The exhibition of Japan’s textile converters has triggered a full-fledged export business to the West from Première Vision (PV) and Milano Unica. Aspects such as an off-the-shelf delivery system utilising an extensive range of in-stock fabrics and unique designs reflecting Japanese craftsmanship are proving popular among Western apparel manufacturers.

Exhibitions at PV and Milano Unica have helped boost exports to Western nations by more than 30% this past year for both Uni Textile Co., Ltd. and Hokkoh Co., Ltd.

Uni Textile, which uses its own equipment including a loom and lace machine, continues to expand its range of textiles each year, including thin synthetic fibres, cotton, silk, lace, prints and yarn-dyed cloth. At the current exhibitions in Europe the company will showcase more than 35,000 items, including new materials such as ultra-thin fabric and jacquard.

Toko Shoji Co., Ltd. has also been taking part in exhibitions in Europe, and so far has exhibited around 200 pieces of jersey fabric. This year the company is planning to create and exhibit elegant textures and looks including top-dyeing composite yarn made from cotton and wool, polyester, Tencel and other textiles, as well as jacquard and napped fabric.

Meanwhile, KOKKA Co., Ltd. is appealing to the market with its original printing skills. In addition to its traditional flower and geometric patterns, the company will showcase its more artistic designs, which are typically used for craft and materials, but can also be applied to dress fabric.

Minami will exhibit its special jersey fabric and high-added value textiles developed using original yarn produced by Japanese spinning manufacturers. The company will also showcase its fabrics, which it claims have sophisticated designs and a finish developed specially for the European exhibitions, as it aims to expand into the higher end of the market.

AirDye by DEBS CORPORATION

Debs Corporation, which primarily exports to Europe and America, uses textiles unique to Japan such as cuprammonium and triacetate. It also uses Colorp Corporation’s anhydrous dyeing and prints (AirDye), and a combination of vintage and sandwash processing to create textural variation.

The company is also enhancing its line-up of traditional Japanese textiles, including double-width Kurume-gasuri made from organic cotton.

Sunwell Co., Ltd., exhibiting for the first time at this year’s Milano Unica, will showcase its collection of 1,500 marks of fabric. The company will focus on enhancing its range of designs and functional fabric utilising Japanese processing techniques; in particular indigo dye, fulling and stretch.

All of these companies have recently affirmed that their “ongoing presence at these European exhibitions has vastly improved (their) planning and development skills” (Uni Textiles), to the extent that they are now on a par with European makers in terms of manufacturing capabilities.

Hokkoh’s showroom in Tokyo

Moreover, the ability to instantly deliver sample cloth, as well as the off-the-shelf delivery and small-lot systems that allow for instant sales, even from one piece of original fabric, are highly rated by Western apparel manufacturers. We can expect more from these Japanese textile companies at the September exhibitions in Europe, as they “continue to expand (their) initiatives” (Hokkoh) from here on out.