The 6th edition of the Fabrics, Accessories & Beyond (FAB) Show 2026, organised by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), successfully concluded at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, from April 2 to 4, 2026. Reinforcing its position as a leading B2B sourcing platform for the apparel industry, the event witnessed robust participation across the textile value chain and recorded an estimated business generation of ₹2,600 crores—the highest to date.
The show hosted around 240 exhibitors and attracted over 14,000 trade buyers from more than 350 cities across India. Notably, about 1,230 Platinum dealers were flown in with roundtrip airfare support, further strengthening sourcing opportunities. International buyers from countries including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the US, UK, Canada, UAE, Australia, and others also attended, underlining India’s growing prominence in global textile sourcing.
The visitor base comprised garment manufacturers, exporters, sourcing heads, retailers, e-commerce players, and distributors, making it a comprehensive sourcing hub. Key industry players such as Aditya Birla, Raymond, Zola Fashions, Indoera, and Tirupur-based companies were also present.
Santosh Katariya, President, CMAI, said,
“The strong response to FAB Show 2026 reflects the industry’s confidence and reinforces the trade show as a reliable sourcing platform that brings together quality, scale, and innovation. This year’s edition demonstrated how Indian manufacturers and suppliers are adapting to sustainability and technology innovations with agility, offering diverse product ranges and efficient solutions under one roof. Overall, the outlook for the domestic textile and apparel sector remains highly positive. With strong structural drivers in place and increasing alignment between consumer demand and industry capabilities, India is well-positioned to emerge as one of the most dynamic and resilient apparel market”.
Providing a broader perspective, Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor, CMAI, shared,
“The Indian textile and apparel industry is witnessing a strong and sustained momentum in the domestic market, driven by robust consumption fundamentals and a rapidly evolving retail landscape. Rising disposable incomes, increasing fashion consciousness, and the expanding middle class are collectively fuelling demand across categories, from value segments to premium and occasion wear. What is particularly encouraging is the deepening of this demand beyond metro cities. Tier II & III markets are emerging as powerful growth engines, supported by the rapid penetration of organised retail and the exponential rise of e-commerce. This has not only democratised access to fashion but also created new opportunities for brands and manufacturers to scale across geographies.”
Sustainability and Technology Take Centre Stage
Sustainability emerged as a key highlight, with a dedicated pavilion showcasing eco-friendly innovations across textiles, accessories, and production processes. This reflected the growing demand for responsible manufacturing and sustainable sourcing practices.
Naveen Sainani, Chairman of FAB Show, CMAI, said,
“This year’s show reflected the shift towards more responsible and technology-driven manufacturing. From sustainable materials to efficient production solutions, exhibitors showcased how the industry is preparing for long-term growth. Sustainability is fast becoming a key driver of growth in the domestic apparel manufacturing industry. With rising consumer awareness and a clear shift towards responsible fashion choices, manufacturers are increasingly adopting eco-friendly materials, resource-efficient processes, and cleaner production practices. This transition is also building a more resilient and future-ready industry within the domestic market.”
The integration of advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence solutions, was another key feature. Exhibitors demonstrated tools for design, production, inventory management, and retail operations. The “Future Factory/Green Factories” segment by Magus Fashion City further highlighted next-generation infrastructure focused on efficiency and sustainability.
Strong Industry Participation and Feedback
The event also facilitated curated networking sessions, enabling meaningful interactions between brands, exporters, manufacturers, and international buyers.
Jignesh Sheta, Director, FABREEN, Surat, said,
“We have participated at the CMAI FAB SHOW since its first exhibition. We have always received a good response and we look forward to participating in the upcoming editions. We have seen a continuous flow of customers and a rush at our stall since the opening ceremony and it is very good.”
Ashok Jain, Director, PCJS, PC Jain Textile, Gurgaon, said,
“Everybody is appreciating the concept and they are willing to place some of the orders. And they want to have a business relationship for a longer term. It is my first time at the FAB SHOW. I will rate it out of 10; I can say maybe 8.5 to 9, and people are very cooperative. Each and every person, starting from the registration to the allotment, to taking care and cleaning of the hall, and everything, is very nicely done.”
Darshan Jain, Director, Darshans Design Intelligence, Mumbai, said
“At the FAB Show it is our fifth year. We are meeting new people and our existing clients. I would tell all the people of this industry to visit this fair to discover the new developments into fabrics and designs.”
Bhavini Parikh, Director, Bunko Junko, said,
“This is a really great support by CMAI, especially with the sustainability pavilion. We are telling the manufacturers if you have net stock off-cuts or anything, do reach out to us and we can turn your waste into revenue. I would like to say that the FAB Show is about the quality of turnout. The quality—those who came here, they are really interested in sustainability. So that is really good.”
Spanning nearly 2 lakh sq. ft., the exhibition featured over 250 exhibitors presenting a wide array of fabrics, trims, accessories, machinery, and services. The debut of the International Pavilion and strong participation from key textile clusters such as Surat, Ahmedabad, Bhilwara, Jaipur, Ludhiana, Tiruppur, Bengaluru, and Mumbai further enhanced the show’s scale and diversity.
FAB Show 2026 once again proved to be a crucial platform for industry stakeholders to discover innovations, build partnerships, and prepare for upcoming fashion cycles—strengthening its role in driving the growth and transformation of India’s textile and apparel sector.
