GlobalTex, LA International Textile & Sourcing Fair.

GlobalTex, a textile and sourcing trade show, was in town last week. I was hesitant to go to the GlobalTex Trade show because 1) it was in downtown, and on a school day, 2) it was a textile and sourcing event, 3) I had no one to go with. In the end, I made transportation arrangements, took care of my classes, and felt that I should learn more about the textile industry. And New York Fashion Week trained me well to go to events alone. I overcame all of my obstacles and I am glad I made the effort to check it out. I met some amazing people and gained knowledge about a division of the fashion industry that I never knew about or took the time to research, until now.

GlobalTex, the premier West Coast textiles trade show, took over Los Angeles Convention Center for the LA International Textile & Sourcing Fair last week from March 2-4, 2010. It has been described as “the largest tradeshow in the United States for apparel textiles and technology, created to meet the high-growth demands of the global textile industry” (GlobalTex). I made a trip out to downtown Los Angeles to check out the events, seminars and exhibits featured at the GlobalTex Fair.

After picking up my press Fast Pass, I browsed exhibitor booths and observed buyer/seller interactions. The number of exhibitors that were there was surprising. There were exhibitors from Portugal, India, London, Bangladesh, New York, Vietnam, China and France, to name a few. Companies that specialized in goods such as labeling, hardware, graphics and design software, and all kinds of fabrics could be found in one area. There were quite a few service-oriented agencies including trend forecasting firms, design studios, garment manufacturing and production companies and publication businesses in another section of West Hall.

Exhibitors were divided and laid out based on common Global Styles next to corresponding trend displays, which were extremely well designed and well constructed. Global Styles are product categories that represent the complete supply chain.

Live: Alluring resources to live to the max: silks, knits, velvet/velour, lace, linen, fur, embroidery/ribbon
Dwell: Imagining the essence of home
Work: The structured downtown experience: suitings, wool, linen, knits, wovens/shirtings
Play: Comfortable materials for everyday dreams: cotton, linen, shirtings, knits, prints
Wear: Denim for every moment and every style
Create: The inspiration destination: trend/color services, fibers, art studios
Adorn: A notion of the necessary: buttons, trims, hardware
Move: Capturing the energy of the race: tech/performance fabrics, knits
Process: Technology and equipment to help develop what’s next
Source: Visualize production and design possibilities from global manufacturers large and small

I was especially interested in the seminars. I made sure to attend the seminars on Spring/Summer 2011 Color and Lifestyle Trends and Women’s and Men’s Trend Focus for Spring/Summer 2011. The Panel Discussion about New Developments for Today’s Fashions focused on innovative fabrics where I learned more about the research goes into fabric development. I hope to hear more about the growth and expansion of organic and sustainable fabrics. The Big Picture Seminar centered on the retailer & consumer relationship. There is an immediate connection to the consumer and business models are changing to meet the high demands of well-informed, educated customers. Finally, the Financing Fashion in 2010 Panel Discussion featured Kevin Sullivan, Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Trade Capital and Ilse Metcheck, President of California Fashion Association, among many others.

I am currently typing up the notes that I took during these seminars. I cannot wait until finals are over so I can go back and analyze what it is that I learned and apply it to my own thoughts.

The next GlobalTex Show will be September 28-30, 2010. Look forward to more exhibitors, up-to-date seminars, panel discussions and a great experience at the premier West Coast textiles trade show!