The 49th edition of India International Knit Fair for Autumn / Winter collection has been successfully organized by India Knit Fair Association under the umbrella of Apparel Export Promotion Council (Sponsored by Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India) at IKFA Complex, Tirupur from 22 to 24 March 2023.
The fair was inaugurated by Swaminathan Ramachandran – Chairman, Brands & Sourcing Leaders Association & Chief Supply Chain Officer – Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd in the presence of Dr. A. Sakthivel, President, Federation of Indian Export Organisations & Chairman, India Knit Fair Association, K.M Subramaniam, President, Tirupur Exporters Association, Dileep Singh Yadav DGM- State Bank of India, V. Elangovan President, Association of Buying Agent for Textile, AEPC/TEA EC Members & Office Bearers, IKFA Committee Members, Managing Committee Members of BSL, NIFTA, BAA, ABAT and Buying Agents, Exhibitors, Trade Members etc.
A total of 66 stalls were set up at the fair and leading Exporters from Tirupur, Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem, Karur, Noida, Mumbai, Delhi, Ludhiana, Gurgaon, Surat, Jaipur etc. have participated and displayed their Garments. All the exhibitors expressed their satisfaction and said they received very prospective enquires and few of them received spot orders too. Also they have shown interest in participating future events also.
In this 49th fair, the Exhibitors displayed Autumn/Winter Collection Garments for all age groups viz., Men’s, Womens and kids. Garments made from melange, dyed yarns Jacquard, stripes and garment dyed (CPD) products were displayed.
Garments with sequins & Embellishment works, bio wash acid wash, dry fit, wicking, water proof and with some special finishes where showcased by the exhibitors.
It has been noticed that the exhibitors have focused on sustainable practices like recycled polyester from PET bottles and recycled cotton from cut waste. Also most of the manufacturers have displayed their products made from Man Made Fibre fabrics like Polyester, Poly Amide, Poly Nosic and Acrylic Materials which were more attracted by the Buyers and Buying Agents.
This fair is established and vowed to the international market that Tirupur cluster follows the sustainability from yarn to finishing and also we protect the environment by Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), Green Factories, Solar/ wind mill renewable energy and adopt all Eco systems to coincide with the climate change targeting Carbon Neutral by 2027.
There were 5 special MMF fabric manufacturers exhibited their fabrics from Surat, Ludhiana, Delhi, Gurgaon and also they promised to the exporters who visited on 3rd day that they have the capacity of manufacturing of MMF fabrics to Tirupur export market. Moreover they are also ready to collaborate with the Tirupur processing unit and promised to share the technology for producing MMF fabric.
And everybody felt that many units at Tirupur are already exporting MMF garments using fabric from local processing units and also by importing.
On the 1st day evening (22nd March, 2023), we have conducted a Seminar on MMF Garments Manufacturing followed by Fashion show. On the 2nd day evening (23rd March, 2023), conducted a Seminar on Sustainability Practices, ROAD to PV, Stall Award Function and followed by Fashion show. The seminars were handled by the Experts from BAA, BSL, Triburg, Techno Sports, NIFTA, Concepts & strategies, Sketchers / Bliss club /Panera / Positex, AEPC, NCSRICCCHANGE, GAINUP Industries, UNICEF, KG Fabrics, Sulochana Cotton Spinning Mills.
There were 8 Participants who have displayed their garments in the fair have participated in the Fashion Show. The main theme of the Fashion Show is showing the strength of manufacturing of MMF garments to the buyers and buying agents/ sourcing consultants. The Fashion Show was sponsored by State Bank of India, Commercial Branch, Tirupur.
Fashion Show has also showcased the capacity of manufacturing MMF garments of sportswear, active wear, loungewear and recycled wear.
The Buyers who witnessed the fashion shows are appreciated that Tirupur is ready to manufacture MMF garments and maintain the sustainability in big way.
On 2nd day (i.e., 23.03.2023) evening, we have conducted the award ceremony to distribute the awards & appreciation certificate to the winner exhibitors under the following categories: Best Stall Award, Best Sustainabilty Practice, Best MMF garment manufacturing, best fashion show costume.
Padmashri Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman (IKFA) & President (FIEO) presided over the award function and distributed the awards and appreciation certificates to the winner exhibitors, fashion show participants and also he appreciated the sourcing consultants from all over India for their remarkable contribution to the industry.
Buyers were very much impressed with the MMF garment show of both Active wear/ Sportswear. Buyers / Buying Agents/ Sourcing consultants have expressed their happiness and satisfied with the excellent design and collections displayed in the fair. There are 30 buyers and 325 Leading Buying Houses/ Sourcing consultants viz Super dry, Primark, TESCO, ASICS, Adidas, Sainsbury, Taffles, Triburg, VF, Genie mode Global Pvt. Ltd, The Sorcery, E.H Turel & Company, EL Corte Ingles S.A, LPH Apparel India Pvt. Ltd, Grapevine Designs, The Children’s place etc., have visited the Fair. Most of the Buying Houses/ Agents who have visited this Fair representing their major Buyers and Brands have sourced for their requirements.
The three day event attracted new buyers from the countries namely USA, UAE, Uganda, France, Italy, Canada, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia visited this Fair.
The Participants have reported that they could get good business enquires more from the buying agents and overseas buyers. And through this fair an immediate business of Rs. 200 cr have been generated and emerged a long term business enquiries for an amount of Rs.400 cr.
It is opined by them that this fair contributes a focused business deal for the season and beyond. They are intending to visit for the next IKF too.
The success of this fair will increase the export order other than that cotton garments by one billion dollar in next two years. Buyers and exhibitors are totally satisfied and they are looking for participating in our Grand Gala 50th Golden Jubilee fair.
IKFA gratefully acknowledges the active participation of Exhibitors, visiting Buyers, Buying Agents and all Supporting partners AEPC, TEA, AHEA, HEPC, KTMEA and Sourcing partners BAA, ABAT, BSL, NIFTA, Sponsorers and Press, Media etc. for the great success of this three day event.
