International visitor numbers double, exhibitors commend domestic market strength at Shanghai’s Intertextile Apparel

Welcoming nearly 90,000 visitors from 116 countries and regions, international visitor numbers rose by 99% at this year’s show, with a higher than usual 87% returning on Days 2 and 3 signifying considerable sourcing intent. Across 190,000 sqm and seven halls of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), domestic buyer demand for various Chinese and globally produced textiles was also high, particularly in categories with luxury, sustainable, and functional elements.

Just before the fair’s close, Ms Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, commented: “From raw materials to finished garments, apparel textiles is one of the world’s most interconnected industries, and this Spring Edition’s strong showing of exhibitors and buyers has reiterated the importance of Intertextile Apparel to the global market. With multiple opportunities for insight and innovation exchange, domestic and international visitors were able to stay on-trend for Spring / Summer 2025. The exceptional return rate of overseas buyers across the three days bodes well for the global market, and speaks to the multitude of sourcing options at our comprehensive platform. After the high attendance and positive feedback for this show, we have already set our sights on Intertextile Apparel’s 30th anniversary edition this autumn, which is sure to be unmissable.”

Joining the Spring Edition’s strong flow of domestic buyers, the top five visiting countries and regions were Korea, Hong Kong, India, Russia, and Japan. In addition, the fair welcomed over 100 buyers from delegations representing industry associations of Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Russia, and Vietnam. Pavilions and zones from France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Türkiye were well received, as were group pavilions from Korea Textile Center, Lenzing, and OEKO-TEX® .

Meanwhile, suppliers from new exhibiting countries showcased varying products, including Ethiopia’s Arbaminch Textile Share Company, with sustainable natural and synthetic fabrics; Peru’s Topy Top SA and its 100% cotton knitted garments; and Spain’s Monday&Co, displaying pattern designs for fashion and interiors. From across the textile spectrum, many of the show’s exhibitors lauded the renewed ease of doing business and the prevailing strength of the domestic market.

Exhibitors’ feedback

“We are an Italian company which specialises in producing cashmere and cashmere blends. We have brought our winter collection, and our S/S 25 collection for both men and women. The first day of the fair, we had many important customers placing orders. It seems we are back to the fairs of 2016 – 2018, where it was really profitable. It’s a good sign for the Chinese luxury market – in the last year, domestic menswear brands have improved, and for womenswear, we are doing very well with online brands, many of which came to our booth to see our products", said Mr Andrea Rossi, Sales Manager, Lanificio Luigi Colombo S.p.A (Italy Pavilion). 

And Mr Chen Yu Jyun, Sales Section, Shibaya (Japan Pavilion) said: "Our main products are cotton and linen, and we’ve added some functional fabrics such as nylon and polyester. We also do sustainable fabrics, including organic, and recycled nylon, which are more in-demand from domestic buyers at this edition. The Japan Pavilion is really helpful, we can harness its reputation, and let more people see what Shibaya does. We’re using a new WeChat sample ordering system, and we’ve received even more customer details; it’s been a very good exhibition.”

Buyers’ comments

Mr Cao Yunfeng, Senior Fabric Purchasing Manager, JNBY Finery Co Ltd, China commented: "I visit the fair every year to learn about new products and industry trends. As a large brand company, JNBY's demand for fabrics is huge in terms of categories and quantity. We came here to purchase all kinds of fabrics for men, women and children, especially linen, denim and fabrics for outdoor sports and sun protection. Exhibitors ORTA and Nantong Tianzhu matched our needs very well. There are many highlights at this edition, and various innovative, sustainable fabrics can provide ideas for our R&D and fabric selection.”

And Mr Hong Sajun, Purchasing Manager of YoungHW Textile Trading Co Ltd, Korea, said: "The global market is growing, so we chose Intertextile Apparel, the world’s most well-known industry event, as our sourcing platform this year. The scale is huge, and with Yarn Expo and Intertextile Home Textiles, it covers most of the industry’s upstream and downstream categories. We came to purchase anti-fouling and eco-friendly chemical fibre fabrics. I found several interesting suppliers in the Trend Forum and visited them in the Taiwan and Japan Pavilions, and should place orders after the meeting.”

Fringe participants’ insights

Ms Clara Tse, Senior Manager, Research Product Design, HKRITA, Hong Kong, said: “My presentation was about our Open Lab. HKRITA is a research institute, and we believe that R&D cannot just be kept in the laboratory. We want to have multiple parties talk about how to solve the environmental problem. I think it was really wonderful, we've got parties from the government, brands, and also fabric makers with different angles to talk about sustainability, which is ultimately a topic for everybody. There is real interest in sustainable topics, and we've had a good turnout.”