If you’re in the knitwear business, DaLang (东莞大朗镇) is where the action is June 24–26. Three major events are running at the same time in the same place — the 23rd China (DaLang) Knitwear Products Trade Fair, the 95th International Wool Conference, and the 10th Textile Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference.
For brands and buyers looking for new supply partners or checking where the industry is headed, here’s what’s actually happening and why it matters.
What’s on the calendar
23rd China (DaLang) Knitwear Products Trade Fair (织交会)** — the main event. Covers the full supply chain: yarns, machinery, finished garments, and service providers. It’s a working trade fair — you talk to factories, see actual product, negotiate terms.
95th International Wool Conference (国际毛纺大会)** — often called the “Olympics of the wool world.” Draws industry leaders from 20+ countries. Focus this year: smart manufacturing, wool’s role in digital health and sustainability.
10th Textile Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference (纺织非遗大会)** — the newest piece. Covers how traditional techniques (Suzhou embroidery, hand-finishing methods) are being paired with modern yarn tech. Theme is “intangible heritage reimagined.”
This is the first time all three have run concurrently. DaLang’s knitwear trade center will host everything under one roof.
Quick event comparison
| Event | Focus | Audience |
|---|---|---|
| Knitwear Fair(织交会) | Full supply chain — yarns, machinery, garments | Buyers, factories, suppliers |
| International Wool Conference | Smart manufacturing, sustainability | Industry leaders, 20+ countries |
| Textile Heritage Conference | Traditional craft + modern yarn tech | Designers, heritage specialists |
What this tells you about where knitwear is going
Three themes run across all three events. If you’re planning ranges for late 2026 or early 2027, these signal the direction.
1. Smart manufacturing is no longer optional
“Intelligent manufacturing” is the headline for the Wool Conference this year. What that means in practice:
- Whole-garment (seamless) knitting — is being adopted at scale — less waste, fewer finishing steps
- Digital pattern programming — (jacquard, intarsia) is now standard in capable factories
- Automated quality inspection — is replacing manual checks in high-volume production
For buyers: ask factories what machinery they’re running and what digital systems they use. A factory that hasn’t upgraded its flat-bed machines in 5+ years will quote lower prices but deliver less consistent quality.
2. Sustainability is moving from marketing to compliance
Europe’s Green Claims Directive is driving this. The days of “eco-friendly” claims with no paperwork are ending. The textile heritage conference’s focus on traditional + modern fiber pairing mirrors a broader shift:
- Certifications (GOTS, GRS, OekoTex) are becoming gatekeepers for premium retail channels
- Recycled and organic fiber sourcing needs documentation — not just claims
- Small-batch sustainable production is commercially viable now, not just a premium niche
For buyers: verify certification status early. Factories that can show you the paperwork upfront will save you delays later.
3. Design-driven knitwear is where the margin is
The heritage conference’s pairing of traditional craft (embroidery, hand-finishing) with modern yarns points to a broader trend: pattern-rich, design-distinct knitwear sells. Jacquard, intarsia, mixed-media knits — these are the categories where brands can price above commodity levels and justify it with visible quality.
Why this matters if you source from China
DaLang is China’s knitwear manufacturing hub. Over 10,000 knitwear-related businesses operate in this one town. If the global knitwear industry is holding its main annual meetings here, that signals something:
Chinese knitwear manufacturing has matured. The old story of “cheap commodity production” doesn’t fit anymore.
Top-tier DaLang factories run German flat-bed machines (Stoll, Shima Seiki), hold ISO certifications, employ skilled pattern programmers, and serve premium international brands. They compete on technical capability, not just price.
The three-event cluster is designed to make DaLang a destination for serious knitwear buyers — not just a sourcing stop on a factory tour.
What this means for brands and designers
Four practical takeaways:
- **Visit DaLang June 24–26 if you can.** One trip covers factory visits, trend intelligence, supplier vetting. The concurrent events mean more decision-makers in one place than you’d see at a normal trade show.
- **Bring your spec sheets.** The factories exhibiting here will have technical teams on-site. You can walk in with a design and get feedback on feasibility, gauge, and yarn selection in real time.
- **Sustainability documentation is a table-stakes conversation now.** Factories without GOTS/BSCI/OekoTex certs will struggle to access European and premium US retail channels. Ask early.
- **Smaller MOQs are becoming realistic.** The production trends discussed at these events — digital patterning, automated knitting, flexible scheduling — all enable lower minimums. If you’ve been hesitating on custom knitwear because of 500pc+ MOQs, it’s worth revisiting.
FAQ
When and where are these events happening?
June 24–26, 2026, at the DaLang Knitwear Trade Center (大朗毛织贸易中心), Dongguan, Guangdong, China.
Can I visit factory showrooms during the event?
Yes. DaLang has hundreds of factory showrooms within walking distance of the trade center. Many schedule factory tours during the fair period.
What should I prepare before attending?
Bring product spec sheets, design sketches if you have them, and a clear idea of your MOQ needs. It also helps to have your sustainability certification requirements ready to discuss.
Is this event relevant for small brands with limited MOQs?
Yes. The production trends highlighted at these events — digital knitting, flexible scheduling — are making lower minimum orders more accessible. Come prepared to discuss your volume.
Lewen Garment at the DaLang trade center
Lewen Garment operates in DaLang — same town, same supply chain ecosystem. We’ll be at the trade center during the three-event period. If you’re planning to attend and want to talk production capability, gauge options, or what a custom knitwear program actually costs, reach out.
The events run June 24–26 at the DaLang Knitwear Trade Center. See you there.