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It ended on September 18th, and in a very positive way for national colors, one of the most relevant European fairs in the decoration and home textile sector, Intergift. The event was attended by four From Portugal companies – Dilina Têxteis, Irina & Sousa, Rio Sul, and Têxteis Evaristo Sampaio – joined by the sustainable forum iTechStyle Green Circle.
The start had a positive note on the part of the companies. However, the final balance remains in the same register even though the turnout at the fair was lower than usual. Têxteis Evaristo Sampaio, a constant presence at the event for 20 years, presented a new collection of blankets 100% cotton and 100% wool, already with the trend colors of 2023. At the start of the first day, they were excited by the volume of visits and business. Over the remaining days, Filipa Sampaio – commercial supervisor of textile Evaristo Sampaio – said “this year’s edition was very similar to last year’s edition and the editions of previous years”. Filipa Sampaio concluded that “we established many contacts that we will, now, work on and that I expect to bear fruit and, therefore, expectations are positive”.
Rio Sul, a regular presence since 2008, presented a new collection with a reinforcement of tableware. On the first day, the start was interesting to start in terms of affluence on the stand and orders. Joana Correia – product and purchasing director – said “we presented novelties, but – in practical terms (new contacts and new orders)”, a lower influx of customers prevented further developments. Nonetheless, “being present at a fair is always important to know where the market is”, concludes Joana Correia.
Dilina Têxteis – a regular presence at the fair – revealed that on the first day of the fair, they did some business, but above all, contacts were interested to know details about the price. By the morning of the second day, business was completed, and there was an increase in the number of people attending the event, said António Dinis (company’s commercial director). At the end of the fair, Umbelina Ribeiro – managing partner and textile engineer – concludes that the number of visitors and turnover did not go as far as anticipated on the first day.
After the presence at Heimtextil and, more recently, at MODTISSIMO, the iTechStyle Green Circle showcase, organized by CITEVE in partnership with Associação Selectiva Moda, was on a new stage and exhibited the best of ‘made in Portugal’ sustainability. “With six coordinators from six different companies”, explained Cristina Castro (CITEVE’s public relations), in an event more dedicated to decoration and home textiles, the forum aroused curious eyes in the quality and innovation on display. Thus, leading to carrying out the objective of publicizing the Portuguese textile sector circularity. “Many visitors praised the project and the way Associação Selectiva Moda and CITEVE promote the textile and clothing sector”, concluded Cristina Castro.
The participation of Portuguese SMEs in Intergift is an initiative of Selectiva Moda and ATP – Associação Têxtil e Vestuário de Portugal, which aims to promote the internationalization of Portuguese companies in the fashion area. The ‘From Portugal’ project is co-financed by Portugal 2020, within the scope of Compete 2020 – Competitiveness and Internationalization Operational Program and Lisbon 2020 – Lisbon Regional Operational Program, with an eligible support amount of €6,648,794.78, of which €3,735,305.80 come from the European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund.