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MAS Holdings, the global apparel and textile powerhouse, has clinched top honors at the prestigious Presidential Exports Awards for both 2021/22 and 2022/23 through its subsidiaries, MAS Active Trading (Pvt) Ltd and MAS Intimates (Pvt) Ltd. The double triumph saw MAS Active, encompassing Active and KREEDA divisions, being crowned Sri Lanka's Overall Exporter of the Year for two consecutive years. This accolade, along with 16 additional awards earned collectively by MAS Active and MAS Intimates, cements the company's pivotal role in Sri Lanka's export sector.
MAS Active's exceptional performance included winning Overall Market Diversified Exporter of the Year, Best Performing Exporter in Emerging Markets, and a Merit Award in the Apparel Sector - Large Category for 2021/22. In the subsequent year, the company continued its winning streak by securing awards such as Contributor to Sustainable Development in Exports and Innovative Export Product of the Year.
MAS Intimates, during the 2021/22 cycle, showcased unparalleled excellence, securing the Overall Award for Net Foreign Exchange Earner of the Year and the Best Exporter in Product Diversification. In the following year, MAS Intimates retained its dominance, earning the Overall Award for Net Foreign Exchange Earner of the Year and recognition as a Contributor from the Regions to the Export Supply Chain.
These victories collectively underscore MAS' undisputed leadership in Sri Lanka's export landscape. As a global industry trailblazer, MAS Holdings continues to set benchmarks, contributing significantly to Sri Lanka's economic development and the global apparel industry.
The grand stage is set for the premier business fashion event of the year as the BRICS+ Fashion Summit swings open its doors to delegations from 60 countries today on November 28.
From November 28 to December 2, the inaugural BRICS+ Fashion Summit will unfold in the heart of Russia at the Moscow Concert Hall "Zaryadye" and its adjoining park, attracting delegates from diverse corners of the globe. Professionals including experts, designers, buyers, and representatives from fashion educational institutions, as well as heads of international fashion associations, will converge in Moscow, transforming the city into the epicenter of global fashion for a dynamic five-day period. Delegations will journey from Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, South-Eastern Asia, Europe, Africa, and the CIS, making this summit a truly international affair.
The Indian delegation, led by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) under the guidance of Chairman Sunil Sethi, represented by Paras Bairoliya, Senior Member of the Board of Governors at FDCI, promises to be a significant participant in the BRICS+ Fashion Summit.
The BRICS+ Fashion Summit runway will showcase Indian culture under the theme "Huts to High Street," curated by Sunil Sethi. This curated showcase will be a standout feature of the summit, featuring designers such as Ritesh Kumar, Naushad Ali, Gaurav Khanijo, and Shruti Sancheti from India. Joining them will be global brands like Lucas Leao (Brazil), CHNNYU (China), David Tlale (South Africa), Alena Akhmadullina (Russia), SADAELS (Argentina), ArzuKaprol (Turkey), NIV NIV by KATSIARYNA NESTSIARUK (Belarus), OVRSƧ by JULIA MEDNIK (Belarus), and more. Together, they will present a rich tapestry of diverse designs, showcasing the cultural heritage of their respective countries.
Sanjay Chawla, Global Convener, FashionatingWorld | DFU, serves as the Country Partner/Head for the India Delegation.
The Business Program, a major highlight of the BRICS+ Fashion Summit, will host over 200 speakers, featuring influential players from the global fashion sector. This platform will address pressing issues such as international cooperation, technological innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, circular economy, cultural appropriation, and democratization of fashion. Notable speakers include Paras Bairoliya (FDCI), Yang Jian (China Fashion Association), Alia Khan (Islamic Fashion and Design Council), Ali Charisma (Indonesian Fashion Chamber), Mubashar Naseer Butt (Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association), Sienna Li (China), and others.
The B2B communication hub, the showroom in the Parking Gallery of Zaryadye, will witness the convergence of over 130 designers and 100 buyers. Brands from India, Argentina, Russia, Nigeria, Egypt, Turkey, South Africa, Serbia, and more, including David Tlale, VICTORIA ANDREYANOVA, Batakovic Belgrade, Naushad Ali, CHAPURIN, will facilitate robust connections and enduring relationships between industry professionals, designers, and buyers.
As the global fashion community eagerly waits, the BRICS+ Fashion Summit promises to be a celebration of diversity, innovation, and international collaboration, defining the future landscape of the fashion industry.
Today on Dec 27, 2023 H.E. Butti Saeed Al Ghandi, Vice-Chairman of the Dubai World Trade Centre marks the opening of the groundbreaking 'Brands of India' B2B trade show, a revolutionary initiative by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) set to reshape the global apparel industry.
Supported by esteemed entities such as the Embassy of India, Dubai Chamber, TEXMAS, Dubai Textile Merchants Association, and the RGM Group, this event unfolds at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Halls 6 & 7, from November 27th to 29th, 2023.
As India's largest apparel showcase in the Middle East, 'Brands of India' gathers over 250 premier Indian apparel brands, spanning diverse categories from ethnic wear to Western and Fusion Wear across Menswear, Womenswear, and Kidswear.
Positioned as the primary destination for industry players in the MENA region, 'Brands of India' connects wholesalers, retailers, distributors, importers, and departmental chains with leading Indian apparel brands, including notable participants such as Louis Philippe, Soch, Spykar, and Gini & Jony.
White Milano has rescheduled all three editions of its women's fashion and contemporary lifestyle trade show in 2024, shifting each by a day. The February edition is now slated for February 22-25, 2024, the June edition will take place from June 15-17, 2024, and the September edition is scheduled for September 19-22, 2024.
Massimiliano Bizzi, the Founder of White Milano, and Simona Severnni, the General Manager of the show, says this adjustment aims to enhance the efficiency of industry professionals and the organization. The move is anticipated to provide a more streamlined experience for all involved. The rescheduling aligns with the show's objective of introducing new designers, brands, and buyers from both national and international realms. Additionally, it seeks to broaden its reach beyond the Fashion District of Tortona, venturing into emerging markets such as Latin American states and Central Asia, with a particular emphasis on China and Korea.
The upcoming second edition of the White Resort show, scheduled for June 15-17, 2023, is expected to see a substantial increase in exhibitors, doubling from 60 to 120 compared to its previous edition.
Furthermore, the 'after show' series of networking events, known as White Village, will be a feature for all three editions, spanning February, June, and September 2024. This holistic approach reflects White Milano's commitment to fostering collaboration and networking opportunities throughout the fashion industry.
Garment and footwear exports in Vietnam are facing challenges due to rising inflation and economic recession in major global markets. Data from the General Department of Customs shows, Vietnam experienced a 12.9 per cent decline in garment exports, amounting to $27.7 billion, and an 18.3 per cent decrease in footwear exports, totaling $16.4 billion, in the first ten months of the current year.
In October 2023, Vietnam's garment shipments saw a marginal month-on-month decline of 0.1per cent to $2.57 billion. Despite this, Duong Thuy Linh, Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Cotton and Spinning Association (VCOSA), believes this decline is not unique to Vietnam, as global exports are also witnessing a downturn due to a decrease in demand worldwide. The overall exports decrease has led several textile companies to adjust their production targets, scaling down to 50-80per cent of their original capacity. However, Linh notes production capacities have shown a slight improvement since July of this year.
VCOSA predicts low consumption will continue to impact Vietnam's textile and garment industry in 2024, anticipating a 10 per cent drop in exports to $40 billion during the year. The consumer price index (CPI) for 2023, estimated between 3.2per cent and 3.6per cent, is expected to stabilize inflation, maintain people's income levels, and prevent excessive tightening of purses.
Despite these challenges, Vietnam's GDP growth for the year is projected at 5per cent, with the garment industry benefiting from new-generation free-trade agreements (FTAs) signed with other markets. Compliance with international standards such as the Global Recycle Standard, Oeko-Tex, and BCI by industry players, along with the shift to organic cotton, natural fibers, and renewable energy, is anticipated to contribute to the growth of the industry, according to Linh.
Economic expert Huynh Thanh Dien emphasizes the importance of enterprises embracing sustainability development standards to capitalize on these opportunities.
The West Bengal Hosiery Association (WBHA) is set to inject Rs 400 crore into its expansion plans in the upcoming fiscal year, to bolster its capacity through the establishment of additional hosiery parks across the state. Pradeep Arora, Secretary of WBHA, revealed these parks will collectively span 20 lakh sq ft in West Bengal, as he shared this vision during a session at the seventh Bengal Global Business Summit.
HK Dwivedi, another speaker at the summit, emphasized the pivotal role of Medium and Small Scale Industries (MSMEs) in rural areas. He called for enhanced access to credit, simplified compliance regulations, and expedited project approvals to fortify these industries. Dwivedi urged chambers of commerce to collaborate with the government in addressing obstacles faced by MSMEs, underscoring their significance in fostering economic growth.
N G Khaitan, President of Bharat Chamber, lauded the government's initiative to expedite land allotments within a 15-day timeframe. He also commended the establishment of specialized industrial parks dedicated to promoting the garment and hosiery industry.
Vinod Kumar Gupta, President of WBHA, expressed appreciation for the West Bengal Textile Incentive Scheme 2022. He highlighted the scheme's potential to optimize resources, generate new employment opportunities, broaden the government's influence in the textile industry, and position West Bengal as a primary investment destination in the Indian textile sector.
The 2023 edition of Denim Premiere Vision took place in Milan from November 22-23, focusing on eco-sustainable processes. Drawing attention from a diverse international audience, the event welcomed new clients from France, Germany, Holland, Scandinavia, and the US. Attendees included luxury giants like Kering and LVMH to mid-range and mass-market brands, creating a vibrant showcase with 69 exhibitors, including 23 Italian and 18 Turkish companies.
Notable participants included sustainability-focused denim brands like Italian PureDenim, alongside industry leaders embracing cutting-edge technologies such as Bangladeshi denim washer M&J Group and Turkish manufacturer Isko. Isko's unveiling of the Rad Rags project aimed at minimizing fabric waste for six classic denim models, including jackets and blue jeans, stood out as a pioneering initiative.
During the event, an emerging trend towards developing denims from heavier fabric weights was highlighted. Brands are increasingly adopting heavy-weight 100 per cent cotton for its superior aesthetics and durability, noted Paolo Marcenta, Head of Purchasing at FashionLab. Francesca Polato, Head of Communications and Marketing at Berto Industria Tessile, emphasized the appeal of heavier fabrics for their visual appeal and durability.
Another trend observed was growing demand for jacquard denim fabrics and prints, showcased in the new Fashion Forum area featuring exhibitors presenting ready-to-wear collections. The Denim Fashion District featured ten fashion brands, including Adriano Goldschmied and Maurizio Massimino from Italy, the German overcycling brand Fade Out, and emerging designers such as Italian-Russian Anna Galaganenko and Gimmi.
The next two editions of Denim PV are slated for Milan on June 5-6, 2024, and December 4-5, 2024.
The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) is set to revolutionize clothing recycling through its new Garment to Garment (G2G) recycling system. Climate activist and sustainability content creator Sam Bentley, highlights this innovative system, initiated in 2018 as a mini-scale production line within a retail setting, facilitates an eco-friendly, closed-loop recycling process that avoids the use of water or chemicals.
Bentley elaborates on the process, detailing how old garments are cleaned and transformed into a fibrous web. The machine then converts this web into robust twisted yarns, which are subsequently knitted into brand new clothes. Notably, the system incorporates a 3-D body scanner, allowing for the creation of tailor-fit garments on the spot.
Given the staggering production of 100 billion garments annually, the fashion industry bears responsibility for contributing 2per cent-8per cent of carbon air pollution and 20per cent of global wastewater. Moreover, the industry discards over 100 million tonnes of textile waste into landfills each year. The introduction of this newly launched recycling machine is poised to significantly mitigate such environmental waste, marking a crucial step toward sustainability in the fashion sector.
India is poised to see a boost in cotton production, with projections indicating an increase to 36 million bales (170 kg each) in the 2023-24 season from the previous year's 34.2 million bales, states Lalit Kumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI).
Despite a marginal reduction in the area dedicated to cotton cultivation, decreasing to 12.6 million hectares from 12.9 million hectares last year, the government remains optimistic about maintaining output levels. CCI plans to procure over one million bales of premium Kasturi cotton in October, aiming to offset any potential impact on production.
Kasturi cotton is currently processed by around 300 ginning and pressing factories registered with the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL). Renowned for its stringent quality standards, Kasturi cotton upholds a 2 per cent cap on trash content and ensures 100% traceability.
Despite being a significant cotton producer, India only recently launched its own cotton brand. In comparison, Egypt has consistently produced one million bales of its prestigious Giza Cotton brand annually.
To showcase and promote the newly established cotton brand, the Textile Ministry is organizing BharatTex, a three-day global textile event scheduled to commence on February 26 in New Delhi.
Swedish brand Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) is set to adjust the prices of its clothing manufactured in Bangladesh to counterbalance the rise in worker wages in the country. Following weeks of protests from garment workers advocating for a more substantial increase in their monthly wages, the Bangladesh government announced a 56 per cent hike in minimum wages for workers to 12,500 taka, effective from December 2024.
Initially, garment manufacturers in Bangladesh expressed concerns that such a wage increase could impact their profit margins for orders. H&M's decision to adjust prices is seen as a proactive measure to ensure fair wages for workers, according to Mostafiz Uddin, Managing Director of Denim Expert. He anticipates other brands may follow suit in implementing similar measures.
As the world's second-largest exporter of ready-made garments after China, Bangladesh currently employs 4 million garment workers, and the industry contributed one-tenth of the country's GDP in 2022. The move by H&M reflects the broader challenges and adjustments faced by the garment industry in response to evolving labor conditions and demands for fair wages.
