From: ASAP
Bright stretch corduroy and pearlized metallic leathers, shimmery sequins and denim flowers with mink pompoms. These are a few of our favorite things at the International Fashion Fabric Exhibition, the largest textile and trim trade show in North America, which takes place October 14-16, 2003 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. With more than 400 domestic and international suppliers, it is the place to find new resources in fabric, trim, leather/suede, new design technology as well as fashion publications and trend services.
“Fashion designers and buyers don’t have to fly abroad to source product when we bring the world to them under one roof,” says Amy Bonomi, Show Director, International Fashion Fabric Exhibition.
Following is a preview of what can be found at the October edition of the International Fashion Fabric Exhibition as well as some of the major fabric trends for fall/winter 2004-05 that are expressed in the offerings by show exhibitors.
Not since the 1960s and 70s have prints been embraced by the fashion industry as they have in the last few seasons. Looking ahead to next year, prints will continue to liven things up. Not surprisingly, the always fashion-forward print house Alexander Henry of Burbank, CA, draws from its archives which stretch back to the 1960s to create hit-making black and white graphic prints and updated flower-power prints in its open line. Also offering nostalgic looks in prints is New York-based Michael Miller Fabrics, which introduces a new collection of vintage retro children’s patterns and bright updated mod conversationals and geometrics.
Exotic Silks, known for its broad range of basic silk fabrics, and silk prints for the better women’s apparel and accessories markets, will also introduce its latest patterns and colors of its best-selling Chinese tapestry brocades. Popular Textile Corp., a domestic multi-product knitting mill and dye house carries a full line of acetates for 2004, including stripes and jacquards, as well as a line of high quality mercerized cottons at a price point that is right for the junior and young missy markets.
There’s no stretching the truth: the demand for stretch fabric remains unabated and show exhibitors are offering the latest innovative blends. According to Saxon Textile Corp. from New York, corduroy will only get hotter and they make one-way and two-way stretch cords prepared for garment dye, and also introduce several new stretch fabrics for outerwear and sportswear. Nottingham, England-based Alan Litman, a third-generation family business that maintains a large inventory position with a capacity to process orders within a three to five day turnaround, will show a broad selection of stretch fabrics for eveningwear and sportswear, as well as some beautiful embroideries aimed at the bridal industry. And Impala Industries International from Los Angeles, CA, one of the largest in-stock wholesalers of stretch fabrics in the U.S., introduces a line of intricate and exotic knits from Brazil, available at low minimums. Hailing from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Savyon presents technologically advanced novelty knits with a very soft hand for the women’s wear market. Sew Easy based in Jersey City, NJ debuts its exclusive 2-color reversible stretch mesh available in five color combinations, which is ideal for swimwear cover-ups, costumes and dancewear and accessories.
Exhibitors at the International Fashion Fabric Exhibition offer several new and exciting twists to natural fabrics. Woolrich, Inc., America’s oldest wool company, which operates a fully vertical woolen mill and is a manufacturer of wool and wool blend fabric for apparel, accessories, blanket, upholstery and contract fabric markets, debuts 100-percent alpaca and 50-50 wool alpaca fabric. Leather, Suede, Skins, Inc, a leading leather supplier in New York, will present an extended line of metallic leathers in over 45 colors including pastels, jewel tones and pearlized metallics. Their skins are finished in such away as to be soft and drapey, like silk.
Variety is the spice of life and trim exhibitors offer attendees a dizzying amount of choices to turn an ordinary garment or accessory into something on-trend and extraordinary. Junior Hagen Ltd from London, England, a fashion trimmings company designed for the young fashion market, as well as women’s evening wear, children’s wear, bridal wear and now sportswear, introduces some of the most eye-catching floral motifs, including denim flowers with mink pompoms, leather and suede flowers with rhinestones, sequins and crochet. C.M Offray & Son based in Chester, NJ, offers an exciting line of ribbons and trims in an extensive range of colors and specializes in custom roses, bows and ribbon accessories. Sequins International is highlighting a new line of sequined trims in patterns that represent luxury and calm in soft shades of pink, lavender and mint.
A key hot button in the fashion industry is apparel merchandising and in response NedGraphics from New York City, which can be found in the New Design Technology category, will showcase their latest merchandising tools at the show. They will also introduce a new product that will increase the speed of catalog creation.
To make it easier for attendees to find fabric and trim from select countries, there are a number of country-specific pavilions at the International Fashion Fabric Exhibition. These include pavilions for Turkey, India, Taiwan, Korea, China and The Japan Silk & Rayon Weavers’ Association (Shizuoka) joins Japan Creation to create a special Japan Zone. With over fifty percent of the exhibitors at the International Fashion Exhibition based in the United States, there will also be an expanded Domestic Pavilion and special pavilion for leading U.S. textile converters and distributors who are members of the Textile Distributors Association (TDA), which has endorsed the fall show.
The International Fashion Fabric Exhibition is produced by Advanstar Communications, Inc., a worldwide business information company serving specialized markets with high quality information resources and integrated marketing solutions. For more information, visit www.fabricshow.com. In addition to the International Fashion Fabric Exhibition, Advanstar produces Industry (212) and I-TexStyle on the East Coast and fabric@MAGIC as part of the MAGIC Marketplace. For more information on Advanstar Communications, Inc., visit www.advanstar.com.
The International Fashion Fabric Exhibition is also an affiliate of MAGIC International, which is a subsidiary of Advanstar Communications. MAGIC International is the world’s largest and most widely recognized organizer of trade shows for the apparel industry. For more information, visit www.magiconline.com.
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Contact: Victoria Pace,Goldstein Communications,212-838-0822 ext. 233, Victoria@goldsteincom.com
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