Shows

It bears repeating: Knitwear is having a moment. With current catwalks full of knitted dresses, sweater coat hybrids, and oversized jumpers, knitwear’s next evolution is into more tailored territory. For Autumn/Winter 2014, knitwear borrows compact structures, graphic patterns, and yarn configurations more typically seen in woven fabrics. Many of these looks incorporate wide knitting and cut-and-sew techniques.

Steven Oo, an exciting young designer whose post-modern knitwear was featured in a 2010 New York Times review by fashion columnist Suzy Menkes, will bring his story to Spinexpo with a concise collection of specially-designed pieces to be displayed at the New York show in July. With a self-professed love of “simple, high-quality yarns with a great hand,” Mr. Oo’s Spinexpo collection will utilize yarns from exhibiting worsted spinners such as Ningbo Consinee, Novetex, Südwolle, Xinao Group, and Zhejiang Zhongding.

Interfilière Hong Kong closed its doors for the 7th time on a positive note at the end of March, with a 5% increase in overseas visitors. For the 2013 show, the organiser, Eurovet, focused on bringing innovation and creativity to the show to inspire Asian and international designers and buyers. Eurovet says the show had a very high international attendance on day one which reaffirmed the importance of Hong Kong as a centre for intimates and swimwear.

On 6, 7 and 8 July 2013, 300 exhibitors and nearly 11,500 visitors will come together at Interfilière Paris, which the organisers Eurovet describe as the only trade fair to attract the highest performing international textiles for intimates and beachwear.

Janet Prescott reports Filo in Milan showed a strong design direction for 2014/15, reflecting the desire of the trade to move ahead to more positive economic circumstances. There was little optimism about the present climate, beset in the week of Filo by serious problems in Cyprus, but rather a wry acknowledgement among the exhibitors and buyers that business was still being done , with some spinners servicing the very top end stating that business was better than satisfactory.

The 21st edition of Spinexpo, the international fair for fibres, yarns and knitwear held in Shanghai’s World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center from 12-14 March, exhibited an unprecedented level of energy, sophistication, and satisfaction on the part of the visitors as well as the exhibitors, according to organisers.

At the 21st edition of Spinexpo Shanghai, a new Knitwear Pavilion is bringing together the best and the brightest of Asia’s new generation of knitwear producers. These young entrepreneurs defy old stereotypes with the latest equipment, dedication to design, and willingness to engage in an open exchange with their partner customers from traditional as well as new markets. It’s a new way of doing business, bringing fresh ideas to stimulate customer thinking, and resulting in differentiated product that reflects the trends yet is tailored to the needs of the customer.

Janet Prescott reports from Paris Gathering optimism evident since the first fabric and yarn shows was also present at Premiere Vision where there was an increase in exhibitors and where a colourful approach to design reinforced the mood of buyers looking for the new and attractive for SS 2014.

Carlo Volpi reports from Florence The 72nd edition of Pitti Filati took place as usual at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence last week. Foreign buyers once again led the show, with very good turnouts from Hong Kong (+75%), Turkey (+30%)United States (+33%), Spain (+22%) and Great Britain. With a total of 3,700 buyers, the International buyer turnout stayed the same as the previous winter edition last year even though the number of actual buyers was inferior (there were about 4,000 last winter).

Outside was snow, on snow, on snow; inside Hall 1 of Paris’ Porte de Versailles some 26,373 designers, buyers, retailers, and decision makers gathered at the January 2013 Interfilière and Salon International de la Lingerie in search of new concepts in fabrics, technologies, and brand development. Indeed, the show’s ambience seemed particularly suited to the weather, with cozy igloos and fur throws, hostess’ costumes of winter white fleece capes and boots, and trend forums featuring shimmering, sparkling, iridescent innovations.