Apparel sourcing received a major jolt this year with the implementation of a raft of new tariffs on goods entering the United States from many major apparel producing nations. The resulting uncertainty sparked a need to reevaluate the careful calculus that goes into fashion supply chains. At the center of these discussions has been Messe Frankfurt’s Texworld and Apparel Sourcing shows, where Jennifer Bacon, vice president of fashion and apparel shows, said the industry has convened for 20 years to make sense of changes in the market.
Bacon said the early days just after the Liberation Day announcement were characterized by “watchfulness and curiosity” as Texworld and Apparel Sourcing’s international community weighed the tariff impact against myriad other considerations. “International exhibitors and buyers were trying to understand what the potential implications might be for planning, lead times and cost structures,” she said. “At the same time, many of them emphasized that sourcing decisions tend to be shaped by a wider set of factors, so the early conversations were more about staying informed than making any immediate shifts.”
That careful deliberation continues today, as buyers try to balance markets and trade partners in an effort to build long-term resilience.
To support this need, Bacon said the textiles and finished goods shows continue to focus on providing a platform for one-on-one conversations, discovery and learning. The next edition of Texworld and Apparel Sourcing, which will take place from January 20 – 22, 2026 at the Javits Center in New York City, will host a pavilion focused on Korean suppliers as well as one dedicated to exhibitors from Bangladesh. Attendees will have the opportunity to be introduced to a trend forecast showcasing what’s to come for SS ’27. Plus, the educational series will include expert insights into what the international regulatory landscape mean for U.S. brands selling overseas as well as a discussion on the promise and pitfalls of implementing AI across the value chain. Sustainability will remain a key aspect of the shows with more than 42 suppliers offering responsible solutions as well as a focus on how companies are operationalizing sustainability, integrating into all facets of their businesses.
Bacon said the robust roster of exhibitors and educational opportunities Messe Frankfurt will deliver on both coasts in 2026 reflects the core mission of the shows, which is more relevant today than ever. “Overall, both Texworld NYC and LA will continue to function as practical meeting points where the market can explore ideas, compare possibilities and move at a pace that fits the realities of sourcing today,” she said.
Here, Bacon discusses how the industry is weathering the latest geopolitical strain, how sourcing patterns are evolving and the ways in which Texworld is adapting to keep industry professionals informed and empowered.
“The goal has been to give participants a setting where they can explore ideas, compare regions and gather insights that support their own decision making in this new reality.” —Jennifer Bacon, Messe Frankfurt
HGI: How did the tariffs and the resulting uncertainty impact the shows in terms of the vendors, buyers and content?
JB: The tariff discussion added a layer of uncertainty, yet the overall structure of Texworld did not shift in a dramatic way. Some vendors and buyers approached the season with a bit more caution, which mostly showed up in the types of questions they asked and the scenarios they were considering when making buying decisions. Rather than pulling back, many participants used the show to compare options more closely and to understand how different regions might fit into their long-term plan. From a programming standpoint, we introduced conversations that helped the industry think through broader sourcing dynamics without focusing on the unknowns. Our goal is to create a setting where people can exchange insights and adjust their strategies at their own pace. We position ourselves as an information tool for the industry.
HGI: Since then, the industry is settling into a new normal. What do you anticipate in terms of the mood and attendance for the January show?
JB: As the industry adapts to the current tariff landscape, the conversations leading into our shows’ winter edition point to a steadier, more measured atmosphere. What we’re seeing on the exhibitor side is a continued presence from China, but also a noticeable rise in participation from countries like Bangladesh and Uzbekistan. Buyers seem interested in that broader mix, using the show as a chance to compare regions and refine their sourcing approach rather than make abrupt shifts. At Texworld and Apparel Sourcing, the overall mood feels practical and focused. Attendance is tracking above average in a way that suggests people are still eager to meet, evaluate options and understand how different supply chains can support their plans under the new normal. The event remains a place where that kind of exploration naturally happens.
HGI: How are you supporting vendors and attendees now. Has your team developed any tools or programming specific to this new reality?
JB: Rather than building tools tied directly to the tariff environment, we’ve focused on strengthening areas within the shows that help the industry think more broadly about sourcing. The newly expanded Innovation Hub is a good example of that. It brings together new materials, technology solutions and service providers in a way that encourages buyers and exhibitors to look at everything through a wider lens. Alongside that, our Textile Talks continue to offer conversations that help people frame the questions they’re facing, without trying to dictate a single path forward. The goal has been to give participants a setting where they can explore ideas, compare regions and gather insights that support their own decision making in this new reality.
HGI: How are you advising vendors and buyers during this time?
JB: Our role at Texworld and Apparel Sourcing is less about giving direct advice and more about creating an environment where vendors and buyers can assess their options with clarity. What we often emphasize is staying informed, keeping conversations open and using the show to understand how different regions and partners are approaching the moment. Many companies are looking at diversification in a gradual, thoughtful way, and our show allows them to compare capabilities. We encourage visitors to use the show as a checkpoint: to ask questions, gather insights and consider adjustments at a pace that aligns with their own long-term outlook.
HGI: Are you seeing new sourcing regions emerging? If so, which ones and how are you supporting the demand for new options?
JB: We’ve seen interest in sourcing broaden, but in a way that feels steady rather than sudden. Buyers seem more open to comparing a wider mix of regions as they think about long-term resilience. At Texworld, this shows up in conversations on the show floor where companies are exploring how different production hubs might complement what they already rely on. Our role is simply to support that exploration. Instead of pointing the market in a specific direction, we aim to provide a setting where buyers and exhibitors can evaluate new options naturally and decide what fits their strategy. That being said, we have seen growth from Vietnam, Mexico, Korea and Taiwan.
HGI: There’s been a fair amount of talk about nearshoring this year. Have you seen that impacting vendors or buyers?
JB: Nearshoring has certainly been part of the industry conversation this year, though the way it is playing out feels more exploratory than definitive. Buyers are looking at regions such as Mexico and parts of Central and South America to understand whether proximity can support shorter lead times or add a layer of flexibility. At the same time, they continue to rely on established production hubs in Asia, so the interest is more about complementing existing networks rather than replacing them.
On the exhibitor side, vendors are paying attention to these signals, but most see it as an evolution rather than a sudden shift. At the shows, the topic comes up frequently in meetings where both sides are comparing timelines, capacity and the practical realities of diversification.
HGI: What about India in particular? Thus far, it’s been the hardest hit. How are buyers navigating this?
JB: India has certainly felt the impact more directly, and buyers are responding with a mix of caution and continuity. What we’re hearing around Texworld and Apparel Sourcing is that buyers who already have strong relationships in India aren’t stepping away, but they are taking a closer look at timelines, cost structures and how orders can be balanced across different regions. Rather than making abrupt changes, many are treating this period as a chance to reassess how India fits into their broader sourcing map. For most companies, the focus has been on maintaining stability while staying flexible. They’re comparing scenarios, keeping conversations with Indian suppliers active, and adjusting plans based on product category and season. These discussions tend to center on long-term partnership rather than short-term reaction, which suggests that buyers are navigating the situation carefully but not dramatically.
HGI: The industry has seen its share of major challenges lately. How do you view Texworld and Apparel Sourcing’s role and how it is evolving?
JB: The industry has been navigating constant shifts, and in that environment Texworld and Apparel Sourcing’s role has become even clearer. For more than 20 years, the show has served as one of the steady anchors of the sourcing landscape. It has acted as a practical gathering point where buyers and suppliers can step back from the noise, compare what is happening across regions and adjust their thinking based on real conversations. The way we evolve reflects that same purpose. We’re continuing to strengthen areas like innovation, sustainable materials and our educational programming so that the show remains a place where emerging ideas and established capabilities can be seen side by side. Rather than trying to dictate a direction for the market, we focus on providing a reliable setting that helps the industry navigate whatever comes next.
HGI: Beyond geopolitics, what are you most looking forward to in the January shows?
JB: Beyond the geopolitical backdrop, what I’m most looking forward to in January is the sense of momentum that comes from having the entire sourcing community together. Texworld and Apparel Sourcing have always worked best as a live exchange, and the show floor often reveals shifts in creativity and material direction long before they show up anywhere else. The Innovation Hub will bring a new wave of ideas again, which include regenerative materials, but I’m also excited about the new partnership for our Trend Showcase. It has become a place where buyers can step back from their day-to-day decision-making and look at fabrics and concepts in a more exploratory way. You can really see how color, texture and material stories resonate with people when they’re experiencing them in person. After more than 20 years, that combination of discovery and reconnection is still what makes the January 2026 edition feel special.
HGI: What are some of the highlights from your trend and content partners?
JB: One of the highlights this season is our new collaboration with Peclers Paris, who is curating the Trend Showcase for the upcoming winter edition. Their perspective brings a thoughtful, global view of color, material and lifestyle direction, and it gives buyers a clear but flexible framework for understanding where the market may be heading. What they create for Texworld and Apparel Sourcing not only dictates the upcoming trends but also opens up possibilities, which align well with how our audience likes to explore.
On the content side, our seminar program continues to evolve with conversations that help the industry make sense of a fast-moving landscape. The focus isn’t on offering definitive answers, but on giving attendees a space to hear different viewpoints and connect ideas across sourcing, sustainability, technology and design. Together, these elements create a rhythm for the show that feels both inspiring and grounded.
HGI: What else can we expect from Texworld NYC and LA in 2026?
JB: Looking ahead to 2026, what stands out most is the continuity between our New York and Los Angeles editions. Having the shows positioned back to back has created a rhythm that works well for both buyers and exhibitors, and the idea behind ‘Two Shows, One Trip’ will continue to shape how we design the experience. It allows the exhibitors to engage on both coasts in a way that feels efficient and connected.
We also expect to keep expanding areas that encourage discovery. Next-gen materials, deadstock solutions and Textile Talks will remain central touchpoints, each offering a window into the sourcing landscape is for each market. The conversations happening in these spaces tend to guide how people think about sustainability, circularity and new production methods, and we plan to build on that foundation in a measured way.
