Survey of the European Yarn and Fabric Fairs for Spring/Summer 2002

Colour and pattern, which returned to the European yarn and fabric fairs last year after several seasons of plain fabrics in muted tones, continues for spring/summer 2002 - albeit in a calmer, softer style. This is good news for Europe?s fabric printing industry, which - thanks to investment in modern machinery - is able to offer the shorter lead times and quick response being demanded by its retail customers.

Key strengths of the European textile industry include design, innovation and high quality manufacturing. However, the quality of products from competing regions, such as Asia Pacific, is rising. In response, European spinners and fabric manufacturers have focused on the technical performance of fabrics. They have produced ranges which - while satisfying the prevailing taste for natural products such as cotton, linen, wool and silk - have built-in subtle improvements tomake them easier to care for and more comfortable to wear.

One important trend is the growing importance of stretch and recovery. Stretch, once the preserve of fabrics using elastane fibre - such as Lycra - is now achieved in a variety of ways in fabrics destined for all types of garment, including leather wear. The aim is to produce fabric for garments which, even though tailored, have enough stretch in them to make them feel 'loose' and easy to wear but which also retain their shape.

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