designs and fashion trends

The event is organised by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce & Animal By-Products (CFNA), and UBM, one of the leading trade fair organisers in Asia.

According to the organisers, international participation will increase considerably this year with greater representation from key industry players such as Afghanistan, China, Hong Kong, Inner Mongolia, Iran, Italy, Korea, and Nepal.

Fringe programme

The fringe programme includes a conference designed to encourage an exchange of views and experience for the Chinese and Italian cashmere industry.The event is supported by the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade (ICE) bringing together experts, industry leaders and scholars in this field to discuss the market potential and various innovations.The organisers say this is a great opportunity for the two countries to promote and expand the standards of cashmere.

The well established pavilions of Qinghai, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia will once again be present and are supported by other Chinese domestic well-known cashmere brands and overseas exhibitors.Other prominent exhibitors include Tricot Industries, Kork Pars Saba Textile, Shin Fur SA, Herati Cashmere & Skins Processing Plant, Karhar Consultancy Services, Erdos, Kingdeer, Zhongyin, and Pipigou.

Cashmere World 2011 has announced that representatives from over 20 countries and regions have already registered for attending. These include Afghanistan, Belgium, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Nepal, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, UK, and USA.

Well-known brands include: American Eagle Outfitters, Australian Wool Innovation, Cashmere Fibres, Coach, Dawson, East Max, Fang Brother's, Hope Power Knitwear, Peter Hahn, Scarabee, Scottish Collection, Swarovski, Toyoboshi Kogyo, Yenrabi (Barney Cheng), Zinga Cashmere, and ZL Cashmere.

The Organisers have also arranged a "matchmaking" programme, where individual buyers can arrange private face-to-face meetings with exhibitors.

A major supporting organisation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) will be promoting the theme of cashmere's quality issues and its sustainability in the long term.

Colour trends

This year Cashmere World has also received the support of the Inner Mongolia King Deer Cashmere Group, which sponsors the Cashmere World Colour Trends' area. Cashmere World Colours for 2012-13 is developed in collaboration with Paris-based Olivier Guillemin, Chairman of the French Committee of Colour and General Secretary of Intercolor.

In addition to the matchmaking programme, Cashmere World has arranged a programme for visitors to tour selected cashmere facilities in Qinghe and Shanghai. This unique opportunity is designed to expand buyers' knowledge of the production of cashmere products.

Conferences

In addition to the Sino-Italian exchange on the cashmere industry, other conferences held during the exhibition include the topics of:-

• From cashmere to luxury consumption: explore the market potential in emerging countries
• Visual merchandising
• Cashmere Quality Forum: How can China's grading system tackle quality issues?
• Improvement of cashmere for the benefit of producers and the environment
• 2012-2013 fashion forecast
• A global view: Key style directions for Spring/Summer 2012 and beyond

Last but not least, will be a fashion parade of the latest fashion items sponsored by Annalisa Bucci, Max Tonso Cashmere, Ningxia Zhongyin cashmere, Pashmere, and Viction (Inner Mongolia) knitting High-Tech Co. Ltd will be held on 24 October, the first day of the three-day fair.

Cashmere World, the international trade fair for cashmere, is a vertically-integrated business platform for the entire cashmere industry, from raw materials to finished products.It is a high-standard, annual meeting place for cashmere trade, catalysing fashion trends and technology innovation, as well as promoting the unique qualities that make cashmere one of the world's most loved luxury materials. Cashmere World is being held in Monday 24 - Wednesday 26 October 2011 at China National Convention Center Beijing.

Further information: Cashmere World