
Dubai's Textile Trade Fair to Spotlight Sustainable Fashion and Innovation
The fair will showcase a diverse array of products, ranging from apparel and home textiles to footwear, accessories, and textile machinery. A significant emphasis will be placed on sustainable and eco-friendly materials, reflecting the industry's shift towards environmentally conscious practices. Innovations such as biodegradable fabrics, water-saving dyeing techniques, and recycled materials will be prominently featured, highlighting the sector's commitment to reducing its ecological footprint.
Technological advancements will also be a focal point, with demonstrations of digital textile printing, 3D garment design software, and automated tailoring technologies. These innovations aim to enhance efficiency and creativity in textile manufacturing, offering attendees insights into the future of fashion production.
The IATF will facilitate numerous networking opportunities, including business matchmaking sessions, seminars, and workshops led by industry experts. Topics will cover a broad spectrum, from sustainable fashion practices and ethical sourcing to the integration of artificial intelligence in design processes. These sessions are designed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among participants.
Fashion shows and design competitions will provide a platform for emerging and established designers to present their latest collections, offering a glimpse into upcoming trends and styles. These events aim to celebrate creativity and innovation within the fashion industry, while also providing exposure to new talent.
Dubai's strategic location as a nexus between Europe, Asia, and Africa enhances the fair's appeal, facilitating access to key international markets. The city's robust infrastructure and business-friendly environment further solidify its status as a global hub for trade and commerce in the textile sector.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arabian Post
08-05-2025
- Arabian Post
Dubai's Textile Trade Fair to Spotlight Sustainable Fashion and Innovation
Dubai is set to host the 19th edition of the International Apparel & Textile Fair from 20 to 22 May 2025 at the Festival Arena, positioning itself as a pivotal platform for global fashion and textile stakeholders. Organised by Nihalani Events Management, the event anticipates participation from over 600 exhibitors representing more than 27 countries, and expects to attract approximately 15,000 visitors, including buyers, designers, and industry professionals. The fair will showcase a diverse array of products, ranging from apparel and home textiles to footwear, accessories, and textile machinery. A significant emphasis will be placed on sustainable and eco-friendly materials, reflecting the industry's shift towards environmentally conscious practices. Innovations such as biodegradable fabrics, water-saving dyeing techniques, and recycled materials will be prominently featured, highlighting the sector's commitment to reducing its ecological footprint. Technological advancements will also be a focal point, with demonstrations of digital textile printing, 3D garment design software, and automated tailoring technologies. These innovations aim to enhance efficiency and creativity in textile manufacturing, offering attendees insights into the future of fashion production. The IATF will facilitate numerous networking opportunities, including business matchmaking sessions, seminars, and workshops led by industry experts. Topics will cover a broad spectrum, from sustainable fashion practices and ethical sourcing to the integration of artificial intelligence in design processes. These sessions are designed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among participants. Fashion shows and design competitions will provide a platform for emerging and established designers to present their latest collections, offering a glimpse into upcoming trends and styles. These events aim to celebrate creativity and innovation within the fashion industry, while also providing exposure to new talent. Dubai's strategic location as a nexus between Europe, Asia, and Africa enhances the fair's appeal, facilitating access to key international markets. The city's robust infrastructure and business-friendly environment further solidify its status as a global hub for trade and commerce in the textile sector.

Zawya
28-01-2025
- Zawya
The African Research and Innovation Hub @ Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) launched to utilise academia in advancing understanding of intra-African trade
University lecturers, students, and researchers affiliated with National Research Institutions invited to participate and showcase their publications and prototypes at IATF2025. Afreximbank ( in collaboration with African Union Commission and AfCFTA Secretariat, is excited to launch its new initiative the 'African Research and Innovation Hub @IATF', during the 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025). The key objective is to boost academic research output and increase collaboration between academia, industry, and policy makers across Africa in the bid to drive forward intra-African trade and industrialisation. The platform aims to provide an opportunity for African, Caribbean and Diaspora lecturers, students, and researchers to showcase innovative research and prototypes that contribute towards intra-African trade and industrialisation. It also seeks to develop industry collaborations and exchange knowledge with leading professionals in the field during IATF2025 in Algiers, Algeria from September 4-10, 2025. The African Research and Innovation Hub @IATF aims to promote and commercialise African research and innovation. It also acknowledges that there are many talented and creative Africans across Africa, the Caribbean and the Diaspora, who have brilliant ideas, concepts, publications and prototypes but lack the relevant support required to help them nurture their ideas and commercialise them. The platform provides access to more comprehensive information, relevant data, and literature whilst exposing national researchers to potential investors or venture capitalists who could assist with commercialising their research output and prototypes. A key objective of the Hub is to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship among lecturers and students by connecting them to trade exhibitions, start-up pitches, and networking opportunities with business leaders, potentially leading to new start-ups and increased academic-industry collaborations. It also provides opportunities for networking and potential collaboration with others in academia and practitioners across the continent, research institutions, industry, and policymakers. Researchers, academics and university students are provided with access to information on emerging issues in the field of intra-African trade and can incorporate these into their research programs and academic curricula. Lastly, it enhances the capacity of lecturers and students in understanding and teaching the complexities of trade policies, trade standards, regional economic communities, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and industrialisation. The hub aims to support the broader objectives of enhancing intra-African trade, fostering economic development, and building a connected, informed, and empowered next generation of African trade and investment leaders across all fields. This hub will allow students to exhibit their prototype inventions and published research papers on select topics, which are expected to adhere to world-class standards. Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank said:"IATF2025 is an important moment for African research and innovation, bringing together the brightest minds from universities and research institutions to contribute towards promoting intra-African trade and industrialisation. The African Research and Innovation Hub @IATF will serve as a groundbreaking platform for African, Caribbean and Diaspora lecturers, students, and researchers to demonstrate their capabilities, and connect with industry leaders, investors, and policymakers. This is more than an opportunity to display research; it's a unique moment to shape the future of intra-African trade and industrialisation to drive economic growth across the continent.' Entries will be judged by a panel consisting of distinguished trade experts, scholars, and industry leaders from across Africa. The panel will evaluate submissions based on innovation, relevance to African trade and industrialisation, and the potential for practical application. Candidates should demonstrate a number of key criteria – including academic excellence and a passion for advancing research on intra-African trade, industrialisation, leadership and initiative in projects related to trade, industrialisation and innovation, and regional economic integration; high-quality research outputs or innovative prototypes aligned with IATF's themes and a commitment to furthering knowledge and collaboration by sharing insights from the event with their academic institutions. University Lecturers, University Students, and Researchers Affiliated with National Research Institutions from Africa, the Diaspora including the Caribbean are invited to submit their applications directly through this email: ARIH@ by 28 March 2025, 23:59 GMT. You can find out the eligibility criteria, application requirements and other details on the IATF2025 website: Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank. About Intra-African Trade Fair: Organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with African Union Commission (AUC) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities in the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries interested in doing business in Africa and supporting the continent's transformation through industrialisation and export development.


Khaleej Times
13-11-2024
- Khaleej Times
18th edition of the International Apparel and Textile Fair opens with grand inauguration
The highly anticipated 18th edition of the International Apparel and Textile Fair (IATF) opened yesterday at Dubai's Festival Arena, inaugurated by industry leaders Bhavna Nihalani, Ahmed Al Mahmood, Claudia Pinto, Sumayra, Diren Khalife, Zulema Vazquez, and Saimure Duolikun. This year's fair not only celebrates the event's 18th edition but also marks a decade of success in establishing the UAE as a global fashion and trade hub, drawing together innovators, brands, and leaders from around the world. Founded and directed by Nihalani, IATF has evolved into the Gulf's largest international B2B fashion trade sourcing fair, expanding from just 50 exhibitors at its inception to over 450 exhibitors from more than 27 countries today. This impressive growth, achieved despite challenges within the industry, highlights the fair's resilience and its vital role in driving growth within the fashion trade sector. Today, IATF stands as the region's most influential platform for fostering cross-continental collaborations and offering an unmatched entry point into the dynamic MENA market. Reflecting on the fair's legacy, Nihalani shared, "The International Apparel and Textile Fair is more than just an event; it's a powerful catalyst for industry progress and a testament to the UAE's influential role in shaping the future of fashion and trade. As we celebrate a decade of success, our commitment remains steadfast in building bridges across the global B2B fashion trade industry." She continued, "In the years to come, IATF will continue to push boundaries, breaking new barriers and achieving fresh milestones to further strengthen our position as a leader in the international market." This year's event includes dedicated pavilions from China, Hong Kong, India, and Kyrgyzstan, each showcasing the unique styles and innovations of their respective regions. These pavilions offer attendees a comprehensive view of the latest trends and developments in the global fashion landscape. Running until November 14, IATF invites industry professionals, buyers, and fashion enthusiasts to experience a diverse range of innovations, sustainable designs, and exclusive networking opportunities.