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As voting goes live to an international panel of 1,500 industry influencers, the British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced the award categories. To be hosted at the Royal Albert Hall on December 5, 2016, the Fashion Awards will celebrate the best fashion talent of 2016 from the global fashion community. The Fashion Awards is being conducted in partnership with Swarovski. The awards will be the inaugural annual fundraiser gala for the British Fashion Council Education Foundation charity which offers scholarships to talented young people to study at the best fashion universities in the UK. The voting panel, which includes media, retailers, CEOs and creatives will decide on 10 awards to be allocated.
Seven of these are international with nominees from all over the world – as well as designer brands these will include awards for behind-the-scenes decision makers, while four would be for British talent, recognising the host city London. The special recognition awards that will celebrate outstanding contributions to the fashion industry will be announced a day bedore the awards ceremony. Awards which will be open to both British and international talent are: Model of the Year, Ready-to-Wear Designer of the Year, Accessories Designer of the Year, Urban Luxury, Fashion Icon, Creative Influencer and Business Leader. The four British awards will be: British Menswear Designer of the Year,British Womenswear Designer of the Year, British Brand and Emerging Talent Award.
The special recognition awards, also international, will include Outstanding Achievement Award, Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator, Special Recognition Award and SWAROVSKI Award for Positive Change. The Fashion Icon award will be voted for by the public.
Though Britishers have voted for an exit from the European Union the actual process could be delayed till late 2019. This us because the government is too chaotic to start the two-year process early next year, it has been reported. Views differ over when it should invoke Article 50 which sets the clock ticking on a two-year deadline to leave the bloc. Prime Minister Theresa May, who campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU and leads a cabinet of ministers from either side of the debate, has said she will not trigger Brexit talks this year as Britain needs time to prepare.
But ministers of the British government have warned senior figures in London’s financial district that Article 50 was unlikely to be triggered early in 2017 because the situation in government was chaotic. It is now being said that ministers are now thinking of triggering Article 50 by Autumn 2017. On the other hand, European leaders have taken a firm line on the speed of Britain’s exit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel observing while it was understandable that Britain would need a few months to figure out its strategy, it couldn’t take much of a time.
But behind the scenes, there has been a growing realisation in Europe’s capitals that the two-year window for negotiating Brexit is far too short. Britain created two new government departments to handle Brexit and international trade led by David Davis and Liam Fox, the two main campaigners for Britain to leave the referendum. Elections in May in France and in September in Germany could also delay the timing of Brexit. It is being said any delay to the process is likely to draw criticism from the pro-leave side of May’s Conservative party with senior members such as John Redwood calling for a quick exit from the bloc.
In a letter to Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), has asked him to take serious action against buyers who are involved in illegal activities. The government has been urged to stem fraudulent activities of a section of local buying houses and agents appointed by foreign buyers, claiming they were tarnishing the industry’s image. Local agents and buying houses of foreign buyers secure export orders and transfer export Letters of Credits (LCs) while looking after the overall activities until execution of shipment orders. Currently, a section of dishonest domestic agents and buying houses are handing over export orders or products to foreign buyers without bank endorsement, disrupting the repatriation of exports proceeds, industry leaders say. They alleged local buyers hamper shipment of export items, provide lower quality fabrics to the factories in connivance with the some foreign buyers.
Aamir Fayyaz the chairman of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has urged the government to resolve issues relating to cotton, liquidity, competitiveness, taxes, zero rating facility and the long term finance facility of the textile industry and enable the industry to undertake investment worth $1 billion per annum. Addressing a press conference recently, he said Pakistan’s exports have nose-dived by $3 billion during the financial year 2015-16. Of this, a drop in textile and clothing exports of $1 billion was noticed. He said the textile and clothing exports of Bangladesh and Vietnam have registered an increase of $2 billion and $4 billion respectively during the same period. He apprehended that the exports in Pakistan would continue declining unless the cost of doing business is lowered by the government.
Fayyaz also demanded liquidation of all the pending refunds of the textile industry to discharge liabilities and process further export orders. He said that the government should also provide DLTL to all exports to mitigate the incidentals of innovative taxes and levies. According to him, the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess on gas and surcharges on the electricity has increased the cost of production and the prevailing odd circumstances demand their withdrawal to revive competitiveness in line with the regional competitors.
Fayyaz lamented the zero rating facility was also not implemented in true letter and spirit. Since this situation will put the industry into a cumbersome state of affairs, therefore the facility should be in accordance with the announcement made by the prime minister. He added that the government should also allocate sufficient funds under the LTFF to propel up the prospective investors to take investment initiatives. He expressed hope that the government would prioritise the textile industry in its policies to produce exportable surplus, double textile exports and create 3 million additional jobs in the country.
India is likely to be the fastest growing emerging economy till at least the end of the current decade. The country is projected to grow at 7.7 per cent between 2016 and 2020, significantly outpacing other emerging economies. China is expected to grow at 6.4 per cent over the period, while other emerging economies like Brazil and Turkey are likely to grow at 2.2 per cent and 3.3 per cent.
Roughly 77 per cent of India’s economic growth between 2012 and 2025 will come from 49 clusters of districts with metropolitan cities at their nucleus. Some Indian cities may reach the size of the current middle-income countries. Mumbai, for example, will become equivalent to Malaysia of today. Delhi's economy will be equal to that of the Philippines. But sustaining this growth is largely predicated on the degree to which rising urbanisation creates non-farm employment for the ever-growing pool of workers.
With China moving up the value chain, India is well-positioned to grab a large share of the low end of manufacturing that the country is vacating. As these jobs require relatively low skills, creation of a labor-intensive manufacturing sector would facilitate the shift away from agriculture. But so far India has failed to take advantage of this. Other countries, notably Bangladesh, Cambodia and Vietnam, have grabbed a lion's share of the manufacturing that is shifting out of China.
Compagnie Mauricienne de Textile (CMT) Ltée recently partnered with BRÜCKNER technology for a one of a kind machine specialised finishing of highly sensitive knitted fabric with an elastane content of up to 15 per cent.The innovative concept is focused on an absolutely low-tension material flow and the shortest possible fabric path in order to reduce residual shrinkage. As a part of the design of this special machine, BRÜCKNER has used the proven and patented split-flow air circulation system that achieves a considerable output increase through aerodynamic optimization with even reduced energy consumption and an air circulation that treats the fabric gently.
True to its forward-thinking core vision, CMT corroborated its commitment to the environment by backing the acquisition of the machine with a BRÜCKNER heat-recovery system. The heat from the exhaust air is used to pre-heat fresh air. This fresh air is admitted to the drying process at several points so that the drying process can take place constantly with the best possible fresh air / exhaust air ratio. In addition, the consumption of thermal energy can be visibly reduced which thus allows a significant reduction in production cost. CMT uses the new finishing line mainly for superior finishing processes with delicate fabrics.
Compagnie Mauricienne de Textile Ltée (CMT) a leading garment manufacturer that specializes in fast-fashion jersey-wear for high-street retailers in Europe and the US. It is headquartered in Mauritius with its design and marketing offices in the UK and France.
The US will continue and increase sourcing from Bangladesh.
US buyers are major customers of products made in Bangladesh. The US in fact is the single largest importer of Bangladeshi made apparel products.
The US now wants to find more and more business opportunities that would help both Bangladesh and US consumers and give them pruce advantages.
The two countries have had discussion on labor rights, the ongoing safety initiatives, their progress, remediation activities and easy access to remediation fund to continue the remaining work.
The BGMEA has already asked its member factories to elect a participation committee and then a safety committee. A workers' database will be fully prepared by October.
The United States is committed to remaining and having a robust business relation with the businesses of Bangladesh as it feels Bangladesh has a good and strong and vibrant economy and a country that should be helped to better resist terrorist activities. But it wants the business community to be given security and protected from terror attacks, which have a horrifying impact on life, property and business. In this regard the US is committed to remaining a partner of Bangladesh and will remain so for fighting terrorism.
Second largest manufacturer and exporter of bed sheets, bed linen and quilts from India, Indo Count is among the top three bed sheet suppliers to the US. The company has turned in another year of high sales growth with its sustainable business model focused on catering to the changing mindset of consumers. In FY 2015-16, it continued its focus on strengthening its presence in higher value added product segments in the bedding products market.
The company has put in place a two-phase expansion plan to cater to the expected strong demand for home textile products. Phase 1 of Rs 175 crores project is towards increasing processing capacity from the current 68 million meters to 90 million meters, setting up a water effluent treatment plant, automation of cut and sew and warehousing. And Phase 2 project of Rs 300 crores is towards upgrading the existing spinning facilities, investments in additional weaving (with specialized looms) and value-added equipment for the delivery of fashion and utility bedding.
Indo Count has revamped and launched a new branding and communication exercise. Complete Comfort is Indo Count’s pledge to its partners and illustrates its commitment to everyone who is touched by its products and operations. The new identity is a reflection of the company’s global operations and aspirations with its modernity and universality of representation.
Indo Count has showrooms and design studios in major markets to have direct access to the consumers’ voice and better understand their needs. The company has also expanded its product portfolio to provide end-to-end solutions. Entry into fashion bedding, utility bedding and institutional linen not only facilitated the company to address a market bigger in size than just sheet sets, but also created an opportunity for it to meet different consumer needs.
During the financial year under review, on a standalone basis, Indo Count achieved revenue of Rs. 2,070.78 crores as against Rs. 1,679.95 crores in the previous year, thereby registering a growth of 23.3 per cent. EBIDTA for the year was Rs. 452.92 crores, representing a growth of 50.3 per cent. Net profit increased from Rs. 139.04 crores to Rs. 250.71 crores, a growth of 80.3 per cent. Consolidated revenue was Rs 2,212.80 crores as against Rs. 1,781.80 crores in the previous year
Tokyo-based Teijin Group’s fiber products converting company, Teijin Frontier has developed new nylon-based materials and related textiles by adapting the company’s well-established polyester production technologies for nylon materials. The newly developed products offer the high functionality of polyester products such as lightweight, moisture management, anti-transparency and softness while retaining the characteristics of nylon fiber produced by Taiwanese nylon manufacturer Chain Yarn Corporation
This new knitted nylon named ‘Deltapeak’ and its related textile fabrics are ideal for outdoor, sports and casual wear. Its advantages include lightweight, softness, anti-transparency, stretch ability, snag resistance and useful bulkiness thanks to its dense, flat-knit surface. It also offers high durability and coloring properties.
‘Waveron’, Teijin Frontier’s new nylon fiber features a unique cross-sectional shape consisting of four flat peaks that enhance anti-transparency, moisture management and quick-drying. In addition, the nylon’s original characteristics offer softness, hygroscopic effectiveness, wear resistance and a cool feel to the touch. WAVERON nylon fiber is suitable for use in yoga wear and compression garments when mixed with urethane fiber, as well as inner wear and surface fabrics for wadding.
Teijin Frontier plans to release these in sportswear and outdoor applications too for its 2017 Spring/Summer collections. Additional applications will be offered for dress, casual wear and industrial materials. The company’s annual sales are expected to rise to 10 million meters by March 2019.
Cinte Techtextil will be held in China from October 12 to 14, 2016. This is a trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens. Chinese suppliers are getting ready to display a wide range of sourcing options for buyers particularly in the Medtech application area this year. Cinte Techtextil’s products include technology and machinery, woven and knitted fabrics, nonwovens, coated textiles, composites, surface and bonding techniques, fibers and yarns, and more.
Some of this sector’s best producers will be at the fair. Among them is Nanhai Beautiful Nonwoven, which ranks number two in terms of nonwovens production capacity in China. The company was one of the first Chinese companies to produce protective clothing used during the Ebola virus and also provided anti-nuclear radiation suits for staff working in the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Zhejiang Kingsafe Nonwoven is another top producer of spun bond, spun lace and hot-rolled nonwovens. Its nuclear-proof nonwovens constitute products used by the Chinese army. Other suppliers at this year’s fair include Nbond Nonwovens, which offers spun lace products for the medical, beauty and industrial fields; Tiandingfeng Nonwovens, whose high-strength coarse denier polypropylene spun bond geo textile is a substitute for polyester geo textiles; and Jiangsu Hengli Chemical Fiber, which will exhibit high-tenacity polyester yarn, polyester chips and more.
