India's Decorative Silk Companies are Busy Again

April 17, 2000

Frankfurt, Germany - After three years of sluggishness, Indian Silk decorative manufacturers at Heimtextil, Frankfurt were busy. U.S. markets have become buoyant, and select European markets have become active again.

Companies like Chaitra Prints, (Bangalore) in pure silk showed their samples at Trend Centre, Hall 7. The enquiries were highly encouraging and spot orders were also booked. ''We expect sampling for the enquiries will be completed soon and expect the volume orders to be confirmed subsequently,'' said M. N. Manohar, partner, Chaitra Prints. The weaves and color in line with the trends attracted new customers, mostly wholesalers, boutique owners and catalogue channel marketing companies. It offered organza collections with transparent and opaque effect fabrics.

Vrijesh Corporation (Mumbai) said that it had its best Heimtextil in years. The company specializes in silks and silk blends for home furnishings. Again its linen blend with silk, silk cotton blend as well as in pure silk in light shades were chosen by Heimtextil and were displayed at Hall 7. According to Vrijesh Agarwal, partner, Vrijesh Corporation, the enquiries were substantial from U.S., U.K., France and Italian markets. ''While the collection this time was completely in line with trends, the advertisement through window display has also contributed to increased traffic flow to our stall,'' he said. First-time participant Sri Laxmivilas Silk Ltd., Kanjeepuram focused on pure silk and in silk cotton blends. The heavy jacquards, seersuckers, specially hand-woven with cushioning wad effect, which can be directly used in upholstery furnishings were a big draw. The product's only drawback is that just 1.5 meters can be woven in an eight-hour shift. However, that didn't deter costumers who were attracted by the uniqueness of the product. The company reported spot orders and several serious enquiries mostly from U.S. markets. By and large, many of the silk decorative exhibitors were found busy throughout the show. Several said they couldn't accept more orders because delivery time would be in excess of 16 weeks.

In the polyester upholstery fabric segment, Goldtex Furnishing Industries (Delhi) reported that its exhibits attracted buyers from Mexico and Argentina. Goldtex partner Mahender Gupta observed that even though polyester fabric prices are hardening the finish fabric prices have not increased correspondingly. Gupta said that the company did well, mainly in fancy weaves with slub effects. He said that Goldtex established new contacts.



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