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Textile Sourcing At This Year's Best Textile Trade Shows 2024

If you are starting a sustainable and ethical fashion brand, then you need to be familiar with fabric trade shows - or the trade show circuit as many of us industry pros call it. So, what exactly is a trade show? And, how important is going to textile trade shows for your startup fashion business?

 

But, before we get started 

Have you heard about the super secret document that everyone in the fashion industry uses, but no one is talking about? Probably not. That is because you can't find it on Google or Instagram (believe me, I've tried).
It's a form I have used for over 13 years at every job I have ever had. Literally everyone from brands to fabric suppliers use it, but you can't find it anywhere publicly. 
The best part? It can cut your sourcing time in half, and save you tons of money in product development! This is the kind of info consultants charge the big bucks for. And, I'm giving it away for free until the end of the month.  So, get ready to make fashion startup life a whole lot easier, and GRAB YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD OF THE NOT-SO-SECRET SOURCING DOC HERE
 

Now, back to trade shows...

To get started, a trade show is basically an exhibition for businesses that are all in the same industry.

Literally, almost every industry has its own set of trade shows. But, as a sustainable fashion startup, there are two types of shows you need to focus on - they are sourcing shows and apparel shows. For this post, I am only going to focus on sourcing trade shows. But, don't worry, I will be posting another list of apparel and fashion trade shows very soon.

And, because here at virtue + vice, we are a very international group, I have included shows from all over the world, not just the USA.

Why Are Trade Shows So Important To Your Small Business?

Let's break it down... 

They Bring International Supply Chain Partners To One Easy To Navigate Location.

Trade shows are known for bringing together some of the best supply chain partners in the world. That is because not just anyone can exhibit in a trade show. Exhibitors not only need to pay a fee to participate (which is often over tens of thousands of dollars), but they also need to apply and be approved.

The companies that run textile trade shows are a business, and to stay in business they want you, their customer to be happy. And, that means having reliable, and trustworthy exhibitors participate.

The nice thing about textile trade shows (that the black hole of google can’t do) is that they pre-vet suppliers for you. You know that the people there are serious about long-term business growth (read, not looking to make a quick buck) and are definitely looking for new customers.

They Allow For Face Time And Relationship Building

Yes, technology is great, and zoom is pretty good. But, for now, it still can’t replace the real thing. When you are able to meet someone in person, that is when you can really start to build a relationship with them.

I like meeting people in person because it always you to do what I like to call the vibe check. It’s that guy feeling you get if this will be a good partnership or not. Early in my career I would ignore my gut and that little voice in the back of my head telling me to think twice about something. I chalked it up to anxiety. But you know what? As I got older I realized that usually that first gut initial reaction is right.

And, going to a textile trade shows makes meetings with lots of suppliers in the span of a day or two possible. You can then go home, think about everyone you met and decide who is the best fit for you. And, you don't have to feel pressured into working with one person, who you might not be crazy about, because they are the only person on your list.

They Are Chock Full Of Industry Experts, Panels, and Educational Opportunities

Tradeshows have come a far way, even from when I first entered the industry back in 2011. I feel like ½ of the experience now is panels and talks. It’s a great place for newbies like you to come to learn.

Sourcing Textile Trade Shows - The Ultimate List

BTW, if you can't make it in person, most shows have an online portal that allows you to meet suppliers digitally! 

USA

Apparel Sourcing New York City / Apparel Sourcing USA

July 16-18 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City​

While many tradeshows focus mostlye on textiles, Apparel Sourcing USA welcomes many finished garment suppliers. 

Apparel Textile Sourcing

November 6-8 a the Miami Beach Convention Center

Over 150 exhibitors specializing in everything from raw materials to garments, with a special focus on Latin American suppliers. 

Functional Fabric Fair

Spring Show - April 17-18, 2024 in Portland Oregon

Summer Show - July 16-17, 2024 in NYC

This is the trade show every performance brand needs to attend to learn more about high tech textiles. 

LA Textile Show

February 28 - March 1 at the California Market Center (CMC) in Downtown LA

This fabric show is startup friendly, and many of the suppliers are happy to work with new brands offering low MOQs.

Premiere Vision - New York

July 16 - 17, 2024, at Tribeca 360° in New York City

Many of the worlds top textile suppliers attend. This show is a must for luxury brands. 

SOURCING AT MAGIC

Vegas Show - August 19 - 21, 2024

New York Show - September 22 - 24, 2024​

This is the biggest show in America. While literally everyone in the industry attends I would not recommend this show for beginners. 

Texworld USA

July 16 - 18, 2024, at the Javits Center in NYC

Mostly China suppliers, great prices, and many of them are happy to work with new startup brands. 

techtextil

Date and location TBD

But this show should have lots of European suppliers. 

 

Advanced Textiles Expo

September 24-26, 2024 in Anaheim, CA

Over 4,500 textile professionals and 300 exhibitors. This show is super high tech and for industry pros. 

 

Clean Show

Dates and location TBD

Laundering, dry cleaning, and overall textile care. 

 

hometextiles sourcing

Dates and location TBD

This is the only tradeshow in North America that is dedicated exclusivly to home textiles and soft goods. 

 

SPINEXPO New York

Dates and location TBD

Everything knits!

 

Canada

Apparel Textile Sourcing Canada

August 26 - 28, 2024, location TBD

Canada's largest textile and garment sourcing tradeshow. 

 

Canada Textile and Apparel Expo Show

July 25 - 26, 2024 at The Epic Hall, Toronto

Textile and garment suppliers from all over the world. 

 

Europe

International Conference on Sustainable Textiles and Fashion

April 23-24, 2024 Amsterdam

With 350+ atendees, 30+ practicle sessions, 60+ speakers this is an event where you get to learn from and meet top industry leaders. 

 

UNITED KINGDOM

Textile Forums - The Fashion Fabric Show

 March 13 -14, 2024 at One Marylebone, London

The show to go to for luxury textiles in Europe. 

 

Pure Origin

July 14-16, 2024, Olympia London

An International trade show with a focus on sustainability and support for small brands. 

 

The London Textile Fair

September 3- 4, 2024 at the Business Design Center in London

500+ exhibitors, and not just textile suppliers. Vendors include accessories, garments, printers, and even vintage finds.

 

Future Fabrics Expo

June 25-26, 2024 @ Magazine London

The best place to meet sustainable suppliers in the UK and all over Europe! 

 

GERMANY

Munich Fabric Start - ReSource Textiles

January 23-25, 2024 at MOC Munich

If you live in Germany, this is the textile and apparel trade show to visit. 

 

PORTUGAL

Modtissimo

February 21-22, 2024

Both local and international suppliers.

 

Intertex Portugal

May 21-23, 2024

Thinking about manufacturing in Portugal? You don't want to miss this event! 

 

ITALY

Lineapelle

September 17-29, 2024

One of the best tradeshows for leather and accesories. 

 

Bergamo Creattiva

March 7-10, 2024

If you are looking for artisans and smaller hand made manufacturers this show is a must on your supplier search list. 

 

Comocrea Textile Design Show

March 25-26, 2024 at Villa Erba in Cernobbio

This show is a highlight of the latest trends in textiles design. 

 

Milano Unica

July 9-11, 2024 in Rho, Milan

Another textile show with super high end fabrics and textile innovations. 

 

SPAIN

Barcelona Textile Expo

June 26-28, 2024 Fira Barcelona Montjuic, Pavillion 2

This is the largest trade show for textiles and garments in Spain, and the top place to meet Spanish suppliers. 

 

FRANCE

Premiere Vision 

July 2-4, 2024 at Paris Nord Villepinte

This is the same show as the NY edition, and there is another sister show in China.

 

Texworld Paris

July 1-3, 2024 at Porte de Versailles, Hall 7

The same show as NYC, but in Paris, with a lot of the same suppliers. 

 

Interfiliere

January 20-24, 2024 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles

The best trade show IN THE WORLD for lingerie. Period. 

 

Australia/New Zealand

Australian Sheep And Wool Show

July 19-21, 2024 at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds in Bendigo, Victori

Featuring Australias top wool suppliers across all levels of supply chian.

 

International Sourcing Expo Australia

November 19-21, 2024 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Victoria, Australia

The biggest and best textile and garment trade show in Australia.

  

Other Countries

International Apparel & Textile Fair

Comments

Connie Tomaselli

Like to go to an L.A. fabric sourcing trade show this summer thankyou, Connie.

Melanie

Hi Taylor. That depends… how much do you trust your fabric supplier to ship without defects? And, how much do you trust your garment factory to find problems if there are any?

Taylor Love

Hi Melanie,

This might be an obvious question but I’m just wondering/wanted to confirm a few things …. so once we have acquired a fabric supplier
, we (as in the brand) purchase the bulk materials needed then we would ship the purchased material to the factory that’s creating the garment? Do the fabric suppliers ship the materials directly to the factory? I’m a little confused on that part.

Thank you for all the help!

Melanie

With the pandemic the dates are changing regularly, so just click the link and double-check :)

Haydee Klepper

Hi Melanie,
This might be a silly question but are these the actual dates for the upcoming year? Or do we need to look on line for the upcoming dates.
Thanks! Haydée

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