Digital Sampling, AI Forecasts and Matchmaking Platforms Reshape Apparel Sourcing Efficiency

Some fringe events focus on AI-driven forecasts, compliance, or virtual design. Are sourcing teams treating these as strategic tools—or just side-stage content?
Wilmet Shea: There is recognition across the industry that AI will help reshape the market landscape. Exhibitors such as the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab), and Shima Seiki recognise the potential, and use their fringe events to explain and draw attention to these innovations, which range from AI-assisted fashion design to AI-based textile inspection technology.

Their seminars and panel discussions, and others in this category, are usually very well attended, so buyers are clearly taking notice. And with only three days to source across nine halls and over 3,700 exhibitors, buyers will not attend fringe events unless they recognise the intrinsic and strategic value they have to offer.

We believe these digital tools are a key element of the industry, which is why we introduced the Digital Solutions Zone to our show last year. Building on that success, it will return as the Innovation & Digital Solutions Zone, featuring an expanded variety of cutting-edge technologies and forward-thinking suppliers, with other innovative products demonstrating digital advancements also showcased throughout the fairground. Many exhibitors in this category have taken the opportunity to give presentations in the Technology & Solutions fringe event category, and the feedback from their speakers relating to audience engagement is consistently positive.

As demand rises for both functionality and sustainability, how are buyers using initiatives like the Econogy Hub to evaluate which suppliers actually meet brand standards? Also, the Econogy Check and Econogy Finder highlight eco-certified suppliers. Are fabric buyers using these tools in real sourcing decisions—or just browsing them for later? 
Wilmet Shea: At the upcoming show, the Econogy Hub will include well-known sustainability players such as bluesign technologies, Cloris Biochem, Grasim, and Toray Industries, with offerings that range from testing and certification to cellulose-based fabrics and eco-friendly dyes.

To showcase in Econogy Hub, or to be featured on the Econogy Finder, exhibitors need to undergo and pass the Econogy Check, an extensive third-party review of suppliers’ sustainability credentials. So just by the exhibitors’ placement or categorisation, buyers will already have a good idea of which suppliers may meet their brand’s sustainability requirements.

We received positive feedback from buyers after we first introduced Econogy Check last year, saying it saves them significant time and money by pre-qualifying suppliers and building trust in the authenticity of green product sources.

But of course, while Messe Frankfurt actively seeks avenues to promote sustainability and Texpertise Econogy at our textile trade fairs, at the end of the day we can only facilitate the business encounters. Buyers can use our tools to narrow down their lists of potential new suppliers, but it is up to them to conduct their own checks when making sourcing decisions. Likewise, it is up to exhibitors to further promote their own eco-credentials during trade discussions.

On the whole, we can say that Texpertise Econogy is the connecter, but not ultimately the decider, when buyers make final sourcing decisions.

Zones like Premium Wool and Functional Lab cater to very different sourcing goals. How are buyers using these focused areas to match material with price point or product use?
Wilmet Shea: One of Intertextile Apparel’s key strengths is that it can cater to buyers with very different sourcing goals. In terms of materials, price point, and product use, every zone at the show has its ideal buyer, and as the market changes we recognise the need to occasionally update the offering to suit evolving requirements. By grouping exhibitors accordingly, such as in our various featured zones or by product end-use for domestic exhibitors, visitors can gain a sense of which areas of the show most appeal to their specific needs.

Functional Lab will feature a wide range of smart, outdoor and sports fabrics, alongside performance textiles, with exhibitors including Burlington, Fibrant B V, and Unifi Textiles (Suzhou) naturally drawing the focus of sportswear and athleisure brands. Its dedicated display zone, The CUBE, will showcase samples from a range of functional exhibitors, allowing buyers to get a better idea of which suppliers fit their requirements. Meanwhile, Premium Wool Zone is primarily aimed towards high-end suiting, and will gather global fabric mills, such as Abraham Moon & Sons, Alumo AG, and SOALON Corporation, targeting international and domestic luxury brands and tailors.

While these different sourcing goals have traditionally been quite distinct, in recent years the line between them has become increasingly blurry – which is why, at the intersection of these two categories, we’ve positioned the upgraded display zone Bespoke Performance, which will emphasise the synergy of style, functionality, and luxury. This is in response to the market increasingly looking for functional workwear and leisurewear, as they seek performance features in everyday apparel.

We also have a new zone making its debut at the upcoming Autumn Edition called Essential Suits & Shirts, which will gather suppliers of suiting and shirting fabrics tailored for the ready-to-wear market. Suppliers in this zone utilise versatile materials suited to both casual and professional attire, serving the developing needs of contemporary apparel brands across all market segments. Featured exhibitors in this zone include Mahmood Textile Mills Ltd and Kohinoor Mills Limited.

Technologies like digital printing and virtual sampling are spotlighted at this edition. How are brands actually adopting them to speed up approvals or reduce physical sampling cycles?
Wilmet Shea: These have been two of the most transformative technologies for the textile industry in recent years – in terms of lead times, cost, and sustainability.

Shima Seiki, one of our Innovation & Digital Solutions Zone exhibitors, is a leader in virtual sampling. World-leading sporting goods retailer Decathlon has been able to shorten lead times and reduce its sampling costs by implementing Shima Seiki’s design software, which allows customers to visualise garments, adjust colours and patterns, and approve designs without waiting for physical samples. With realistic 3D images and simulations, brands minimise the need for multiple physical samples, receiving production-ready data and ensuring a smooth handover to manufacturing.

Regarding digital printing, key benefits include design freedom, speed, accuracy, and sustainability, not to mention satisfying the increasing demand for personalisation. Suppliers such as our long-term exhibitor Digitex have been using this to great effect, offering their customers personalised, creative designs that are cost-effective for small runs and reduce waste. The flexibility offered by this technology removes some of the traditional barriers to entry for fashion brands, allowing for a more competitive landscape.

With over 3,700 suppliers spread across 240,000 m², how are serious sourcing teams avoiding overload? Are zoning, match-making platforms, or prep tools really helping them cut through the noise? 
Wilmet Shea: The show is highly comprehensive – it has to be, in order to supply the many segments of such a huge industry. As mentioned previously, the fair’s various zones and halls are categorised to allow buyers to approach each one with specific targets in mind, and ensure their sourcing trip is as productive as possible. Some brands with more to cover bring larger teams, while smaller brands may be more targeted with just one or two sourcing professionals.

As organisers, we do provide various avenues to make visitors’ experiences more efficient, and help our exhibitors meet their target buyers. Firstly, we provide a very effective business matching programme, arranging hundreds of tailored meetings between like-minded buyers and suppliers at every edition.

In addition, Intertextile Hub is a very useful online tool for fairgoers. It includes features like Connect PLUS, which enables users to refine their searches, receive AI-driven recommendations, organise online or face-to-face meetings via its integrated messaging feature, and receive scheduling alerts via WeChat, Facebook, or SMS. Meanwhile, Intertextile Hub-linked QR codes are displayed on samples in the Trend Forum and other display areas, to allow visitors to easily find and identify the exhibitors whose fabrics have struck a chord.