#China #Guangzhou #Canton Fair #Fashion Trends #AI in Fashion

The 137th Canton Fair Design Innovation Forum Unveils Trend Insights

The recent 137th China Import and Export Fair, commonly known as the Canton Fair, held its Design Innovation Forum with the theme, "Trendy Design Leads a New Era of Fashion." This event brought together industry experts, designers, and brand leaders to delve into emerging trends, innovative design, and the intersection of technology and fashion.

At the forefront of the discussions was the POP Fashion Trend Report for Spring/Summer 2026, presented by Cao Lei, a leading expert on global fashion trends from POP Shejie. This comprehensive report illustrated how evolving consumer behaviors, lifestyle shifts, and global influences, particularly in sustainability and emotional connection, are reshaping the fashion landscape. Key insights emphasized a sense of optimism and resilience, along with a focus on nature-driven innovation as pivotal factors defining upcoming fashion trends.

Despite turbulence in global markets, speakers at the forum underscored the fashion industry's remarkable resilience. The trend towards "small-batch, multi-style, and agile" production is becoming the new norm, driven by consumer demand for personalized, sustainable, and functional fashion. This shift is transitioning the industry from inspiration-led creation models to those informed by data, highlighting a clear move towards customization and efficiency.

Another significant discussion point was the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming the fashion sector. Industry representatives from notable companies such as POP Shejie, Style 3D, Shangjie Cloud, and Zhijing Technology communicated how AI is setting the stage for innovative growth models, redefining creative processes, and enhancing competitive advantages in a rapidly evolving market. Han Xiaojun, the Chief AI Designer at POP Shejie, asserted that AI should not be viewed as a means of replacing designers but as a powerful tool that empowers them. He shared insights on how future designers will need to become adept at AI prompt engineering, design evaluation, and brand alignment, effectively transitioning into creative strategists who merge data with intuitive understanding.

Adding to the discussion, Xiao Rong, a digital consultant from Style 3D, showcased how the integration of 3D and AI technologies has successfully reduced sample production times by 50% while tripling research and development efficiency. Meanwhile, Hu Ping, the General Manager of Shangjie Cloud, highlighted the vital role of digital product management, advocating for the establishment of data-driven "digital brains" that would support continuous innovation and keep pace with market demands. Furthermore, Zhang Chengdong, an AI specialist from Zhijing Technology, presented their sophisticated Fashion Mind AI system, which integrates trend forecasting with supply chain capabilities to expedite on-demand production at scale.

The forum not only underscored the Canton Fair's position as a sourcing hub but also reiterated its growing prominence as a platform for innovation and collaboration within the fashion industry. As the sector undergoes unprecedented transformations, the key to future growth will lie in mastering trend insights, seamlessly integrating technology, and maintaining agility in response to changing market dynamics. Looking ahead, the 138th Canton Fair is set to take place from October 15 to November 4, 2025, in Guangzhou, promising further insight into the future trajectory of the fashion industry.

For more information regarding the Canton Fair and future events, visit Canton Fair's official website.