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YKK Corporation is partnering with the Fashion Frontier Program to educate and inspire the next generation of designers on sustainable design. This partnership will focus on how fastening products like zippers, snaps, and buttons can play a key role in creating a more circular fashion industry. The Fashion Frontier Program is an educational and awards program for fashion designers who blend social responsibility with creativity. YKK’s vision aligns perfectly with the program's goals of fostering growth and providing a supportive framework for future designers, which led to the new partnership.
As part of the collaboration, YKK will lead a lecture titled ‘Little Parts. Big Difference’ at the program's first incubation session this August. The goal is to help the 16 program semifinalists understand how to integrate fastening products into their sustainable design practices. The lecture will also showcase new products YKK is developing to support a circular economy and will include a discussion with the designers. YKK will also provide products for them to use.
In the next fiscal year, YKK plans to create synergy among designers by participating in an incubation program for winners of the YKK Fastening Awards.
The program aims to discover and develop future fashion designers who combine social responsibility and creativity. Being organized by Yuima Nakazato Laboratory Co, the first incubation session will be held in August 2025 while the award ceremony will be held in mid-December 2025. The event is being co-organized by the Executive Committee of the Fashion Frontier Program - unisteps Incorporated Association, It is supported by the Ministry of Environment.
PVH-owned Calvin Klein is boosting its presence in Asia with the launch of its largest lifestyle store in Tokyo.
Located at 4-31-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, the new three-story flagship store serves as a ‘cultural and commercial destination’ that provides the ultimate brand experience in one of the world's leading fashion capitals.
David Savman, Global Brand President, Calvin Klein, states, the Tokyo flagship marks a pivotal milestone in the global retail strategy for the Calvin Klein brand. The brand has always stood at the intersection of fashion and culture, creating products and consumer experiences that resonate and inspire, and their stores are where this element of their iconic DNA is the most fully realized.
This Tokyo launch follows the brand’s first flagship opening in Paris last year. Like the Paris store, the new store will also stock the full Calvin Klein apparel range, including dedicated floors for menswear and womenswear, along with accessories, eyewear, and fragrance.
Calvin Klein also plans to open third flagship store in SoHo, New York later this year.
Abercrombie & Fitch has entered into a multi-season partnership with Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt and his wife, former professional soccer player Dani Watt. This collaboration is the first for Abercrombie's activewear brand, Your Personal Best (YPB).
The co-designed collection will roll out in three seasonal drops: Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026, and will feature styles for both men and women.
The first collection for men will include a variety of shorts, tees, tanks, and hoodies. The women's range will feature an assortment of leggings, sports bras, and sweatshirts. Prices will range from $29 to $90, and the collection will be available on abercrombie.com and in stores.
Carey Collins Krug, Chief Marketing Officer, Abercrombie & Fitch Co, notes, TJ and Dani are the perfect partners who bring "authenticity and athletic insight to every stage of the process, helping create a collection that performs as well as they do, without sacrificing style.
Launched in 2022, YPB aims to empower customers to be their personal best in any situation, from high-intensity workouts to casual moments. The collection is available in sizes XXS-XXL, with additional options for long and short lengths.
Gap has partnered with international girl group Katseye to launch its new global Fall Denim campaign titled ‘Better in Denim.’ The campaign taps into early 2000s nostalgia with a fresh, contemporary reimagining of the iconic track Milkshake.
Central to the collection is the return of Gap’s popular Long & Lean jeans. Originally a fan favorite, this silhouette has been reintroduced with a modern fit that aligns with today’s fashion while keeping its timeless appeal.
Shot by photographer Bjorn Iooss and directed by Bethany Vargas, the campaign’s visuals capture a vibrant mix of individuality, movement, and style. Choreographer Robbie Blue adds dynamic energy, weaving music and dance into the storytelling.
With ‘Better in Denim,’ Gap continues its tradition of celebrating personal expression and cross-generational style, reminding audiences why denim remains a cultural staple.
Global apparel retailer, Uniqlo has partnered with Academy Award-winning actor, Cate Blanchett as its newest Global Brand Ambassador. Blanchett will work with Uniqlo to promote the brand’s LifeWear philosophy, which focuses on a continuous pursuit of excellence, humanitarian support, and positive social contributions.
Tadashi Yanai, Founder and Chairman, Uniqlo, states, Blanchett is one of the greatest actors of her generation. Her passion is evident in her contributions as a role model for women, her mentorship of emerging artists, and her long-standing commitment to humanitarian and environmental causes. Through this partnership, we will work together to make positive changes in the world.
Blanchett quips, Uniqlo’s mission to improve lives through its LifeWear apparel: timeless design, perfected simplicity, affordable, accessible, quality clothing that lasts, is admirable She adds, she's energized by the opportunity to support key aspects of the LifeWear philosophy, including helping the next generation, highlighting the global displacement crisis, giving back to communities, and contributing to a more equitable world.
One of the world's most celebrated actors and producers, Blanchett is known for her roles in films like Tár, Carol, The Aviator, and Elizabeth, as well as her acclaimed work on stage. She is also a style icon and a key figure behind the scenes, having served as co-Artistic Director of the Sydney Theatre Company and as a co-founder of the production company Dirty Films.
Danish fashion company Bestseller has made a strategic investment in the German cleantech company matterr to support its groundbreaking polyester recycling technology. This investment was made through Bestseller's innovation and investment arm, Invest FWD.
The partnership is a significant step toward addressing the fashion industry's sustainability challenges. Matterr has developed a chemical recycling technology that transforms hard-to-recycle textile and packaging waste into new raw materials that are identical in quality to virgin polyester. This process allows polyester to be reused repeatedly without relying on fossil fuels.
Bestseller's investment, combined with a substantial €30 million grant from the EU, will help matterr build a small-scale industrial plant by 2026. This new facility is designed to process 10,000 tons of polyester-rich waste annually.
According to Bestseller, one of the reasons for this investment is the scalability of matterr’s technology. The goal is to create solutions that can benefit the entire fashion industry, not just Bestseller's own supply chain. This aligns with Bestseller's broader ambition to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and increase the use of recycled materials.
Marking a significant milestone with an all-time high participation, the 13th edition of Gartex Texprocess India 2025 kicked off at the Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Being held from August 21-23, the three-day event is being jointly organized by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India and MEX Exhibition. This year's expo boasts over 200 exhibitors and more than 600 brands, with a remarkable 35 per cent of participants being first-time exhibitors. The sheer scale and diversity of the show solidify its reputation as a premier global platform for the textile industry.
The 2025 edition introduces two exciting new features; the LeatherX Pavilion and the Textile Care Forum, making the event more comprehensive than ever. The show floor spans over 150,000 sq ft, buzzing with activity as stakeholders from across the value chain - from yarn to finished products - engage in meaningful conversations and exchange innovative ideas. International participation is also at a record high, with brands from China, Japan, Italy, Germany, and Singapore joining the fray. Notable global companies include Durst, Morimota Singapore (Kansai), Epson, Morgan, Jinjen, Groz Beckert, Brothers International, Jack Franc, Veolia, and Amazon. The high energy and vigorous activity across all stalls on the first day are a clear indicator of the show's success and the industry's robust health.
Government leaders emphasize growth and sustainability
The inauguration ceremony brought together key government officials and industry leaders. In his address as the Chief Guest for the event, Manohar Lal Khattar, Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Minister of Power, highlighted the textile industry’s crucial role in job creation, noting, it employs over 45 million people, including a large number of women and rural populations. He also acknowledged the government’s various initiatives and incentives designed to boost the sector and generate employment.
Speaking about the transition to renewable energy, Khattar urged attendees to upgrade their plants to green energy sources, pointing out, India has already met its 2030 target of replacing 50 per cent of its energy with clean sources. The government has have extended several schemes, including subsidies up to 75 per cent, he stated, reinforcing the government’s commitment to its Mission 2047 goal of reducing emissions.
Guest of Honor Rakesh Sachan, Minister of MSME, Khadi, Village Industries, Sericulture, and Textile and for the Government of Uttar Pradesh, focused on the need for indigenous machinery. He noted, the Indian textile industry still heavily relies on imports and shared how the Uttar Pradesh government is working to support industrial growth. This includes the development of a 150-acre apparel cluster in Noida, which will be the state's first textile park. This project aims to attract investment, create jobs, and boost exports. Addressing the recent US tariffs, Shri Sachan called for the industry to "upgrade and create capacity" and "improve on indigenous technology."
Industry leaders express optimism
The opening ceremony featured a distinguished lineup of dignitaries, including Raj Manek, Executive Director & Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings and Himani Gulati, Director, MEX Exhibitions.
Expressing his excitement about the overwhelming response, Manek said, India is high on the global textile map, and Gartex Texprocess India 2025 is a perfect platform to up the ante and bring all stakeholders together under one umbrella.
The exhibition features several special zones, including The Denim Show, organized in association with the Denim Manufacturers Association, as well as the Fabrics and Trims Show, and Screen Print India (Textile). The new LeatherX Pavilion and the launch of the Textile Care Forum, in partnership with the Drycleaners and Launderers Association of India, add further value, connecting various segments of the industry. The overwhelming success of the first day is a testament to India's growing dominance in the global textile space, and the remaining days of the exhibition are expected to yield even more positive results.
A recent study on French consumer habits in the fashion industry throws up a concerning picture, suggesting that the allure of ultra-fast fashion and fast fashion is leading consumers to spend more, acquire an excessive number of items, and even compromise on health and quality, often without realizing the true extent of their consumption. The study highlights prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear) as the more economical and sustainable choice, despite prevalent misconceptions.
The true cost of ‘cheap’ fashion
The report indicates a disparity in annual clothing budgets among different consumer groups. While prêt-à-porter consumers spend an average of €330 annually, those opting for fast fashion and ultra-fast fashion spend considerably more, at €442 and €446 respectively. Consumers of an unspecified category (likely a blend or other fashion type) spend €613, and another unspecified group (possibly higher-end fast fashion or a hybrid) spends €688. The highest annual expenditure of €810 is observed in a category not explicitly defined but distinct from the others presented.
Table: Annual clothing budget spent of French consumers
|
Fashion Type |
Annual clothing budget (€) |
|
Prêt-à-porter |
330 |
|
Fast Fashion |
442 |
|
Ultra-Fast Fashion |
446 |
|
(Unspecified Category 1) |
613 |
|
(Unspecified Category 2) |
688 |
|
(Unspecified Category 3) |
810 |
Data represents annual clothing budget spent by French consumers for themselves and their children, according to their consumption mode.
Contrary to the marketing claims of companies like Shein, ultra-fast fashion is not the economic ‘eldorado’ it purports to be for the most budget-conscious consumers. In fact, consumers of fast fashion allocate an apparel budget twice as large as those who buy prêt-à-porter, for both themselves and their children. Prêt-à-porter is presented as a more responsible, higher quality, durable, and economical investment, making it a more virtuous choice for modest consumers.
The illusion of consumption, underestimation and regret
One of the most striking findings is the profound disconnect between perceived and actual consumption in the ultra-fast fashion segment. Consumers of ultra-fast fashion significantly underestimate their real consumption by half (-2.1 per cent), declaring 97 pieces when approximately 200 pieces are found. This phenomenon is attributed to "malicious strategies" employed by ultra-fast fashion brands that "extinguish consumers' awareness," manipulating them into "automatic mode" purchasing. Despite this, 35 per cent of Shein's customers in France acknowledge that the quantity of items in their wardrobes has increased annually since they started purchasing from the Chinese brand.
The study also reveals a high degree of buyer's remorse among ultra-fast fashion consumers. Nearly half (48 per cent) regret their purchases after having bought clothes on an ultra-express fashion platform. This regret is often due to the "disposable fashion" nature of these items, which saturate wardrobes with unused clothing because of their disappointing quality, shoddy finishes, and perishable style. In contrast, the immediate product experience offered in physical boutiques is identified as a competitive advantage for prêt-à-porter.
Health risks and social media influence
Beyond the financial and psychological impacts, the report raises serious concerns about health, especially regarding children's clothing. Among French consumers who purchase clothes for their children monthly, almost half (44 per cent) consume fast fashion. These fast and cheap garments are often made from petrochemical-derived materials, including artificial and synthetic fabrics containing toxic products sometimes banned in France yet come into direct contact with children's skin. The study emphasizes that in addition to environmental and social issues, fast and ultra-fast fashion pose real health risks.
The pervasive influence of fast fashion brands through social media also plays a significant role in consumer behavior. Approximately 30 per cent of French individuals are subscribed to a fast fashion brand on social media. This makes them a "captive target of aggressive over-communication," constantly incentivized to over-consume. Consumers' discernment is weakened by frenetic marketing and influencer strategies, trapping them with "pseudo-promotions" and an incessant flow of new arrivals.
The findings suggest a critical need for increased consumer awareness and education regarding the true costs both financial and otherwise associated with fast and ultra-fast fashion. Promoting the benefits of prêt-à-porter, including its economic advantages and superior quality, could be key to shifting consumer habits towards more sustainable and healthier choices.
According to the Brazilian Cotton Growers Association (Abrapa), Brazil concluded the MY24/25 spanning from August–July with record-breaking exports of 2.83 million tons of cotton lint. This represents a 5.8 per cent increase over the previous season, solidifying Brazil's position as the world's leading cotton exporter. The total export revenue for the year reached $4.85 billion.
The top three export destinations were Vietnam, Pakistan, and China, which together imported 1.48 million tons, accounting for 52 per cent of Brazil’s total shipments. Vietnam was the largest buyer, with 532,490 tons, followed by Pakistan (494,114 tons) and China (458,905 tons).
Despite the record annual numbers, exports in July 2025 declined sharply. Brazil exported 127,000 tons of cotton during the month, a 24 per cent Y-o-Y decline, generating $205 million. The largest buyers in July were Turkey, Bangladesh, and Vietnam.
Looking ahead, Brazil's 2025 cotton crop is projected to rise by 7 per cent to 3.96 million tons. The estimated planting area increased by 10.3 per cent to 2.14 million hectare. However, average yields are expected to decline by 2.9 per cent to 1,849 kg/ha.
In other news, Abrapa hosted the first ‘Brazilian Cotton Dialogues,’ in July. This five-day event brought global stakeholders to farms in Brazil's main cotton-producing states. Attendees praised Brazil's large-scale operations, advanced fiber quality controls, regenerative farming practices, and the significant environmental preservation efforts by growers.
Workers at the textile park in the Thangallapalli mandal, launched a strike on August 19, demanding higher wages. The protest began after repeated calls for a wage increase for both government and private garment workers were ignored by factory owners.
During a meeting of powerloom workers, led by Koochana Shankar, Union President participants unanimously voted to stop all work until the wage increase is implemented.
Following the meeting, the striking workers held a rally and staged a protest. Kodam Ramana, District President, CITU Powerloom Workers Union, restated the demand for an increase in labor wages and an additional Rs 1,000 per day for workers producing government garments.
