FW
A major step in Mango's commitment to sustainable fashion, this partnership aligns with the brand’s long-term goal of transitioning to a circular model and reducing its environmental footprint. The brand is dedicated to shifting a substantial portion of its man-made cellulosic fiber (MMCF) use to fibers made with Circulose
A groundbreaking regenerated material crafted from 100 per cent discarded textiles, Circulose empowers fashion brands to lessen their reliance on new, virgin fibers while still upholding high standards of quality and design.
Mango’s strong commitment takes the company one step closer to restarting its factory and set a powerful example for the industry, says Jonatan Janmark, CEO, Circulose. It also inspires other brands to follow their lead, he adds.
Andrés Fernández, Sustainability and Sourcing Director, Mango, adds, this collaboration marks a significant step in the brand’s sustainability roadmap as it strives to exclusively use fibers with lower environmental impact by 2030, reflecting its commitment to foster a more circular and responsible fashion ecosystem where innovation and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
This partnership is built on Circulose's enhanced commercial strategy, which emphasizes forging closer brand collaborations, introducing an innovative pricing model, and offering expanded support services.
Developed in collaboration with Fashion for Good and Canopy, the new licensing model for Circulose is designed to reduce pricing hurdles and drive widespread adoption, moving beyond limited capsule collections to large-scale use of next-gen materials. The license also includes services like transition planning, supply chain orchestration, and traceability to support large-scale implementation.
A Swedish sustain-tech company, Circulose developed a patented process to recycle cellulosic textile waste. Formerly known as Renewcell, the company has been recognized by Fast Company as one of the ‘World’s Most Innovative Companies’ and by TIME Magazine for its ‘100 Best Inventions.’
Plus-size clothing retailer Torrid aims to slash its retail footprint by 30 per cent by closing around 180 stores in order to adapt to declining sales, particularly within shopping malls.
A specialist in sizes 10-30 for women, Torrid currently operates over 630 stores, with approximately 65 per cent located in malls.
A key factor in this strategic shift is the changing consumer landscape: current estimates indicate that up to 70 per cent of Torrid's new demand originates from online shoppers. This growing preference for e-commerce makes traditional mall-based operations less lucrative for the brand. Compounding this, around 60 per cent of Torrid's store leases are nearing renewal, providing an opportune moment for the company to reassess its physical presence.
Despite the significant closures, Lisa Harper, CEO, maintains, the brand is in a ‘strong financial position.’ The company plans to refresh about 135 existing brick-and-mortar stores to enhance the shopping experience for remaining in-person customers. This move signals a clear pivot towards a more digitally-led business model for Torrid.
Bangladesh's garment industry witnessed a notable rise in shipments to non-traditional markets during the July-May’24-25 period.
As per data released by the Export Promotion Bureau and compiled by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the nation’s garment exports to these emerging destinations increased by 6.79 per cent Y-o-Y to $6.04 billion during the mentioned period.
However, the country did not register a rise in exports to all non-traditional markets. On the contrary, shipments to Russia, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia declined during this period.
A powerhouse for Bangladesh’s RMG exports, the European Union commanded nearly 49.91 per cent of all shipments, totaling a value of 18.25 billion. The United States remains a strong second, with exports rising by 19.23 per cent to $7.03 billion. With exports of $1.20 billion and $4.04 billion respectively, Canada and the UK also made significant contributions.
On a Y-o-Y basis, RMG exports to the EU rose by 10.46 per cent, the US by 15.97 per cent, and Canada by 14.14 per cent. The UK saw more modest growth at 3.96 per cent. Within the EU, Germany emerged as the top export destination, receiving $4.58 billion in shipments, following by Spain and France with shipments worth $3.16 billion and $2.00 billion respectively.
On the product front, the knitwear segment showed robust growth of 10.98 per cent growth, while exports of woven garments also increased by 9.30 per cent. Overall, Bangladesh’s cumulative RMG exports increased by 10.20 per cent Y-o-Y to $36.56 billion during the July-May period.
Non-traditional markets encompass all destinations outside of the long-standing major buyers: the European Union, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Within this diverse group, exports to India grew by 17.35 per cent, followed by Turkey at 31.75 per cent, and Japan at 10.32 per cent.
Continuing their strong double-digit growth, India’s apparel exports rose by 11.3 per cent Y-o-Y in May 2025, as per data by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI). This rise comes as Western buyers increasingly turn to India as a reliable alternative to Bangladesh and China for apparel sourcing.
Export momentum picked up significantly due to political instability in Bangladesh following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government last August. Exports increased by 17.3 per cent in September to rise further by by 24.35 per cent in October.
Many buyers from developed countries are urging Indian suppliers to expand capacity and obtain key certifications, especially as India gains a duty advantage over China thanks to reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
This export boom offers much-needed relief to India’s apparel sector, which struggled through two years of weak demand after the pandemic.
India’s apparel exports declined post-COVID. Exports stagnated for about two years as consumers purchased fewer new clothes after the excessive buying during the pandemic, says Sanjay K Jain, Chairman, National Textile Committee, Indian Chamber of Commerce.
Green shoots of recovery began appearing after Bangladesh’s political upheaval, as buyers sought stability in their supply chains. Unlike India, Bangladesh’s apparel manufacturers have massive capacity to handle large orders quickly - something Indian exporters are now working to match.
Industry leaders believe India’s export growth will continue, thanks to the tariff advantage over China. There’s a huge opportunity for Indian apparel exporters. The $120 billion US market is the biggest prize. What we need is access to raw materials at competitive prices, adds Jain.
India currently holds a $10 billion share of the US market, compared to China’s $30 billion.
Meanwhile, as apparel exports accelerate, India’s raw cotton imports are also rising, with domestic cotton prices higher than global rates. According to the Cotton Association of India, cotton imports are projected to exceed 3.3 million bales (170 kg each) in 2024-25 — more than double last year’s 1.52 million bales.
Vancouver-based athleisure giant Lululemon has confirmed significant job cuts, impacting approximately 150 corporate employees at its Store Support Centers (SSCs). This decision is due to an evolving organizational structure, the company stated.
Reaffirming its commitment to supporting employees through this transition, Lululemon stated, these changes are part of a regular assessment of business operations to ensure future positioning. Through this move, the brand aims to operate with greater agility and further invest in growth, it added.
This restructuring comes amidst past concerns, including analysts' caution last spring regarding stagnant growth in the North American market. Additionally, in May 2024, Canada's Competition Bureau launched an investigation into Lululemon over ‘greenwashing’ allegations, concerning misleading environmental claims.
Despite these challenges, Lululemon was recently recognized as one of Canada's best employers, ranking 15th on Forbes' annual list earlier this year.
The fate of our old clothes is often shrouded in misconception. A widely held belief suggests that most donated garments are unceremoniously dumped in landfills, adding to the mounting environmental crisis. However, a new white paper titled “Beyond the Landfill Myth: Mapping the True Journey of Secondhand Clothing” by Bank&Vogue ltd/LTÉE reveals a more optimistic picture. Rather than ending their lifecycle in waste, a significant portion of secondhand clothing embarks on a global journey of reuse, resale, and recycling, contributing meaningfully to environmental sustainability and economic resilience.
This new narrative is not just about salvaging textiles; it’s about rethinking our relationship with fashion consumption, and recognizing the complex global networks that give our old clothes new life.
Global flows and destinations, mapping the trade
The trade of secondhand clothing operates through an extensive, transcontinental web of exchange. According to data from UN Comtrade, the US, Canada, Germany, and the UK are the world’s largest exporters of used garments. On the receiving end, countries such as Pakistan, Ghana, Kenya, Chile, and India serve as significant importers.
Once these clothes reach their destination, local businesses spring into action. Garments are meticulously sorted—items in good condition are sold in bustling resale markets, while damaged pieces are repurposed as industrial wiping cloths, mattress stuffing, or raw materials for textile recycling. In regions like East Africa, the influence is profound: the Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya estimates that 60-80 per cent of the population wears secondhand clothing. The Global Fashion Agenda’s 2023 report, supports this trend, revealing around 73 per cent of globally collected secondhand clothes are either reused or recycled, decisively challenging the widespread belief that they are simply discarded.
Secondhand economies in action
Several countries stand out for their innovative and effective integration of secondhand clothing into local economic and environmental systems.
Kantamanto Market, Accra, Ghana
A cornerstone of West Africa’s used clothing industry, Kantamanto Market employs over 30,000 people. Every week, millions of garments are sorted, sold, or transformed, creating not only employment but also a strong mechanism for textile reuse. The OR Foundation, working within this ecosystem, supports tailors and creatives who specialize in upcycling otherwise unsellable textiles.
Iquique Free Trade Zone, Chile
In Chile, over 59,000 tons of used clothing are imported each year much of it via the Iquique Free Trade Zone. While the Atacama Desert has gained notoriety as a dumping ground, the broader narrative reveals substantial efforts to create value from waste. Local businesses redistribute clothing across Latin America and explore recycling innovations to mitigate environmental impacts.
Panipat, India
Known globally for its wool recycling industry, Panipat is a beacon of circular manufacturing. Used textiles from the West are shredded and re-spun into yarn, which is then used to make affordable blankets and garments. These products not only serve domestic needs but are also exported, highlighting how secondhand materials can be reincorporated into the global supply chain with economic and environmental benefits.
Measuring the gains
The secondhand clothing trade is more than just a charitable gesture—it delivers measurable benefits to both people and the planet.
Waste reduction
The UK-based WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) reports that extending the life of a garment by just nine months can slash its carbon, water, and waste footprints by 20–30 per cent. This clearly illustrates how reuse can be a powerful tool in addressing fashion’s environmental toll.
Employment generation
From sorters in India to transport workers in Canada, the secondhand economy supports a vast and diverse workforce. Millions of livelihoods depend on this trade—especially in developing countries where resale markets and upcycling initiatives are often community cornerstones.
Circular economy integration
Entities such as SMART (Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association) and EuRIC (European Recycling Industries’ Confederation) advocate secondhand clothing as a key pillar of circular economic models. Their research underscores that reuse has the lowest environmental impact of all post-consumer textile pathways, beating even recycling in sustainability metrics.
What lies ahead
Despite numerous advantages, the secondhand clothing ecosystem is not without challenges. Overconsumption in the West continues to generate excessive volumes of discarded garments, many of which cannot be absorbed efficiently by recipient markets. Infrastructure gaps in local recycling and upcycling capacities further compound the issue. Also, political resistance—such as proposed import bans in parts of East Africa—threatens to disrupt the trade’s economic and environmental benefits.
To address these concerns, the white paper recommends:
• Improved sorting systems: Ensuring that only usable clothing is shipped can reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Investment in infrastructure: Local governments and international stakeholders must collaborate to build upcycling and recycling facilities.
• Awareness and education: By informing both consumers and policymakers of the real lifecycle of garments, we can shift mindsets away from disposal toward sustainability
Rethinking fashion’s afterlife
The journey of a secondhand garment is far from a straight path to the dump. It is a story of transformation—of economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, and global interconnectedness. As the white paper argues, rather than vilify the trade in used clothing or underestimate its impact, we must embrace it as a critical component of a more circular and sustainable fashion future.
Optimizing the secondhand system—through smarter donations, better infrastructure, and informed policy—offers a tangible way to reduce fashion waste, empower communities, and mitigate climate change. Your old T-shirt isn’t just a relic of past trends; it’s a building block for a more sustainable world.
HGH India, the country’s leading trade show for home textiles, décor, furniture, houseware, and gifts, has released its much-awaited Trend Report for 2025-26, themed ‘Emotion in Motion’. This flagship report reflects the company’s authoritative role in trend forecasting and design research for the Indian home and lifestyle sector.
The report has been curated through extensive research and cultural decoding to track the evolution of Indian consumer behaviour and design sensibilities. It captures how shifting preferences driven by millennials, Gen Z, sustainability imperatives, and digital integration are shaping a new narrative around identity, space, and aesthetic values within homes.
Segmented into four trend directions Future Fizz, Majestic Lagoon, Burgundy Bloom, and Chai & Biscuits the report blends Indian tradition, global design language, and contemporary attitudes. Each theme represents a fusion of colour palettes, materials, styles, and emotional cues relevant to today’s consumers.
Rajiv Merchant, CEO of Texzone Information Services Pvt Ltd, the organiser of HGH India, stated, “At HGH India, we see trend forecasting not just as aesthetic storytelling, but as strategic direction. Our Trend Report empowers brands, designers, retailers, and professionals to create offerings that reflect how India lives today and where it is heading.”
The Trend Report serves as a critical tool for manufacturers aligning product development with emerging visual and lifestyle cues, retailers planning relevant stock, and designers seeking inspiration for spatial narratives. Even end consumers more informed and aspirational than ever can find reflection and resonance in these themes.
At HGH India 2025, the Trends Pavilion will translate these forecasts into tangible product displays, visual merchandising concepts, and experiential zones, offering an immersive, sensory understanding of the themes projected to dominate the Indian home landscape.
HGH India continues to solidify its reputation as a key platform for home fashion intelligence with a unified, forward-looking vision tailored to industry needs and consumer aspirations.
India's textile exports declined by 2.71 per cent to $1685.11 million in May 2025 compared to $1732.01 million in May 2024. However, apparel exports increased by 11.35 per cent to $1511.50 million during the month from $1357.42 million in the corresponding month of the previous year. As per a report by Apparel Resources, combined textile and apparel exports during the month grew by 3.47 per cent to $3196.61 million compared to $3089.43 million in May 2024.
However, from April-May 2025, India’s textile exports declined by 0.39 per cent to $3297.68 million as against $3310.57 million in the same period of 2024. On the other hand, apparel exports increased by 12.80 per cent to $2282.87 million during the period compared to $2555.82 million in April-May 2024 period. Overall, cumulative textile and apparel exports for April-May 2025 rose by 5.36 per cent, totaling $6180.55 million from $5866.39 million in the corresponding period of 2024.
The report also highlights that raw cotton imports are increasing. This is primarily attributed to higher domestic prices in India compared to international prices, influenced by the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and import duties.
Making a grand return to Pitti Uomo in Florence on Tuesday, June 17, American designer-entrepreneur Tommy Hilfiger transformed the historic Palazzo Portinari Salviati into the ‘Hilfiger Social Club’ to unveil his new men's line, ‘New York,’ set to debut with the Spring/Summer 2026 collection.
A lively affair, the launch event featured loud music, a steady flow of spritz and whiskey, and a throng of influencers and actors, including Lucien Laviscount.
Restructuring its men's offerings, the brand introduced this more upscale line to complement its sportier collections and Tommy Jeans. The new aesthetic emphasizes soft tailoring, a departure from the previously discontinued Tailored Line.
Designed to be both dressy and sophisticated, yet inherently relaxed, the New York collection revisits classic Tommy Hilfiger pieces while re-establishing a connection to the brand's origins. A distinctive dark blue label, referencing the original 1985 lion crest, marks this new range. The collection is built around timeless preppy essentials: the navy-blue blazer, the button-down shirt, the trench coat, and the chino.
With a strong emphasis on quality, the brand reimagines key pieces in luxurious fabrics and feature soft, subtly structured cuts designed to suit modern life. Suits are crafted from cotton twill by Italian weaver Tessuti Di Sondrio or other esteemed ‘Made in Italy’ names like Lardini. The 19-look collection draws inspiration from modern American style, but with a more relaxed approach. Through this collection, the brand aims to adopt a new approach to informal dressing, characterized by impeccable, crafted silhouettes that are elegant and easy to wear, bringing cool elegance to everyday life.
Men are currently moving towards something more refined, without losing the feeling of dressing with ease and pleasure, notes Hilfiger. This collection reflects that spirit through its light and comfortable materials. The collection uses technical and stretch fabrics and lots of knitwear, he adds.
ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, will participate for the first time in Milano Unica, the leading international trade fair for premium fabrics and accessories, scheduled from July 8 to 10, 2025, at Rho Fiera Milano.
With its own institutional booth, ACIMIT aims to highlight the innovation and excellence of Italy’s textile machinery sector while fostering stronger links between machinery producers, textile exhibitors, and global buyers. This initiative seeks to enhance industry collaboration and promote awareness around sustainable, circular, and digital solutions developed by Italian manufacturers.
Through this strategic presence, ACIMIT will spotlight the advanced technologies that support environmentally conscious production and digital transformation areas where Italy continues to set benchmarks in textile machinery.
Marco Salvade, President of ACIMIT, commented, “It is essential for our Association to be present at such a significant trade event. The synergy between Italian excellence in textiles and textile machinery has always been, and continues to be, a key factor in strengthening the leadership of the entire Italian textile supply chain.”
ACIMIT’s debut at Milano Unica marks a new chapter in aligning Italy’s machinery innovation with the evolving needs of the global fashion and textile industry.
