A single fabric that can simultaneously satisfy fashion design and moisture-wicking, UV protection is becoming a new challenge for Keqiao fabric companies. On July 24, the second phase of the 2026 'Keqiao Selection' evaluation was held in Shaoxing, Keqiao, with 195 companies submitting 1,072 fabrics, revealing the transformation trajectory of Keqiao's textile industry from 'quantity' to 'quality'.
Three-Track Structure: Fashion Dominates, Tech and Green Catch Up
Fashion fabrics accounted for 75% of submissions, while tech and green categories combined for 25%. This ratio reflects that the industry's base remains centered on fashion design. However, the notable trend is the rapid catch-up by tech fabrics. Evaluation expert Chen Baojian noted that the overall quality of sport-functional and tech fabrics has significantly improved this year, narrowing the gap with fashion fabrics. This means the old pattern of 'design-heavy, function-light' in Keqiao is shifting. Differentiated functional fibers—such as microfiber, graphene-modified fiber, hollow fiber, and cooling fiber—are now widely used with stable performance.
On the green side, recycled polyester-nylon, Lyocell, cuprammonium fiber, hemp, Naia™, and Yansell® are increasingly applied, paired with salt-free and water-saving dyeing processes. The eco-concept has moved from buzzword to concrete product development. However, expert Duan Furong suggested making sustainability a mandatory requirement to push deeper integration across all three tracks, rather than keeping them siloed.
Industry Signal: Functional Fabrics Move from Professional to Daily Wear
The key signal from the evaluation is a structural shift in application scenarios for functional fabrics. Li Bo, director of the Productivity Promotion Department of the China National Textile and Apparel Council, summarized that functional fabrics are accelerating their expansion from professional sportswear to daily fashion and business attire. This means functions like moisture-wicking, thermal insulation, UV protection, and anti-transparency—once confined to outdoor jackets and sportswear—are now being integrated into shirts, dresses, and suits. For fabric buyers, this is not just a product change but a supply chain recalibration: brands will no longer demand 'good-looking' fabrics alone, but 'good-looking and functional' ones.
Evaluation Mechanism Upgrade: Quantitative Indicators Gain Weight, Testing Data Becomes Weak Link
Beyond traditional dimensions like fashion creativity, tech innovation, eco-friendliness, product quality, and market application, the evaluation system this year increased the weight of quantitative indicators such as product safety, mass production capability, functional verification, and eco-certification. This shift means 'Keqiao Selection' is moving from 'expert impression scores' to 'data-driven evaluation.' However, the review also exposed a weak link: some companies submitted incomplete testing documentation. Chen Ling pointed out that while companies invest heavily in innovative fabric development, they often neglect the standardization and completeness of test reports, which can become a fatal flaw during brand matching.
Brand Matching Loop: Accelerated Closed Loop from Evaluation to Trade Fairs
Selected companies will receive three-tier promotion resources: a permanent online showroom, three targeted brand matching events, and centralized display opportunities at top domestic and international trade fairs such as Intertextile Shanghai (Autumn/Winter), Performance Days Munich, and APTEXPO 2026. This closed-loop design essentially helps small and medium-sized fabric companies bypass intermediaries and directly reach brand decision-makers. For Keqiao companies, participating in 'Keqiao Selection' is no longer just about getting a label—it's about entering a systematic channel from product validation to market monetization.