July. 9-11, 2019

Within the field of Japanese manufacturing, ‘tradition/culture/technicity’, centring on Japanese spirituality are omni-present. Textiles emerge at the core; sensitive weaving and knitting backed up by unrivalled technique and innovation and finishing processes of wonderful diversity alongside evolving fabric expressions; amid the ceaseless pursuit of raw materials.  All of which uniting for truly unique fabrics that captivate creators worldwide.

The Japan Observatory - a convergence of specially selected Japanese companies in business booths; totaling 30 companies and groups, alongside PR and Trend booths to showcase trends and an index presenting highlighted fabrics from exhibitors. We proudly introduce  premium-quality fabrics; the product of unprecedented innovation and the spirit of craftsmanship. ‘ECO’ marks will  be included on fabrics at the JAPAN TREND & INDEX booth to further promote Japan fabrics to visitors. We sincerely look forward to your visit.

29th Milano Unica

“The Japan Observatory” at Milano Unica 2020 AW

Outline

Introducing new exhibitors with interviews

FUBISYA CO., LTD.　- Appealing leno weave -

A weaving studio in Fukui Prefecture; FUBISYA CO., LTD. produces woven silk clothes used for clerical garments worn by monks (known as ‘KESA’ in Japanese), which comprises 90% of their total fabric production. They sell original leno fabrics woven by six Rapier looms and explain their motivation as follows: ‘We will showcase leno weave on this occasion, given its status as a unique fabric in Europe and we anticipate the response by overseas apparel companies.’

Their fabrics normally centre on leno weave using polyester, but they have newly developed a weave with silk-cashmere to showcase this time and further present a weave of 70% tri-acetate/30% polyester alongside.

SHOWA CO., LTD.　- Showcasing wide-ranging denim variations -

SHOWA CO., LTD. will showcase fabrics retaining sustainability/eco-conscious elements such as selvage denim that is vegetable dyed on organic cotton and organic wool denim honoured with the PV AWARD, alongside union denim made of wool and cotton for the autumn/winter season.

They will be presenting products including: selvage denim (using 60/4 yarn) and stretch denim (using 60/4 yarn), alongside 100% silk denim. Other line-ups will comprise a wide-ranging variation: double-faced denim using double gauze (80 single yarn), nylon denim, as well as sample items featuring lamé prints and/or laser processing.

TOBAN TEXTILE CO., LTD.　- Cotton with a pigskin touch -

TOBAN TEXTILE CO., LTD. will showcase a fabric with an expressive surface feel; creating an uneven touch derived from the yarn characteristics, belying its seemingly plain appearance, alongside a 100% cotton fabric processed to give a pigskin touch. In their own words: ‘We produced a fabric using natural fibres with a leather-like appearance.

Their sustainable fabrics comprise; organic cotton, recycled cotton and WASHI fabric. They have also developed and successfully produced yarn-dyed 100% cupro (spun) in volume, although fine-count methods normally weaken yarns, hindering mass production. They will further present developed items; covering thickness from a thin shirt-like material to thick fabric alongside double-weave gauze and union cupro/wool cloth.

TOYOSHIMA & CO., LTD.　- Appealing sustainable fabrics -

With the high demand for sustainable fabrics in European markets in mind, TOYOSHIMA & CO., LTD. will showcase filament type textile/knits using ‘Tencel’ lyocell alongside spun type for menswear/ladieswear, all of which are produced in the textile regions of HOKURIKU, BISHU and TOHOKU.

The company will equally introduce ‘ORGABITS’ related fabrics at Milano Unica, as part of its contribution to global environmental protection. Their other project to recycle and reutilize food waste, namely ‘FOOD TEXTILE’, has been already acclaimed via sales in Europe and they will further showcase knits leveraging food waste and using tomatoes, cabbages, coffee and cherries. ‘We decided to participate in Milano Unica to boost awareness,’ they commented.

CHUGAI KUNISHIMA CORPORATION
                     　- Fabric likely to exist but as yet unseen -

CHUGAI KUNISHIMA CORPORATION comments as follows; ‘We decided to participate in Milano Unica to further expand our sales channels, as the fair is held in Italy where many buyers of menswear brands tend to visit.’

On this occasion, two different types of line-ups comprising 50 items are to be showcased. One involves fabric for menswear, using fine-yarn-count wool. The other type is casual fabric for high-end brands; a blend of linen and wool and piece-dyed, so that only wool is dyed while the linen part remains white and appears as a design. They refer to it as a fabric likely to exist but as yet unseen. When they make a striped pattern, for example, unique stripes in gradation emerge, as if drawn by chalk. They will equally propose other fabrics for unisex use; one with an uneven feel by washer finishing and an original design textile tactfully produced by weaving and finishing techniques.

< Overseas fairs (Japan Pavilion) > 

Japan Pavilion will promote Japan Quality based on textile trends originating from Japan by combining the cream of Japanese exhibitors, maintaining an optimal fairground location, and targeting higher promotional efficiency.

□ Milano Unica

- The Japan Observatory at MU2020 Autumn/Winter

Dates: July 9-11, 2019 (Tue. - Thu.)

□ Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics

- Japan Pavilion 2019 Autumn Edition

Dates: Sep. 25-27, 2019 (Wed. - Fri.)

< Domestic fairs >

Premium Textile Japan 2020 Autumn/Winter

JFW JAPAN CREATION 2020

Dates: Nov. 19-20, 2019