< JFW JAPAN CREATION (JFW-JC) 2021 >, organised by JFW (Japan Fashion Week Organization) / Textile Division will be held from November 18-19 at the Tokyo International Forum / Exhibition Hall E. (Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo Prefecture)

The related programs: ‘Pigskin Fashion Show’ and ‘Textile Workshop’ will be held as scheduled, but < Form Presentation > (HR development) will be cancelled to avoid the three Cs (confined spaces/crowded places/close-contact settings). We are pleased to introduce a portion of the highlighted exhibitors at JFW-JC2021.

BANSHUORI KITAHARIMA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION　<J-13>

Digital + Sustainability

KITAHARIMA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION, promoting the Banshuori, has organised individual and private exhibitions to date and decided to join the JFW-JC fair with the aim of: ‘cultivating new customers, issuing proposals to a range of industrial sectors and enhancing regional awareness’, with 16 companies and one association to be exhibited in five booth spaces. COVID-19 preventive measures meant not all exhibitors could attend given booths of limited size. Accordingly, and as a countermeasure, they are planning to ‘implement two computers to connect with their region via ZOOM to explain matters online.’ Equally, a plan to attach QR code on fabric samples to be linked to the website of the producing companies.’

A trial production corner will be set up at each booth to showcase sustainable fabrics and materials given antibacterial and anti-virus treatment. There are also plans to pre-introduce their exhibits by setting up a ‘Banshuori EXPO 2021’ site by mid-October or so to enhance promotion.

KITA-IWATE APPAREL INDUSTRY PROMOTION ASSOCIATION
<J-14>

In-depth and comprehensive expertise

Two years have elapsed since they last took part in the JFW-JC event. Normally 17 apparel manufacturers representing the KITA-IWATE region participate with 8-10 staff each time, but with preventive measures against COVID-19 in mind, they will operate with a skeleton staff this time. Despite the situation, they have high expectations: ‘Buyers from apparel companies who visit JFW-JC are often connoisseurs or decision-makers and student visitors often recall us as KITA-IWATE apparel manufacturers when they start working at apparel companies,’ came their response.

‘It would have been truly disastrous had we never received orders for medical items such as face masks or medical gowns amid the COVID-19 chaos. Certain companies are surviving by switching at least half their main apparel production to these medical items,’ they explain, highlighting ongoing challenges. Despite such circumstances, KITA-IWATE manufacturers have been producing a wide range of apparel, from women’s heavy clothing, dresses, children’s wear, menswear, easy-order items, formal wear, and training wear for martial arts among others. ‘Every manufacturer has its own unique and high-level expertise in its own sector’ as they explain their objective behind participating in the fair.

Bishu Style　<J-15>

Further promoting wool as a sustainable fabric by nature

Nine companies (seven companies & two associations) from Bishu Style will participate in JFW-JC. The stand-out quality of the Bishu textile region is the fact that all aspects of production across the board can be handled within the region; from yarn to dyeing and finishing. They constantly interact with other textile regions, including Hokuriku and have been working on the manufacture of new products. On this occasion, a range of wool production companies will join the fair.

Although some of the wool is regenerated with raw materials such as used woollen items or pieces of wool cloth, wool itself is a biodegradable material and thus sustainable by nature. Woollen items are equally ethical when worn for extended periods, like tweed and fisherman’s sweaters for example and remain multifunction: retaining heat and repelling water and with flame-retardant and deodorizing qualities. On this occasion, compound fabrics with ‘Bemberg’: cotton-wool alongside silk-wool, will be highlighted.

‘We have been exhibiting continuously at this fair based on the firm merit we obtain each time. We hope to make people aware, not only of textiles, but also the wool-related industry in a wider context’, came the eager response.

TOYAMA TEXTILE & FASHION ASSOCIATION　<J-40>

Introducing initiatives toward sustainability

On this occasion, approx. 17 companies representing the TOYAMA TEXTILE & FASHION ASSOCIATION are set to join the fair. Toyama Prefecture has been evolving by developing manufacturing of synthetic textiles and knitted fabrics leveraging traditional techniques involving silk, cotton, linen, and various other industrial materials alongside high-stretch fabrics for swimwear and/or underwear. It has also made its name as an integral producing region for knitting/weaving/dyeing/sewing; supplying flat-knitted products and sportswear to an apparel field.

In sustainability engagement terms, although usage of regenerated polyester is a common flow, certain companies in the association use waste thread yarns as a raw material and strive to cut CO2 emissions during transportation by handling the dyeing and finishing processes within their prefecture.

Given COVID-19, the KAWADA KNITTING GROUP has donated original facemasks using silver-ion-processed yarns to their locality: Nanto City. Face masks produced in Toyama Prefecture are also likely to be showcased on this occasion.

TOCHIO TEXTILE INDUSTRIAL ASSOCATION　<J-75>

Equally showcasing polylactic acid fibre

The original yearly plan of the association involved holding a regional fair at OMOTESANDO, Tokyo in May to proceed with spring/summer business and expand the scope further to acquire new customers at the JFW-JC event in November.

However, given COVID-19, the plan had to be entirely rescheduled. The fair was initially postponed to July, then early August before ultimately being cancelled given surging numbers of infected cases. With that in mind, their expectations for JFW-JC are higher than ever, as they consider the fair ‘a platform to present newly developed products.’

Their advantage is the use of compound fabrics dealing with all sorts of materials; yarn-dyed items and warp/weft filaments, as well as small-batch and quick-cycle orders. For three years now, they have been expanding their business scope to include home-interior-related items and applications including curtains, cushions, chair upholstery and lampshades.

In sustainability-related terms, they have also been working to develop compound fabrics with polylactic acid fibre for the past two to three years, which will also be introduced on this occasion.

JFW JAPAN CREATION 2021 Outline >>>

Premium Textile Japan 2021A/W Outline >>>

Preventive measures against COVID-19 infection

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　＞＞＞

Photo:JFW Textile show 2020AW