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Textile exporters in Pakistan are protesting against the latest federal budget as it imposes a 29 per cent tax on their profits, thus eliminating their previous exemption.
Additionally, the budget also revises the existing 1 per cent tax on revenue, compelling companies that do not turn a profit to still pay this tax.
Historically, Pakistan has faced recurring balance of payments crises, prompting the government to support exporters with tax breaks and substantial subsidies to boost their international competitiveness. However, in this year's budget, the government had to choose between either cutting the benefits for exporters or reducing its own expenditures. It opted for the former.
This decision has sparked heavy criticism not only from the textile industry but also from the broader business community, including sectors that have long advocated for taxing the textile sector. The backlash highlights the contentious nature of the new tax regime.
Stoll, a leading flat knitting machine specialist of the Karl Mayer Group, showcased its latest trend collection, Nocturno, at this year's PittiFilati. Collaborating with yarn manufacturer IafilIndustriaAmbrosianaFilati SpA, Stoll also presented innovations from Stoll Italia. Their digital software, the Create family, was available for demonstrations upon request.
In addition to exhibiting, Stoll co-led the "Training Days" project with three other companies, aiming to enhance professional development for industry operators. This initiative, organized by Stoll Italia, highlighted sustainability—a key future-focused topic in the knitting sector—attracting significant interest, particularly among young professionals.
Jorg Hartmann, Head of Fashion & Technology at Stoll, reported over 200 visitors to their stand, including existing and potential customers. He noted the numerous technical discussions on new developments and upcoming projects, leading to planned follow-up appointments and new business opportunities.
Hartmann emphasized the importance of their presence amid growing competition, with rivals like Shima Seiki and a new Chinese manufacturer showcasing their innovations. He also observed an increasing demand for fine gauge patterns, with Stoll's E20 fine knitting machine receiving notable attention.
Stoll's successful participation at PittiFilati not only strengthened customer relationships but also provided valuable insights into market trends and customer needs.
Monforts, a leading specialist in finishing machinery, is gearing up for the Febratex textile machinery exhibition in Blumenau, Brazil, from August 20-23. They’ll be showcasing their technology alongside their new regional partner, Uniferro. This partnership follows the retirement of Herbert Erdmann, who dedicated over 30 years to advancing Monforts' presence in the region.
Uniferro, with over 50 years of experience and offices in Sao Paulo and Ceara, has a strong reputation in the textile industry. Their commitment to high-quality brands makes them an ideal partner for Monforts. Fabrice Meyer, Uniferro's owner, emphasizes their focus on delivering top-notch technology, highlighting the benefits of Monforts' Montexstenters and Thermex dyeing ranges, known for their production efficiency and energy savings.
At Febratex, Monforts will unveil the coaTTex coating unit, designed for air knife and knife-over-roller applications. This versatile unit integrates with existing systems or new Montexstenter systems, enabling various fabric coatings for waterproofing, protection, and breathability.
Brazil’s textile sector, especially denim, thrives with Monforts’ Thermexhotflue dyeing systems. The Econtrol process, used for dyeing cotton and denim, offers quick and efficient results. Monforts also promotes energy-saving solutions like the Universal Energy Tower and ECO Booster, crucial for reducing production costs and environmental impact.
Monforts and Uniferro are excited to connect with attendees at Febratex, Hall 5, Stand 27.
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. has successfully completed phase one of its production facility expansion, marking a significant milestone in the company's growth. The newly finished space, completed on budget and on time, is now prepared to support the upcoming third production wave starting this month.
This expansion is particularly crucial as it allows Kraig Labs to maintain silk production during the rainy season, a time when silk yields typically drop. The new facility enhances their ability to process, dry, and store fresh mulberry, ensuring uninterrupted spider silk production.
Additionally, Kraig Labs is undertaking a major project to build a new, larger silkworm egg hatchery. This facility is designed to meet the company’s production demands for the next 12-18 months and is expected to be operational before the end of the rainy season.
Kim Thompson, Founder and CEO, emphasized that the investments in expanding production capacity are crucial to Kraig Biocraft's strategic growth plan. These enhancements will allow the company to accelerate its efforts and deliver cost-effective, eco-friendly spider silk to global markets.
Pure London x JATC, the UK's leading fashion trade event, opened its doors to a vibrant atmosphere at Olympia London. The event showcased the latest Spring/Summer 2025 collections for retailers from across the globe.
Buyers impressed by breadth of offerings
Buyers, representing independents, department stores, and brands like Her Dandy Wolf, Renes Fashion, and Pamela Shiffer, were impressed by the diverse range of collections available under one roof. Exhibitors were equally enthusiastic, with returning brands like Sugarhill Brighton showcasing their signature laid-back, Brighton style with punchy prints and fresh dress shapes.
The event boasted a strong international presence. Lithuanian linenwear brand LueL, exhibiting for the 6th season, reported opening their first account in Germany. The show provided valuable opportunities for brands to expand their reach and connect with new buyers.
Expert insights guide buyers
The event kicked off with a thought-provoking seminar by Georgia Charalambous, Creative Consultant at Trendhub by BDA London. Her session, "SS25 Key Trends," unveiled the key trends for the upcoming season, guiding purchasing decisions for attendees. The seminar identified four key trends: Womanhood, Cultivate, Collective, and Illusory.
Womanhood embraces a rich palette of deep burgundies, ochres, and zephyr tones, with pops of color. Think slinky poly, plisse fabrics, and halter necklines for a confident and feminine look.
Cultivate draws inspiration from nature, featuring earth tones and greens with light blues for a sense of freshness. Materials in this trend create effortless silhouettes with a sophisticated feel.
Collective offers a refined hybrid dressing with an organic touch. The palette features warm mocha and espresso tones balanced with dusty blues and bright whites.
Illusory takes inspiration from augmented reality, featuring prints with delicate stripes and metallic appliques. Acidic brights like yellows and blues contrast with lilac and dusty purples, creating a story-driven color palette.
Styling tips for year-round versatility
Celebrity stylist Ellis Ranson hosted a session titled "Seasonless Style: Helping Customers Reimagine Occasionwear All Year Round." The discussion focused on maximizing the versatility of wardrobe staples. Ranson advised attendees to consider different ways garments can be worn for various occasions.
The Pure London x JATC Catwalk drew enthusiastic crowds. The show opened with designs from Graduate Fashion Foundation alumni, highlighting new talent. This was followed by trend-driven scenes curated by Trendhub by BDA London featuring signature pieces from various brands.
Awards celebrate industry excellence
The newly launched Pure London x JATC Awards recognized brands and designers across various categories, including Best in Womenswear, Best in New to Show, and Best Sustainable Brand. The judging panel included industry veterans like Pamela Shiffer, ThakaneBazill, and Anton Dell.
Celebrating innovation and resilience
Gloria Sandrucci, Pure London Event Director, expressed her delight in celebrating the achievements of the fashion industry. She emphasized the event's focus on creativity, passion, and resilience. Juls Dawson, JATC Creative Director, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of acknowledging industry visionaries who continue to shape the future of fashion.
Pure London x JATC successfully kicked off the SS25 season, providing a platform for brands, designers, and buyers to connect, discover trends, and celebrate the vibrant world of fashion.
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A recent Stanford University study ‘How the Apparel Industry Could Refashion Itself with Sustainability in Mind’ highlights the need for the apparel industry to embrace sustainability. The research points to the rise of fast fashion – cheap, trendy clothing with a short lifespan – as a major culprit behind the industry's growing environmental impact, particularly textile waste.
Fast fashion's environmental toll
The study emphasizes that current practices are unsustainable. The mass production of low-quality garments leads to a surge in textile waste, which ends up in landfills. This has significant environmental consequences.
The researchers propose alternative models that prioritize sustainability without sacrificing profitability. One solution is for companies to establish garment collection and buyback programs. These programs, coupled with secondhand stores, can extend the life cycle of clothing and reduce demand for new items. . “While some firms have taken positive steps, the apparel sector overall shows no signs of becoming more sustainable," says Barchi Gillai, Associate Director of the Value Chain Innovation Initiative (VCII) at Stanford and co-author of the paper.
Closing the loop with textile-to-textile recycling
Circularity refers to a closed-loop system where used textiles are recycled back into new clothing, minimizing waste and resource consumption. The study highlights the importance of textile-to-textile recycling. This closed-loop system would not only divert textile waste from landfills but also lessen the environmental impact associated with virgin resource extraction and garment production.
Rethinking production and consumption
The study underscores the need for a multifaceted approach. Encouraging companies to innovate with sustainable materials like recycled fabrics and biosynthetics is crucial. Additionally, a shift in consumer behavior – prioritizing quality over quantity and embracing pre-owned clothing – is essential for long-term sustainability. Also, responsible disposal through garment donation is highlighted as a key step.
Sustainable future for fashion
"The responsibility to make the apparel industry more sustainable falls on all of us," says Gillai. "This white paper offers a roadmap for companies to navigate this crucial shift." Manufacturers need to embrace sustainable practices throughout the supply chain, while consumers must become more conscious of their clothing choices and disposal habits.
The Stanford research offers a roadmap for the apparel industry's path towards a more sustainable future. By adopting these recommendations, the industry can minimize its environmental footprint while catering to the growing consumer demand for eco-conscious fashion.
The 5th TAG meeting, attended by prominent government officials and industry leaders including Minister for Textiles Giriraj Singh, took place today, focusing on the textile industry's growth and challenges. The meeting aimed to achieve the total textile trade target of $350 billion by 2030.
Key issues discussed included:
Raw material shortage: The industry faces a severe shortage of PTA, a basic raw material. The government acknowledged the issue and will address the price difference and shortage.
Illegal imports: The industry requested restrictions on illegal knitted fabric imports from China. The Textile Minister agreed to consider the proposal. Re-export policy: The industry sought an extension of re-export days from 180 to 540 for imports under advance licenses.
Custom duty protection: The industry requested protection for value-added products to boost domestic production.
Pending state TUF dues: The Maharashtra State Textile Minister was urged to release long-pending dues.
The meeting was marked by open and interactive discussions, with all stakeholders sharing their viewpoints. The government officials assured support to address the industry's concerns and achieve the targeted growth.
Scoop’s first day at Olympia West was a triumph, redefining the fashion experience with its theme ‘Here Comes the Sun’. The event drew buying teams from top retailers such as Young Ideas, ALC, Applause, Lola, Sister, Moda Rosa, The Gate, Ediit, KitiCymru, and many Irish retailers including Macbees, Rococo, Elegance, Ohh by Gum, and Sheena’s Boutique, all eager to explore over 200 contemporary designer collections.
Visitors were greeted with a stunning vintage French Riviera floral boat display, evoking a 1930s seaside resort. Inside, iconic artwork by Paul O’Farrell, the renowned Costume Designer at the Royal Opera House, added a vibrant and captivating visual experience. The entrance and aisles were adorned with large bodice displays in colorful and golden tones, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
Rosie Wild from Moda Rosa praised the show, highlighting the excitement of discovering new designers, particularly French collections. Gillian Northcott from Gillie G’s in Petersfield found impressive new additions like CYC handbags and accessories. Longtime attendees Doranne Hickey and Aoife McBride from Macbees appreciated the inspiration and emerging designers.
Designer Tristan Vankelgom of Dream Catchers noted the positive reception and diverse store attendance. Returning designer Brenda Knight was charmed by the show’s beauty and impressive European designers.
Scoop Founder Karen Radley expressed delight at the enthusiastic response from UK and Irish independents, emphasizing the importance of showcasing new talent. Scoop continues until 16th July at Olympia West, featuring over 250 collections.
Day one of Source Fashion, Europe's leading responsible sourcing show, saw prominent brands like John Lewis, River Island, and Harrods converge at Olympia London. Running until July 16th, the event connects global sourcing communities with responsible manufacturers, showcasing innovations in sustainable fashion.
Designer Jeff Banks CBE, attending for the first time, emphasized the importance of understanding manufacturing capabilities, noting that knowing the source and quality of materials is crucial for his work. He highlighted that meeting manufacturers at the event simplifies his design process and aligns with his focus on sustainable practices and product longevity.
The event featured a dynamic sustainable catwalk show curated by stylist Rebekah Roy, highlighting four key trends: Nature’s Patina, Craft Punk, Emotive Nature, and Cartoon Culture. The show emphasized natural and alternative materials, blending earthy tones, innovative leather substitutes, and bold, expressive streetwear influenced by pop culture.
Headline designer Anna Pabissi presented a fully biodegradable eveningwear collection, utilizing antique fabrics and deadstock textiles. During her talk, Pabissi stressed aligning personal values with business practices in fashion.
Fashion futurist Geraldine Wharry explored future sustainable fashion infrastructures in her session, "Future Humanity Systems." She highlighted the need for systemic change and presented three macro trends: I Trust You Systems, which emphasizes transparency and regenerative models; Agency of Governing Species, which examines bioregionality and AI-enabled animal communication; and a wild card scenario featuring edible fashion packaging.
Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director, expressed pride in the event's impact, stating that their mission is to catalyze positive change. She noted that day one successfully forged new sourcing connections and addressed industry challenges, supporting the journey towards responsible production.
Source Fashion continues to be a pivotal platform for sustainable innovations in the fashion industry.
Sri Lanka’s regional cumulating agreement with Indonesia will grant the country a greater access and enhance competitiveness within the EU apparel market.
Approved by the European Union this year, the agreement will enable Indonesia supply approved textile fabrics to Sri Lanka, which will then be processed into apparel products for export to the EU. This will help boost the apparel industry in Sri Lanka, notes Yohan Lawrence, Spokesperson, Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF).
Under this agreement, Indonesia will export fabrics to Sri Lanka, which will then re-process these materials to manufacture apparel products for the EU market. The agreement permits cumulation of origin for certain materials from Indonesia—specifically, HS Chapters 51 to 55, 58, and 60. Sri Lanka can produce textile products under HS Chapters 61 and 63 using regional cumulation, provided both countries remain in the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) scheme. This ensures Sri Lanka a steady supply of high-quality materials, which is crucial as the country faces stiff competition from Bangladesh and Vietnam.
Dhammika Fernando, Chairman, Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association, adds, Indonesia serves as a key source market for fabric imports used in Sri Lankan garment production for the EU.
While Sri Lanka is already negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with Indonesia, this new regional cumulation deal specifically benefits trade with the EU under the GSP Plus scheme.
