The < JFW JAPAN CREATION (JFW-JC) 2021 > and < Premium Textile Japan (PTJ) 2021 Autumn/Winter > events organised by JFW (Japan Fashion Week Organization)/Textile Division, will be held at the Tokyo International Forum /Exhibition Hall E (Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo Prefecture) on Nov. 18 and 19, subject to full compliance with safety rules and measures to prevent COVID-19 infection.

Influenced by the spreading pandemic, the < PTJ 2021 Spring/Summer > show, originally scheduled for May had to be cancelled and the market slowdown caused by large-scale commercial facilities, including department stores, closing or reducing opening hours during the same season of April to May saw a significant decline in apparel sales across the board. At the same time, most consumers refrained from going out and more and more companies shifted to a work-from-home approach. The outcome has seen both the global and domestic fashion and garment industries face unprecedented challenges, including declining consumer confidence and overstockage.

Under such circumstances, it was decided that both exhibitions will be held at events a year from now, at which actually touching the fabrics directly in person will once again be possible during an actual physical event as opposed to online-only negotiations. This also means the return of the long-awaited platform for exhibitors to promote and showcase their new products and collections.

Akira Kawashima

Senior Director, JFW Textile Division

Concurrent shows: < JFW JAPAN CREATION 2021 > and < Premium Textile Japan 2021 Autumn/Winter > will finally be held over two days; Nov. 18 -19, 2020 at the Tokyo International Forum (located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo Prefecture).

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread worldwide, prompting the temporary closure of large commercial facilities like department stores and causing consumers to stay at home, all of which decimated sales opportunities for apparel in the domestic market for 2020 Spring/Summer from April onwards, except for online shopping. Most apparel companies are still suffering from the impact, despite consecutive inventory clearance sales arranged from June onwards.

The abovementioned market struggles are also affecting the domestic textile makers who participate in our shows and we are concerned at some companies facing cancellations of additional 2020 Spring/Summer orders or limited fabric orders for 2020 Autumn/Winter. The same tendency was also observed for fabric production for 2021 Spring/Summer and reversing this downturn and returning to normality for the 2021 Autumn/Winter business negotiations remains the biggest challenge facing the industry.

Nevertheless, the COVID-19 related threat has turned consumer lifestyles upside down: motivation to buy clothing for going out has drastically decreased given the increasing tendency to work from home, focal points for sales and planning have been shifted to reflect this approach (or that of nest-dwelling) accordingly and for photogenic purposes (when telecommuting). This has also underlined the need to rethink sales channels and/or customer services and dealing with the ‘new normal’ has become a top priority. Consumption forecasting for the ‘post-COVID’ period has centred on comments like ‘I will purchase only what I need’ or, ‘I am interested in companies who are working on sustainability’. Research indicates that interest in sustainable clothing increases among women who have children.

In agreeing with activities for a ‘sustainable society’ and ‘protection of the global environment’, the JFW will launch the ‘JFW Sustainability Project’ from the November shows onward, for enlightenment and to promote sustainable textiles. This project was originally scheduled for the PTJ show in May, but was delayed for half a year due to COVID-19.

The project is categorized as follows: raw materials, production processes and corporate responsibility. Among the four JFW Textile View 2021AW themes, ‘Conventional Beauty’ will be reserved for a sustainable textile corner, where corresponding fabrics will be sorted and displayed, with sustainable cards attached. A new business icon - ‘Sustainable Textiles’ will also be newly added to the signboards to facilitate sourcing of sustainable textiles by on-site visitors.

The end of the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet in sight. Even so, JFW will strive to provide a platform for textile negotiation at physical fairs, striving to comply with safety measures to prevent infection and featuring sustainable textiles, which will attract high interest and attention, even after COVID-19. We strongly hope that this fair will mark a turning point and help the textile and apparel industry recover. Please look forward to the JFW-JC and PTJ shows with much anticipation – as a platform to protect the industry.

Please note that we will prepare for the November shows in accordance with regulations and guidance for public health and safety to prevent COVID-19, as set out by the government, Tokyo Prefecture and the Japan Exhibition Association.

Preventation Measures against Novel Coronavirus　＞＞＞

JFW JAPAN CREATION 2021 Outline >>>

Premium Textile Japan 2021A/W Outline >>>