Winds of Transformation in the Fashion Supply Chain
Innovation within the global fashion supply chain is accelerating year after year, with China remaining at the epicenter of this evolution. Organized by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd., Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 will set the tone for the new spring sourcing season.The fair, to be held from 11–13 March 2026, is being restructured around the key themes of sustainability, performance, and future textiles, renewing its forward-looking vision of fashion.
Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd., emphasized the importance of the event, stating:“Intertextile Apparel has long been an unmissable meeting point for the industry. In the 2026 Spring Edition, we will maintain that same dynamism. While fashion continues to be the cornerstone of the fair, we will highlight AI and innovation more prominently.”
Sustainability Is No Longer a Choice, but a Necessity
In today’s global fashion industry, environmental responsibility has become one of the key determinants of competitiveness. In China, the textile industry’s emissions intensity decreased by 60% between 2005 and 2022, and by a further 14% between 2022 and 2024.
This transformation is represented at the fair by a dedicated zone – the Econogy Hub.Having grown by 60% over the past two years, the Econogy Hub represents Intertextile’s sustainable face. In the 2026 Spring Edition, visitors will experience an open-booth layout, seminar areas, and exclusive showcases of innovative suppliers.
Additionally, the Econogy Finder, a digital directory, will enable visitors to easily locate sustainable manufacturers throughout the exhibition grounds.
Artificial Intelligence Redefines Textile Production
Artificial intelligence is transforming not only manufacturing processes but also the entire supply chain. From early defect detection and waste reduction to optimized stock management, AI increases production efficiency and precision.
These advancements will be showcased in one of the fair’s most prominent areas — the Innovation & Digital Solutions Zone.Here, leading organizations such as AiDLab, HKRITA, and Shima Seiki will present AI-driven solutions and digital transformation applications.
Complementary seminar sessions will also discuss the future impact of AI-supported production on fashion and technical textiles.
Generation Z and Chinese-Style Fashion Go Global
New-generation consumers are creating fresh dynamics for fashion brands. Generation Z, connected through social media and digital platforms, is accelerating the formation of global trends, while Chinese-style fashion is transcending national borders to reach the international stage.
This evolution will be reflected across several thematic zones of Intertextile:
In Accessories Vision, Beyond Denim, Essential Suits & Shirts, Premium Wool Zone, SalonEurope, and Verve for Design, fashion-oriented exhibitors will present collections aimed at younger consumers.
Meanwhile, Functional Lab will focus on functional and comfortable fabric solutions in response to the rapidly growing athleisure trend.
Strong Momentum from 2025
The 2025 edition of the fair exceeded visitors’ expectations. Participants highlighted resilience, versatility, and openness to new sales channels as key capabilities for navigating the current global market challenges.
Among the most popular areas were Intertextile Directions Trend Forum, Bespoke Performance, The CUBE, and the Econogy Hub Display Area. Visitors showed particular interest in fabrics for womenswear, functional sportswear, knitted, eco-friendly, and natural textiles. All of these sections will return in 2026 with an even broader scope.
Top Marks from Exhibitors
Karen Yang, Global Marketing Communication Leader of Eastman Chemical (China) Co. Ltd., emphasized the fair’s role in brand strategy: “Intertextile Apparel is the ideal platform for introducing our new concepts each year. The Chinese market is highly receptive to innovation; buyers here are forward-thinking and eager to experiment. This year, we were delighted to launch our new Naia™ On The Move series at the fair.”
From Singapore, Eileen Tay, Creative Director of Elizabeth Little LLP, highlighted the accessibility and variety of the event:“Shanghai is far closer than Europe for us, and exhibitors here are highly diverse. With most suppliers holding stock in China, our production moves faster. I especially appreciated the variety at Verve for Design — it was extremely useful for developing our print designs.”
Comprehensive Organization and Strong Partnerships
The fair is jointly organized by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd., the Sub-Council of the Textile Industry, CCPIT, and the China Textile Information Centre.It will take place concurrently with Yarn Expo Spring, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition, CHIC, and PH Value at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 aims to highlight the leading themes that will define the future of the textile and fashion industries, offering professionals a unique platform for business, innovation, and inspiration.
