California Apparel News

The July 16–18 run of Texworld USA in New York saw a nearly 25 percent increase in exhibitors and a more than 14 percent increase in attendees over last July.

More than 3,700 visitors walked among the 438 exhibitors showing at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, according to show organizers Messe Frankfurt.

Textile mills, trim suppliers, yarn spinners and fiber makers shared floor space with service providers, including trend forecasters, sourcing specialists and representatives from international trade associations.

Exhibitor Pat Tabassi, product development and marketing manager with Los Angeles–based Design Knit, was pleased with the turnout at the show. “It was more quality than quantity, but we saw some newer lines we haven’t worked with before and some of our East Coast clients.” Tabassi said she also saw a handful of San Francisco customers, as well.

Designers visiting Design Knit were looking for Tencel, Supima and modal fabrics with plenty of texture, including slub fabrications, tri-blends and double-face fabrics. Not everyone was shopping the same season, so Tabassi saw some people looking for sweater knits, as well.

Many people at the show were inquiring about made-in-America production. “They’re always shocked when they hear we’re based in LA,” she said. “They’ll say, ‘Yes, but where is it knit?’ And I say, ‘Right behind my office.’”

Georgia spinning mill Buhler Quality Yarns met with several large retailers and brands.

“We had good retailers come through,” said David Sasso, Buhler’s vice president of international sales, mentioning he saw representatives from Fruit of the Loom, Target and Belk. “We talked about new sources, new product developments and the challenges of the market.”

Companies are trying to balance the benefits of speed-to-market with the ongoing price pressures.

Retailers and brands continue to ask about U.S. and Western Hemisphere resources thanks to pressure from the end consumer.

“They’re still talking about [made-in-America production],” he said. “But it is not easy. It’s hard to create a supply chain in the U.S., but it is doable with the right product and the right volume.”

Design Knit’s Tabassi agreed, adding that she continues to meet with brands looking for cut-and-sew resources in the United States.

“They need a helping hand,” she said. “It’s a matter of getting the logistics together.”

Buhler and Design Knit were part of the Lenzing Innovation Pavilion, organized by Austrian fiber maker Lenzing, which also included North American resources Laguna Fabrics, Mansfield Textiles, Texollini and Tuscarora Yarns Inc.