The Keqiao textile industrial cluster is undergoing a deep transformation from volume to quality. The first review of the 2026 'Keqiao Preferred' program was held on April 24, with 192 local companies submitting 1,038 fabric samples. Among them, fashion fabrics accounted for 66.7%, while tech and green categories combined for 33.3%. This ratio signals that while fashion remains dominant, the supply capacity is diversifying toward functional and sustainable attributes.
Review Mechanism Reflects Industry Upgrade Direction
The evaluation criteria covered five dimensions: fashion creativity, technological innovation, ecological sustainability, product quality, and market application. Quantitative indicators included safety, mass production feasibility, functional verification, and eco-certification. This multi-dimensional system essentially forces companies to systematically upgrade from design and process to lifecycle management. Participating enterprises covered the entire supply chain—from weaving and dyeing to home textiles and curtains—demonstrating that Keqiao has evolved beyond a 'fabric trading hub' into a complete industrial ecosystem.
Notably, the review panel was chaired by Li Bo of the China National Textile and Apparel Council, with judges including brand sourcing managers and industry platform executives. This means the evaluation is no longer an internal industry scoring but directly incorporates downstream brand perspectives. For participating companies, each review serves as a precise matchmaking opportunity with brand needs.
Functional Fabrics Go Cross-Sector: From Sportswear to Fashion
Ruan Chunping, director of the Keqiao Creative Industry Service Center, highlighted a key trend: outdoor functional fabrics for down jackets saw a significant increase in submissions, with fierce competition. She emphasized that differentiation and premiumization are key to standing out, with multi-component blending being an effective way to enhance quality and application scenarios.
Chen Baojian, deputy director of the Textile Product Development Center, noted that functional fabric companies provided more comprehensive test reports, making evaluation more objective. Eco-friendly fabrics also showed high design and craftsmanship levels in natural fiber applications, with pure wool fabrics achieving softness and pure cotton fabrics displaying natural pleated textures.
Li Bo stressed in his summary that functional fabrics are expanding from traditional sportswear into fashion—a major industry trend. For Keqiao companies, this means breaking the stereotype that 'functional fabrics equal outdoor gear' and integrating properties like breathability, water resistance, antibacterial, and UV protection into everyday fashion fabrics. For buyers, this signals that in women's, men's, and even children's wear, the fusion of functionality and fashion will soon be a baseline requirement, not a bonus.
Brand Matchmaking and Global Exhibitions Accelerate Market Conversion
The review results were announced on April 25 on the 'Keqiao Preferred' official website, with the second round of submissions already open and scheduled for July. Selected products will receive labeling rights and be featured in an online showroom. More critically, these fabrics will participate in three brand matchmaking events and be showcased at top domestic and international exhibitions, including Intertextile Shanghai, Première Vision Paris, Performance Days in Munich, and APTEXPO 2026.
From 'going viral' to 'going global,' Keqiao Preferred is converting the cluster's manufacturing capacity into brand premium. For foreign trade companies, these exhibitions are not just display windows but direct channels to high-end European brands. The upgrade from a traditional production zone to a recognized high-end supply base is no longer a vision but a reality unfolding.