With a well-established promotion system and growing brand recognition, the "Keqiao Premium" Appaisal Meeting continues to draw strong participation and acclaim from local textile companies. This flagship branding initiative of Keqiao District is proving, with tangible product quality, that the slogan "Great Fabric, Made in Keqiao" is more than just a tagline.

On July 24, the second phase of 2026 Keqiao Premium Appaisal Meeting was held in Shaoxing, Keqiao. A total of 1,072 products were entered, spanning three categories: Fashion, Technology, and Green.

Steering the Market Direction

"With our evaluation criteria closely aligned with key industry priorities, we guide Keqiao companies toward independent R&D and stronger innovation capabilities," said Chen Ling, Deputy Director of the China Textile City Creative Industry Service Center, in her address. She noted that over the past two years, Keqiao Premium has rolled out a series of initiatives, including trade fair promotions, brand campaigns, that have helped more local companies win market recognition through quality products.

Li Bo, Director of the Productivity Promotion Department of the China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC), emphasised that Keqiao Premium has played a prominent role in supporting new product development and industrial upgrading, effectively enhancing the brand's international presence and market influence.

Three tracks consoildates quality foundation

The evaluation system covered core dimensions including creative design, technological innovation, eco-friendliness, product quality, and market applicability. Greater weight was placed on quantitative indicators such as product safety, production scalability, functional testing, and environmental certifications, ensuring professional and market-relevant results.

The selection brought together 1,072 fabric samples from 195 Keqiao companies. Fashion fabrics accounted for 75%, while Technology and Green fabrics together made up 25%.

Fashion fabrics featured a wide range of weaves — jacquard, satin, lace, and cutwork — with blended materials and fine craftsmanship enabling versatile style adaptation across multiple scenarios. Technology fabrics delivered functions such as moisture-wicking, warmth retention and sun protection. Differentiated and functional fibres, including ultra-micro denier, graphene-modified, hollow, and cooling fibres, were widely applied. Green fabrics made extensive use of eco-fibres such as recycled polyester, Tencel, hemp, etc., paired with salt-free and low-water dyeing processes, embedding sustainability throughout the product development cycle.

Connecting great fabrics with great brands

During the event experts and judges assessed from their respective fields such as design innovation, technical viability, green performance, and market potential, while offering actionable advice for product optimization and market expansion.

Chen Baojian, Deputy Director of the Textile Product Development Center, noted that functional and tech fabrics this year showed marked improvement, narrowing the gap with fashion fabrics. He recommended suppliers provide more detailed functional parameters to help buyers clearly assess material properties, performance, and processing.

Song Fujia, Chief Engineer of the Textile Product Development Center, observed that the entries covered a rich variety of categories, with overall quality steadily rising. The number of high-quality products was impressive, and each segment showed clear breakthroughs in refinement and product performance.

Duan Furong, Head of the Research Institute at Baoxiniao Holdings, suggested making green criteria a mandatory baseline, encouraging deeper integration across the fashion, technology, and sustainability dimensions, and supporting companies in developing premium, innovative fabrics.

Ye Fei, Assistant General Manager of Zhejiang Jiyou Technology, commented on the broad product range — spanning fashion apparel, home textiles, and beyond. He recommended future editions introduce sub-categories for niche segments such as light sportswear, outdoor, and yoga fabrics, making it easier for brands in those categories to find exactly what they need.

Zhang Qifeng, Head of Material Development at ERAL Fashion, highlighted that kapok-fibre products stood out for their excellent hand-feel compared to conventional eco-fabrics made from cotton, linen, silk, and wool, and pointed to their strong commercial potential.

Zhu Lei, Material Development Manager at Hangzhou Shaohei Trading, noted that the colour trends on display placed this year's entries at the forefront of fashion. He expressed confidence that Keqiao Premium fabrics, increasingly aligned with the aesthetics of global fashion brands, would gain even greater market and industry recognition.

The expansion of functional fabrics from professional sportswear into everyday fashion and business attire is an important industry trend. The diversity and richness of this year's entries fully demonstrate Keqiao's solid R&D foundation and vibrant industrial energy.

What's Next for Keqiao Premium

The final list of selected "Keqiao Premium" fabrics for the second round will be published in early August on the official website. Selected products will be displayed year-round in the online showroom, highlighting their unique advantages and application value.

Winning companies will also be invited to participate in three targeted brand-matching events, and will receive concentrated promotion at top international fairs, including the China International Textile Fabrics and Accessories (Autumn/Winter) Expo, Performance Days, and APTEXPO 2026, opening doors to a wider global stage.