FW
Style Union, a rapidly expanding brand boasting over 100 stores across southern India, is a testament to the power of Indian sourcing. Mridul Tondon, who oversees buying and merchandising, emphasizes how their "Made in India" commitment has become the cornerstone of their success, during his visit at Bharat Tex as a buyer. They champion the quality, craftsmanship, and innovation India offers, showcasing it to the world. Style Union's growth is intrinsically linked to this philosophy.
The evolution of Indian retail, particularly the shift in consumer behavior among younger generations, has presented exciting opportunities. Style Union has adapted to this change, embracing boldness and experimentation while staying true to the unique Indian aesthetic. This has allowed them to leverage India's talented designers and manufacturers, fueling their rapid expansion.
Value drives the Indian market. It's not just about price; it's about quality and style. Style Union understands this. Their focus on Indian sourcing allows them to control quality and offer competitive prices, delivering true value and contributing to their growth.
Sourcing nearly 90 per cent of their products from India is more than a strategy; it's a core value. Style Union supports local artisans, manufacturers, and the Indian economy. This resonates with the growing national pride among consumers, a key factor in their expanding customer base.
India, with its vast population and burgeoning economy, has the potential to become a global retail powerhouse. Style Union is actively working to establish India as a key player on the international fashion stage.
While celebrating their successes, Style Union acknowledges challenges, such as sourcing specialized materials. They believe government support for local production and innovation is essential to develop high-quality, globally competitive sourcing within India.
Style Union, with its 100+ stores, is more than a brand; it reflects the dynamism of Indian sourcing. They are committed to showcasing Indian craftsmanship to the world, believing in the future of Indian retail and playing a role in shaping it. Their story is a testament to the power of ‘Made in India.’
RSWM’s Q3, FY25 net loss narrowed to Rs 9.23 crore as against a net loss of Rs. 34.07 crore loss in Q3, FY24. The company’s sales increased by 22.34 per cent to Rs 1195.62 crore during the quarter from Rs 977.32 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
RSWM’s revenue from the yarn segment increased to Rs 970.95 crore during the quarter as against Rs 844.12 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. Revenue from the fabric segment also increased Rs 299.68 crore from Rs 225.54 crore in the same period last year.
Flagship company of the LNJ Bhilwara Group, RSWM is a leading Indian textile manufacturer and exporter, operating for over 60 years. They produce a wide range of yarns, fabrics, and denim, exporting to over 70 countries.
Following a board meeting, the company appointed Rajeev Gupta as an Additional Director and Joint Managing Director for a three-year term, effective February 12, 2025, subject to shareholder approval. He will also serve as Key Managerial Personnel.
Trident Group, a leading home textiles conglomerate, announced a major expansion plan at Bharat Tex 2025, targeting a threefold growth of its India business by 2027. The company will invest Rs 1000 crore in FY25-26, focusing on sustainability, modernization, and asset enhancement across its home textiles, yarn, and energy businesses.
A key initiative is the launch of Luxehome by myTrident, a new luxury home textile line featuring premium bedding and towels priced between Rs 4,000 and Rs 40,000. This move positions myTrident to capture a significant share of India's growing luxury home furnishings market. myTrident also aims to expand its retail presence from 7,000 to 10,000 touch points, strengthening its domestic footprint. The brand will also target growth in the Horeca, institutional, and corporate gifting sectors, while collaborating with major e-commerce and quick commerce platforms.
Trident Group Chairman, Rajinder Gupta, emphasized the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability, highlighting India's potential as a textile powerhouse. myTrident Chairperson, Neha Gupta Bector, described Luxehome as a transformational step, bringing world-class luxury to Indian homes. myTrident CEO, Rajneesh Bhatia, outlined the brand's retail expansion plans and focus on diverse market segments.
Bharat Tex 2025 also served as the launch platform for myTrident's Spring Summer ’25 collection, inspired by India's rich textile heritage and blending traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques.
Nigeria aims to end its textile imports from China and India. As per John Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, the country plans to revive the domestic textile industry and its value chains by promoting ‘Made in Nigeria’ products. Nigeria imports textiles worth $6 billion annually form these two countries.
Enoh recently toured industries in Lagos and Ogun states, emphasizing the government's focus on economic growth through manufacturing and job creation. He cited the flourishing textile industry in neighboring Benin Republic, which targets the Nigerian market, as inspiration. He recalled a time when the Nigerian textile industry was a significant employer.
Researchers at IIT Guwahati have developed a water-repellent, conductive textile that converts electricity and sunlight into heat. This innovation aims to protect against the health risks of prolonged exposure to cold, such as blood clotting, breathing difficulties, and weakened immunity.
Published in Nano-Micro-Small, the research was led by Prof Uttam Manna and his team, including Prof Roy P Paily. Extreme cold can be fatal, and traditional solutions like bulky clothing or heaters have limitations. Conductive textiles offer a lightweight alternative, but existing versions often lack durability and water resistance.
The IIT Guwahati team sprayed ultra-thin silver nanowires onto cotton fabric, making it conductive. These nanowires, thinner than a human hair, allow electricity to flow, generating heat while maintaining softness and flexibility. Silver nanowires were chosen for their high conductivity and ability to convert both electricity and sunlight to heat. Their low electrical resistance allows safe electro thermal conversion at low voltage.
To prevent tarnishing, the researchers applied a water-repellent coating inspired by lotus leaves. This coating's microscopic texture causes water to roll off, keeping the textile dry and ensuring long-lasting conductivity, even in damp conditions. The coating also protects against sweat, rain, and spills.
The textile can be powered by a small rechargeable battery or solar energy, maintaining a temperature between 40°C and 60°C for over 10 hours. Tested in wearable knee and elbow bands, it shows promise for providing sustained warmth to those working in cold environments or arthritis patients needing localized heat therapy. Other applications include on-demand water heating and accelerating chemical reactions.
The textile is self-cleanable, breathable, flexible, and scalable, with potential for various controlled heating applications, states Prof. Uttam Manna. The team has filed an Indian patent and is working to integrate the material with miniaturized electronics for product development. They are also seeking industry collaborations for dry thermos-therapy applications, he adds.
The European Commission has formally requested fast-fashion giant, Shein to provide detailed information about its product recommendation system and user data protection measures. The request requires Shein to disclose internal documents and details about how its algorithms suggest products.
The Commission is also seeking information on Shein's consumer protection practices, specifically how it safeguards user data and mitigates risks related to potentially illegal product sales, public health, and user well-being. Shein has until February 27, 2025 to comply. Failure to do so could result in a formal investigation and legal action.
This demand for transparency follows increased scrutiny of online marketplaces and their impact on consumers. The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), now fully in effect, mandates greater transparency and accountability from large online platforms concerning hosted content and algorithms.
Coinciding with the announcement of Steve Bratpies, CEO stepping down from his position by 2025-end, HanesBrands reported better-than-expected sales in Q4, FY25.
The company’s sales from continuing operations increased by 4.5 per cent to $888 million, with sales from the US rising by 3 per cent and international sales increasing by 2 per cent due to the growth witnessed in Australia, the Americas, and Asia markets.
However, the company reported a net loss of $12.9 million for the quarter ending December 28, which includes a $58.5 million loss from discontinued operations due to the sale of Champion in September.
The company delivered a strong quarter and full year, exceeding expectations due to the success of its transformation strategy, states Bratpies. HanesBrands enters 2025 as a more simplified and focused business, well-positioned for positive sales growth, margin expansion, strong cash generation, and debt reduction, he adds.
HanesBrands has engaged Spencer Stuart to assist in the search for its next CEO. Bratspies will remain in an advisory role during the transition. Bill Simon, Board Chairman praised Bratspies' transformative leadership, noting his role in overhauling the operating model, selling the Champion business, and positioning HanesBrands as a global powerhouse in basics and innerwear.
HanesBrands' current brand portfolio includes Hanes, Playtex, Bali, L'eggs, Just My Size, Barely There, Wonderbra, Maiden form, Berlei, and Bonds.
Giriraj Singh, Textiles Minister inaugurated Indie Haat at the National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy in New Delhi. The event aims to promote India's handloom and handicraft heritage and connect local artisans with a global audience.
Running until February 18, 2025, Indie Haat was launched in partnership with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) to showcase craft traditions in a contemporary way. It complements Bharat Tex 2025, a global industry event with over 5,000 exhibitors and an expected 6,000 international buyers from over 110 countries, taking place in New Delhi until February 17th.
Indie Haat features 80 types of handcrafted and handwoven products from 85 artisans and weavers across India, representing 55 handicraft artisans from 17 states and three union territories, and 30 handloom weavers from 20 states and one union territory.
Visitors can interact with artisans, see live demonstrations of traditional techniques, and browse textiles, jewelry, glasswork, metalware, and cane and bamboo crafts.
PDS Limited, a global fashion infrastructure and solutions company, participated as the 'Fashion Partner' for the second consecutive year at Bharat Tex 2025, India’s largest textile and apparel expo. The company’s booth highlighted its expertise in sourcing, brand solutions, and manufacturing capabilities.
Pallak Seth, Executive Vice Chairman of PDS Limited, emphasized India’s growing role in the global textile industry. “India can be a stable and reliable partner in an uncertain world by strengthening supply chain resilience through digital transformation, nearshoring, and sustainable manufacturing. At PDS, we drive agility, collaboration, and innovation to position India as a key player,” he said.
At the event, Pallak Seth participated in a roundtable on supply chain resilience and market disruptions, while Sanjay Jain, Group CEO of PDS Ltd, spoke on scaling up textile manufacturing in India. Both sessions featured industry leaders, government officials, and investors discussing growth strategies and milestones for the sector.
“Bharat Tex 2025 has been a key platform for global collaboration and innovation,” said Sanjay Jain. “We are committed to sustainable growth, expanding India’s manufacturing footprint, and strengthening the country’s role in the global supply chain.”
PDS used the event to reinforce global partnerships, engage with stakeholders, and showcase its leadership in responsible sourcing and supply chain transformation. The company remains focused on driving innovation and positioning India as a hub for scalable, high-quality, and sustainable textile manufacturing.
Traditionally synonymous with cotton, Man-Made Fibers (MMFs) like polyester and viscose are gradually gaining ground in India, reshaping the landscape of textile production and consumption. This shift is driven by evolving global trends, economic considerations, and the inherent advantages of MMFs.
The global shift towards MMFs
Globally, the textile fiber market is dominated by MMFs, which make up approximately 75 per cent of total consumption. This shift is largely due to the inherent limitations of cotton in meeting the growing demand for textiles. MMFs offer several advantages, such as cost-effectiveness, durability, and superior strength compared to cotton, resulting in longer-lasting garments. They can be engineered to possess properties like wrinkle resistance, water repellent, and elasticity, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. Moreover, unlike cotton, MMFs provide consistent quality and uniformity. While some MMFs are produced using fossil fuels, technological advancements are leading to sustainable alternatives, such as recycled polyester and bio-based viscose.
India's MMF journey
Despite being a major cotton producer, India is witnessing a rise in MMF consumption. The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlighted that only 22 per cent of the global textile market is cotton-based, while 77 per cent is dominated by MMFs. This underscores the need for India to align with global trends to boost exports. "India has a great opportunity to align with the evolving global shifts in apparel demand," the Economic Survey noted. "While our comparative advantage lies in cotton and cotton-based products, global demand has shifted to products made from man-made fibre (MMF)." India is the second-largest producer of both polyester and viscose globally. According to the Ministry of Textiles, India's current production capacity for MMFs is around 1,700 million kg for fibers and 3,400 million kg for filaments. The major varieties of MMFs produced in India include polyester, viscose, nylon, and acrylic. Several companies are investing in expanding their MMF production capacity. For instance, Reliance Industries, the largest polyester producer in the country, is expanding its capacity, while Grasim Industries, a leading producer of viscose staple fibre (VSF), is also increasing production to meet growing demand for viscose fibre in the textile industry.
Price Disparity: A Concern
However, the industry faces several challenges, particularly in pricing. Sanjay K Jain, Chairman of the ICC National Textiles Committee and MD of TT Limited, expressed concerns regarding the price disparity between domestically produced MMFs and those available internationally. "We have all the promise. The whole world is looking at us, so we need to focus more on MMF if we really want to become a global textile giant. We need to improve MMF fibre prices as we are more expensive than our competitors in China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. The government needs to correct this,” Jain stated.
He further emphasized the stagnation in the cotton industry, with declining yields, which underscores the urgency for India to address its MMF sector. Jain noted the growth in polyester production both globally and within India but cautioned against relying solely on tariffs to bridge the competitive gap. He advocated for a more robust competitive structure that allows for the free flow of raw materials.
Anurag Asthana, COO of EPIC HK, also highlighted this challenge: “We are the second largest MMF producer, but for converting fiber into usable material for textiles that is trend-right, market-right, and consumer-right, is the gap we need to fill. This indicates that while production capacity exists, the challenge lies in effectively utilizing MMF in textile manufacturing.”
Government initiatives and policy support
Recognizing the crucial role of MMFs in the future of the textile industry, the government has taken several proactive steps to promote the sector. The Ministry of Textiles has set a target of achieving $12 billion in exports of MMF textiles by 2029-30. This ambitious goal is being pursued through a multi-pronged approach:
Production linked incentive scheme: The scheme for textiles aims to incentivize the production of MMF fabrics, garments, and technical textiles by offering financial incentives to manufacturers, encouraging them to invest in MMF production and expand their capacities.
Focus on R&D: The government is actively promoting research and development in the MMF sector, particularly in sustainable production technologies and the development of innovative MMFs. This aims to enhance the quality and competitiveness of Indian products.
Skill development programs: Various skill development programs are being implemented to train individuals in MMF production, processing, and related areas.
Mark Jarvis, Chief Strategy Officer at F2F, expressed optimism about the future: “Over the next five years, MMF will grow significantly in India. There will be an incredible level of investments into MMF fibres to complement the base of cotton that's already in the country."
The road ahead
The rise of MMFs marks a pivotal moment for the Indian textile industry. As global demand shifts toward MMF-based products, India has the opportunity to emerge as a key player in the sector. However, this will require a concerted effort to overcome pricing challenges, enhance production capabilities, and bridge the gap between fiber production and textile manufacturing.
With strong government initiatives, strategic investments from industry leaders, and a growing focus on sustainability and innovation, the future of India’s MMF sector looks promising. As the industry continues to evolve, India is poised to play a leading role in shaping the global textile landscape.
