Around 30 per cent of exhibitors at the Interfiliere Hong Kong show for intimates and swimwear in March this year were original manufacturers, according to show director Marine Veillon, who said fabric producers accounted for 28 per cent of the exhibitors, followed by lace manufacturers at 22 per cent. Rest were accessories and embroideries manufacturers. The organisers see a clear growth in consumption of both innerwear and swimwear in Asia, led by China. Growing disposable income, popularisation of water sports, fit figures and the development of athleisure have been supporting the market, Veillon told Fibre2Fashion in an interview. In addition, innerwear and swimwear have ceased to be merely ‘functional’ purchases, and are now part of fashion, she said.
