More creativity and better quality on offer at the European fabric fairs for autumn/winter 2009/10, according to Textiles Intelligence

The European fabric fairs for the autumn/winter 2009/10 season were held in September 2008—a month when the threat of economic recession had already cast its shadow. Nonetheless, participation in the events was better than many of the organisers had feared, and many exhibitors have reported that good business was done.

Some mills approached the season with caution by offering fabric lines which were already familiar, taking the view that now was not the time to risk money on innovation. But others saw the difficult economic conditions as a challenge which could best be met by investing in more creativity and producing fabrics of the highest possible quality. There were, for example, numbers of complex, reversible double cloths on show which offered contrasting inner and outer surfaces.

Traditional woollen tweeds are enjoying great popularity, reflecting the emergence of a “retro” mood as economic conditions become more difficult. Tweed’s “heritage” credentials make it ideal in such times. UK mills have been benefiting from this trend, while updating their archive patterns with new showerproof or stretch finishes. Italian mills offer tweeds which are in softer qualities and remarkable colours.

One noticeable recent development is the rise in quality of the non-European fabrics on offer at the Texworld fabric fair in Paris. Asian manufacturers, in particular, have realised that it is no longer merely price that is a factor in their success in European markets. In fact, prices have risen.