By the time the 12th edition of the Fabrics and Accessories Show, F&A Show 2015 and the 4th edition of home textiles fair, Hometex closed its doors on March 14, 3,556 unique visitors had streamed through the KTPO gates in Bengaluru, the venue of the twin shows, which is 11 per cent higher than the 2014 editions.
The most satisfying indicator for the organiser, SS Textile Media was that the polls from most of the over 103 exhibitors at the twin-shows indicated that they were satisfied, with a few being overwhelmed with the response they received from buyers, with a good number even closing orders within the three-days of the fair and a general consensus that a majority of visitors were genuine or serious buyers. A majority of visitors to the show also expressed their satisfaction saying they were able to find whatever they came looking for, be it innovative yarns, fabrics or accessories, handicraft textiles or home textiles.
Innovations in fabric and yarn
A few fabric innovations on display included knitted fabric, bonded fabrics, fragrance releasing fabrics, zero-count fabrics, tere-rayon fabrics, 2 x 200’s cotton shirting fabrics, Georgette Moss fabrics, a blend of the traditional Bandhani, Shibhori and Indigo-dyed in a single fabric, functional fabrics and so on. In the accessories section, buyers came across an innovative 3D label, interlinings made from Net Resins, innovations in engraving technology in buttons, narrow fabrics in both spandex and latex, embroideries, Oeko-Tex certified zippers and many other new product developments in the category.
Yarns exhibited by several exhibitors with latest product developments on display included, water soluble PVA yarn, colour zero twist yarn, hollow yarn, grindle yarn, grindle blended with slub yarn, multi-colour fancy yarns, injection slub yarn, Flutter, Ferry, Lofty Linen and many other varieties.
The home textiles section had on display products like blankets and foot mats made from Mink and Polar Fleece, designer paper wall coverings, home furnishings, designer towels, bedsheets and curtains, comforters, colourful quilts, cushions, pillows and many more.
Exhibitors were from India, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Singapore that included manufacturers like Aditya Birla Group, Linen Club and Grasim Bhiwani, JCT Homes, Raymond Home, Morarjee Textiles, Akij Textile Group, Beijing Guanghui Textile Co Ltd to name a few. Visitors included representatives from Indian and global brands and retailers like George UK, Adidas, Gokuladas Exports, Arvind Brands, VF Corporation, Madura Lifestyle, Crocodile, Ralph Lauren, Mothercare, Lifestyle, PVH, Shahi Exports and many more reputed names.
The show was inaugurated by Mr. Atul Ujagar, Country Director, India, Sri Lanka & Pakistan at Nike and Mr. Anindya Ray, Head (Sourcing) at Arvind Lifestyle Brands Ltd. Sharing his opinion, Mr. Atul, said, “The level of this show seems to be getting better year after year. I saw a bonded fabric jacket, which I never believed could be produced in India.”
The F&A Show also had a discussion on “What should India do to Increase its Share in the Global Textile & Apparel Markets” that included eminent panelists like Mr. Gautam Chakravarty, CEO, Gokuladas Exports Ltd, Mr.Ashish Kumar, Group CEO (Lifestyle Apparel), Arvind Ltd and Mr. Samrat Som, Business Head at Royal Enfield Apparel & Accessories.