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This year, the Cotton Day 2024 Bangladesh event focused on the benefits of using high-quality, sustainable US Cotton in thriving textile industry of Bangladesh. The event was hosted by Cotton USA™ on December 10 in Dhaka. It was organised by Cotton Council International (CCI) and emphasised on navigating the evolving global fashion supply chain through robust partnerships between US cotton growers and Bangladeshi textile mills.
Highlighting the challenges and opportunities associated with US cotton, Showkat Aziz Russell, President, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), appreciated its superior quality and sustainability while also acknowledging logistical hurdles, particularly long lead times.
BTMA aims to address these hurdles by investing in warehouse facilities to streamline inventory management and ensure prompt deliveries. The association aims to increase the usage of US cotton and foster a meaningful partnership with the US business community, states Russell.
Emphasising on the importance of innovation and strategic partnership for overcoming the demand and oversupply challenges, William Bettendorf, Regional Director-SAG, CCI, introduced the data and benchmarking tool, Cotton USA Mill Performance Index®, a powerful resource that compares mill performance across five key cost drivers. The index demonstrates how sourcing US cotton can improve productivity and yield, offering mills a competitive advantage.
Deliberating on the future of global cotton production, Frederick Barrier, Vice President –Sales, Staple Cotton Cooperative, emphasised on factors like seed technology, water availability, and sustainable practices. Bangladesh remains committed to importing 275,000 cotton bales in 2024-25 from the US, affirms John King, Senior Vice President.
Maria Bille, Director-EU Policy emphasised on the growing importance of transparency and fair practices in the fashion industry. She emphasised on the importance of using sustainable cotton to align mills with evolving requirements.
Addressing the rising demand for sustainability and ethical practices, Zoe Lindsey, Vice President – Sales, noted, 76 per cent of consumers prioritise these values, avoiding brands that neglect social and environmental responsibility.
Hosted by Ali Arsalan, CCI representative, the event attracted over 250 stakeholders, including spinning industry leaders, brands, technology providers, and cotton specialists. It served as a platform to highlight how US cotton's premium quality and sustainability can empower Bangladesh’s textile industry to thrive in an increasingly regulated and competitive global market.
From March 2023 to February 2024, India made 246 clothing shipments to Norway, shows export data by Volza. Involving 33 Indian exporters who supplied these goods to 46 Norwegian buyers, these exports marked a marginal decline of 1 per cent compared to the previous year.
In February 2024 alone, India’s clothing shipments to Norway declined by 18 per cent Y-o-Y compared to February 2023. These exports marked a 53 per cent M-o-M decline from exports in January 2024. Despite this, Norway continues to be a key destination for Indian clothing exports.
Global clothing exports are dominated by China, Vietnam, and the United States. Of these, China leads with 3,221,463 shipments, followed by Vietnam with 2,500,367 shipments, and the United States with 2,319,930 shipments.
The fashion, apparel, and textiles sector is facing a potential upheaval as the US government announces a new 10 percent tariff on goods imported from China. Trump has called out 25 per cent tariffs for Mexico and Canada and 10 per cent for China, the US’ three largest trade partners, for which the US imported more than $1.2 trillion worth of goods in 2023. This move comes on the heels of a study released by the National Retail Federation (NRF), which highlights the economic consequences of such tariffs. The NRF study, conducted by Trade Partnership Worldwide, titled ‘Estimated Impacts of Proposed Tariffs on Imports’ analyzed the potential impact of tariffs on a wide range of consumer goods, including the fashion industry.
The study concluded tariffs would lead to:
Higher costs of doing business: Importers and retailers will face higher costs for goods sourced from China, potentially leading to reduced profit margins or increased prices for consumers.
Job losses: The study estimates significant job losses across various sectors, including retail and manufacturing, as businesses grapple with increased costs and reduced consumer spending.
Supply chain disruptions: Tariffs could disrupt established supply chains, forcing businesses to seek alternative sourcing options, potentially leading to delays and increased complexity.
The additional 10 per cent tariff on Chinese imports affects the fashion industry that is particularly vulnerable. China is a major supplier of raw materials, fabrics, and finished garments for many global brands. According to the USITC, China accounted for approximately 30 per cent of US apparel imports in 2023. This reliance on Chinese imports highlights the potential impact of the new tariffs on the US fashion industry. The NRF study estimates that a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese imports could lead to a loss of over 200,000 US jobs and reduce GDP by $30 billion.
The new tariff could significantly impact the industry in several ways. For example, increased import costs are likely to be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices for clothing and accessories. This could reduce consumer demand and impact sales. Fashion companies may be forced to diversify their sourcing, moving away from China to avoid the tariffs. This could lead to increased production costs and logistical challenges as companies establish new supplier relationships in countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, or India. While some argue tariffs could boost domestic manufacturing, the reality is more complex. The US fashion industry has gone through significant offshoring in recent decades, and rebuilding domestic production capacity would require substantial investment and time.
Indeed, the new tariffs on Chinese imports are a challenge for the US fashion, apparel, and textile sector. Businesses will need to adapt quickly, exploring alternative sourcing strategies, optimizing their supply chains, and potentially adjusting their pricing strategies to remain competitive in this evolving landscape. The long-term impact of these tariffs on the industry and the global economy remains to be seen.
For the first time, Italian luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana will stage its 2025 haute couture collection in Rome. Scheduled for the first fortnight of July, the event will showcase the Alta Moda and Alta Sartoria collections, alongside the latest fine jewelry pieces. The brand has selected some of the city’s most remarkable locations as backdrops for the exclusive event, details of which are yet to be revealed.
Known for spotlighting Italy’s cultural heritage, Dolce & Gabbana has previously presented haute couture collections in iconic Italian locales such as Sicily (2022), Puglia (2023), and Sardinia (2024). Since launching its haute couture project in 2012, the label has opted to present exclusively in Italy, distancing itself from Paris Haute Couture Week. The addition of Alta Sartoria in 2014 expanded the focus to menswear, maintaining a commitment to celebrating Italy’s craftsmanship and traditions.
The multi-day event coincides with the Catholic Church’s Jubilee celebrations, which include significant renovation and restoration projects throughout the city. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri emphasises, showcasing Italy’s finest craftsmanship, the collections will enhance the allure of Rome during this momentous time.
Deputy Mayor Alessandro Onorato states, Rome offers unique locations that no other city can match. This global event underscores the city’s growing appeal while serving as a powerful promotional platform with immense economic benefits
The 2025 presentation promises to be a ‘Grand Tour of Italy,’ celebrating the nation’s history, landscapes, and haute couture traditions. With its captivating monuments and hidden treasures, Rome is poised to host one of the year’s most anticipated fashion events, reaffirming Dolce & Gabbana’s deep connection to Italian heritage and artistry.
From January-October 2024, Sri Lanka’s earnings from garment exports rose by 5.7 per cent to $3.8 billion to further reach the $4 billion revenue mark in the first week of November 2024.
A major contributor to this growth, Sri Lanka’s apparel and textile exports to the US and the UK increased by 23.28 per cent and 23.26 per cent respectively in October 2024 as against October 2023.
Sri Lanka’s total combined textile and garments exports also helped increase the nation’s merchandise export performance in October 2024. In 2023, the nation had exported apparel products worth $4,848.55 million while the value of its apparel exports rose to $5,933.52 million in 2022.
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) lauded President-elect Donald Trump’s recent engagement with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) leaders Harold and Dennis Daggett, emphasizing the urgent need for a finalized labor contract with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) before the Master Contract's January 15 expiration.
AAFA President and CEO Steve Lamar stressed the importance of avoiding disruptions to East and Gulf Coast ports, which are vital to the US supply chain. “The Longshoremen are essential to our economy, and we applaud their hard work,” Lamar stated, highlighting that a labor strike could cost the U.S. economy $4.5 to $7.5 billion weekly.
The current contract allows for semi-automation, with guarantees that no jobs or hours will be lost. Lamar underscored that adopting efficiency-enhancing technologies is critical to ensuring port safety, attracting investment, and creating jobs. He noted the ILA’s willingness to embrace progress while protecting workers' roles.
A disruption, Lamar warned, would threaten millions of jobs, drive up prices for families already facing inflation, and hinder economic growth. The October 2024 strike caused month-long port backlogs, highlighting the potential impact. These ports handle the bulk of apparel, footwear, and travel goods imports.
AAFA called on both parties to finalize a fair contract that benefits workers and the economy. Lamar also urged President-elect Trump to continue his leadership, ensuring a resolution ahead of his January 20 inauguration to protect the economy and millions of American jobs.
Circulose, a leader in sustainable fashion, has announced the appointment of Sara Diez Jauregui and Kalyan Madabhushi to its Board of Directors. These strategic additions follow the recent appointment of Chair Helena Helmersson, further reinforcing Circulose’s commitment to sustainability and circularity in the fashion industry.
Sara Diez Jauregui brings over 20 years of executive experience in fashion, sports retail, and digital platforms. She has worked with leading brands such as Zara, Nike, and Zalando, and is currently the CEO of The Post Fiber. Her expertise in sustainability and her dedication to transforming the fashion industry make her a perfect fit for Circulose’s mission. Sara also serves on the Board of Directors of Revolution Race, advocating for responsible practices.
Kalyan Madabhushi, with more than 34 years of experience in global business leadership, has held senior roles at Royal Dutch Shell and Aditya Birla Group. His expertise spans the chemicals, fertilizers, and sustainable textile fibers sectors, making him a valuable asset as Circulose advances its goals of circularity across global value chains. Kalyan’s experience in driving transformation initiatives will support Circulose’s ongoing mission to revolutionize the textile industry.
Both Sara and Kalyan bring world-class expertise to Circulose at a pivotal time for the company, positioning it for continued growth and impact in the sustainable fashion space. Their combined knowledge in fashion, sustainability, and global supply chains will further propel Circulose toward making circular fashion the industry norm.
Tamil Nadu, the backbone of India’s textiles and clothing (T&C) industry, accounts for a third of the nation's textile business, including 47 per cent of spinning capacity and 60 per cent of yarn exports. Despite its dominance, the spinning sector faces challenges due to outdated infrastructure, market sluggishness, geopolitical issues, and high logistics costs. Of the 46 million spindles in India, Tamil Nadu houses 19 million, with over 12 million spindles older than 15 years.
To address this, the Government of Tamil Nadu has announced a policy to modernize spinning units. As per Government Order (GO Ms No 166) dated December 9, 2024, spinners can avail a 6 per cent interest subvention for modernizing spinning machines over 15 years old for five years. This initiative aims to revive the spinning segment and boost competitiveness.
SK Sundararaman, Chairman of the Southern India Mills Association (SIMA), expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Thiru MK Stalin and Handlooms & Textiles Minister Thiru R Gandhi for introducing this critical policy. He highlighted the crisis in Tamil Nadu’s textile industry caused by incentives in competing states, market slowdown, and labor shortages. The modernization will enhance productivity, improve yarn quality, and support high-value-added fabric production, strengthening Tamil Nadu’s global competitiveness.
The government has allocated Rs 10 crore for FY 2024-25, with 60 per cent designated for ring frame modernization, 15 per cent for air jet or electro spinning, and 25 per cent for open-end spinning. This allocation will particularly benefit segments producing viscose staple fiber (VSF) and recycled yarn, vital to downstream sectors in Erode and Karur.
The modernization initiative promises to strengthen Tamil Nadu’s textile industry, supporting economic growth and ensuring a level playing field for the State amidst national and international competition.
Karl Mayer, the global leader in warp knitting technology, is inviting Heimtextil attendees to an exclusive machine presentation at its Obertshausen headquarters from January 14 to 17, 2025. The event will highlight innovative Tricot and Raschel machines that offer innovative solutions across diverse industries.
Among the stars of the showcase is the HKS 3-M, featuring a 210-inch working width and E 28 gauge, which will produce trendy upholstery cord fabrics. Known for its versatility, this model can also create textiles for automotive interiors, sportswear, mosquito nets, and more.
The TM 4 EL, another crowd-pleaser, combines a 210-inch working width with CFRP technology for 30 per cent faster production. It will demonstrate seersucker fabric creation, catering to cost-conscious markets without compromising quality.
For swimwear, sportswear, and lingerie, the HKS 2-SE Plus, with its E 40 gauge, showcases exceptional elastic fabric production. Thanks to its modified knitting motion, it offers superior strength, resistance, and quick-drying properties.
Karl Mayer will also feature the RDS 11-EL Raschel machine, designed for robust sack production. Operating at 700 rpm, it produces up to 870 bags per hour, with variable sizes and patterns to meet diverse packaging needs.
Complementing the machine displays will be an exhibition of novel textiles and digital care solutions.
