In-person Seoul trade show hailed a success
Local media have praised recently concluded trade show Preview in Seoul (PIS) as a success.
A total number of 221 international exhibitors, manning 407 booths, showcased their latest textile innovations to more than 6,000 in-person visitors during the three-day event.
Due to the impact of the covid-19 pandemic worldwide, this year’s fair was the first physical PIS show held in two years. A hybrid event, some exhibitors also presented within a digital framework branded PIS Digital Show (which separately counted 5,000 visitors).
Eco-consciousness and various methods of recycling waste into new fibres and fabrics were prominent threads throughout the event, South Korean media said.
Domestic companies including Takewang Industies, TK Chemical, Daehan Synthetic Fiber and Hyosung TNC were among those who showcased products made from recycling waste plastic bottles into fibre. Hyosung showed some recycled polyester garments from its collaborations with The North Face, National Geographic and Pleats Mama, for instance, whereas TK Chemical highlighted its fibre partnership with BlackYak.
Young Textile, on the other hand, introduced what was described as a biodegradable nylon with a booth decorated like a botanical garden, complete with real soil. Lenzing’s South Korean arm also reportedly showed an unspecified “certified carbon-zero” product.
Members of trade association Korea Textile jointly presented a booth, which reporters on the ground said particularly emphasised recycled denim and cotton fabrics “with biodegradability and improved functionality”.
Meanwhile, domestic sports and streetwear brand FCMM exhibited casual sportswear in collaboration with Daegu Textile Marketing Center in a booth which featured a football pitch installation.
Significantly, local media further reported that buyers including Hugo Boss and Ralph Lauren, both of whom attended via video conferencing, showed “intense” interest in recycled sportswear fabrics with stretch, as well as premium printed fabrics and fleece. Korean manufacturers ModaCrea, Woojoo Global and Daehyun Textile were revealed as the producers which participated in these discussions with the aforementioned brands.
Next year’s PIS is due to be held from August 24 through 26. An event spokesperson commented that the show would continue to innovate within its current online-offline format in 2022.
Image shows attendees viewing fabrics on display in a PIS exhibitor’s booth. Credit: Fashionbiz
