One of Asia’s largest textile trade fairs, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026, will take place over three days from Wednesday, March 11, to Friday, March 13, 2026, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) in China. Marking the opening of the spring sourcing season, the fair is set to place even greater emphasis on sustainability, functional materials, and next-generation technologies, including AI, while maintaining fashion as its core focus.
Against a rapidly shifting global market landscape, organiser Messe Frankfurt (HK) positions the fair as “a platform where problem-solving and the implementation of innovation progress in parallel.” Building on the solid outcomes recorded among both exhibitors and buyers at the 2025 edition, the Spring 2026 show aims to further elevate the quality and specialisation of its exhibits.
Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK), commented: “Intertextile Apparel has proved time and again to be unmissable, and our fairgoers regularly echo that sentiment.”
“As the industry undergoes a period of change, the fair’s breadth, scale, business
connections and focus on ‘what’s next’ are more important than ever. The upcoming Spring Edition will leverage our renewed focus and carry forward the positive momentum of our 2025 shows, where we witnessed solid results in key exhibitor and buyer categories. With fashion as a cornerstone of the fair, we will continue to place a greater emphasis on AI andinnovation, while growing our sustainable and performance-related offerings.”
Exhibitions Where Sustainability and AI Converge
A defining feature of the Spring 2026 edition is its exhibition structure, which bridges sustainability and digital technology. The Econogy Hub, a dedicated zone for sustainable materials, has expanded significantly in recent seasons and will be presented in Spring 2026 with an open-booth layout incorporating seminar functions. The Econogy Finder, designed to help visitors easily locate environmentally conscious suppliers across the venue, will also continue to be implemented.
Meanwhile, the Innovation & Digital Solutions Zone, which highlights advanced technologies including AI, will showcase solutions intended for real-world application. Exhibits will focus on practical use cases such as reducing waste in production processes, enhancing defect detection, and optimising inventory management.
Presenting the Spring / Summer 2027 Trend Theme “PARADOX”
As a framework for understanding future textile trends, the Spring 2026 edition will also unveil the Spring / Summer 2027 trend theme, “PARADOX.” At the Trend Forum in Hall 5.1 of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), four themes conceived by leading forecasters from major fashion capitals will be introduced.
The themes—AFFECTION, BREATHE, BEWITCHING, and HONOURATION—share a common philosophy: prioritising individuality and essence over excessive decoration. An appreciation for authenticity, simplicity, and the acceptance of imperfection emerges as a defining direction for next-generation fashion and textiles.
The visual and conceptual design of the Trend Forum is led by Sachiko Inoue, based in Tokyo, in collaboration with NellyRodi™ Agency (Paris), DONEGER | TOBE (New York), and Elementi Moda (Milan).
More than 700 fabric and accessory samples will be displayed at the forum, and a Trend Guide will be provided for buyers. Designed to offer a systematic overview of materials, patterns, prints, and colours, the guide is expected to serve as a practical and business-oriented reference tool.
Continuity from the Spring 2025 Edition
At the most recent Spring 2025 edition, particularly strong interest was observed in womenswear fabrics, functional and sports materials, knits, and environmentally conscious natural textiles. Exhibition areas such as the Intertextile Directions Trend Forum, Bespoke Performance, The CUBE, and the Econogy Hub Display Area will continue to be featured at the Spring 2026 show.
Exhibitors have cited the fair’s effectiveness as a platform for presenting new technologies and materials to the Chinese market, while buyers have highlighted its accessibility and international scope. Such feedback appears to have been reflected in the planning of the upcoming edition.
Deepening Its Role in the Asian Market
Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics will once again be held concurrently with Yarn Expo Spring, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition, China International Clothing & Accessories Fair (CHIC), and PH Value, creating a comprehensive environment that spans materials, finished products, and market insights.
The Spring 2026 edition is expected to more clearly visualise the direction in which the Asian textile industry is heading as it moves into its next phase of growth.
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