SPINEXPO^TM is the indispensable meeting place for anyone using yarns and fibres and developing knitwear garments.  It addresses knitters, weavers, hosiery manufacturers and ready-to-wear brand manufacturers with collections of flat-bed and circular knits.

SPINEXPO^TM brings to Shanghai the world’s most comprehensive and selective international offer in the field of creative yarns and fibres, knitwear and knitted fabrics.

Innovation

From almost crafted to the latest technology, yarns and knitwear draw inspiration from multiple fibres and materials to introduce garments that are a mixture of structured patterns, innovative ideas inspired by nature or rural environments and a mix between leisurewear, activewear and design.

Our team of stylists and designers has been totally renewed to provide visitors with a number of trend displays where a higher number of hand writings and specialties will be highlighted.  

Many of these designers and stylists have already worked for the show as sub-contractors in an indirect way and with no visibility. SPINEXPO is now giving them the chance to show their individual talents in a number of trend projects.

The Central Trend Area will be dedicated to innovation and research in active wear, socks and shoes, and split into two zones: “soft” and “strong”.

Merging with this part of the trend area SPINEXPO will present the work of 10 designers from Europe and Asia, working with all the techniques available – from craft to the latest knitwear machinery.  Their work will be featured in capsules where the garments will be accompanied by the “work in progress” of the designers, their journey towards the final result.

These 10 designers come from different countries, use different techniques and have different skills, but they all absorbed the yarn directions of the season and all garments will be made from the latest yarn collections.

For the first time, thanks to the sponsorship of Lanificio dell Olivo, Igea and Filpucci, yarns from Italy, Japan and China will bring additional excitement to this presentation.

“The Nature Room”

Leisurewear and loungewear are a new addition to our trend presentations.

The world of collections is moving forward at an increasingly rapid pace, with an industry that is re-constructing itself to fit a weaker economy, a growing demand for quality, and tightly studied prices.  The “trend” for lighter and more fluid garments goes together with the “no pilling” demand.

Spring and Summer are the perfect seasons to offer a “leisure collection”, and SPINEXPO will present a completely new trend area called “The Nature Room”, under the direction of Steven Oo, one of the leading stylists behind the trends.  He will partner with Kitty Hanlan, an Irish designer who worked for John Rocha for many years, to create an area that will be a mix of craft pieces (wall hanging pieces as well as objects) and  mini collections focusing on three fibres: cotton, linen and silk, for an organic, natural, recycled wall showing the latest research from spinners at the show.

This display will be completed with a Natural Dye Wall, showing the skill and specialty of exhibitors, such as Japan Shinnagai  who uses floral dye for his superfine cotton.

Spinners Gear Up for Athleisure Boom

Today consumers want a healthier and more balanced life style, and while not everybody is a gym junkie, consumers certainly like to be associated with an energetic, active image.

Active wear answered this need by bringing the sports factor into causal wear.  As one of the strongest trends in the market, it has had a very significant impact on the knitwear sector and many mills and suppliers are preparing new collections with the ‘activewear factor’ in mind.

“For the coming season we think that ‘athleisure’ styles are going to be very popular,” said Jacky Chen, director at Yarns & Colors, referring to the crossover between active and leisure wear.  “Every supplier is now talking about athleisure.  This season we developed 10 new products around this concept.”

“We clearly see the activewear impact on knits,” said Eva de Laat, design and product developer. “We are now noticing many suppliers making yarn collections specifically for activewear. Other spinners are starting to integrate active or leisure elements into their  main collection,” she explained.

“The sportswear influence on knitwear remains important. Last year brands such as Alexander Wang, JNBY and Polo Ralph Lauren used some of our yarns to develop sports-inspired collections,” said Vivian Tam, Hong Kong manager at Sawada Co. “We have now developed our cotton Navi yarn specifically for the activewear market. It is an 85% cotton/15% rayon blend, which has thermal regulating properties.”

“We believe today’s consumer wants something new. This athleisure look can offer them a very refreshing experience,” said Mr. Chen.  “At the moment, it is the high-end brands that are experimenting with this trend. However, in terms of raw material price, these special yarns are not that expensive. They are mainly fine gauge nylon and polyester blends. If this trend really takes root, it will definitely have the potential to expand into mainstream market,” he explained.

In contrast to the fancy yarns that have been dominant for many seasons, the new activewear yarns have a much cleaner surface, finer gauge and are super soft.

“We see a lot of Japanese influence in these yarns. The yarns are much more refined, cleaner, and look very sophisticated. They are very compact and have a dry hand feeling,” said Ms. de Laat. “The most commonly used raw materials are viscose, polyester, linen, rayon and nylon.  There are also a lot of blends with cotton and silk to enhance the hand feeling.  Furthermore, blends are very important for adding performance properties. However, unlike typical activewear fabrics, the new athleisure knits achieve their stretch properties through mechanical stretch rather than elastane”, she explained.

Südwolle Group acquired Italian yarn manufacturers Safil and GTI. With these complementary acquisitions, Südwolle Group enhances its product range and capability to address client needs in customized, fashion, luxury as well as non-apparel segments. Furthermore, the group will increase its footprint in the European market and especially in the important Italian yarn market.

SPINEXPLORE

Visit blog: www.spinexplore.com to explore Colour trends, the arts, fashion trends, and much more...