by+Zheng+Ran
With multifaceted sustainability projects and seminars at Interfiliere Hong Kong on March 18 – 19, the atmosphere was business — focused and lively.
This edition, Interfiliere Hong Kong was focusing on innovation and sustainability throughout its complete offer from the seminars and conferences down to the “Feminine Sport” fashion show and the project with the French Knitwear and Lingerie Federation; The EcoSystem Showcase “Feel Worthy: Zoom in on working conditions and consumer safety”.
During the 2-day trade show local and international speakers from United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, India, United States as well as Hong Kong took part in the seminar and conference program. The overall feedback received was affirmative and encouraging as the topics really spoke to the visitors and brought them inspiration for future collections and business development.
The Eco-showcase zone in collaboration with the French Knitwear and Lingerie Federation also gave the visitors an insight into the current issues in the textile industry and the solutions that are currently offered by different industry associations in Asia and globally.
Around the Trend Forum, “Day & Night”, you also found the unique project from Mon Leung, Head of Creation from Pioneer Elastic, who has created two packs of Bra Sizes playing cards with the womens body illustrations, which are inspired from the group of 96 numbers of various bra sizes.
On the Fashion way, more prototypes were presented.Those creative designs were made by the students of Shih Chien University of Taiwan. The Playful Reflections installation from Mon Leung, head designer of Pioneer Elastic (HK) on the side of the forum brought a fun and colourful artwork for visitors to take in.
Interfiliere Hong Kong has been an inspiring show for designers and buyers when it comes to trends. This edition, Jos Berry and JenniferWigham from Concepts Paris and Edith Keller from Carlin International brought visitors their trend seminars for Autumn/Winter 2016/17.
Additionally, for the first time in Hong Kong a trend workshop took place on both days and the feedback was unanimous. Working in a multicultural team with people from different companies and with different perspectives during an afternoon gives designers, buyers, product managers and R&D managers new insights into how trends, collections as well as teamwork should be done to be successful in the intimate apparel and swimwear sectors.
With the regard to the special sustainability conference over the 2 days where international speakers and industry peers unveiled innovations and new research about manufacturing, women and their bras, road to zero discharge of hazardous chemicals and much more…
Trend forum
“Day & Night”
At the Trend Forum this edition you enjoyed a preview of Autumn/Winter 2016/17 with a focus on the contrast of the growing divide between “Day & Night”. 3 themes were illustrating the latest novelties for sport & everyday underwear, and gorgeous sensual decorated fabrics and prototypes for more dressy seductive occasions at night.
·MODERN BY DAY: new knit & weave textures for loungewear & underwear
·FESTIVE BY NIGHT: innovative colour combinations & festive textures
·AROMATIC FLOWERS: modern romantic embroideries with superfine yarns & new scales
A unique collaboration: Playful reflections by Mon Leung
A new tradition on the Interfiliere forum was the Guest Designer who had been asked to illustrate a personal vision of lingerie. We were delighted with Mon Leungs installation, directed to the most important preoccupation of the industry: womens bodysize and fit.
Mon, Head of Creation from Pioneer Elastic (HK) Ltd, finds the wide variation of womens body shape and the subject of bra sizing fascinating. In a world of such diversity and changing physiques it is amazing that the industry, even with changing fashions and aesthetics, are able to achieve every womans required fit.
To illustrate her story Mon has created two packs of playing cards depicting the diversity in proportion and the beauty of womens bodies, inspired by the wide range (96) of womens bra sizes. One playing card pack focuses on smaller bust and the other on +sizes.
The creative lab
The feminine sport project
Fashionable sport collections are hot bestsellers driven by brands such as Lululemon, Sweaty Betty, VSX and Nike. Victorias Secret also launched a new sports bra with the phrase “Sweat, look good, feel comfortable, and monitor your heart rate all at the same time …” , showing the evolving technology and style in the sport market today.
On top of performance, we also see more glam approach to decoration including florals and shiny effects enabling customers to bring more flavour to their sport and leisure wardrobe.
As this sportive market offers a huge potential for lingerie specialists from designers to garment makers, fabric suppliers including embroiderers and lace manufacturers, Eurovet organized a creative collaboration with Hong Kong Polytechnic University, fashion design department of Taiwan Shih Chien University, Concepts Paris and Interfiliere Hong Kong exhibitors to create cutting-edge prototypes.
These prototypes illustrated amazing optical effects, functional sport basics for a personalized look, multi-functional yogawear for sport & lounge.
Mini fashion show & more “Athleisure” at the forum
Feminine sport project outfits were not only displayed along the fashion way but live fashion shows were also taking place at the trend forum during the 2 days.
In addition, you could find more inspiration for sport & leisure at the trend forum too. Along with a variety of lingerie, loungewear and nightwear fabrics and accessories at the forum, there was an exclusive area showcasing materials from super functional to sporty, everyday wear and semi-sport leisure focused on yoga and relaxing to bring a comprehensive, 360 degree perspective for intimate professionals worldwide.
The eco-system showcase
Interfiliere Hong Kong reinvented the Eco-system showcase this year with a new focus on “HUMAN” by zooming in on working conditions and consumer safety.
6 main topics for this year: Chemicals and textile globalisation, role of NGOs, REACH regulation, ethical associations/ safety labels, collaborative initiatives from companies, case study of the Rana Plazas disaster and laws.
Special thanks to Satab
This session Satab, a major European ribbon-maker for the fashion industry, is illustrating the forums colour range with its double-sided satin ribbons, dyed specially for the trend forum of Interfiliere Hong Kong!
Eurovet network
We believe in trade shows where the power of human interaction is the core of business development and industry innovation...
Eurovet is the undisputed world leader for intimates and swimwear, with international events in Paris, Hong Kong, New York & Las Vegas and Shanghai. It is also the most important reference for sourcing textiles and fashion for the fast fashion movement in Europe, and number one in France for sports textiles and equipment trade shows.
Eurovet benefits from the combined expertise of its two shareholders: the in- fluential French Knitwear and Lingerie Federation, and Comexposium, a leading organiser for both professional and general public trade shows.
We are enthusiastic about working as closely as possible with the businesses we serve via our Clichy head office near Paris, or our branches near the markets in Hong Kong, New York ... and Annecy, Frances own “Outdoor Valley”.
Our values are involvement, quality, flexibility and boldness in creating modern events where business goes hand in hand with an international scope, image, pleasure and emotion. We believe in trade shows where the power of human interaction is the core of business development and innovation, and this is especially crucial during economic crises. Our events bring together international talents to stimulate energy, rebuild confidence, and identify new keys and places for growth. We believe in and are part of the efficiency of direct media, and our events put businesses at the centre of the professional community to increase results: identify new business contacts,perform direct marketing tests, get feedback on collections, and motivate teams, clients, professional and mass media ... and more. With a star portfolio of international trade shows, (the Salon International de la Lingerie has existed for 50 years and Mode City for 30 years) our strength also means knowing how to launch new projects on the other side of the globe with just a few months lead time. And its all available to you.
With an international offer from 130 exhibitors from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, South East Asia as well as Europe, visitors had a diversified selection of fabrics and materials.
3000 professional visitors attended Interfiliere Hong Kong this edition. There were some interesting newcomers from Kenya, Philippines, Sri Lanka as well as Vietnam.
The continuous development of South East Asia for sourcing and manufacturing is becoming more and more visible; there was aremarkable progression in the visitors from the Philippines and Vietnam.