Startup Fashion Week at TexWorld USA
Twice a year in both Paris and New York, the biggest sourcing event of the Fashion industry open its doors for three days: the bi-annual tradeshow, TexWorld USA. This year I had the immense pleasure to work there for Nicole Giordano, CEO and Founder of Startup Fashion as her PR Assistant.
Startup Fashion
Startup Fashion is an online and global network created by Nicole Giordano in New York City to help and grow independent designers grow their business, their own way. The community contains thousands of emergent designers from all over the World.
Texworld USA
More than a simple display of fabrics and merchandise, TexWorld connects all professionals of the the Fashion, Textile, Fabrics & Yarns industry to fabric manufacturers from all around the world, giving apparel fabric buyers access to a wide range of manufacturers from Asia, the Middle East, but also North America and many other regions from around the world. I was very excited to attend the largest sourcing event of the fashion industry in North America. This season, the 3-day event took place at the Jacob Javitz Center in Manhattan’s Hudson Yard area.
Messe Frankfurt
TexWorld was made possible by Messe Frankfurt, one of the largest tradeshow organizers in the world. For this July 2017 edition in New York, TexWorld shared the show with three other exhibits of Messe Frankfurt: Apparel Sourcing USA, Avantprint USA and Home Textiles Sourcing Expo. TexWorld filled three halls by itself. It was the only exhibit to have so many guests!
There, we could find two different types of exhibitors. Most of them were what they call low-minimum suppliers, meant to help independent designers, start-ups and growing brands looking for manufacturers who are open to work with small orders. The other type, called Elite Exhibitors, is the most trusted because of their higher quality.
Experience
I found myself a little lost when I first arrived since the tradeshow was immensely vast this year. It was definitely the biggest trade show I have attended and according to one of the organizers, it actually is the biggest they have put together so far.
More than 350 exhibitors, including 36 sustainable ones, displayed their products. I noticed a large majority of Asian exhibitors from Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong among others. I met with interesting professionals based in Paris, Shanghai and other very exciting cities of the Globe. The international aspect of this event made it very interesting for professionals in every facet of the industry.
On Monday, we gathered a lot of independent designers for our Startup Fashion’s private event, located at the apparel café. The diversity among those women was simply amazing. Meeting all of those very talented and fearless ladies was very inspiring.
Nicole gave her first talk on Monday on How to Create Your Brand Book to Build Awareness, Create Community, and Grow Your Business.
On Tuesday, the crowd was twice as big during her talk on How to Create Copy To Increase Your Sales. For the last day talk, Nicole interviewed Shannon Lohr, founder of Factory45. Factory45 is a community helping young designers-to-be, on the logistics aspect of their business. It appears to be a similar service to Startup Fashion but at an earlier stage since it focuses on the premises of designers’ business.
More than an interview it was actually an open conversation on How to Launch Your Next Collection to a Community of Customers and Surpass Your Sales Goals. Shannon gave many key advices and insisted on transparency and pre-sales to avoid extra supply and unnecessary inventory.
Trends
Between sustainable fabrics, recycling solutions, 3D printers and textile education materials, the new trends were clearly centered around technology and sustainability. TexWorld USA recognized 36 of its exhibitors as being 100% eco-friendly. Some were American but they were mostly Asian manufacturers. They used materials such as yarns, polyester, cotton, silk but mostly knits.
What does it take to be recognized as a TexWorld’s eco-friendly manufacturer?
It is a combination of three key elements.
Social standards: Transparent social standards such as fair trade and observance of labor laws.
Environmentally friendly processes: Improved methods for dyeing (natural or chemical), finishing and environmental management.
Environmentally friendly materials: Certified organic materials, selected natural and recycled fibers, as well as biodegradable, advanced synthetic fibers.
Other trends we all noticed during those three days were mixed materials and obviously, surprising colors such as “Electric Slope” blue, “Digital Supreme” red, “Sparkling Fluid” green, “Wooded Pixel” yellow and “Magnified dermis” pink.
My Favorite
Even though most of the fabrics and manufacturers I discovered were great, I have to admit I particularly loved the amazing work done by Ecopel. Specialized in faux-fur and fake leather, the half French, half Chinese company was listed in TexWorld’s Elite Exhibitors selection. They work with a wide range of 150 brands of completely different universes such as Guess, Alexander Wang or Louis Vuitton. Ecopel is the global leader in the niche market of faux-fur manufacturers. It produces close to a million pieces a year and operates with clients mainly in Europe and the United States.
Against fur farms cruelty on animals, Ecopel develops a sustainable alternative to using animal skin to make coats, apparel and accessories. They recently launched themselves in the home textile and furniture industry. Since their start in 2005, Ecopel has grown fast and is now in different parts of the world between Europe, Korea and China. I was amazed by the different style of their products; all the colors and possibilities faux-fur can offer. They definitely beat all prejudices about faux-fur.
TexWorld USA was an incredibly interesting experience full of opportunities where passionate professionals could discover the newest trends in the industry by making useful contacts. I am looking forward to TexWorld USA Winter 2018, in January!
