Texo AB, a member of TMAS, the Swedish textile machinery association, is currently seeing a surge in demand for its Compfelt weaving looms for press felt base fabrics.

Anders Svensson, President, Texo says, off-the-shelf industrial weaving machines generally range in their working widths from 1.9 to 3.2 metre, with those purpose-built for technical applications such as geotextiles extending to wider widths of six metres and beyond. Meanwhile, one of the machines we have recently successfully delivered and commissioned has a working width of 23 metres and is not even the widest of the many such machines the company has engineered and delivered worldwide since its formation.”

A second recently-delivered line has a more modest working width – in relative terms – of 13 meters. The demand for such machines comes from the suppliers of paper machine clothing (PMC) to paper mills, who in turn operate colossal machines for paper manufacturing.

The largest paper making machine is currently believed to be located on Hainan Island off the southern coast of China and is 428 meters long – roughly the length of four football pitches.

Naturally, such machines require equally large-scale components, which is where TEXO comes in.

All paper machines require a regular supply of PMC fabrics which are employed in three separate areas of the paper machine – the forming section, the press section and the drying section.

Texo Compfelt weaving machines are specifically employed for the production of endless (tubular) woven base fabrics for the press section of paper machines, where water is mechanically removed from the newly formed sheet of fibres. In the simplest press, the sheet is carried by the PMC fabric between two rolls, where water is squeezed out by the application of load and pressure. This can also be assisted by the use of vacuum and heat. The PMC fabrics here need to be replaced regularly, with a maximum lifespan of six months.

For its 2021 Green Collection, the Italian luxury hosiery brand Sarah Borghi presents a broadened product offer in terms of colors and categories, meeting the needs of a stylish, yet sustainable consumer. By mixing fashion, quality, innovation and research, the tights and stockings powerhouse continues its development in the journey towards a conscious future.

Over the years Sarah Borghi has established itself as a leader in its market, thanks to a heritage of over 40 years in the selection of the finest yarns and in the application of cutting-edge process skills. The evolution of the Green Collection the sustainable hosiery collection first launched in 2020, confirms the efforts of the brand in promoting a new generation of attractive fashion and design which actively encourages and supports a responsible change in culture and smart products offer.

The collection presents a range of versatile, colorful products combined with extra-luxury comfort and designed for every type of woman: from seductive tights to everyday socks, together with knee- highs, up to athleisure with leggings.

US apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch has launched an all-new activewear sub-brand.

Dubbed 'YPB', which is an acronym for 'Your Personal Best', the brand aims to empower customers for activities ranging from sprinting to stretching, and lifting to lounging.

It launches with a collection of fashion-forward, yet functional activewear and accessories for men and women. It features squat-proof and breathable bottoms, performance tops with four-way stretch, sweat-wicking and anti-odor elements, studio outer layers with fashion detailing like cutouts and straps. YPB’s styles are available in XXS-XXL with additional options for long and short lengths.

To create the collection, designers spent hundreds of hours conducting fit research on models across genders, sizes, shapes and heights to ensure fit. Additionally, YPB’s team held focus groups with customers and key fitness and lifestyle influencers to gain their perspective on what they and their followers were missing from the activewear world, to refine design and details like pocket angles and drawstrings.

Amid China’s push for sustainable development, China Cotton Association (CCA) has unveiled industry standard for sustainable production. Focusing on the management and use of agricultural chemicals in cotton planting, ecological and environmental protection, cotton quality and other issues, the standard uses agricultural chemicals in cotton planting, ecological and environmental protection, cotton quality, and other core issues related to the sustainable development of agriculture.

The standard aims to help cotton producers adopt sustainable production and operation methods, meet the demands for high-quality cotton products, and increase cotton farmers' income. It will take effect from April 1, 2022 and play a vital part in the China Cotton Sustainable Development Program. The CCA is a non-profit organization with more than 3,200 members, holding around 75 percent of the country's market share, said the group's website.

Denim brand Levi’s plans to launch its iconic 501 jeans in organic cotton and post-consumer recycled denim, and is recyclable itself. This is inspired by the release of a collaboration between Swedish company Renewcell and the brand's Wellthread line for two cuts using Renewcell's Circulose, a sustainably-sourced viscose made from recycled denim and organic cotton. Paul Dilinger, Vice President-Design Innovation says, the collaboration enabled brands to find man-made cellulosic fibre made with recycled denim. Dillinger adds, circular 501 jeans will be designed to stand the test of time. He urges all companies to do more to reduce their environmental impact, regardless of consumer demand or regulatory requirements.

Making jeans with recycled denim blended with certified organic cotton means the garment uses far fewer natural resources and fewer chemicals to produce. Dillinger says one of the exciting features of the new 501 designed for circularity is that it meets the same integrity standards as a conventional 501, without sacrificing quality, comfort or style.

The 2021 net profit of Zara owner Inditex more than doubled to €3.2 billion as the retailer’s sales recovered with many countries easing the restrictions imposed to fight Covid. Most of Inditex's 6,657 stores worldwide reopened from mid-2021. The world’s biggest fashion retailer recorded 36 per cent more sales in 2021 compared to 2020. It sales totaled €27.7 billion. The annual results were in tune with those predicted by analysts Refinitiv as most other fast fashion retailers recorded pre-pandemic level sales.

Restrictions imposed in Germany and Japan to curb the spread of the Omicron variant in the fourth quarter led to a loss of €400 million for the Spanish retail giant. Owner of brands such as Massimo Dutti and Pull&Bear, Inditex was able to weather the health crisis by producing more than half of its apparel near Spain and deliver them to consumers faster and raise the share of online sales to about a quarter of its overall revenues in 2021.

Pakistan’s textile and clothing exports grew 26.08 per cent year-on-year to reach $12.60 billion during the first eight months of this fiscal year (8MFY22). As per thr Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, growth was spurred by a massive depreciation in the rupee’s value and a steady rise in global demand.

Ready-made garments exports jumped 25.11per cent in value and 20.54 per cent in quantity for the period spanning July-Feb FY22. Meanwhile, knitwear exports surged 33.86 per cent in value and 4.75 per cent in quantity. Bedwear exports grew 20.34 per cent in value and 17.28 per cent in quantity. Towel exports increased 17.26 per cent in value and 5.56 per cent in quantity whereas cotton cloth exports rose by 28.23 per cent in value and 13.01 per cent in quantity.

Among primary commodities, cotton yarn exports grew 34.40 per cent and yarn made from material other than cotton went up 105.59 per cent. Exports of made-up articles — excluding towels — rose by 9.91per cent, while those of tents, canvas and tarpaulin dipped by 12.48 per cent during the period under review.

The import of textile machinery jumped 78.52 per cent in 8MFY232, reflecting expansion or modernization in the textile industry. Raw cotton imports declined 11 per cent, followed by synthetic fibre 14.28 per cenmt and synthetic and artificial silk yarn was down 6.29 per cent, respectively. However, import of worn clothing increased by 46.82 per cent.

Guess Inc returned to profit for fiscal 2022, riding on solid fourth quarter revenues. Fourth-quarter sales of the Los Angeles-based company increased 23.4 per cent to $799.9 million, from $648.5 million in the same prior-year quarter. Its net earnings fell to $68.4 million, a 2.8 per cent decrease from $70.4 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021.

For the full year, Guess revenues increased 38.1 per cent to $2.59 billion, from $1.88 billion in fiscal 2021, while net earnings surged to $171.4 million, compared to a net loss of $81.2 million. Guess has also made certain structural changes within the organization. It appointed Dennis Secor interim chief financial officer, effective April 1. He will replace Katie Anderson, who is stepping down to pursue another opportunity at a privately-held company as CFO. Guess plans to initiate a search for a permanent chief financial officer, with the assistance of an executive search firm.

Katie has played an important role in Guess’s ongoing business transformation, including strengthening its balance sheet, implementing cost savings measures and delivering for its shareholders, says Carlos Alberini, CEO, Guess Inc.

Many fashion companies in China that didn’t consider themselves vulnerable to political changes in the country, have ended up in trouble, says Andrew Gilholm, Analyst, Control Risks. The latest example is Swedish retail giant H&M facing government’s ire for banning cotton sourced from the Xianjiang region. The decision has resulted in retail being wiped off the country’s e-commerce sites, maps and social media platforms. As per a Bloomsberg report, the brand’s sales in the country declined almost 41 per cent in the most recent quarter.

Social media to the rescue

H&M’s sales in China have declining since 2019. The fast fashion giant isn’t particularly famous amongst Chinese authorities. Neither does it contribute significantly to the tax basket of the country nor sponsors any government-backed events. Hence, other companies looking to foray in China need to be careful as the country has turned inwards to avoid the global backlash. The Stockholm-based apparel giant has reduced focus on China but is still amongst its top 10 markets listed by country. It is the company’s biggest manufacturing hub, where more than a third of its suppliers are based.

Hence, the company’s China leaders have decided to regain the confidence of buyers, customers and business partners in the country. They are posting new messages on social media campaign. H&M’s visibility on Chinese social media had slumped since the Xinjiang controversy. The company’s decade-long efforts to nurture a social-media relationship with the nation’s consumers have also been obliterated. Data analysis by Bloomberg News shows at least 10,000 Weibo posts were published between 2011 and 2021 by H&M, compared to about 1,700 posts by Nike.

Personalized communication with buyers

H&M is now emphasizing on personalized communication with buyers especially in China. The brand has hired more employees to communicate directly with shoppers via private WeChat groups and shares information about new products and discounts on an official WeChat account, where most material is only visible to members. H&M’s first Weibo post after the Xinjiang incident trumpeted its donations to a flood-recovery effort in Henan province.

Plan more CSR Events

To return to normal operations, H&M now plans to win China’s approval to operate in the country. It also aims to increase the number of corporate social responsibility events it undertakes the country. The brand is currently holding weekly talks with Alibaba Group Holding about returning to Taobao’s Tmall platform. The retail sector in China is becoming more competitive with local brands such as Urban Revivo, boosting their portfolios. This may make it difficult for H&M to rival high-end names such as Coach, Kate Spade, etc to make a mark in the country. Yet, the brand cannot ignore the growth potential offered by China.

A highly edited showcase of select international and sartorial brands, Society for International Menswear will be launched by the US-based Wainscot Media on July 17 and 18, 2022, in New York City at the Metropolitan Pavilion.

The event marks the return of the men’s fashion trade shows to New York after a two-year hiatus. The event will be managed by Lizette Chin and Coleman McCartan, Former Executives, InformaFashionaa

In July, Society will launch in sync with the Spring/Summer buying season for top-tier retailers. It aims to be the gateway for international brands wanting to do business in the American market, says Chin, VP and Group Publisher, Wainscott.

These partnership will be instrumental in helping them create strategies to return to business as they recover and rebuild from the pandemic, adds Mark Dowden, CEO, Wainscot Media.