PORTUGAL CELEBRATES QUALITY IN BEIJING

Arco Têxteis, Lemar, Riopele, Somelos, Teviz, Têxtil de Serzedelo and Troficolor are at Intertextile Beijing Apparel Fabrics with the support of Associação Selectiva Moda and exhibit the Portuguese know-how in the art of manufacture high end fabrics.

For shirting, the Portuguese companies present original fabrics that reflect the latest fashion trends. Small graphics and dobbies, in a vivid colour palette, are Arco Têxteis proposals for spring-summer 2014, together with some fabrics for trousers. «China is a growing market for Arco Têxteis. In 2012, our sales in that country rose 12%. Our clients are mostly Chinese menswear brands», explains the salesman Carlos Bacelar. At Têxtil de Serzedelo, the innovative products – such as blends with cotton and technical fibres, elastane or linen – compose the offer, «so we may differentiate ourselves in this market», says the company’s administrator, Camilo Almeida. At Somelos Tecidos and Teviz the qualities are also rich and the designs are creative, with product segments that already conquered the market of the People's Republic of China. «We went to China two years ago and we have been able to significantly increase our sales», unveils Paulo Loureiro, sales manager of Teviz, a company sought by major fashion international names such as Paul Smith.

Meanwhile, Riopele continues to bet on its revolutionary Çeramica fabric – with easy-care and wrinkle resistance properties, among others – to seduce more Chinese clients. «It’s already our bestseller in China, a market that, despite being far too protectionist, is going quite well for Riopele», says Ana Vaz, market manager of this company whose client portfolio goes from A(rmani) to Z(ara).

The most contemporary and elegant lines of beachwear and golf fabrics can be found at Lemar, that wants to «get into these two business areas in China», states Manuela Araújo, CEO of the company renowned by its yarn dyed stripes, to which luxury brands for men swimwear, such as Vilebrequin, have already succumbed. «Our collection for next year’s warm season it’s very joyful and with a sport chic look», she reveals.   

Specialized in denim, Troficolor proposes a vast array of indigo knits and selvage denim, as well as light denims, with delicate constructions. «Chinese are clients already very educated for quality and, therefore, there is certainly an appetence for our products», considers the marketing responsible, Flávio Dias.

 

The participation of the Portuguese companies at Intertextile Beijing Apparel Fabrics is an initiative promoted by Associação Selectiva Moda with the support of European funds (Qren), under the project From Portugal. This project includes more than 60 international actions planned for 2013, which cover the entire textile and fashion chain, from yarns to fabrics, apparel, home textiles and technical textiles, divided by four continents: Europe, Asia, Africa and America.