Businesses have encountered many challenges recently centered around sourcing, trade, supply chain and sustainability. Such obstacles have touched every corner of the fashion industry, especially those as vulnerable to global issues as textiles. Here, Jennifer Bacon, vice president, fashion and apparel, Messe Frankfurt Inc., the parent company of Texworld NYC, discusses how the acclaimed sourcing event serves as an essential meeting place for global companies to learn everything from navigating supply chain problems to discovering trends and resources for future collections.
Sourcing Journal: How does the diversity of your events help attendees come up with new solutions for the various sourcing questions facing businesses today?
Jennifer Bacon: The co-located event, including Texworld Evolution NYC, Apparel Sourcing NYC, Home Textiles Sourcing, Global Footwear Sourcing and Printsource, offers a broad scope for fashion and home textile executives, retailers, merchandisers, product developers and other industry professionals.
Since its inception, Texworld NYC has been the event platform where buyers can discover innovative technology solutions and global partner opportunities, and this latest edition maintains that original premise. The Summer Edition, held July 18-20, 2023 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, will connect global manufacturers and suppliers to the U.S. market, creating numerous business opportunities for the textile community, while offering a robust lineup of educational programming.
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To continue the evolution and diversification of Texworld NYC, Printsource New York will make a return to the show floor. Printsource serves as a hub for the world’s top creative talent, showcasing hundreds of collections by international surface and textile design studios. Additionally, buyers attending Printsource will find an expanded assortment of product offerings and resources, including men’s, children’s and women’s apparel, bed and bath, decorative fabrics and more.
What can attendees expect from Texworld’s 2023 editions?
J.B.: Understanding the heightened competition companies face in fashion today, and the importance of brand differentiation, the Summer 2023 Editions will help buyers discover new textile materials, trims and accessories, along with an array of special features. Taking that one step further, the uber-popular Trend Showcase will offer more experimental materials, colors and texture with an eye to future direction.
Educational programming is also very important to Texworld to keep attendees up to date on the latest industry news. Sourcing Journal’s Lauren Parker will host a panel on the ABC’s of Nearshoring, featuring the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) president Kim Glas, along with Robert Antoshak, global consultant to the fiber, textile and apparel industries.
Home Textiles Sourcing will host a trend presentation with Nancy Fire, the creative director for Nancy Fire Designs and the former design director for Home & Garden Television (HGTV). Fire will also host a trend-spotting area on the floor for exhibitors to gather inspiration on how to set up different rooms with home fabric applications.
We’re also offering an Indigo Dye Shibori Workshop, led by Sihdant Sohdani, CEO of Sohdani Biotech, a biotechnology research company. This workshop will show visitors and exhibitors how natural dyeing is used in textiles to provide sustainable alternatives to otherwise toxic techniques.
Lastly, we’re hosting our Fiber Innovation Center with our partner, Lenzing Fibers Inc., a wood-based cellulosic fiber manufacturer. Attendees will hear from fiber experts at Cocona Labs, Unifi®, Parkdale and Lenzing to learn how these companies deliver innovative solutions for comfort and sustainability within home textiles and applications.
How is Texworld NYC using technology to accommodate manufacturers who can’t physically attend the show?
J.B.: There are some global companies that are unable to join in-person but understand the need to remain connected to the U.S. market. To combat this, exhibitors can take advantage of our mobile app, which remotely connects visitors and exhibitors via our “meeting” feature.
What sectors at the event are growing the fastest?
J.B.: Still on the forefront of growth, sustainability remains a hot topic. This focus is evident across the show floor, as well as the educational program at Texworld NYC. Attendees will also find innovative textiles with surprising color palettes at Texworld NYC, from casual cotton to functional fabrics and sophisticated knits to intricate laces.
What key lessons should the fashion industry have learned from this past year in terms of procuring products?
J.B.: Regarding the strategies of the retail segment, retailers have adjusted their sourcing habits by addressing weaknesses within their supply chain. The transition to remote relationships between buyers and vendors has helped facilitate global connections that otherwise would have been impractical under the current circumstances.
The biggest takeaway from the past year is the importance of adaptability. Global sourcing is heavily reliant on the current socioeconomic climate and unprecedented circumstances have caused businesses to reexamine their strategies and adapt. Learning how to navigate supply chain issues is key to surviving and thriving.
For more information on Texworld NYC’s upcoming show, click here.