Texworld Evolution Paris received nearly 8,000 visitors from some 20 countries during its February 2023 edition, a sign of the resumption of business between the European fashion industries and the major sourcing countries. The date is set for the summer edition, which will take place from July 3–5 at the new venue in Paris, Porte de Versailles Expo Centre, where some 1,300 exhibitors are expected.

After three years of crisis, the alleys of Texworld Paris and Apparel Sourcing Paris have finally returned to a level of attendance and activity comparable to the earlier editions of Texworld Evolution Paris. Nearly thrice the number of professional buyers, compared to February 2022, came to meet the 750 exhibitors grouped together in Hall 4 of the Paris Le Bourget Exhibition Centre. This significant increase demonstrates Texworld Evolution Paris’ ability to respond to the reopening of business flows with the major textile sourcing countries, event organiser Messe Frankfurt said in a press release.

Texworld Evolution Paris received nearly 8,000 visitors from some 20 countries during its February 2023 edition, a sign of the resumption of business between the European fashion industries and the major sourcing countries. The date is set for the summer edition, which will take place from July 3–5 at the Porte de Versailles Expo Centre in Paris.

This international edition was highlighted by the return of Chinese exhibitors. After a three-year absence, nearly 450 companies, weavers and garment makers, came to meet international and especially European buyers. Overall, it was an edition that reflected the long-awaited reopening to the world with the comeback of Indian, Indonesian, but also Korean or Bangladeshi manufacturers. Turkish manufacturers, with 122 companies present this year, including 94 grouped under the national pavilion led by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO), were also prominent.

The expansion of the offer was also reflected in the structure of the visitor base, which was very international. The proportion of foreign visitors reached 85 per cent, compared to 65 per cent a year ago. If the French remain the most important presence, English, Turkish, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch buyers dominate the top five spots for foreign visitors, ahead of Germans and Americans. Another sign of this renewed atmosphere was the presence of major stakeholders such as the Inditex group, River Island, Marks & Spencer, Mango, ASOS, or C&A, who came to discover the displayed offer and negotiate contracts for the next season.

From the first day, the dynamics of the trade were perceptible. Buyers, who have tended to reorient their sourcing strategy since the arrival of inflation over the long term by sourcing more from Asia and the Mediterranean region, came to get inspiration for trends and finalise their collections. Turkish weaver Segovin, which offered a wide range of silky fabrics at the Elite area of Texworld Paris, had three very busy days. At Apparel Sourcing Paris, ReshaMandi, the Indian specialist in natural fibre for womenswear, saw more customers in a single day than at the show last July. Sesil, the Pakistani manufacturer of technical sportswear and supplier to a major French sports brand, was quite popular among buyers of major European brands when presenting its new casual range.

“The success of this edition shows our ability to adapt,” underlined Frederic Bougeard, president of Messe Frankfurt France. “It also shows that our fairs are open international sourcing platforms. And they will remain so. The offer must stay organised according to the expectations of buyers, who come here to find quality industrial know-how to produce their collections in the best conditions and at the best price. Our objective is to always make this offer accessible and visible.”

As part of this strategy—to make the offer more accessible—Texworld Evolution Paris has decided to move all its summer editions to Paris intra muros. From July 3–5, Apparel Sourcing Paris, Avantex Paris, and Texworld Paris as well as the Leatherworld offer will be held on 45,000 square metres of space in Hall 1 of the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre (compared to 25,000 square metres for the February 2023 edition). Nearly 1,300 exhibitors are expected, with an increased participation of Chinese, Indian, Turkish, Korean, Vietnamese, Ghanaian, and Ethiopian manufacturers, added the release.

“This configuration will also offer two days in common with the dates of the International Lingerie trade show and Interfilière organised by WSN (Who’s Next), the professional platforms for the sourcing of materials and accessories for the lingerie, sportswear, and swimwear markets, which will be held from July 2–4. This strategic choice was made in response to strong demand from buyers, who want to be able to take advantage of an extended sourcing platform at this time of year, just minutes from Paris. This will be an opportunity for us to celebrate our 25th anniversary in a new arrangement, with more services, which will bring emulation to the market,” emphasised Frederic Bougeard.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)