The fashion fabric fairs for the spring/summer 2006 season were
overshadowed by uncertainty about the effect of the end of quotas. It
was feared that a massive increase of clothing imports into Europe
would damage fabric sales to European manufacturers and retail
chains. There was concern that some retailers were delaying
confirmation of their orders for the previous autumn/winter season
until they could get a clearer picture of the situation. The mood in
Italy, still the biggest textile producer in Europe, was particularly
sombre.
In the event, the fairs were quite busy and an acceptable amount of
trade was done. In quality, design and innovation the European
industry remains unmatched-for the present. However, producers in
countries outside the EU-such as Brazil, India and Turkey-are
making rapid progress in upgrading their products. Interestingly, such
countries have found that the end of quotas and the predicted surge
of Chinese exports have not affected their exports to Europe as
severely as they had feared.
The 2006 spring/summer season is set to be another colourful one, but
with a subtle difference. The colours are softer and more moderate.
Faded, smoky half-tones are much in use. The fabrics themselves
continue to become lighter in weight and more complex in
construction. In matters such as these, the European industry still sets
the tone. | 
