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Vietnam’s ministry of industry and trade has reported the country imported 1,40,000 tons of cotton valued at $244 million this January, up 49.7 per cent in volume and 51.1 per cent in value in January 2017. Economists say Vietnam, whose yarn industry is dependent on imported cotton, has been increasingly importing larger volumes of cotton in recent years to feed its growing textile and garment production and export — its biggest cotton import is from the US followed by India, Australia, Brazil and Cote d'Ivoire.
Vietnam's cotton import surged from 1,50,000 tons in 2005 to nearly 1.3 million tons in 2017. Last year, the country spent over $2.3 billion in importing cotton, a year-on-year rise of 41.2 per cent. Vietnam gained a bonanza of $2.3 billion from exporting garments and textiles in January, up 7.6 per cent on-year, mainly to the US, the EU, Japan and South Korea. The ministry noted the country's garment and textile export turnovers were over $25.9 billion last year, up 8.8 per cent.
Fast-fashion retailer Zara is in trouble again. While the brand is testing its first click-and-click concept store in London’s Westfield shopping center, it's also facing criticism for selling a check mini skirt which some shoppers believe rips off a lungi, typically worn by men in countries like Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Somaliland, Nepal, Cambodia, Djibouti, Myanmar, and Thailand; regions where it gets a bit too hot to wear pants for long hours at a time.
The brand is accused of appropriating the South Asian fashion without accrediting its inspiration. London-based English daily The Telegraph notes a lungi is a “grandpa’s uniform,” and typically wouldn’t ever cost the financial equivalent of $89.90. For the record, Zara has also been in hot water for selling a children’s shirt that resembled concentration camp uniforms in 2014, and most recently, a denim skirt with Pepe the Frog on it, now a symbol of the alt-right movement.
The Government of Uzbekistan recently issued a resolution on measures to introduce modern forms of cotton and textile production.
This is a part of an experiment involving 13 enterprises beginning with the cotton crop this year, domestic textile enterprises can directly order and make advance payment to farmers and producers for producing cotton.
A business news portal in the country reported that thirteen enterprises have been permitted to participate in this experiment.
The enterprises will be subject to certain restrictions provided for farmers on acquisition of agricultural machinery in leasing, supply of mineral fertilisers, seed, fuel and lubricants, chemical protection products of plants and other material resources.
Cotton fibre, produced for its own needs within the cotton-textile production, is certified on a voluntary basis in the country. In general, cotton fibre is subject to mandatory certification.
The resolution permitted banks to lend cotton producers and textile manufacturers in 2018 and approved financing schemes by enterprises for farmers.
UBM Fashion is partnering mmode, the Montreal Metropolitan Fashion Industry Cluster, at Magic Las Vegas, bringing over 60 Montreal fashion industry companies and brands to UBM Fashion’s largest marketplace from February 12 to 14 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
The February show marks the first time the two organizations are partnering, in their mission to champion and showcase Canada’s top fashion city. The Montreal Style Gallery at MAGIC brands will join the over 4,000 exhibitors, and some 58,000 international visitors with a devoted neighborhood located at the heart of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The prominent showcase of Québec-based companies will span 1,200 sq. ft. of the show floor welcoming attendees to connect, discover, and interact with brands FW’18 collections spanning women swear, menswear, footwear, furs, outerwear, denim, active wear, children’s, accessories and more.
Montreal is one of the top-three North American leaders in clothing manufacturing, alongside Los Angeles and New York. With more than 1,850 players, including manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors and creators, it is a strategic pillar of Quebec’s economy, generating more than 83,000 jobs. Montreal’s fashion industry benefits from cultural and linguistic diversity, a quality workforce, a dynamic education system, a strategic geographical position, and a thriving design and creative community.
British brand Paul Smith is slowly getting back on its feet. The company has recorded a 3.5 per cent increase in revenue to £185 million for the year up to June 30, while profits before exceptional items increased by 45 per cent to £5.7 million. The results come after a year of restructuring following an 8 per cent decrease in full-year revenue in the previous year.
The high-end clothing company spent most of 2017 carrying out restructuring measures and strengthening its two product lines Paul Smith and PS Paul Smith. Retail sales for the year increased 11 per cent overall and 3 per cent on a like-for-like basis, reflecting the closure of the Paul Smith Fifth Avenue store in New York in January 2016 and the relocation of the Paul Smith flagship store in Paris in September 2016.
However, extraordinary items and the continued restructuring sent the brand’s profit for the year tumbling by 74 per cent from £7.8 million to £2.1 million. As per the company its retail performance continued to improve since year end, with season to date sales for the AW 17 season up 18 per cent, or 11 per cent on a like-for-like basis.
And whilst wholesale sale decreased 11 per cent to £74.1 million in 2017, hit by weak demand in the UK, France, Russia and Asia, wholesale forward orders for SS 18 were up 7 per cent on the previous Spring Summer season. Paul Smith has stores in London, Paris, Milan, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea and the UAE.
The 8th edition of the International Apparel and Textile Fair (IATF) is due to take place during 24th to 26th April 2018.
The November 2017 edition was inaugurated by H.E Butti Al Ghandi, Board of Director of the Dubai World Trade Centre at Hall 6, Dubai World Trade Centre.
With more than 140 exhibitors from various countries around the world, IATF has once again proven its claim as UAEs exclusive sourcing fair for textiles and clothing.
IATF provides a platform to manufacturers and their agents to showcase their collection to the most influential buyers and designers in the MENA region.
The event also, offers buyers, distributors and designers the opportunity to view an extensive range of textiles from big branded mills in the world of fashion and design.
IATF attracts some of the world’s largest manufacturers of fabrics and leading print design studios. Exhibitors mainly from India, the UK, China, Japan, Taiwan, Turkey, Hong Kong, Thailand and other countries are sprucing up their act for the Spring/Summer April 2018 edition. The expo saw exclusive pavilions from India, China and Taiwan.
The Federation of Indian Exports Organisations brought 50 exhibitors from India who displayed their extensive collections in the Indian pavilion which was inaugurated by Vipul, Consul General of India. A Sakthivel, Regional Chairman, FIEO Southern Region and leader of the Delegation said that India and UAE need to work together in the textiles segment to promote high quality and fashion clothing industry which can be promoted not only in the West Asia and West African region but also in other developed countries, including the EU and the US from Dubai.
The platform was also used to conduct various workshops on hot industry trends such as 3D printing and embroidery using state of the art machines.
‘Denim for All’ is H&M’s latest initiative and to launch the Spring season the retailer is putting up an apparel line that encompasses global denim diversity. H&M has announced its new ‘Denim for All’ collection, a line-up that features coloured jeans, new silhouettes and versatile pieces for individual styling. The collection, which will be displayed in H&M stores worldwide and on hm.com this month, retails from $24.92 to $78.40 and features jeans, jackets, dresses and other core garments made with denim.
An international campaign, featuring influencers Adonis Bosso, Anaïs Gallagher and Suki Waterhouse, compliment the collection and are looking at inspiring consumers to wear denim as per their own wardrobe preferences. Pernilla Wohlfahrt, H&M’s head of design says, “At H&M, we believe denim is for everybody. This spring is all about wearing denim your own way, with fresh cuts and colours for all. And we’re in love with double denim.” For women’s wear, the collection features new denim suggestions for Spring. Outerwear, including blush pink and yellow jean jackets are available to pair with various denim pants, including boyfriend and skinny jeans.
Core denim details, like fades, tears and signature stitching, appear in each collection garment. Some of the collection’s jean jackets will also feature details like embroidery, patches and pearls so consumers can create a more personalised look. The collection’s men’s wear, teen apparel and kid’s wear also provide an added twist to denim. For men’s, the collection features distressed denim jackets and jeans. Denim for teenage girls takes a vintage flavour and includes denim slip dresses and patchwork denim jackets. For kids, faded styles provide versatility for school and play.
Denim producers now have a new way to significantly reduce their environmental footprint due to a new indigo spray dyeing procedure for production developed by DyStar and RotaSpray. The solution was first found in 2015. Since then, DyStar and RotaSpray have been working together to develop it further and make it available for bulk production in key denim markets such as Turkey, India and Pakistan.
With the recent breakthrough, they are now introducing a salt-less dyeing solution for the denim industry that offers flexibility for dyeing small lot sizes as well as reduced water use and effluent discharge in yarn dyeing. The new spray dyeing technology combines DyStar Indigo Vat 40 per cent solution, Sera Con C-RDA organic reducing agent and optimisation of spraying parameters of the patented RotoDyer and RotoCoater spraying technology.
DyStar noted that although rotary atomisers have been in use for several decades in the textile industry, they were mainly used for rewetting textiles with moisture. But recent cost pressure and a global demand for more sustainable solutions were key motivators for R&D that led to the new product.
DuPont Advanced Materials has introduced DuPont Intexar, a powered smart clothing technology for on-body heating. Intexar Heat is a thin lightweight and durable heating solution for outdoor clothing that is designed to be easily integrated into garments. DuPont highlighted Intexar Heat in partnership with the Formosa Taffeta Company at the recent ISPO Munich trade show.
Michael Burrows, global business manager at DuPont Advanced Materials said, “Intexar Heat is a revolutionary stretchable ink and film that when powered, creates a comfortable warmth. From outdoor enthusiasts to industrial workers, Intexar Heat can help conquer the elements in comfort, increasing focus and improving performance.” Formosa Taffeta is the first textile manufacturer to take advantage of Intexar Heat technology as part of its Permawarm line.
Current fashion trends are changing at a quick pace and demand for individualised products is rising. These are the challenges faced by apparel manufacturers. And what better solution than digitisation, however, through the entire process chain Human Solutions will show just how this can be done at the PI Apparel show on February 12 and 13 in Los Angeles.
Andre Luebke, General Manager of Human Solutions of North America Inc. says, many companies are recently defining their way towards digitisation. There’s a heady feeling of sweeping change and optimism in the air. Digitisation is no longer being challenged and doubted. Companies know that digitisation offers new opportunities and creates new business models.
Luebke says 3D is the key to more speed. “We offer a simulation that is so close to reality, that you think you can touch the garment. Our software Vidya can replace physical prototypes. The drafts can also be used for order and webshops’. At the PI Apparel, Human Solutions will showcase how 3D is changing the way of product development in the apparel industry,” he added.
Andre and Matthew Cochran, VP Business Development, On-Point Manufacturing, will offer a session ‘Adapting your Design, Development and Manufacturing Processes to the New Shopping Habits of the Ever-changing Consumer’. Human Solutions will share information about “Size North America.” This is the most extensive measurement survey project on the North American continent to date, which started in 2017. It is carried out by Human Solutions in collaboration with many partners. During the survey, body measurements, proportions and demographic data of 18,000 men, women and children will be collected. At the PI Apparel, Human Solutions presents first results and tendencies.
The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) is aiming to develop the local economy by synergising the strength of labour in Tiruchi with the entire textile industry eco-system in Karur and Tirupur districts where expansion is limited due to shortage of workforce. State CII officials held discussions with the Collector P Rajamani and other senior officials to implement infrastructure for finishing and packing of export-quality textile products being transported to Tuticorin port from the two districts through Tiruchi.
With focus on increasing industrial activity in Tiruchi and promoting entrepreneurship, the CII team also discussed the methodology to use land banks in sub-urban and rural pockets including Tiruverumbur, Manapparai, Thuraiyur to establish industries on cluster basis to harness water, improving air connectivity to domestic destinations, expanding cargo activities and to also help focus on agro-processing.
P Ravichandran, Chairman, CII Tami Nadu said, “The Tiruchi Zone of CII will shortly be releasing the District Development Plan with specific details.” Tiruchi region will stand to gain significantly from the Defence Industrial Corridor project and the proposal of Chennai Petroleum Corporation to establish a new refinery in Nagapattinam district, they added.
