On April 24, the first review of the 2026 'Keqiao Preferred' program concluded in Shaoxing Keqiao. With 1,038 fabrics competing, the number itself sends a clear signal: Keqiao textile enterprises are participating in regional brand building at an unprecedented density, and the review results will directly influence the bargaining power of Keqiao fabrics in global supply chains over the next year.
Review Data Reveals Industrial Shift
The review attracted 192 local Keqiao enterprises, with fashion fabrics accounting for 66.7% of submissions, and technology and sustainable fabrics together making up 33.3%. Participating companies covered the full industrial chain—weaving, dyeing, home textiles, and curtain fabrics—with products spanning eight end-use scenarios: womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, underwear, sportswear, casual wear, outdoor wear, and home textiles.
Two structural changes deserve attention: first, the share of technology and sustainable fabrics exceeded 30% for the first time, indicating a shift from simply 'selling fabric' to 'selling technology' and 'selling sustainability'; second, outdoor functional fabrics for down jackets emerged as a hot category, reflecting brand demand for 'one fabric, multiple uses' and driving supply-side upgrades.
Track Differentiation from Reviewers' Perspective
The fashion track remains Keqiao's anchor, but its content has evolved. Reviewers noted that original color patterns and differentiated texture designs have become mainstream, with some enterprises even integrating intangible cultural heritage techniques into fabric appearance designs and filing patents. This means Keqiao fabrics are moving from 'copying trends' to 'creating trends,' directly reducing price pressure from homogeneous competition for buyers.
The technology track's biggest change is 'evidence-based.' Multiple reviewers pointed out that functional fabric enterprises generally provided third-party test reports, making performance indicators and measured data transparent. This openness makes reviews more objective and allows brands to quickly identify suppliers meeting technical specifications. The large-scale application of solution-dyed yarn is another highlight, balancing sustainability and fashion at controllable costs, suitable for mid-to-high-end orders.
The sustainable track shows a 'full lifecycle' characteristic. Participating fabrics not only use eco-friendly raw materials and low-carbon processes but also align with international certification standards such as OEKO-TEX Standard 100, FSC, and GRS. The soft texture of pure wool fabrics and the natural wrinkled feel of pure cotton fabrics indicate that Keqiao enterprises have achieved high design and craftsmanship levels in natural fiber applications.
Regional Public Brand: From Local to Global
The operational logic of the 'Keqiao Preferred' program has shifted from single selection to full-chain empowerment. After the public announcement period for the first batch of selected products, the program will initiate a hang-tag application process and gradually list products in an online showroom. More critically, selected enterprises will receive three precise brand-matching events and centralized display and promotion at major domestic and international exhibitions, including the China International Textile Fabrics & Accessories (Autumn & Winter) Expo, Première Vision Paris, Performance Days Munich, and APTEXPO 2026.
This means Keqiao fabrics are no longer just 'made in Keqiao' but directly enter the selection pool of global procurement systems. For small and medium-sized weaving enterprises, leveraging the 'Keqiao Preferred' public brand endorsement can significantly reduce the costs of individual exhibitions and brand promotion.