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Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) has revealed the theme for the 2025 Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition, ‘Barriers and Bridges.’ Under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark, the summit will take place from June 3-5, 2025, at the Copenhagen Concert Hall. Registration is now open.
As the fashion industry faces mounting pressures to innovate and comply with complex regulations, the summit will explore how today’s challenges can drives sustainable growth. By bringing together key stakeholders, the event will highlight how barriers can be transformed into bridges for positive change, navigating the blurred lines between voluntary and mandatory efforts in sustainability.
The Summit will tackle critical social and environmental issues, discussing the balance between climate leadership, business resilience, regulatory compliance, and innovation. Three key stages will feature speakers addressing these dualities, focusing on both immediate solutions and long-term visions.
Additionally, the Innovation Forum will spotlight pioneering solutions, including materials and end-of-use processes, providing opportunities for tailored collaborations through the Matchmaking Programme.
Federica Marchionni, CEO of Global Fashion Agenda, emphasized that fashion’s transformative potential is immense, requiring bold leadership, investment, and a reimagined approach to business models. The summit aims to facilitate collaboration, guiding the fashion industry towards meaningful, sustainable change.
Activists from Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) and XR Fashion Action disrupted Inditex’s European distribution centre in Lelystad, The Netherlands, protesting the brand’s failure to protect garment workers rights in Bangladesh. The action escalates CCC’s ongoing campaign against brands linked to the crackdown on workers involved in the 2023 minimum wage protests in Bangladesh.
Inditex, the parent company of Zara, is one of the top offenders on CCC’s tracker, which links brands to factories pressing unjust criminal charges against workers. According to CCC’s research, over 5,500 workers in Inditex’s supply chain are at risk of prison sentences due to baseless charges filed by factory owners after the protests. At least eight factories in the supply chain were involved in worker repression.
As one of the world's largest garment manufacturers, Bangladesh is especially vulnerable to climate change. CCC argues that the fashion industry’s massive contribution to global carbon dioxide emissions is enabled by the exploitation of Bangladeshi workers. KalponaAkter, president of the Bangladesh Garment & Industrial Workers Federation, criticized Zara’s empty promises on living wages and labor rights, stating that workers remain trapped in a cycle of repression.
CCC campaigner Bogu Gojdz emphasized that major fashion polluters are often the worst violators of labor rights, urging Inditex to put an end to worker exploitation throughout its supply chain.
The activists demand that Zara urge its suppliers to drop all charges against workers and publicly support the call for Bangladesh’s interim government to dismiss the politically motivated legal actions.
The global fashion industry is bracing for a turbulent 2025, as a cyclical slowdown, rising prices, and shifting consumer preferences are creating a perfect storm of challenges. But amidst the chaos, there are also opportunities for brands that can adapt quickly and strategically.
Navigating a Complex Landscape
The McKinsey Global Fashion Index predicts industry-wide growth in the low single digits for 2025, with non-luxury brands driving the majority of profits. This represents a significant shift from recent years, where luxury brands have been the primary growth engine.
"The old playbook is now obsolete; the industry will need a new formula for differentiation and growth," says Imran Amed, founder and CEO of The Business of Fashion.
Key Challenges and Opportunities
The report identifies several key themes that will shape the fashion industry in 2025:
1. Trade Barriers and Geopolitical Tensions
Global trade is undergoing a significant reconfiguration, with major economies diversifying their sourcing and reducing their reliance on China. This is partly due to rising costs and geopolitical tensions, but also reflects a growing focus on sustainability and nearshoring.
2. Asia's New Growth Markets
As China's economy slows and consumer preferences evolve, international brands are turning their attention to other Asian markets. India, in particular, is attracting significant interest, with its large and growing middle class and potential in the luxury market.
3. The "Silver Generation"
The fashion industry has traditionally focused on younger consumers, but the "Silver Generation" of shoppers aged 50 and over represents a growing and increasingly affluent demographic. Brands that can engage these previously overlooked customers will be well-positioned for growth.
4. The Value Shift
Consumers are increasingly price-sensitive and value-conscious, fuelling growth in segments such as resale, off-price, and "dupes." Brands will need to prove their value to customers, whether through innovative products, compelling brand stories, or exceptional customer experiences.
5. The In-Store Experience
Despite the growth of e-commerce, physical stores remain an important part of the fashion ecosystem. Brands that can differentiate their in-store experience, for example by empowering their sales associates and creating a sense of community, will be able to attract and retain customers.
Case Studies
The report highlights several brands that are successfully navigating the changing fashion landscape:
• Myntra, an Indian e-commerce platform, is helping international brands reach millions of young and aspirational consumers.
• J.Crew has turned its business around by focusing on timeless designs and creating intergenerational appeal.
• Ralph Lauren is successfully selling a "dream" at every price point, by creating a strong brand identity and offering a range of products to suit different budgets.
• Aritzia, a Canadian retailer, is experiencing rapid growth thanks to its focus on customer service and creating an engaging in-store experience.
Looking Ahead
The fashion industry is facing a period of unprecedented change and uncertainty. But as the report makes clear, there are also significant opportunities for brands that can adapt and innovate. By understanding the key trends shaping the industry and embracing new strategies, fashion brands can position themselves for success in 2025 and beyond.
Economic challenges shape 2025 fashion landscape
The global fashion industry enters 2025 facing significant challenges amid economic uncertainty, shifting consumer behaviors, and environmental pressures. A cyclical economic slowdown and recent high inflation have heightened consumer price sensitivity, while increased regional disparities and the rise of affordable ‘dupes’ add to industry unpredictability. A survey by Business of Fashion (BoF)–McKinsey reports that only 20 percent of fashion executives anticipate improved consumer sentiment this year, while 39 percent foresee worsening conditions.
Revenue growth for 2025 is projected to remain in low single digits, mirroring 2024's sluggish pace. Notably, non-luxury segments are expected to drive economic profit growth, a first since 2010, as the demand for accessible fashion options grows. Geographic revenue trends are also shifting, with Europe benefiting from falling inflation and tourism, the US buoyed by high-net-worth consumers, and Asia experiencing growth outside of China, as brands increasingly turn to Japan, Korea, and India.
New strategies for a value-driven consumer base
To adapt, fashion brands are recalibrating strategies by broadening price ranges, localizing models, and expanding resale and off-price channels. For brands aiming to sustain premium positioning, enhancing customer experience is crucial. As consumers return to physical stores, well-trained staff and a compelling in-store experience are increasingly important. Meanwhile, e-commerce faces disruptions due to falling demand, high acquisition costs, and the challenge of product discovery, driving brands to leverage AI-powered curation for better online shopping experiences.
Demographic shifts present further opportunities. While youth markets remain key, the over-50 ‘silver generation’ is gaining traction, representing a growing share of fashion spending. Challenger brands, especially in sportswear, are effectively capturing market share by innovating in product and consumer approach, unlike traditional incumbents.
Sustainable supply chains and environmental responsibility
Supply chain agility, driven by nearshoring and geopolitics, will be critical, with brands aiming to minimize inventory risks while adapting to environmental regulations. The climate crisis also remains a top concern; though some consumers hesitate to pay extra for sustainable products, regulatory pressures and long-term cost benefits keep sustainability at the forefront.
In this landscape, fashion leaders who swiftly identify and act on geographic, demographic, and technological opportunities will stand out. Success in 2025 will require a fresh playbookone focused on adaptability and forward-thinking solutions.
Karl Mayer's Warp Knitting Business Unit marked a successful presence at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024, drawing large crowds and significant customer interest in Shanghai. With the global economic challenges affecting the textile sector, the company showcased technology solutions focused on profitability, flexibility, and sustainability to help warp knitting firms address these concerns.
Around 40 per cent of visitors with specific inquiries represented the warp knitting industry, and high engagement, particularly on days two and three, underscored the event’s success. Christof Naier, President of Karl Mayer's Warp Knitting Business Unit, noted the high quality of interactions, stating that customers displayed cautious optimism about upcoming projects.
Key attractions included the HKS 2-S machine in the new E 44 gauge, which is ideal for sun protection wear due to its lightweight, breathable structure and strong UV resistance. Also on display were the RE 4-1 machine, designed for highly elastic fabrics, and the cost-effective DM 6/2-6 EN, suited for 3D spacer fabrics for furniture and luggage.
An accompanying in-house show at Karl Mayer (China) debuted the RE 4-1 with 190” working width and E 36 configuration and the DM 6/2-6 EN, adding a technical focus on lightweight 3D fabrics.
The exhibits also featured new textile developments, such as a sun protection outfit from HKS 2-S E-44 fabric and fashionable, functional sportswear for the growing yoga market, alongside designs in cotton-like and Leavers lace-inspired fabrics, reinforcing Karl Mayer’s innovation leadership.
With targeted reforms, Pakistan’s textile exports are likely to reach $100 billion by 2030, a level that could transform the country’s economic landscape, believe experts.
With its imports continuing to rise, Pakistan has emerged as the largest buyer of American cotton Ehsan-ul-Haq, Chairman, Pakistan Cotton Ginners Forum (PCGF), reveals, the country recently signed contracts for 72,000 cotton bales from the US in just one week. So far this year, Pakistan has imported over 3 million bales of American cotton—a significant increase driven by limited domestic cotton supply and the demand for high-quality fiber.
Cotton prices have also surged domestically, reaching Rs 18,200 per 40kg, a rise of Rs 200 from previous rates. The uptick in imports underscores Pakistan’s reliance on the US market to support its textile industry, a sector essential to the national economy.
In related developments, Kamran Arshad, Chairman. All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation in fiber recycling and renewable energy to support textile exports and create jobs. Speaking with representatives from Gherzi, a consulting firm, he emphasised the potential for a strategic partnership to fuel economic growth.
Looking to the future, Pakistan’s textile sector plans to establish 1,000 garment factories with a $7 billion investment. This expansion aims to boost exports to $50 billion, create employment for 700,000 people, and generate $20 million in annual garment production per plant.
Giuseppe Gherzi, Managing Partner, Gherzi, notes, garment production is likely to slowdown. He advised industry leaders to stay agile to maintain competitiveness amid 34 key trends reshaping the textile sector from production to consumer habits.
Playing a crucial role in Pakistan’s economy, the textile industry accounts for 60 per cent of its exports. Despite its importance, the industry faces significant challenges. Cotton yield has stagnated over the past three decades, with production stuck at 617 kg per hectare in 2020, while countries like China saw their yields rise by over 150 per cent to 2,027 kg per hectare during the same period. Rising energy costs and a lack of specialised leadership have further strained the industry.
ReHubs has announced a strategic partnership with AMI for the Textiles Recycling Expo, set to take place on June 4-5, 2025, in Brussels. The event will provide a dedicated platform for industry leaders and stakeholders to promote innovations in textile waste recycling.
The Textiles Recycling Expo will feature a high-level conference and industry-leading exhibitors, showcasing cutting-edge advancements in recycling technologies and sustainable practices. This event aims to address the growing issue of textile waste by uniting voices from across the sector to discuss recycled fibers, circular models, and sustainable solutions.
AMI, renowned for organizing global plastics events, is branching into textiles with this expo. The collaboration with ReHubs, an established hub focused on textile-to-textile recycling in Europe, leverages ReHubs, extensive network and commitment to accelerating recycling initiatives. ReHubs will play a pivotal role in shaping the conference agenda, ensuring it reflects pressing industry needs and trends.
ReHubs Chris Deloof expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with AMI, emphasizing that the expo presents a valuable opportunity for the textiles recycling ecosystem to come together, collaborate, and promote circular business models. AMI’s Zied Chetoui highlighted that working with ReHubs strengthens the industry’s progress toward achieving a circular future for textiles.
The AMI-ReHubs alliance aims to make the Textiles Recycling Expo a leading European event for advancing textile recycling through collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The Global Sourcing Expo 2024 in Melbourne is set to highlight traceability as a critical factor in the fashion industry’s future. From November 19-21, industry leaders will gather to discuss the implications of new global regulations, including the EU’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) mandate, which will require all textile products sold in the EU to include detailed traceability by 2030.
Marie Kinsella, CEO of the International Expo Group, underscores the importance of transparency for brands, highlighting traceability as a vital business requirement. She notes that today’s consumers increasingly seek information about the lifecycle of the products they purchase, making it essential for brands to adopt traceability practices to remain competitive in the market.
At the expo, seminars will provide insights on sustainable sourcing, led by experts like Melinda Tually, Director of Ndless: The New Normal and an authority on ethical sourcing. Her seminar, ‘Tools to trace: Regulatory demands require real-time traceability. Are uou prepared?’ will offer guidance on implementing traceability systems and navigating upcoming legal obligations.
Tually’s session, which includes contributions from traceability tech leaders Retraced and Fibretrace, will cover implementing DPPs and managing compliance with various global laws, including France’s AGEC law and the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR).
For Australian brands, complying with these evolving frameworks means mapping entire supply chains, beyond just the first tier, to comply with US forced labor laws, EU human rights and environmental due diligence standards, and rising carbon reporting obligations.
As traceability becomes crucial for compliance, Melinda Tually emphasizes the need for brands to adopt digital mapping beyond first-tier suppliers to fulfill carbon reporting and other regulatory requirements. Tually highlights that traceability is now essential for market access, with these frameworks pushing for a transparent supply chain that promotes equity and mitigates environmental risks.
Attendees of the Global Sourcing Seminars will gain practical insights to adapt to these changes, ensuring they remain competitive in a market where transparency and sustainability are paramount.
Driven by an expected boost from a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with South Korea that is anticipated to take effect in the first quarter, apparel exports by the Phillipines are projected to reach $1 billion in 2025, shares Robert Young, President, Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines (FOBAP).
The FTA is likely to attract South Korean companies to set up manufacturing facilities in Philippine ecozones, where they can benefit from tax holidays and other incentives provided under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, explains Young. This act allows enterprises in ecozones to access benefits such as duty-free imports of capital equipment, raw materials, and accessories, he adds.
The zero-tariff status enabled by the FTA will facilitate greater market access for Philippine apparel exports to South Korea, potentially increasing revenues for local manufacturers, notes Young. While the Philippines has already ratified the FTA, it is awaiting South Korea's ratification to finalise the deal.
Currently, Philippine garment exporters to South Korea consist of a small network of factories and hand-knitters. In 2023, Philippine exports of knit or crocheted apparel to South Korea were valued at $15.6 million, according to United Nations Comtrade data.
However, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported a slight decline in apparel exports from Jan to Sep’24, totaling $520.42 million, a 3 per cent decline from $536.56 million during the same period last year. Imports of textiles, essential for producing apparel exports, also declined by 5.9 per cent to $958.06 million as of Sep’24. FOBAP expressed concern that declining textile imports could limit apparel export production.
To support growth in the garment sector, FOBAP emphasises on the need for stronger government support. Last year, Philippine apparel exports totaled $705.52 million, and with the FTA’s potential impact, the sector aims to significantly expand its reach in 2025.
Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), Former President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), highlights, many factories in Bangladesh are still struggling with limited work orders, despite an uptick in the country’s garment exports. Between July and Oct 2024, Bangladesh’s garment exports rose by 22.8 per cent to $12.81 billion, largely attributed to a quick recovery from shipment disruptions caused by recent student protests.
Data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) shows, knitwear exports from the country increased by 12.08 per cent to $7.2 billion, while woven garment exports rose 10.48 per cent to $5.6 billion. The country’s leather and leather goods sector also performed well, with exports increasing by 9.82 per cent to $372.24 million. Non-leather footwear exports expanded by 36.04 per cent to $167.11 million.
Meanwhile, home textile exports grew by 1.31 per cent to $254.94 million as international retailers and brands ramped up orders. However, exports of jute and jute goods lowered by 13.7 per cent to $264.81 million, a decline linked to anti-dumping duties imposed by India, the largest export market for Bangladeshi jute. Additionally, exports to Russia—a significant market for Bangladeshi jute products—have been affected by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
