Creativity, innovation and diversity sum up the incredible range of textile products and designs at Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles 2006

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles 2006 has come along way in recent years. Today, it is recognised as one of the leading textile shows in China. The show is seen as a great sourcing centre whereby trade buyers need spend little effort to seek out the immense variety and diversity of quality products on offer.

These include a huge selection of bed-bath-table & kitchen linens and large collections of wall-window decorations such as curtain & blinds as well as textile wall coverings, upholstery fabrics & leathers. Increasingly popular and now in its second year, is a product group on carpets and rugs that come in a plethora of colours, styles, sizes in textures such as silk, wool, cottons and manmade fibres. A section on textile handicrafts and decorations, primarily dedicated to serve the commercial and hospitality sectors is also proving a real hit.

Garnering truly international appeal, has since May secured over 550 exhibitors from 14 countries including China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan China, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

This year, the vast show covers seven halls with a gross area spanning over 80,000sqm. Year after year, exhibitors return to showcase new textile products and designs with many new major trade players coming on board this season.

Exhibitors will feature products recognised for their outstanding creativity and exceptionally high standards. A host of Chinese and international designers will showcase new and unique design concepts and collections at the pioneering Designer's Studio giving talented designers a chance to showcase their original design innovations.

They represent a combination of 10 overseas and Chinese design companies and prestigious design schools showcasing their latest designs. Exhibiting companies include Yellow Label Design, Alvisi e Alvisi and Faro Disegni Srl. Their collections come in styles ranging from classic to contemporary, European and the more stylised American looks in a variety of textiles, fabrics, patterns and prints. Hi-tech companies such as EAT GmbH "The Designscope Company" and Bluefox Nadgraphics will offer a range of innovative textile design tools and new revolutionary software.

Designer's Studio is the perfect environment to network with the designers first hand and discover what's new, hip and happening in the world of textile design.

Also hinging on creativity is the truly inspirational Trend Forum, called 'Materials, Heart and Soul'. Developed by renowned trend expert Gunnar Frank of the Netherlands, it embraces four unique themes via four different materials: 'Emotions in Wood', 'Reflections in Metal', 'Elegance in Textile' and 'Dynamic in Plastic'. The Trend Forum shows how to use materials close to our hearts in our homes to bring our interior environments into harmony with our soul. It is with this knowledge in which we now use to lead us into the new season 2006/2007.