Korea. TEXTILE World. A Gold Global Marketing & Inspiration Platform. Discovery of New Textile Renaissance

Transcription

1 Korea TEXTILE World KOFOTI Int'l Magazine June 2012 / Vol. 2 No. 2 A Gold Global Marketing & Inspiration Platform Discovery of New Textile Renaissance

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3 CONTENTS June 2012 / Vol. 2 No Issue & Focus Discovery of New Textile Renaissance Adopting Trans New as a basic concept to fuel a new textile vision amidst dynamic changes in the business environment, the 13th edition of Preview in Seoul (PIS) will take place September 5 through 7 at COEX, located in the bustling Gangnam area, the heart of Korea s economic vitality Global Outreach Korea Textile Firms Abroad Reilluminated Korea, the world's eighth-ranked textile exporter, actually ranks third when the domestic export volume and the export volume of overseas production bases are combined. Sewing Tie-ups in O'seas Biz Activities 08 Scoreboard & Facts Remaining in a Tunnel of Slowdown Regional Horizon Gyeonggi Textile Promotion in Full Swing Korea TEXTILE World Discovery of New Textile Renaissance High-Tech, High Fashion Debuts New Fabrics - 'Corkshell' & 'Ceraspace' Globalizing Korean Fashion With Most Koreanized Content Making 'Invisible Manto' with Application of Gold Commercialization of Energy-Saving Fashion Products 14 Industry Landscape New Textile Tech Roadmap Due Korea's 1st Fashion Social Network Launched 16 Government 9 Brands Picked for Global Outreach Published by KOREA FEDERATION OF TEXTILE INDUSTRIES (KOFOTI) Tel: (82-2) /58 Fax: (82-2) kofoti@kofoti.or.kr 17 KOFOTI on the Move 'Love Textile & Fashion' Card for Scholarship Fund Announcement of Textile-IT Convergence Practices '13 S/S Global Apparel Products & Tech Forum Fashion Outsourcing Mission Buyer Inducement Session for Sewing Firms in Seoul Edited by BCS.Com Tel: (82-2) Fax: (82-2) btsbj@chol.com Advertisements 02 Samil Spinning Co., Ltd./ECOSIL porexil: Anti-pilling 100% Synthetic Air-jet Spun Yarn

4 Issue & Focus Discovery of New Textile Renaissance A Gold Global Marketing & Inspiration Platform Adopting Trans New as a basic concept to fuel a new textile vision amidst dynamic changes in the business environment, the 13th edition of Preview in Seoul (PIS) will take place September 5 through 7 at COEX, located in the bustling Gangnam area, the heart of Korea s economic vitality. PIS organizers at the Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI) explained that the show s concept this year represents transformation to address new change for a sustainable future, noting that it is the first event held since Korea signed free trade agreements with the United States and Europe. The four component themes of PIS 2012, which is expected to attract 220 corporate exhibitors from all around the world, are Trans Nature, a melding of inner spirit & nature; Trans Dimension, a reillumination of the past & present; Trans Seduction, communication between the cultures of the East & West; and Trans Future, the convergence of high-tech-oriented function & design. PIS 2012 Concept & Themes Concept: "Trans New" Representing transformation to address new change for a sustainable future Component Themes o Trans Nature, a melding of inner spirit & nature o Trans Dimension, a reillumination of the past & present o Trans Seduction, communication between the cultures of the East & West o Trans Future, the convergence of high-tech-oriented function & idea The Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI) plans to significantly expand the participation in Preview In Seoul (PIS) 2012 of global lead enterprises taking part in the world's fabrics exhibitions, 'Premiere Vision' and 'Texworld,' to position itself as a high-tech fusion textile materials show. At the same time, KOFOTI plans to feature a broad array of the latest textile materials, focusing on cuttingedge fusioned & complex function as well as ecofriendly textiles that will lead the next-generation textile industry. Through the composition and operation of Trend Forum Hall with strengthened index function, FTA Hall to support buyer sourcing following the implementation of the Korea-U.S. FTA and Korea-EU FTA and special halls, including Daegu DMC, KOFOTI aims to provide wide-ranging business opportunities. Meanwhile, participation applications from a wide variety of countries, Germany, U.K,. China, Indonesia, 4 I Korea TEXTILE World

5 Issue & Focus Pakistan, Taiwan, etc., as well as Korean enterprises, are flooding in. In particular, German producers of industrial textiles with applications in automobiles, medical care, aircraft, environmental filters and the defense industry are expected to participate in PIS 2012 on a large scale, showcasing advanced technologies to draw high interest from related industrial communities. To expand the inducement of participating companies from abroad and attract international buyers, KOFOTI's Secretariat is actively inviting global brands and sourcing officials of top buying offices with footholds in Shanghai, Shenzen, Hong Kong, etc. by cooperating with Shanghai International Trade Promotion Co., Ltd. and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). Show Outline Show Name: Preview in SEOUL 2012 (Seoul International Textile Fair) Show Dates: Sept. 5th (Wed)~7th (Fri), 2012 Open Hours: 09:30~18:00 (last day 09:30~17:00) Location: COEX 1st Floor, B Hall, Seoul, Korea Exhibitor Scale: About 220 companies, 400 booths Exhibit Items: Fibers/Yarns, Cotton/Linen/Ramie, Denim, Functional Fabrics/Synthetics, Knits, Embroidery/Lace, Prints, Silk/Silky Aspects/Rayon Wool/Wool Aspect Findings/Trim, CAD/CAM, Design/Fashion goods etc. Events: Exhibition / Seminar / Business Reception, etc. Organizers: Korea Federation of Textile Industries / Seoul Metropolitan Government Sponsors: Ministry of Knowledge Economy / Daegu Metropolitan City / KOTRA During the exhibition period, KOFOTI also will provide a platform for substantial business exchanges to participating companies with diverse linked events, including a business matching session through prearrangement between participating firms and buyers, a seminar featuring domestic and overseas fashion and trend-related experts, etc PIS Scoreboard No. of Exhibitors No. of Booths Exhibition Area m m m KOFOTI Vice Chairman Kim Dong-Soo revealed, "Due to the implementation of the Korea-EU and Korea-U.S. FTAs, influential buyers' interest in and expectations of PIS 2012 are far higher than ever. In order to respond to the expectations of buyers and exhibitors, our federation will do its best to ensure a business-centric composition of the fair and preparation of auxiliary events." No. of Visitors (2011) 9,037 Up 3.6% over Korea TEXTILE World I 5

6 Global Outreach Korea Textile Firms Abroad Reilluminated Lifting Korea Into De Facto 3rd Largest Textile Nation Korea, the world's eighth-ranked textile exporter, actually ranks third when the domestic export volume and the export volume of overseas production bases are combined. On March 8, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, jointly with KOTRA and Korea Apparel Industry Association (KAIA), investigated the 'Production & Employment Trends of the Korean Textile Companies Advanced Abroad' and announced the result. National Ranking of World Textile Exports in 2010 Export Amount Nation Rank (US$100 mil.) Share (%) Global Total 6, China 2, EU 1, India Turkey Bangladesh USA Vietnam Korea (Sources: WTO & Ministry of Knowledge Economy) Based on 2010 WTO data, with the export amount of textiles produced in Korea at US$12.3 billion (share: 2.1%), the nation ranked eighth, trailing China (US$242.5 bil.), EU (US$166 bil.), India (US$24.1 bil.), Turkey (US$21.7 bil.), Bangladesh (US$17 bil.), USA (US$16.9 bil.) and Vietnam (US$13.5 bil.). However, when the export volume of Korean textile firms that have production bases abroad is added, the total export amount reaches US$29 billion (4.8%), ranking third in the world, the ministry asserted. If exports by Korean firms advanced abroad are included, Korea ranks 3rd with US$29 billion, 4.8% of the global total. The ministry estimated the export amount of domestically produced textile products (based on KITA statistics) in 2010 at US$13.9 billion and the products exported by Korean textile firms from abroad in that year at US$15.1 billion and calculated the total export amount to be US$29 billion. The number of overseas employees was estimated at 979, I Korea TEXTILE World

7 Global Outreach Sewing Tie-ups in O'seas Biz Activities On June 6, the 9th Korea-Taiwan Textile Industry Meeting was held at the Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel in Tainan, Taiwan, with about 40 textile-related officials from the two countries participating. A total of 13 officials from Korea, including Chairman Ro Hee-Chan of the Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI), Vice Chairman Kim Dong-Soo of KOFOTI and Chairman Park Kyung-Tark of Korea Chemical Fibers Association (KCFA), participated in the meeting. From the Taiwanese side, 26 officials, including Chairman YH Yeh of the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) and representatives from textile-related associations, such as the Taiwan Cotton Spinner's Association and Taiwan Garment Industry Association, took part in the meeting. At the regular annual meeting, KOFOTI and TTF had in-depth discussions about recent economic trends, including the instability of the European economy and economic slowdown in China, the trade status since the implementation of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) between China and Taiwan, Korea-EU FTA and Korea-U.S. FTA and overseas investment trends of respective countries. KOFOTI and TTF formed a consensus regarding the difficult situations being experienced by Korea and Taiwan at present. Regarding hardships associated with overseas investments, the two organizations shared the opinion that Korea and Taiwan need to cooperate and jointly respond to them. As a follow-up measure, the two organizations agreed to conduct mutual publicity of PIS (Preview in Seoul), PID (Preview in Daegu) and Taiwan's textile-related exhibitions, implement policy monitoring for the certification of Taiwan's functional and eco-friendly textiles and provide Korea's socks industry status and statistical data to Taiwan. For the 10th Korea-Taiwan Textile Industry Meeting, meanwhile, the Korean side was requested to suggest a date and venue to the TTF Secretariat - possibly in the third week of May 2013 in Seoul, Busan or Jeju Island. Korea TEXTILE World I 7

8 Scoreboard & Facts Production (Unit: %, Over the same month of the previous year) Inventory (Unit: %, Over the same month of the previous year) Exports (Unit: US$ million) ,338 1, , Feb. March April Feb. March April Feb. March April Remaining in a Tunnel of Slowdown Textile Ind. Landscape at Home & Abroad Production Textile production in April this year decreased 5.7%, continuing a decline from March. Shipments in April also fell 2.9% year-on-year due to slowdowns in both domestic demand and exports. The export slowdown trend was deepened particularly by the European financial crisis and growth stagnation in China. The operating ratio at textile companies dropped 7.7 percentage points, reflecting the persisting recession in the industry. Domestic Demand Domestic apparel consumer sales in April this year grew only slightly (0.8%) yearon-year to trillion won, This is attributable to poor sales at distribution firms, including large retail stores, caused by the compulsory Sunday closure system implemented by the government, etc. In terms of textile yarn, domestic demand in April decreased 15.1% year-on-year to 134,300 tons due to economic conditions. 8 I Korea TEXTILE World

9 Scoreboard & Facts Import Increase Rate (Unit: %) Feb. March April Korea Textile Firms' Job Creation Abroad (2010) Cental & South America 68,589 (7.0%) China 43,726 (4.5%) (100%) Etc. 12,836 (1.3%) Southeast Asia 853,930 (87.2%) (Unit: person) KOREA TEXTILE Firm's EXPORT CONTRIbution Abroad (2010) China 1,196,935 (7.9%) Cental & South America 1,675,674 (11.1%) 15,139,392 (100%) Etc. 358,801 (2.4%) Southeast Asia 11,907,982 (78.7%) (Uint: US$1,000) Exports Exports in April this year decreased 7.3% year-on-year to about US$1.38 billion due to the global economic slowdown and poor export performance to China, Korea's largest importer. The export unit price also fell 7.6% year-on-year to US$5.80/kg, with export amount and export volume posting a 7.3% decrease and 0.3% increase, respectively. Noteworthy is that exports to the United States grew 8.5% owing to the country's improved consumer sentiment, affected by its maintenance of the 2%-level economic growth and a fall in the unemployment rate to 8.1% in April. Imports Imports in April this year decreased 15.7% to US$925 million caused by continued reduction of import volumes from China, the EU, Indonesia, etc. Based on the cumulative total for the January-April period of this year, textile exports and imports decreased 2.5% and 6.1%, year-on-year, respectively, resulting in a surplus of about US$1.25 billion in trade balance. Due to a slowdown in domestic demand, imports from the largest exporters, China, EU, Indonesia, etc., posted double-digit declines. Imports from Vietnam maintained the growth trend, but imports of man-made filament yarns and fabrics from India decreased. Korea TEXTILE World I 9

10 Scoreboard & Facts Synthetic Fiber Production of synthetic fibers in April this year grew 0.2% year-on-year. Shipments also rose 4.5% thanks to improvement in the export slowdown trend in March. Inventory jumped 45.0%. Affected by the poor export performance of manmade fibers and man-made filament yarns to China, exports of synthetic fibers in April experienced a year-onyear reduction of 3.2% to US$226 million. Imports of synthetic fibers in April also decreased 20.0% year-on-year to US$88 million, realizing a trade surplus of US$138 million. Meanwhile, imports of synthetic fibers for the January-April period of this year recorded year-on-year growth of 13.2% to US$345 million. Cotton Yarn Cotton yarn production in April increased 5.8% yearon-year, down 5.5% from the preceding month, owing to a 7.1% increase in the number of weaving spindles to 1,300,000 in April this year from 1,214,000 in the same month of last year. Shipments and inventory in April also grew 28.3% and 18.9% year-on-year, respectively. Cotton exports in April dropped 17.9% year-on-year to US$23 million, due to low export prices despite export growth to China, Vietnam and Indonesia. Yearon-year export growth rates by country were China (71.0%), Vietnam (15.7%), Guatemala (21.1%), Indonesia (1,451.5%), Hong Kong (69.4%), etc. Cotton imports decreased 61.3% to US$57 million caused by domestic demand declines. Fabrics & Dyeing Exports of fabrics in April declined 10.7% year-on-year due to export slowdown of man-made filament yarns to China and Vietnam and sluggish exports of knit fabrics to India and Indonesia. Imports of fabrics also declined 13.7% year-on-year due to decreases in shipments from China, Japan, etc. The Daegu-Gyeongbuk region's exports of fabrics grew 1.5% year-on-year due to export growth of PET fabrics to Saudi Arabia and the United States. In the case of dyeing & processing businesses, the region's average operating ratio in April decreased to 79.2% from 80.7% in the preceding month. The fabric-dyeing and yarn-dyeing operating ratios in April posted 79.4% and 57.9%, respectively. Apparel Production of apparel in April decreased 5.0%, yearon-year due to poor performance in sales. However, shipments and inventory increased 0.7% and 31.3% respectively. Exports of apparel in April declined 0.4% to US$131 million, influenced by sluggish exports to China, the EU, etc., while imports also declined 5.5% due to significant shipment declines from major exporters, China and the EU. Major importers of Korean apparel and their import growth rates in April were Japan (2.0%), China (- 10.6%), USA (-5.7%), EU (-15.1%) and Indonesia (19.5%). Meanwhile, Korea's import growth rates by country were China (-13.2%), Vietnam (14.6%), Indonesia (17.8%), EU (-10.3%) and Italy (-15.0%). 10 I Korea TEXTILE World

11 Regional Horizon Gyeonggi Textile Promotion in Full Swing To Invest 638 Bil. Over 5 years Gyeonggi Province will invest a total of 638 billion won in the textile industry over the next five years as first stage. After confirming its comprehensive plan for systematic and sustainable development of the industry, the province has taken up implementation by unit business. The plan is targeting to grow the textile industry in the province into a world-class textile & fashion industry by 2022 when the Korea-U.S. FTA is set to abolish textile tariffs completely. Under the plan, the province intends to invest a total of 638 billion won (national budget: 224 billion won; provincial budget: 56 billion won; city & county budgets: 28 billion won; and private investment: 330 billion won) for 21 projects in three major fields - establishment of textile industry infrastructures, support for R&D and marketing support - over the next five years until As its textile industry's infrastructure establishment businesses, the province plans to support construction of Yangju Textile Support Center, Dongducheon Textile Sewing Knowledge Industry Center and LG Fashion's Yangju Complex, and operate Gyeonggi Green Knit Research Center (in Yangju), Textile Materials Supply & Demand Support Center, etc. The province also plans to invest about 612 billion won to reinforce the competitiveness of the textile industry by creating Textile Industry-Exclusive Industrial Complex in the Pocheon- Yeoncheon area, textile manpower cultivation, financial support, etc. Furthermore, it plans to support nine billion won for R&D businesses to develop global products having comparative advantages, including support for new textile materials development clusters and commercialization technology development projects for textile, furniture and leather industries and support for sophisticated technologies. Gyeonggi province established a textile marketing center in New York, USA in May Korea TEXTILE World I 11

12 High-Tech, High Fashion New Fabrics Debut - 'Corkshell' & 'Ceraspace' Schoeller Korea has debuted exciting new high-tech fabrics, 'corkshell' and 'ceraspace.' 'corkshell' is made of an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified cork granule, a by-product in the production of wine corks. This natural granulate is pulverized and combined with the fabric in Schoeller's patented process. Two corkshell options are available. One is a single layer fabric construction with a cork coating on the inside of the fabric. The other is a 3-layer fabric construction in which the cork coating is between a stretchy, water and wind repelling surface fabric and a highly breathable lining that can be adapted to the existing weather conditions. Additionally, cork has natural stretch properties and therefore 'corkshell' is offered in both 2- way and 4-way stretch fabrics. Furthermore, 'corkshell' features 30% higher thermal insulation compared to traditional soft-shells and is highly breathable. 'corkshell' fabrics are soft, very lightweight and offer natural antimicrobial properties while providing high wearer comfort and aid in moisture and odor management. The second new item from Schoeller, 'ceraspace,' is a state-of-the-art protection fabric technology that opens a new dimension in abrasion proofing and heat resistance. When standard textiles are exposed to high temperatures, they are damaged. However, 'ceraspace' technology, when added to textiles, offers terrific protection. Globalizing Korean Fashion With Most Koreanized Content Beaucre Merchandising's 'on & on' - a female casual brand receiving the spotlight in the world market as well as in Korea - is conducting 'Memory of MYUNG-SUNG (Empress Myung- Sung of the Joseon Dynasty)' campaign to promote globalization of Korea fashion with the most Koreanized content as part of a global project. Together with Sangmyung University Visual Design Dept. Prof. Kim Nam-Ho, 'Memory of MYUNG-SUNG' debuted fashion products containing Koreanized content utilizing modern graphics that reinterpreted the pattern of 'Eobo' (a protocol seal symbolizing the royal family's authority) of Empress Myung-Sung. The fashion items with the design include apparel, bags and scarves. Apparel utilizing the 'Eobo' pattern come into the market in five types, one-piece dress, skirt, sleeveless top, T-shirt and knit top, while three kinds of color-point bags manufactured with the 'Eobo' pattern in jacquard were launched on May 21 at the major outlets of 'on & on.' Korean culture evangelists, who are contributing to the publicity of Korean culture and tradition in diverse fields, and talent Oh Ji-Eun, beloved for her role as Damdeok's childhood friend and first wife in the KBS drama 'Gwanggaeto, The Great Conqueror,' joined the Memory of MYUNG-SUNG campaign. 12 I Korea TEXTILE World

13 High-Tech, High-Fashion Making 'Invisible Manto' with Application of Gold A research team at the Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sogang University, led by Prof. Kang Tae-Wook, announced on May 8 that it has succeeded in developing asymmetric metal nanoparticles utilizing a method of attaching gold at one end like 'Fondue' - a traditional dish of Switzerland. Fondue is prepared by putting food onto skewers and dipping them into melted cheese or chocolate. The research team attached a gold nanoparticle to a 'polystyrene nanoparticle,' a plastic material equivalent to a skewer, creating a mixed nanoparticle, and then grew gold ions and attached them to the mixed nanoparticles. In this way, the team created metal nanoparticles with broken symmetry. When light touches the asymmetric metal nanoparticles, it neither reflects nor penetrates but dissipates in spirals, so to the human eye it looks as if there is nothing there. To date, this type of nanoparticle had to be made on flat substrates through complicated processes, but the volume produced was too small and commercialization was difficult. The method developed by the research team enables production of diverse types of asymmetric metal nanoparticles easily and conveniently and also in a large quantity by adjusting the gold ion volume or the size of the polystyrene nanoparticles. When changing the materials corresponding to skewers or solutions, a wide variety of metal nanoparticles having excellent functions also can be manufactured. Commercialization of Energy-Saving Fashion Products Energy-saving-type 2012 summer fashion brand called Whidrott,' promoted by the Korea Fashion Association (KFA) with support from the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, was introduced to consumers at the end of May. 'Whidrott,' meaning 'apparel like the wind blowing strongly over the fields,' features a cool, pleasant and lightweight feel for the wearer. This fashion brand was selected through a product evaluation session held on March 29. In the apparel portfolio to be marketed this summer under the 'Whidrott' brand, Kolon Industries (brand: Cambridge Members) will debut jackets and pants that minimize the area touching the skin and maximize cooling effects by using uneven and fresh feel fabrics. Designer Jang Kwang-Hyo (brand: Caruso) will introduce shirts and suits with outstanding design while offering excellent effects with a no-tie shirt. Dongkwang International (brand: Sweetsoup) is showcasing blouses and pants made with light and cool fabrics. Furthermore, the Korea Research Institute for Fashion Industry and Korea Institute for Knit Industry, which participated in the 'Whidrott' project, produced men's shirts using hanji (Korean paper) and cool-feel processed fabrics and natural pulp. The Han Fashion RIS Consortium (Hanttre) offers women's blouses and men's shirts with unique Korean materials and patterns. Korea TEXTILE World I 13

14 Industry Landscape New Textile Tech Roadmap Due Venue to Realize Futuristic & Sustainable Growth The Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI) is working on its '2012 New Textile Technology Roadmap' targeting its announcement in June this year. The projected roadmap is expected to outline the R&D business direction of the government and the textile business community through identification of new growth engines in the industry. In the roadmap, KOFOTI plans to define and classify new textiles into 'Super Textile,' 'Smart Textile,' 'Eco-Bio Textile,' etc. in terms of their performance and function. KOTOTI is identifying tasks with a focus on the strategy to boost the textile industry a platform to realize futuristic new technologies through convergence of ET, NT, BT, CT as well as IT, keeping pace with the transition of the industry-based economic structure into a knowledge-based economic system - the government's core policy direction to strengthen national competitiveness. Furthermore, characterizing the projected '2012 New Textile Technology Roadmap', it is a fourdimensional convergence technology roadmap that grafts the three grand textile fields - 'Super', 'Smart' and 'Eco-Bio - with time, through realization of a three-dimensional linkage among the fields and analysis of all domestic textile R&D tasks in the past 10 years, illuminating the past and present of the textile industry R&D tasks and future technology trends. Through an analysis of the textile industry R&D history, therefore, the roadmap is expected to provide a data enabling the general public as well as those engaged in the textile industry to view the overall textile industry and technologies at a glance. In 2009, KOFOTI established a technology roadmap. With application of the tasks suggested at that time to the government's diverse R&D programs, development of textile technologies has progressed. As three years have elapsed since the roadmap was announced, there is now a need to arrange the previously promoted and completed tasks to date and identify new demand tasks. When carrying out various government-supported businesses to pursue textile R&D, task planning and inducement through prior investigation of technology demand is required from the industry. However the need to present all fields and re-arrange them from KOFOTI's perspective also has been raised. The updated technology roadmap will be recomended for utilization by the government and related organizations as basic data to nurture the textile industry. KOFOTI plans to prepare the 2012 technology roadmap encompassing the content of the existing roadmap and planning reports, to provide supporting data for the government's industrial policy, R&D task planning of textile research institutes, private R&D investment, etc. In cooperation with the government and Korea Institute of Industrial Technology Evaluation, KOFOTI intends to increase the utilization level of the 2012 roadmap and include tasks like Super/Medical/Carbon Valley, etc. presently being pursued. 14 I Korea TEXTILE World

15 Industry Landscape Korea's 1st Fashion Social Network Launched As the Internet has developed to an advanced state, the buying of apparel online has become popular. Also, regardless of region, the whole world is able to share diverse information through SNS (Social Network Service) and to purchase products based on the shared information. Riding this wave, Young Woo CnI Inc. has developed Korea's first fashion social network, swingbee ( and launched the service. Domestic online shopping malls manufacture and supply good-quality apparel products tailored to the concepts of respective malls, while not only selling products but also providing diverse content enjoyed by consumers. Whereas in particular many foreign online shopping malls only provide information on their apparel products, domestic online shopping malls apply diverse factors, such as background, emotion, weather and trends, to each apparel description, in addition to apparel information, making their products more attractive. swingbee arranges high-quality content for users' easy access and emphasizes the enjoyment of fashion. Emotional information is added for the apparel products registered at the site. Therefore, when users select their favorite apparel, swingbee analyzes the user's emotional information and automatically recommends those apparel products optimized to the emotion of individual users. Not limited to just apparel searches, swingbee enables users to share information on apparel that they want to purchase with their friends in image form and receive their responses as to whether the apparel suits them or not. At present, a number of popular domestic online apparel and fashion shopping malls, like Wingsmall, Mutnam, Gumzzi (Gumsangchumhwa), etc., are participating in swingbee. Accordingly, consumers can search the latest apparel products of the shopping malls registered at the site and also can move to other shopping malls through links related to apparel products. In conjunction with its launch (May 10), swingbee also held the '1st Amateur Fashion Stylists Contest' for students and the general public who are interested in fashion. Utilizing the magazine function provided by 'Maeul (Village)' on swingbee, participants created and registered their own fashion styles in magazine format. Awards were presented based on the number of recommendations from the general public and results of examinations by the host and cooperating organizations. Korea TEXTILE World I 15

16 Government 9 Brands Picked for Global Outreach Ministry of Knowledge Economy Initiative The Ministry of Knowledge Economy selected nine promising domestic brands to support their growth into global fashion brands under its '2012 Global Fashion Brand Project.' The nine selected brands are Buckaroo (MK Trend); Plastic Island (AIOLI); Solid Homme (WooYoungMi); Morine Comte Marant (Beaucre Merchandising); codes combine (Codes-Combine); UGIZ (The Hue Company); SIEG (Shinwon); Zishen (Wivis); and NEPA (Pyung An L&C). The ministry's project, which marks its fourth year in 2012, re-selected the nine brands among the 12 support target brands in 2011 after assessment of their overseas advance levels, management growth, etc. Making the best of opportunities, such as Hallyu's rapid spread from Asia to Europe and USA, the ministry plans to promote the project this year with a budget increased to 1.35 billion won from one billion won in The main thrust of the project will consist of accelerating marketing utilizing substantial business opportunities to be provided by global fashion markets in Shanghai, New York, etc., customized support by brand and establishment of overseas market information networks. For overseas marketing, the ministry plans to support Hallyu Fashion Concert in Shanghai and business matching consultation meetings in New York. In Shanghai, China, which is seven times bigger than the Korean market and rapidly growing into a global market, the ministry intends to promote new-concept Hallyuconvergence marketing, encompassing K-pop, Hallyu stars and total fashion. 'Super K-Collection in Shanghai' is scheduled to be held on June 30, 2012 (Saturday), at the Shanghai Sports Hall (a venue of the 2008 Summer Olympics). The event will be characterized by buyer exchange sessions, inducement of omnidirectional cooperation, including support from related ministries, KOTRA and large enterprises and publicity through diverse on & off-line channels. Furthermore, Korean brands will advance into the New York market, the mecca of global fashion, in September, in conjunction with New York Fashion Week, for the first time, and 16 I Korea TEXTILE World

17 KOFOTI on the Move 'Love Textile & Fashion' Card for Scholarship Fund KOFOTI launched a federation-allied corporate credit card to fund scholarships and held an MOU conclusion ceremony with KB Kookmin Card on May 30 at the Jeju Lotte Hotel. The KOFOTI corporate card, called 'Love Textile & Fashion Card,' which is allied with the KB Kookmin Card, will apply 0.15% of the charged amount for investment in a scholarship fund, while 0.3% is to be provided to related enterprises to support their participation in collection of the fund. If so desired, enterprises may invest the total 0.45% in the scholarship fund. The MOU conclusion ceremony was held in conjunction with the Textile & Fashion CEO Forum with key representatives of the textile & fashion industry participating, raising their interest in the KOFOTI Scholarship Foundation and the launch of the federation-allied corporate credit card. For more efficient publicity of the fund raising project, KOFOTI also placed full-page advertisements in 12 textile & fashion journals. These journals will invest 50% of the advertisement fees in the scholarship fund to join the project and also to help grow talented manpower. KOFOTI Chairman Ro Hee-Chan stressed, "I hope for participation from a great many enterprises and organizations because it makes it possible for them to support manpower cultivation without having to invest in scholarships directly." He added, "Our scholarship foundation will actively induce interest and participation from the textile & fashion industry and exert utmost efforts to create sufficient scholarship funds to nurture specialized manpower for our business community." stage introductions to leading distribution & fashion firms, including department stores and selected design shops, as well as media, while implementing ordersecuring discussions. In addition, the ministry plans to provide one-on-one customized support, consulting on the expansion of distribution networks to local Chinese markets, management of brands, establishment of strategies for advance into Asian markets utilizing the networks of Chinese distribution companies, strategic marketing to strengthen brand power in China and marketing & publicity targeting major European and U.S. buyers. To support global information and networking, the ministry intends to conduct a Chinese consumer analysis by region and market suitability survey as well as European market research, and promote fashion brand exchange meetings with major Chinese buyers. To spread ripple effects among industries, the ministry also plans to arrange sharing of global advance know-how between Korean-type fashion brands and domestic brands planning to advance abroad through knowledge-sharing seminars and education for CEOs and working-level officials. In 2012, the ministry expects that riding the global Hallyu hot wind and by actively translating thus-far accumulated capabilities into overseas fashion markets, Korea's native brands will achieve momentum for fullfledged overseas localization. Korea TEXTILE World I 17

18 KOFOTI on the Move Announcement of Textile-IT Convergence Practices KOTOTI held 'Textile-IT Convergence Promotion Practices Announcement and Applied Products Demonstration Session' on May 24 at the Textile Center in Samseong-dong, Seoul. The event was prepared to suggest the future image of the knowledge-based textile industry in line with the fusion & convergence trend between industries, which is emerging as a hot topic recently. At the practices announcement session, Prof. Kim Tae- Kyung, Chairman of the Textile-IT Convergence Experts' Committee, introduced the Textile-IT Convergence Support Center's promotional achievements and future deployment direction. Kyungpook National University Prof. Bae Jin-Seok also introduced 'Environmental Sensing Textile-Based Sensor Business Model.' In addition, Managing Director Yoon Seok-Han of Korea Dyeing Technology Center (DYETEC) and CEO Kim Woo-Jung of MenTech Co., Ltd. introduced 'Environmental Sensing Textile-Based Sensor Business Model' and 'Entertainment Apparel Business Model for Generation of Acoustic Sound,' respectively. At the textile-it converged products demonstration session, a wide variety of products already being sold in the market or under R&D at research institutes or enterprises were exhibited, including the debut of 'Insole- Type Gait Analysis System' by Ubridge Co., Ltd. enabling to view gait analysis results on smartphones through a sensor in the shoes and FIM (Foot Interface Module) on the ankle. Furthermore, the Korea Research Institute for Fashion Industry (KRIFI) debuted its 'Acoustic Sound-Generating Entertainment Apparel' utilizing conductive textile pads. '13 S/S Global Apparel Products & Tech Forum The Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI) held '2013 S/S Apparel Products & Technology Forum' on April 17 at the Textile Center jointly with the Korea Apparel Industry Association (KAIA) and Korea Textile Trade Association (KTTA). With participation of about 200 officials from domestic fashion materials and apparel companies, the forum drew strong interest from the business community. At the forum, information and analyses of material technologies of samples rigorously selected by experts from among a total of 214 items of leading fashion brands (male apparel: 63 items, female apparel: 151 items) purchased in New York in February this year, along with pattern information, sewing techniques and explanations of the characteristics of the latest functional textiles, were presented. Apparel samples were exhibited as well, to aid participating officials from fashion materials and apparel businesses in strengthening their future R&D and product planning capability. A related official said, "The business community's demand for the latest apparel information is increasing sharply at a time when the export environment of the global fashion industry is changing to ODM and recently even to OBM. Therefore, KOFOTI plans to expand the apparel products & technology forum and hold it more frequently." 18 I Korea TEXTILE World

19 KOFOTI on the Move Fashion Outsourcing Mission The Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI) plans to dispatch '2012 Myanmar/Cambodia Fashion Sourcing Site Identification Mission' July 8~14 in a bid to support diversification of overseas sewing sourcing bases for domestic fashion companies. Amid a situation of worsening production environments due to labor cost hikes in existing key apparel-producing countries, including China and Vietnam, the demand for information about promising overseas sewing sites is ever-rising. To meet this need, KOFOTI intends to dispatch the mission to Myanmar and Cambodia and actively support global business collaboration between domestic fashion companies and Korean sewing firms that have advanced into the two countries. As the largest unexplored market in Southeast Asia, Myanmar has an abundant low-wage labor force at the US$50/month level and is emerging as the optimum base for apparel production thanks to the recent easing of economic sanctions by Western countries, including the United States. Sewing is Cambodia's key industry, accounting for 14% of the nation's GDP and 72% of its total exports. Furthermore, owing to general preferential tariff benefits from the United States and EU, the country's price competitiveness is high. A related official at KOFOTI said, "The outsourcing identification mission will have good opportunities to investigate local sewing industry infrastructures and the order-securing environments in the two countries through one-on-one business consultation meetings with local sewing firms and visits to production facilities." Buyer Inducement Session for Sewing Firms in Seoul The Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI) and Seoul Business Agency (SBA) held 'Sewing Firms' Buyer Inducement & Business Discussion Session for 1st Half of 2012' on May 18 at the Seoul Jung-gu Citizens Hall. About 50 sewing companies participated in the session in a bid to enhance their marketing capabilities as well as to strengthen their production foundation and debuted various high-fashion male and female apparel products featuring knit and woven fabrics. Due to voluntary participation by a large number of firms with advanced sewing technologies, reception of applications was closed early on April 24. A prior explanatory session, business seminar, Internet shopping mall seminar, etc. were held so as to develop the participants' business mindset to respond to the everchanging market environments. Most of the 50 participating companies, which were female and male apparel manufacturers, showcased a wide variety of items, including jackets, shirts, one-piece dresses, pants and blouses. Among them, 'All Cap' products, in particular, drew keen attention from buyers owing to the high popularity being enjoyed online. Furthermore, small & medium-sized fashion and online companies showed great interest and expectations as they could meet diverse leading sewing manufacturers at one venue. About 1,000 buyers participated in the event. Meanwhile, KOFOTI's Fashion Promotion Team Leader Park Chang-Yeol said, "Our federation will continuously expand and develop this event into a venue for professional and substantial businesses in the future." Korea TEXTILE World I 19

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