Cotton Council International (CCI) celebrated “2018 China Cotton Days” in Beijing and Shanghai to showcase innovative U.S. cotton products from technology and fashion partners to the global cotton supply chain.
At the WHAT’S NEW IN COTTON™? exhibition, six technology partners showcased new products, which combined their technologies with U.S. cotton. Chen Wen, an internationally renowned denim design master, also made a special guest appearance at the event to celebrate his innovative collaboration with CCI.
Karin Malmstrom, China and Northeast Asia Director for CCI, said that “with the rise of the global economy and people’s living standards, the demand for cotton-rich and blended performance products has increased as well.” Event discussions focused on the importance of using innovative technologies and precision agriculture for cotton production to provide sustainable operations.
"We are also committed to using new technologies as a key force for driving sustainable growth, and promoting transformation and development in agriculture,” said Ted Schneider, President of CCI. Aside from being innovation-driven, Roger Gilmartin, consultant for CCI, added that U.S. cotton will continue to be the preferred quality cotton that everyone can rely on for its low fiber waste, better operating performance and economic advantages.
On the topic of worldwide cotton trends, Karin Malmstrom stated that since 2000, the global demand for man-made fibers has increased significantly. Meanwhile, demand for cotton has remained stable with smaller growth although recently has seen an upturn in demand.
As such, COTTON USA™ continues to develop “WHAT’S NEW IN COTTON™?” to show its commitment to innovation. The mission of this program is to inspire the textile industry to think about new, innovative ways to use U.S. cotton, and share new ideas, technologies and opportunities to help companies see the potential that U.S. cotton can add to their business.
In addition to featuring innovative and functional U.S. cotton products, COTTON USA™ also collaborated with the fashion designers to create avant-garde designs. For this event, CCI brought together two world-renowned denim masters, Chen Wen and Adriano Goldschmied, for its Fall/Winter 18/19 denim fashion show. Through expressing different design concepts and artistic expressions of East and West, their collaboration integrated new technologies with traditional Chinese Miao embroidery in oil painting style, to bring out the passion and inspirations of denim.
Through keynote presentations, an interactive exhibition and the fashion show, Cotton Day in China offered a comprehensive look at the continuous explorations of COTTON USA™ in areas of innovation, creativity, technology and fashion. Schneider concluded, “The objective of COTTON USA™ is to be the supplier of choice for brands and retailers who are committed to buying sustainable and responsibly-produced cotton fiber.”