Another Texworld USA and Apparel Sourcing USA Wraps Successfully

The Summer 2019 edition of Texworld USA and Apparel Sourcing USA came to a close Wednesday after presenting a wide range of exhibitors with a sustainability focus, new Portugal and Sri Lanka pavilions, and informative seminars and talks that gave insight into Fall/Winter 2020 trends, global sourcing opportunities and fabric development.

For the first time in show history, attendees had direct access to a one-day conference, Fashionsustain, dedicated to sustainable practices. It featured leaders in the industry, including Walmart, Athleta, Eileen Fisher and PVH.

Exhibitors in the Portugal Pavilion took an opportunity to bring their competitive offerings to light at a time when sourcing has been upset over changing trade relations, and companies are looking for new places to manufacture product.

Attendees were also able to explore another favorite, Local Loft, where they were able to connect with companies that manufacture in the USA, including production facilities, contractors and sewing, knitting and garment production services.

Local Loft participant Eli Braha, CEO of Berkley Cashmere, which makes fine knitted and woven cashmere sweaters, shawls and home goods in Manhattan using imported materials, said there are opportunities for more U.S. production. Braha called for more government assistance for local manufacturers.

At Clover & Cobbler, CEO Jaclyn Jones said she’s been able to build her fashion footwear business in the U.S., where few other shoe manufacturers exist. The vertical company is based in Van Nuys, Calif., with a 200,000-square-foot facility. Jones said she has positioned her fledgling company as modern, with a digital presence, new machinery and conveniences for workers.

Day 2 at Texworld USA was focused on exploring new sourcing landscapes, networking opportunities and innovative seminars. Attendees had direct access to educational seminars organized by Lenzing Fibers featuring the Texworld Showcase Tour and the future of trade and sourcing business opportunities in Africa.

Experts Manon Clavel, a consultant for the Moroccan trade agency, and Gale Strickler, president of Brookfield Associates, offered insight into which countries are seeing the most growth in apparel manufacturing on the continent and what areas they specialize in.

Texworld art director Louis Gérin presented the trend and fabric outlook for autumn/winter 2020-2021, noting that the upcoming season will meld into four trends representing a civilization that is both pushing back against itself while embracing its future ahead.

The signals that will drive those trends include fury, combustion, indigestion, polychrome, Atlantis, stature, edification and confines. These key directions will help shape textiles and apparel for the season.

Also on Tuesday, the “Creating Material Change” seminar took a deep dive into how fabric and fiber selection today is often driven by sustainability of the materials and processes.

Hanna Denes, senior standards manager at Textile Exchange, Malvina Hoxha, business development manager for innerwear and knits for Lenzing Fibers, and Megan Meiklejohn, sustainable materials and transparency manager at Eileen Fisher, discussed advances in recycled and repurposed materials, plus brand and consumer expectations in sustainability.

Texworld USA and Apparel Sourcing wrapped up on Wednesday with additional trend and sourcing seminars.

At “MintModa Trend Tales & Street Tribes F/W 2020,” MintModa founder and creative director Sharon Graubard explored what’s moving fabric and clothing trends, in her “Trend Tales” for the coming season. Each Trend Tale came with actionable key items, must-have fabrics, prints and color palettes to inspire relevant and desirable apparel and accessories.

A panel discussion Wednesday on upcycling explored how brands and people can make a difference in sustainability and the circular economy—a key focus for the shows as a whole.

“Our visitor profile isn’t what it was 13 years ago when Texworld USA launched in NYC,” said Jennifer Bacon, show director fashion & apparel. “To remain a frontrunner as the dedicated sourcing platform for the industry, Texworld USA now offers more low minimum suppliers, sustainable producers, along with mass market exhibitors to fit all the needs of today’s buyer. It was clear to us that a spotlight for this edition would be sustainability, as it is now the main topic in our business. Those looking for alternative, eco-friendly solutions now have a platform to source, learn from our robust educational seminars, and network with the industry leaders that our on the forefront of the sustainable mission.”