The inaugural edition of International Textile Fair (ITF) held in Dubai on the 3rd and 4th of November, showcasing pre-collection spring/summer 2015 and autumn/winter highlights, proved to be a successful event.
The global event was an exclusive trade-only fair that served as a platform for Emirati fashion, fabrics and clothing, in Dubai. The two-day fair attracted a wide range of textile mills, and large print designers. Exhibitors were mainly from Europe, India, China, Indonesia, Mongolia, Japan, Korea, Turkey, Italy, France, Spain, Pakistan, Taiwan and Hong Kong as well as other high-end manufacturers from around the world.
Supported by TEXMAS, The Textile Merchants Group Dubai, an organization that represents about 800 Dubai-based wholesale textile traders, the global event had dedicated segments for digital prints, machine embroidery, haute couture fabrics and new innovations, and attracted world’s leading print design studios.
The event’s vast display of exhibits included natural, synthetic and plant fibers, as well as industry-related components like computer aided design and production systems and textiles’ or clothes’ colour cards. Swarovski, one of the high-profile exhibitors, featured its new collection of crystals and accessories at the show. Another major exhibitor was the Italian textile design company, Maritex Di Desenzani Maria Maddalena, which showcased its trendy designs.
The UAE, Dubai in particular, has positioned itself as a prime shopping destination for the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. The UAE currently houses about 150 apparel manufacturing companies. The ITF is expected to give boost to the booming UAE textile industry which was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5 billion) in 2011, and is growing at 9.9 per cent annually, according to industry figures. (GK)
