Soft touch: Hard standards – Cashmere World is back again

26 Aug '11

4 min read

Cashmere is widely acknowledged as one of the most luxurious fabrics available. Exceptionally soft, but hard wearing too. Yet, although many in the garment and textile industries know of it, they know very little about it.

That is about to change.

Cashmere World (CW) is the only trade exhibition for the whole cashmere industry. It covers the entire supply chain, from raw material, yarn, to finished products for the retail trade such as scarves and other lifestyle and home accessories.

The event will bring together almost all the major cashmere suppliers and, at the same time, 'educate' potential buyers and users of cashmere such as designers and specifiers. It aims to position cashmere as one of the most popular luxury products available by upgrading quality, creative design and positioning to fashion trends.

The potential is enormous.

For example: the China Chamber of Commerce reports that exports in the first half of 2011 of cashmere and cashmere finished products rose 37% and 34% respectively. There are buyers aplenty and they include: France, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Pakistan, Turkey, the UK and US.

To cater for the enthusiasm generated by's powerful launch last year the up-coming 2011 event will be 20% larger in terms of exhibition space, and a truly massive 60% increase in exhibitor numbers. It is strongly supported by local government bodies in the major production and manufacturing base: Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Tongxiang, with Inner Mongolia and Qinghai both confirming participating with their own pavilions.

Italy, the leader in cashmere manufacture, will support a pavilion which will include exhibitors such as Annalisa Bucci Cashmere, Chianti Cashmere, Galassia Srl, and Maglier D'Arte di Fiorella Rossi, among others.

Encouragingly, is proving to be well supported by the wider cashmere industry, fashion designers and buying agents. High quality buyers from around the world have been registered on-line to attend.

In addition, the organisers have invited senior buyers of department stores, business associations, franchisees, agents and retailers to participate in a series of one-on-one 'matchmaking' services and conferences. China Commerce Association for General Merchandise (CCAGM) is one of the supporting organisers of the exhibition, and will invite their members, like sourcing managers of department and chain stores to visit the show.

Last year also witnessed the introduction of the 'Cashmere World Colours Trends'. It's back, and will launch the colours trending for 2012/2013. It consists of four styles: Energy, Dreaming, Escape and Pleasure.

There will be a comprehensive list of topics discussed during the show. hese will include: 'Cashmere Quality Forum'; 'Sino-Italian Exchange Seminar on the Cashmere Industry', and 'Sustainability: Use Central sia as an Example ….to improve cashmere quality'. Confirmed speakers are Tian Hong, Director, CFNA; Matthew Wilshire from the US Federal Trade commission; Francis Yuk of WRAP; Gianpietro Veronese, Fashion Marketing Lecturer of Raffles Design Institute; Mr. Abdul Basir Hotak, President, Herati Cashmere and Skin Processing Plant (HSC) from Afghanistan and Ms. Carol Kerven, Odessa Centre Ltd. from the UK.

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