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 'Preview in Seoul 2011 (hereafter 'PIS'),' a premier textile exhibition to be held in COEX B Hall in Seoul from August 31 to September 2, will showcase key textiles designed to conquer the steadily expanding health and sports markets.
According to a survey on Korea's fashion market trends conducted by the Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI) and the Korea Fashion Association (KFA), the nation's fashion market will reach KRW 39.5 trillion, a growth of 14.2% compared to that of last year, thanks to the global economic recovery and high growth in demand of around 30% for sportswear and outer wear.
The upcoming PIS will feature optimal fabrics designed to respond to demand in the Korean fashion market where the market for sports casual wear is growing rapidly.
'Sportism' is a huge new fad across all types of apparels amid rapidly rising demand for functional fabrics
This year, apparels that can be worn not only in people's daily lives but also in sports activities are showing strength across all types of apparels. Thus, PIS this year will focus on showcasing a wide range of functional fabrics that can be fused with fashion fabrics.
The item drawing the greatest attention as a textile for sportswear, which is also increasingly becoming casual, is lightweight thin fabrics. The nation's leading manufacturers, including ST Onechang and YoungPoong Filltex will display upgraded versions, while Kwanglim Textile co and Duckwoo Corporation will exhibit lightweight fabrics for outdoor wear.
Changing trends in the market will also be evident in the area of waterproof and breathable functional films. As sportswear becomes more associated with people's daily lives, Paka Textile, Shinhan, and Kyoung Young Tex will feature fabrics with higher comfort, rather than those with mere waterproof functionality seen until now.
PIS 2011 will expand its scope to include fabrics for outdoor purposes including camping and hunting
This year's PIS will also present fabrics that target the growing outdoors camping market. G.B. Textile, which has made transactions with leading buyers from Europe and Hong Kong, will display special items, including fabrics for hunting and skiing, along with general climbing textile materials.
Shinwon Textile, which specializes in tricot fabric, has developed a new fabric that can be used not only for sportswear, but also for tents and automobile seats, replacing the existing stretch fabrics that previously had been limited to those for swimwear purposes. Moreover, it will also exhibit rayon/polyester burnout fabrics, presenting the diversity of tricot fabrics.
Mobility and luxurious appearance gaining importance
As the boundaries between casual wear and sportswear become increasingly blurred, the demand for performance fabrics that guarantee free mobility in daily lives and have a luxurious appearance is on the rise. In response, ShinPungTextile plans to showcase multi-functional fabrics with greater stretchability.
In particular, this year's PIS will not only exhibit fashion items, but also the so-called 'memory fabrics,' which are in high demand as luxury sportswear, such as down jumpers, windbreakers and golfwear.
Seojin Textile, Jain Textile, Shinheung, Young Textile, Y.M.K. Textile, and Changbae Trading will target the outer wear market, including coats and trench coats, in addition to textile materials with a variety of qualities, including functional woven fabrics, which are the so-called 'memory fabrics.'
KOFOTI Vice Chairman Kim Dong-soo commented, "This year's PIS will unveil new-concept functional textile fabrics breaking the boundaries between sportswear and casual wear. Visitors will be able to witness top-notch items at the PIS that can target not only the domestic market where 'sportism' is the latest fad across all apparel categories, but also export markets studded with famous brands." |
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| Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI) | | |
