CENTRESTAGE, the annual Asian fashion extravaganza, commenced today with an exciting four-day lineup at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event's first two days are reserved exclusively for buyers, while the remaining two, from September 8th to 9th, are open to industry professionals and the general public. This year's theme, "Radiant Wellness," underscores fashion's potential impact on individual well-being.

Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) with sponsorship from Create Hong Kong (CreateHK), CENTRESTAGE, now in its eighth year, has become an iconic event in the Asia-Pacific region. With the reopening of the Hong Kong-Mainland China border, the 2023 edition boasts increased international participation, featuring over 240 brands from 19 countries and regions.

Hong Kong's own talent is on full display, with brands like REDEMPTIVE, Barney Cheng Couture, and Kowloon City Boy showcasing their latest collections. International brands like FETICO (Japan), SAMSARA (Japan), and CHILLOSOPHY (India) bring their unique styles to the event.

The four-day extravaganza also promises a series of captivating fashion shows, starting with the CENTRESTAGE ELITES fashion show, featuring the Spring/Summer 2024 collections of Hong Kong's REDEMPTIVE and Japan's FETICO. Notable celebrities, including Hanna Chan and Pete, will grace the runway, highlighting the fusion of fashion and artificial intelligence.

Fashion enthusiasts can anticipate the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show, an interdisciplinary blend of fashion and ballet, and the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest (YDC) 2023 finale, showcasing the budding talents shaping the future of Hong Kong's fashion scene. With sustainability and inclusivity at the forefront, this year's YDC finale promises to be a spectacular finale to CENTRESTAGE 2023.

Searock Apparels Ltd., a prominent ready-made garment specialist, has chosen Coats Digital's FastReactPlan to revolutionize its production processes. This move aims to enhance productivity, ensure timely deliveries, and boost profits. The implementation of FastReactPlan is expected to increase productivity by 3%, significantly reducing idle production lines, firefighting, and material wastage. This transformation will also position Searock Apparels for substantial growth.

Established in 2018, Searock Apparels specializes in ready-made outerwear, denim/non-denim bottoms, workwear, and uniforms. With two facilities in Gazipur and Pubail, employing over 1,800 workers, and a monthly production exceeding half a million pieces, the company boasts a monthly turnover of 3 million USD. Notable international clients include Lidl, Norma, Orn International, 5 Star, and Champion Clothing.

Khandokar Fazlay Rabbi, Managing Director of Searock Apparels Ltd., praised FastReactPlan as the garment industry's leading planning tool. The previous manual planning process, reliant on scattered Excel sheets, notes, and emails, hindered visibility, causing over- and underbookings, overtime, excess material costs, and firefighting. FastReactPlan promises to enhance efficiency and profit margins, enabling effective planning and future growth.

FastReactPlan, a part of Coats Digital's Manufacturing Solution Suite, is a dynamic production planning and control tool tailored for footwear and apparel manufacturing. Its visual, flexible approach streamlines planning, integrates capacity, critical paths, and materials into a single system. Mitali Chakrabartty, Business Development Manager at Coats Digital, expressed excitement about Searock Apparels' digital journey and anticipates a 3% productivity boost post-implementation. Coats Digital is committed to supporting Searock Apparels in achieving their long-term business goals.

Recently, India’s textile industry has become one of the most visible sectors as it generated a series of reports that translated to a roller-coaster ride, now up, now down. As the world’s fifth largest economy, India’s contribution to the global textile market as of 2023 is a mere 4 per cent but the growth trajectory was charted between 2019 and 2026 where the projection is for a 10 per cent expansion annually, making it worth $190 billion by the end of projected period. Year 2023 is expected to close at $147 billion should no major global disruption in exports happen. The sector contributes 2 per cent to India’s GDP and in terms of value, its 7 per cent industry output. 

The bull chases the bear away

June 2023 was the month the beleaguered sector in India saw a turnaround in its confidence as it showed signs of revival. In fact, such is the rush of confidence in the Indian stock market about this sector that textile stocks seem to be the new “it” item in bourses across the country. Textile manufacturers are delighted to see their stocks shoot up, a windfall long overdue. 

From Gokaldas Exports, Alok Industries, Himatsingka Seide and Arvind Limited to KPR Mills, Trident, Raymond, Welspun and Vardhaman Textiles, each one breathing a sigh of relief as their stocks are on an adrenalin-charged bull run. ICICI Direct had a strong buy recommendation for Gokaldas Exports, Siyaram Silk Mills, Vardaman Textiles and Nitin Spinners. While in May 2023 KPR Mills was at Rs, 685 a share, the very next month it shot up to Rs 900 per share. Many questioned why ICICI Securities had recommended a buy on Gokaldas as readymade garment exports from India are being bullish at the moment. A senior ICICI Securities executive opined correction of local cotton prices and lower freight costs will help the sector rebound.

Raw material price stabilization has helped

Prices of raw materials not only in the domestic market but also imported ones seems to have stabilized somewhat. In cotton, the stability will continue until the 2023 end of cotton season. Anand Popat, Rajkot-based cotton, yarn and cotton waste trader points out cotton prices will remain range bound as the end of the growing season is here and farmers who held their produce back at the beginning of the season will let their inventory out in the market. Analysts say this is the time for organized players in the sector to call the shots and have a good run. 

Policy interventions worked well

The Indian government has been trying its level best to keep the textile and apparel industry not only buoyant but also growth-oriented. Recently, there has been a push for technical textiles with demand growing worldwide. The many FTAs signed or on the verge of being signed is helping the sector locally but also boosting their confidence. The current slew of schemes such as the PLI, PM-Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel, Silk Sama and Samarth Yojna are all contributing to innovation, more efficient production and an overall positive outlook that has impacted textile stocks in India. 

While things are looking bright at the moment, it may be well be advised to tread the textile stock trade with a pinch of caution as climate change continues to create irregularities for production of raw material, the Russo-Ukraine crisis shows no desire to end and ESG regulations might impact traditional production of raw material soon.

The Textile and Garment Industry of Bangladesh is set to come together once more for three comprehensive international exhibitions hosted by CEMS-Global USA. 

The exhibitions will take place from September 13 to 16 at the newly inaugurated Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center (BBCFEC) located in Dhaka's Purbachal.

The exhibitions will feature over 1,675 worldwide manufacturers representing 37 countries, occupying 2,245 booths and pavilions. 

They will provide a unique and unparalleled B2B networking platform for buyers and sellers, allowing industry visitors to explore a diverse array of cutting-edge textile products and solutions.

The Expo inauguration ceremony will feature Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Speaker of the Bangladesh National Parliament, as the Chief Guest and Golam Dastagir Gazi, Birprotik, Minister of the Ministry of Textiles & Jute, as the Guest of Honor.

The two-day nation branding event "Best of Bangladesh Europe" has started in Amsterdam today. The event was organized by Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE), with support from the Embassy of Bangladesh, Ministry of Commerce, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh and in association with PDS.

The event featured more than 35 companies from various fields, including apparel, textiles, agriculture, handicrafts, and other sectors. Over 1000 European visitors, including representatives from brands and retailers, are expected to attend the event.

The event also held six interactive panel sessions on the topics of sustainable sourcing, workforce safety, agro-food, impact investing, and circular economy. A Bangladesh Innovation Runway was also presented at the event, showcasing the country's ability to produce high-end, sustainable, and innovative apparel products.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the event:

• Bangladesh is a major player in the global apparel industry, and is committed to sustainable manufacturing.

• The country has a strong workforce with a focus on quality and innovation.

• Bangladesh is a growing market for agro-food products.

• There are many opportunities for collaboration between Bangladesh and Europe in the areas of impact investing and circular economy.

The "Best of Bangladesh Europe" event is a significant step in promoting Bangladesh as a sustainable and innovative manufacturing hub. The event is expected to generate new business opportunities for Bangladeshi companies and help to strengthen ties between Bangladesh and Europe.

The autumn fashion event in Paris kicked off on Saturday, September 2, and drew hordes of visitors who eagerly explored the offerings of 1,200 clothing, footwear, accessories, and jewelry brands from the early morning hours.

This year's theme, "Back to School," added an extra layer of excitement. The venue was divided into distinct sections, with one side dedicated to jewelry, leather goods, and textile accessories, and the other side featuring footwear and clothing. Overlooking the scene were oversized paper airplanes.

The event also welcomed representatives from the Indian and Ethiopian embassies and featured a "Fashion China" area for the first time, showcasing Chinese brands in collaboration with the major Chinese clothing fair Chic. Turkey also had a strong presence, with exhibitors and manufacturers engaging with French brands and retailers.

Notable highlights included the 'Docteur Love' stand by 'l'Écosystème de la Mode,' which facilitated connections between brands and service providers, the iconic Smiley stand, and the Atelier Amelot area where visitors could witness custom motif printing on clothing items, a technique already in use at Galeries Lafayette on the Champs-Elysées.

The leading wholesale marketplace for home, gift and fashion, Autumn Fair, opened today with a spectacle of newness and source of inspiration. 

Buyers from across the UK, Ireland and across the globe flocked to the show enjoying a host of special features including the New Product Showcase, Connect Buyers Lounges, and captivating fashion brought to life on the Moda Catwalk.

The event saw the debut of the new connections programme Connect @ Autumn Fair which has created over 10,000 connections. Buyers were also inspired by the latest trends on the Moda Catwalk, from dopamine-infused colour-blocking to tailored black and denim looks.

Autumn Fair is the must-attend event for buyers looking to source the latest products and trends for the 2023 season.

The new responsible sourcing show, Source Home & Gift, which opened today welcoming an international line-up of audited manufacturers championing responsibly and sustainably made products, has reported a very successful first day of trading.

The show, which is taking place at the NEC Birmingham and running parallel to Autumn Fair, has tripled in size from the first edition in February, with a diverse showcase of homewares, furniture, gifts, toys, textiles, packaging, and stationery and greetings producers and manufacturers from over 300 exhibitors from over 14 countries.

Suzanne Ellingham, Director of Sourcing, Source Home & Gift says, “It’s been an incredible first day showcasing of some of the best manufacturers and makers in the world – it’s been such a successful first day of trading. 

The breadth and depth of product on show in Source Home & Gift is unparalleled for a responsible sourcing show, both in terms of product mix, and the diversity of artisan makers alongside large-scale manufacturers. It makes for a very compelling offering for our audience.”

The show also featured a line-up of internationally renowned industry professionals and experts discussing the latest trends and topics in responsible and sustainable manufacturing.

Overall, the first day of Source Home & Gift was a great success, and the show is well-positioned to become the leading platform for responsible sourcing in the UK and Europe.

Donear Group, India's premier lifestyle and fashion house, has raised the bar for men's fashion by unveiling its acclaimed product line at AsiaTex'23, hosted at the JWCC (Jio World Convention Centre), BKC, from August 31st to September 2nd, 2023.

A prestigious showcase

AsiaTex'23, organized by the Hindustan Chambers of Commerce, saw a grand inauguration attended by notable figures including  Piyush Goyal, Minister of Textile, Commerce & Industry, Rajendra Agarwal - MD & Mentor, Donear Industries Ltd., and Ramesh Poddar – CMD, Siyaram Silk Mills Ltd.

Epitome of style, luxury, and craftsmanship

At this exclusive event, Donear Group, renowned for its style, luxury, and craftsmanship, occupied the largest stall. They presented a wide spectrum of luxury to premium fabrics tailored for discerning Indian fashion enthusiasts.

State-of-the-art infrastructure

Behind this impressive showcase lies Donear Group's world-class infrastructure, featuring cutting-edge weaving and processing facilities in Surat, Silvassa, Bhiwani, and Amritsar, manned by a highly skilled workforce.

Innovation meets fashion trends

Donear Group's commitment to innovation has kept it in sync with evolving local and global fashion trends. The Group offers a diverse array of top-quality Woolen, Cotton, Linen, and PV fabrics, distinguished by their quality, comfort, versatility, lightness, and style.

A commitment to excellence

Rajendra Agarwal, Mentor of Donear Group, emphasized, "AsiaTex'23 underscores Donear Group's dedication to excellence and innovation in the textile and fashion industry." He highlighted the showcase of diverse fabrics under their Heritage and Premium brands, catering to the tastes of fashion connoisseurs.

Redefined fashion future

Agarwal further noted that Donear Group's expertise lies in customizing global trends to suit Indian traditional flavors, aiming to elevate fashion's luxury and craftsmanship standards within the industry.

Since 2020, Bangladesh, despite its tremendous effort at trying to maintain a steady supply of apparel exports to client markets, is experiencing numerous setbacks and headwinds that are stressing out manufacturers and exporters alike. However, the country has continued retaining its position as the world’s second largest supplier of apparel, despite the devaluation of national currency that made raw materials and machinery imports expensive. And also the country has been facing energy crisis for sometime. Despite headwinds, it did get applauded by the World Trade Organisation for having earned $45 billion through apparel exports and more than tripled its market share in the global textile and apparel market – from 2.5 per cent in 2005 to 7.9 per cent 17 years later, despite the odds it battled on the way. 

Good tidings for Bangladeshi exporters

A 15 per cent year-on-year growth compared to 2022 was reported at the beginning of the fiscal year in April 2023. Spearheading this growth was the US that has made a clear indication of dropping Chinese imports as much as possible and that Bangladesh was their preferred replacement. Bangladeshi exports give themselves a neat little pat on the back as they were absolutely right in investing in moving forward with not only portfolio diversification but also value-added items, which are performing well in Western markets. As Mohammed Khusro, Nipa Group stated in a recent interview with a Bangladesh-based textile trade journal these decisions saved the day as it helped the entire sector tide over decline in orders and being squeezed price-wise as much as 20 per cent. 

The Sino-US standoff has made Bangladesh the biggest beneficiary – according to Mohammad Hatem, a knit garment exporter and executive president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, no other apparel exporting country is able to bridge the current gap of 3 per cent that the US has shed off China. However, Bangladesh is also aware that it isn’t the only flavor of the season amongst American importers who are also interested in sourcing from Mexico, Egypt, Cambodia and Indonesia. Into this mix are two other confident countries, India and Vietnam where 52 per cent of American buyers who like to increase their procurement quantities. 

Bangladesh has remained dependable 

When countries were shutting production lines due to pandemic-induced lockdown, Bangladesh took a brave decision and continued keeping its production line going, earning gratitude from worried importers who were then upping their e-commerce business. This was perhaps one of the best credibility-building steps undertaken by Bangladesh. 

Additionally, the country has shown its capability to move away from basic to value-added garments as well as diversify its portfolio of products including premium clothing that was earlier not an ask from buyers and trying its best to respond to the sustainable standards being set up in the US and the EU. 

Vice -President of BGMEA, Shahidullah Azim is optimistic Bangladesh’s hard work to prove its expertise in the global apparel market will yield dividends. When Western importers are talking about China Plus One to slowly reduce Chinese dependency, the Plus One being considered is actually Bangladesh. 

Year 2023 may not live up to expectations

The good news of the buoyant orders and projected growth in orders may all be very well but the President of BGMEA is not quite convinced about how well 2023 will end as he expressed his doubts in a private circular to members of the association. Figures collated show that garment import by the US and the EU from around the world has declined by 22.92 per cent and 8.84 per cent respectively during the January-May period of 2023.