A strong presence from overseas and Chinese exhibitors awaits visitors to Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics this October. An estimated 3,500-plus exhibitors from 31 countries and regions will display their latest fabrics and accessories, with leading overseas suppliers featuring in SalonEurope, the Milano Unica Pavilion, the Premium Wool Zone and Verve for Design area, as well as Group Pavilions organised by prominent fibre and yarn companies. Located at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, the fair runs from 21 – 24 October, with the first day designated as an invite-only day.

Due to strong demand last year, SalonEurope returns again in hall W1 covering 10,000 sqm. Around 250 manufacturing mills, designer houses will exhibit in this hall, which will also include returning pavilions from Milano Unica from Italy, Germany, Portugal and Turkey. What’s more, individual exhibitors from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom will feature.

The organiser of the Portugal Pavilion, Associacao Selectiva Moda, are optimistic about the opportunities the fair will provide for their members. “Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics is one of the most important shows for fabrics in the world, so is the best way to promote Portuguese companies who are known for their fabrics’ design, quality and innovation,” said Executive Director, Ms Sofia Botelho. “The Chinese market is growing, and in European fairs several Chinese clients have been interested in our products, which is another reason we choose this fair. We will target the domestic market, as well as other Asia-Pacific countries including Korea and Australia.”

The 2013 edition of the fair also sees Premium Wool Zone again. This zone showcases supreme-quality wool fabrics from France and the United Kingdom. The Verve for Design, also located in hall W1, is where visitors can view collections of original creative fabric designs from leading design houses. And first time, Texprint, an organisation promoting UK's talented textile young designers will introduce winner's pieces of TEXPRINT? AWARDS to Chinese market in this zone this year.