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Pure London x JATC, the UK's leading fashion trade event, is teaming up with Graduate Fashion Foundation to showcase the works of talented fashion graduates. This collaboration aims to support future fashion leaders by providing them with a platform to launch their careers.
The event will take place at Olympia London from July 14th to 16th, 2024. Graduate Fashion Week alumni will participate in the highly anticipated Pure London x JATC catwalk show and have a dedicated space to exhibit their designs in the Grand Hall.
Megan Doyle, Associate Director of the Graduate Fashion Foundation, emphasized the event's importance as a launchpad for emerging designers to showcase their creativity and skills.
Gloria Sandrucci, Event Director of Pure London x JATC, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the event's commitment to nurturing young talent. She highlighted the excitement of seeing former Graduate Fashion Week (GFW) winners present their collections alongside established brands, reflecting the festival's dedication to supporting the next generation of fashion innovators.
The Pure London x JATC Catwalk, curated by Trendhub by BDA London, will showcase key trends for the upcoming season. Established brands will present core designs alongside the GFW winners, offering a comprehensive look and attracting industry professionals, buyers, and media.
Some of the designers chosen to participate in the Pure London x JATC Catwalk include Amelia Perkins, Bridget Calthrop, Maya Rhodes, and Thea Hunter. Additionally, a dedicated section will feature works from Emily Lanham, Hannah Bailey, Jasmyn Lopuszansky, and Shaojing Zhu.
This partnership between Pure London x JATC and Graduate Fashion Week provides a valuable opportunity for rising stars in the fashion industry to gain exposure and launch their careers.
European textile, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) industries received a boost with the TCLF SkillBridge Stakeholder Event. This initiative, co-funded by the European Commission, aims to bridge the skills gap by fostering regional partnerships between industries, education providers, and public authorities.
The project focuses on 25 European regions with a high concentration of TCLF businesses. By working regionally, SkillBridge can develop targeted reskilling and upskilling plans to meet each region's specific needs. The project will not only support the creation of these partnerships but also facilitate knowledge sharing and empower SMEs to adapt their workforce to industry changes.
SkillBridge complements two existing Erasmus+ initiatives, Aequalis4TCLF and Metaskills4TCLF, providing a comprehensive set of tools to address industry-wide skill challenges.
The stakeholder event featured experiences from the Emilia Romagna Region, Ateval, and Verband der DeutschenLederindustrie. An interactive session followed, focusing on strategies for successful partnership building under the Pact for Skills.
Industry leaders emphasized the importance of regional collaboration. Euratex Director General, Dirk Vantyghem, highlighted the project's focus on understanding regional needs and supporting SMEs.
Carmen Arias, Secretary General of CEC, stressed the role of education in workforce development and positioning TCLF industries competitively.
CotanceSecretary General, Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano, spoke about offering mentorship to guide partnerships towards sustainable and competitive educational strategies.
This collaborative effort positions the EU's TCLF sector for a greener, more innovative, and resilient future.
Asahi Kasei’s Bemberg division is launching VelutineEvo, ainnovatve fibrillation technology designed to enhance fabric aesthetics and sustainability. This new technology not only provides a refined, "quiet-relaxed" look and a delicate touch but also boasts significant environmental benefits.
VelutineEvo delivers a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and cuts water usage by 40 per cent compared to traditional methods. These improvements are highlighted in a recent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) report by Centro TessileSericoSostenibile, which validates the environmental advantages of VelutineEvo.
The roll-out of VelutineEvo begins with Infinity, a respected textile manufacturer in Italy known for its commitment to quality and sustainability. Infinity’s rigorous standards in traceability and environmental impact align perfectly with VelutineEvo’s innovative approach. This launch marks a significant step for Bemberg as it continues to meet the evolving demands of the market with advanced, responsible textile solutions. VelutineEvo offers a smart choice for manufacturers seeking to combine aesthetic appeal with eco-friendly practices.
Asahi Kasei's Bemberg will showcase their new VelutineEvo technology, featuring sustainable benefits, at various textile fairs this summer and fall.
Moda, the focal point of Autumn Fair and a leading name in fashion, is set to showcase a substantial expansion in its Fashion Accessories segment. Scheduled for September 1-4 at NEC Birmingham, the event will feature hundreds of new collections, reflecting the booming global market for fashion accessories.
The rapid growth in the fashion accessories market is fueled by ever-changing consumer trends. According to Statista, demand is particularly high in the UK, France, and the US, with contemporary consumers seeking unique, on-trend pieces that elevate their style. WGSN highlights that today's buyers prioritize practicality and long-lasting value in their accessories, with the cost-of-living crisis further driving the trend of gifting these items.
Retailers from diverse sectors are incorporating fashion accessories to enhance their offerings, with brands shifting focus to versatile, durable designs suitable for various occasions. Sustainability is also a major factor, with companies increasingly using ethical materials like repurposed denim and recycled metals.
SorayaGadelrab, Event Director of Autumn Fair, notes the dynamic evolution of the global accessories market, emphasizing the need for brands to stay innovative to thrive. Moda's Fashion Accessories sector promises an array of iconic pieces and curated collections, offering the latest in handbags, hats, scarves, belts, luggage, and costume jewelry.
The show will feature creative brands and designers such as Soruka, Berber Leather, Black Yak, Earth Squared, and many more, presenting collections that cater to both classic and contemporary tastes. Highlights include playfully designed wool socks from Jess & Lou and Soctopus, chic hair accessories, quality leather belts, and stylish hats and scarves from SSP Hats and Pure Fashions. Additionally, the growing luggage sector will present trend-led suitcases and backpacks from brands like Miku and Wholesale Alba.
Autumn Fair 2024 is positioned to be a key event for retailers and buyers, aligning with the peak retail season and providing a seamless buying experience. With over 25 per cent new exhibitors and 30 per cent exclusive to the show, it promises to be the most exciting and well-stocked trade event of the third quarter. Traditional trade shows like Autumn Fair continue to offer vital platforms for new businesses, supporting their growth and visibility in the competitive market.
During July-Mar 23-24, Bangladesh reported a 16 percentage points decline in value addition in the readymade garment (RMG) sector to 55.4 per cent. This decline raises concerns among exporters regarding Bangladesh's eligibility for the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus facility in the European Union (EU) market following its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.
According to recent data from the central bank, Bangladesh's apparel exports totaled $27.30 billion in the last three quarters of FY24, significantly lower than the previously reported $37.20 billion. This revision includes a substantial decrease of $6.49 billion in knitwear exports and $3.41 billion in woven exports.
The discrepancy between the central bank's data and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) stands at $10.81 billion for July to April of FY2024. Additionally, RMG-related import payments have been revised upwards to $12.17 billion, highlighting one of the lowest recorded value additions in recent years, significantly lower than the previously reported 71.5 per cent.
In response, industry leaders have urged the government to reconsider its export targets, arguing that the FY24 fell short due to inaccuracies in export figures. Concerns have been raised about meeting the double-stage value addition requirements for the GSP Plus facility in the EU market, given the declining value addition in Bangladesh's apparel sector.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) points out, a close competitor, Vietnam may now be far ahead following the revision of export data. This disparity underscores challenges such as gas and electricity shortages affecting local fabric and yarn supplies, potentially leading to increased reliance on imported raw materials and impacting local value addition efforts.
Dr. Ahsan H Mansur, Policy Research Institute, emphasises on the need for comprehensive government support, including improved port facilities, simplified customs procedures, and uninterrupted energy supplies, to help achieve ambitious export targets by 2027. He stressed diversifying the export basket to boost export volumes and competitiveness.
Exporters remain concerned about Bangladesh's standing in the global apparel market, particularly with Vietnam's competitive gains and the challenges posed by local infrastructure and value addition constraints. Efforts to address these issues will be crucial in maintaining Bangladesh's position as a leading apparel exporter and securing future market advantages.
Trützschler has successfully installed its TC 30i Card and IDF 3 Integrated Draw Frameat the Italian company Marchi&Fildi.Guido Marchetto, Production Supervisor emphasises on the efficiency, improved yarn quality, and streamlined production processes of the IDF3.
Trützschler's IDF technology incorporates a unique drafting zone geometry that ensures reliable fiber guidance and controls floating fibers, resulting in lower drafts compared to conventional draw frame passages and minimizing the risk of false drafts and count variations. Decades of experience have demonstrated that IDF technology excels with higher short fiber content, delivering superior results compared to traditional two draw frame processes. When paired with the TC 30Ri variant optimized for recycled fibers, the IDF 3 achieves maximum quality in sustainable yarn production.
A specialist in manufacturing pure and blended yarns from natural and synthetic fibers for global applications in fashion, furnishings, and technical uses, Marchi&Fildi is renowned for its commitment to sustainability. The company conducted initial trials using various fiber blends, including 70 per cent soft waste cotton and 30 per cent polyester for rotor direct spinning, achieving yarn counts ranging from Ne 8 to Ne 12 and Ne 30. Subsequent tests involved blends of 50 per cent PET and 50 per cent recycled cotton from hard textile waste, which posed considerable challenges due to the shorter fiber length and required advanced yarn production expertise.
Combining the TC 30Ri and IDF 3 surpassed Marchi&Fildi's expectations, enabling optimal process parameter adjustments. The TC 30Ri's higher material delivery speed coupled with the IDF 3's ability to maintain sliver evenness during can changes resulted in excellent yarn parameters exceeding industry standards. Overall, Marchi&Fildi reported a 75% productivity increase over previous models and a 14% reduction in energy consumption at higher production rates by eliminating the drawing stage.
Emphasising onTrützschler's longstanding partnership and the machines' adaptability to their specific needs, Marchettohighlighted reliable service support from the company. The IDF technology significantly streamlined spinning preparation processes while enhancing quality levels for materials with high short fiber content. Together, the TC 30i and IDF 3 enable customers to fully leverage the benefits of direct spinning, saving resources, energy, and production space, he added.
In the first five months of 2024, Bangladesh's apparel exports to the United States, its largest market, declined by 12.31 per cent in value to $2.90 billion.
According to data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) under the US Department of Commerce, in terms of volume Bangladesh shipped 6.22 percent fewer garments, equating to 956.55 million sqm, down from 1.01 billion sq m in the corresponding period the previous year.
In contrast, Bangladesh's key competitors, China and Vietnam, outperformed it in the US market. US apparel imports from Vietnam reached $5.41 billion in January-May 2024, showing a smaller year-over-year decrease of 1.48 percent. China's apparel exports to the US also declined by 5.81 percent, amounting to $5.43 billion. Overall, US apparel imports dropped by 6.0 percent, from $31.51 billion to $29.62 billion in the first five months of 2024.
Exporters attribute Bangladesh's declining export share to several domestic issues, including long lead times, inconsistent energy supplies, and high production costs. These factors have given Vietnam an edge in the US market, they argue. Mohammad Hatem, Executive President, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), notes, buyers are now placing orders with shorter lead times, favoring countries like China and Vietnam with more reliable energy supplies and quicker turnaround times.
The current gas crisis in Bangladesh hampers factories' ability to operate at full capacity, making it challenging to meet production deadlines. Additionally, the lack of a deep-sea port causes delays in import and export activities. Rising gas prices and recent wage hikes are also eroding Bangladesh's production cost competitiveness. Hatem points out, in many cases, they are forced to decline orders because the offered prices are below production costs. Furthermore, he mentioned difficulties with non-cooperative banks.
Bangladesh is also losing out to Vietnam in capturing redirected orders from China. Vietnam benefits from several advantages, including shorter lead times, lower tariffs for the US market, strong connectivity with China, and substantial Chinese investments in Vietnamese manufacturing.
OTEXA data shows, during the same period, US apparel imports from Cambodia increased by 7.75 percent to $1.28 billion. In contrast, India's apparel exports to the US declined by 2.06 percent to $2.08 billion, and Indonesia saw a 10.49 percent drop to $1.64 billion.
Currently valued at $26.05 billion, the global maternity apparel market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.80 per cent to reach $50.51 billion by 2034. As per a report by Future Market Insights (FMI), growth in this market is being driven by a rising demand for comfortable and stylish clothing options by expectant mothers.
The trend is expected to continue with increasing birth rates, sustaining a steady demand for maternity wear. Additionally, new mothers are contributing to this growth as they look for clothing to transition back to their pre-pregnancy body shape and size during the postpartum period.
Growth in the global maternity apparel market is being driven by the outerwear segment that holds a 75.10 per cent share in 2024. Cotton is the leading material type, comprising 41.80 per cent of the market share in 2024.
The market in India is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 10.10 per cent through 2034, while that in Japan is expected to rise by 9.70 per cent CAGR through 2034. The market in Italy has the potential to increase at a 7.90 per cent CAGR through 2034 while that in Singapore and China is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 7.70 per cent through 2034.
Major companies in the maternity apparel market are heavily investing in research and development to innovate and introduce advanced fabric technologies. Leading players including Motherhood Maternity, Destination Maternity Corporation, Seraphine, H&M (Hennes&Mauritz), ASOS Maternity, and Gap Maternity are expanding their product lines to offer a diverse range of maternity clothing options, catering to different body types, style preferences, and occasions.
In September 2022, Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt launched her maternity wear line emphasising comfort and expanding her influence in fashion. In April 2023, Bumpsuit opened its first pop-up store at The Grove Mall in Los Angeles, offering chic maternity options. Destination Maternityalso unveiled its Spring/Summer collection featuring maternity apparel and essential intimates for mothers at Walmart in May 2023.
Two flagship brands of AEO Inc, American Eagle and Aerie have collaborated to launch a new limited edition athleisure denim collection.
Called, 'A Match Made in Denim,' the collection combines the best elements of American Eagle’s iconic jeans and Aerie’s signature soft, comfortable fabrics to create a unique athleisure line that mimics the look of denim.
Jennifer Foyle, President and Executive Creative Director for both brands highlights, the collection uses the cool transfer technology that adapts the fabric characteristics of AE’s denim designs to other materials. This technique gives sports bras and leggings the distinctive salt-and-pepper appearance of ’90s denim. The collection also features printed trompe-l’œil back pockets and unfinished hems on the bottoms.
Special dyeing and washing techniques were applied to create authentic denim effects in the collection. Seams on underwear and sports bras replicate the washed-down look of jeans, while items like corset denim tops and sports bras feature a light cloudy wash.
The 34-piece collection includes tube dresses, zip-up jackets, wrap skirts, sweatshirts, T-shirts, joggers, sports bras, intimates, leggings, and men’s underwear. Additionally, a line of women’s swimwear features a one-piece, bikini, and sarong with a dark denim look. Denim accessories such as a polka dot cap, bucket hat, scrunchie, bag, and sneakers complete the collection.
The collection retails for $7.95-$69.95 and is exclusively available at AEO’s unique store concept, The Gateway, in New York City, and online at AE.com and Aerie.com.
A landmark agreement to transform Indonesia’s textile sector by adopting a circular economy approachwas signedat the Green Economy Expo held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC).
The collaboration involves the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Indonesia, the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), Bandung Polytechnic of Textile Technology (Politeknik STTT Bandung), and PT DaurLangkahBersama.
Collaborating with key government institutions and initiatives such as Pable, a textile-to-textile recycling company, this partnership under GGGI Indonesia’s Green Transition Investment Program (GTIP) aims to mitigate the environmental impact of textile waste. The focus is on promoting circular textiles, creating green jobs, and organizing training programs.The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has pledged support to GGGI Indonesia's efforts.
Bappenas has recently released Indonesia's Circular Economy Roadmap and National Action Plan, highlighting textile waste as a critical sector for circular intervention. With textile waste in Indonesia estimated at 2.3 million tons annually and projected to rise by 70 per cent without intervention, this partnership is crucial. PriyantoRohmattullah, Director – Environment at Bappenas, emphasised that the initiative aims not only to manage textile waste but also to develop a circular textile ecosystem. This includes creating financial schemes and building capacity among circular textile industry players.
A key partner, Bandung Polytechnic of Textile Technology will enhance its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs through this collaboration. This will improve skills and knowledge in textile recycling techniques, ultimately leading to more job opportunities.
Yorkie Sutaryo, Head, GGGI Indonesia and GTIP Indonesia, states, the long-term goal of the initiative is to support local businesses in accessing markets with stringent sustainability standards. It aims to foster a more sustainable, resilient, and competitive textile industry in Indonesia.
The partnership marks a significant step towards a greener future for Indonesia's textile sector, aligning with global sustainability goals and national priorities.
