1,038 fabrics from 192 companies—this is the scorecard for the first review session of 'Keqiao Preferred' for 2026. Held on April 24 in Shaoxing Keqiao, the event was more than a product competition; it reflected the deep logic of Keqiao's textile industry shifting from scale-driven growth to innovation-driven transformation.
Signals from the Review Data
Fashion fabrics accounted for 66.7% of submissions, while tech and green fabrics together made up 33.3%. This ratio reveals Keqiao enterprises' R&D focus: fashion remains the foundation, but tech and green are rapidly catching up. The submitted fabrics covered women's wear, men's wear, children's wear, underwear, sportswear, casual wear, outdoor gear, and home textiles, indicating a broadening of Keqiao's fabric application scope.
Notably, participants included not only traditional weaving and dyeing companies but also home textile and curtain fabric firms. This suggests that the 'Keqiao Preferred' brand is penetrating wider segments of the supply chain. The review panel, composed of experts from the China National Textile and Apparel Council, China Textile Information Center, and brand platforms, evaluated fabrics across dimensions like fashion creativity, tech innovation, eco-friendliness, product quality, and market application. Their scores essentially represent the value judgment of end markets on Keqiao's fabrics.
Breakthroughs in Functional Fabrics and Sustainable Design
Several key trends emerged from the review. Down jacket outdoor functional fabrics were a hot category, directly linked to the recent surge in outdoor sports consumption. However, panelists stressed that differentiation is key—multi-component blends have become a common approach to enhancing fabric quality and broadening application scenarios. Eco-friendly fabrics showed high design levels in natural fiber applications, with pure wool fabrics achieving a soft touch and pure cotton fabrics presenting natural pleated textures.
Another frequently highlighted point was blending technology. Cotton-silk blended fabrics offered a delicate, soft hand feel, combining natural fiber comfort with cost efficiency through blending. This reflects a pragmatic approach to material innovation: not chasing expensive raw materials but optimizing performance and cost through combination.
In tech fabrics, the widespread use of dope-dyeing technology balanced environmental friendliness with fashion. The emergence of multiple technology patents signals a shift from 'sample processing' to 'independent technology output.' Green fabrics aligned with international standards like OEKO-TEX Standard 100, FSC, and GRS, indicating that Keqiao companies are already equipped to address global green trade barriers.
From Local to Global: The Brand Upgrade Pathway
The operational logic of 'Keqiao Preferred' has moved beyond simple product selection. This year, the project focuses on four pillars: optimizing review standards, driving product innovation, expanding global markets, and converting terminal value. Selected products will participate in three targeted brand matchmaking events and be showcased at top international exhibitions, including Intertextile Shanghai Autumn, Première Vision Paris, Performance Days Munich, and APTEXPO 2026.
This means Keqiao fabrics will evolve from a 'Made in Keqiao' origin label to a 'Preferred' quality mark. For buyers, this reduces screening costs; for Keqiao enterprises, it marks a leap from OEM roles to brand suppliers. Panelists noted that some companies improved their information submissions, with clearer differentiation in fabric composition and functional focus—a clear signal of alignment with brand requirements.