A company specialising in trade show organisation, and the new owner of Premiere Vision since February 2023, GL Events has appointed Florence Rousson as the new president of the trade show’s management board. This decision is a part of GL Events' broader strategy to expand its services and events into new geographic markets.

With 13 years of experience within GL Events exhibitions and over a decade at Eurovet and the Fédération de la Maille, Rousson brings extensive expertise in the textile and fashion sectors to her new role.

Rousson's appointment builds upon the groundwork laid by Gilles Lasbordes, the past president, who has been instrumental in shaping the show since 2007 under the leadership of Philippe Pasquet.

Rousson's strategic focus will encompass key pillars such as curating a selective international offering, providing cutting-edge fashion insights, fostering creativity and innovation, supporting emerging designers, and addressing both current and future industry challenges.

In the midst of a globally uncertain economic landscape post-COVID crisis, compounded by a delicate mid-market and pressing sustainability concerns, GL Events Group reaffirms its dedication to foster the growth of its Fashion Division centered around Première Vision.

Boasting an impressive track record, Premiere Vision attracts over 86,000 visitors from 120 countries and hosts more than 3,500 exhibitors from across 48 countries at 11 annual events spread across Europe, North America, and Asia.

The upcoming edition of Première Vision Paris is scheduled to take place from July 2 to July 4, 2024, at Paris Nord Villepinte. The show aims to enhance its international footprint through an unprecedented Hosted Buyers program and the active participation of key global industry players, particularly from Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Highlighting the persistent challenge of a shortage of skilled workers, particularly during the peak seasons, Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council of India (AEPC), says, the industry needs to not only boost its production capacity significantly but also upskill workers to help achieve the set target of $40 billion in garment exports by 2030.

Skilled workers like tailors and quality checkers are still not sufficient as during the peak season they go to their native villages thereby creating shortage, Sekhri adds. 

He further notes the existing limitations in Indian export houses' ability to handle core/basic products required in large quantities and stressed the necessity of ramping up capacities to meet demand.

Additionally, the AEPC aims to train approximately 150,000 skilled workers annually to address the shortage and meet the growing demands of the industry, he adds. 

The retail landscape is a story of two halves, with established brands facing contrasting financial realities. For example, sportswear giant Adidas is facing financial struggles while fashion leader Inditex, owner of Zara, reports record profits. This contrast raises the question: what factors are driving these contrasting fortunes?

A shift in consumer trends

While sportswear giant Adidas reported its first annual loss in over 30 years in 2023, Zara owner Inditex, the world's biggest fashion retailer, enjoyed record profits for the same period. This disparity highlights the complex interplay of factors influencing brand performance. A look at Adidas stats show, in 2023, it reported a net Loss of €58 million, first since 1992. What’s more it expects 5 per cent North American sales decline in 2024. By contrast, Inditex net profit in 2023 was €5.4 billion, its highest ever. Sales growth was 10.4 per cent.

 Adidas is grappling with a decline in North American demand for sportswear, impacted by overstocked retailers and potentially a waning appetite for athletic apparel. Brand management and inventory control is another issue.  The severing of ties with Kanye West and the Yeezy line, once a major revenue driver, further complicates matters. Conversely, Adidas might be struggling to adapt its offerings to meet changing consumer shifts.

Inditex, on the other hand, seems to be benefiting from a shift towards value fashion. Their strategy of price increases appears to be well-received, with consumers prioritizing affordability without sacrificing style. Focus on dynamic sales strategies and price adjustments to maintain profitability despite inflation has worked well. Inditex, also demonstrates success in managing inventory levels, a crucial factor in today's economic climate. It also capitalizes on current fashion trends like "low-rise suede sneakers" to drive sales growth. Moreover, Inditex highlights a strong recovery in China, a significant market. In contrast, Adidas acknowledges a weaker North American market but anticipates growth in the second half of 2024. Geographic diversification seems to be a crucial factor for success.

Strategic manoeuvres

For course correction, Adidas is taking corrective measures. CEO Bjorn Gulden is focusing on core brands like Samba and Gazelle, aiming to recapture market share and improve retailer relationships. Inventory reduction efforts are underway, with plans for at least 10 per cent underlying business growth in the latter half of 2024. Inditex's success on the other hand can be attributed to its focus on dynamic sales strategies and a willingness to adjust pricing. Their diverse brand portfolio, catering to various consumer segments, seems to be another winning factor. Their global reach and focus on a wider range of apparel appear to be advantages. 

Analysts weigh in. As Thomas Joekel of Union Investment highlights Adidas' positive trajectory under new leadership, while Cristina Fernandez of Telsey Advisory Group acknowledges lingering uncertainty surrounding Yeezy sales. The future remains to be seen. Adidas projects recovery, while Inditex enjoys a strong position. 

Indeed, the contrasting fortunes of Adidas and Inditex highlight the dynamic nature of the retail industry. Adaptability, strategic inventory management, and responsiveness to consumer trends are key differentiators. While the future remains uncertain, both companies offer reasons for cautious optimism, with Adidas seeking to regain lost ground and Inditex building on its record-breaking year.

In January 2024, apparel exports by Bangladesh to the European Union declined by nearly 34 per cent in value as consumer spending on clothing declined amidst an economic slowdown within the EU. 

Data released by Eurostat shows, in January this year, Bangladesh exported 33.92 per cent less apparels to the EU totaling a value of €1.19 billion compared to the previous year's €1.80 billion.

This downturn in demand wasn’t exclusive to Bangladesh alone, highlighted the exporters. It impacted all major RMG exporting countries including the United States and the EU, due to the economic repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, they added.  

Despite the challenging circumstances of 2023, exporters expressed optimism as demand for apparel began to pick up in Western markets, including the EU and the US. Consequently, export orders showed signs of increase in Bangladesh.

Overall apparel imports by the EU also declined by 22.91 per cent to €6.25 billion in January 2024 compared to € 7.9 billion in the same period last year. China remained the top apparel exporter to the EU, while Bangladesh and Turkey retained their positions as the second and third highest exporters respectively.

Specifically, EU’s apparel imports from Turkey decreased by 9.2 per cent to €827.70 million in January 2024 from €911.62 million in the same month of 2023. Imports from India and Vietnam also declined by 34.47 per cent to €270.72 million euro and 16.02 per cent to €296.49 million in January 2024 compared to the previous year.

A specialty chemicals company, CHT and a global manufacturer of man-made fibers, Fulgar have collaborated to introduce innovative and sustainable solutions for the textile industry at the ongoing Performance Days trade show in Munich on March 20-21, 2024. One of their premier innovations includes the CHT's BeSo Responsible project that focuses on optimising resource utilisation during textile dyeing processes.

Representing ‘Best Solution, the BeSo Responsible project offers a diverse range of cutting-edge solutions that can be customised and combined to meet the unique performance and sustainability requirements of different companies. One of these solutions is the BeSo Responsible Shortcut process, a groundbreaking approach to dyeing Fulgar's Q-Cycle yarn. This process efficiently integrates dyeing and fixing (post-treatment) into a single cycle, resulting in significant savings in time, water, and energy consumption.

CHT's Bemacid acid dyes, such as Bemacid N-TF or Bemacid F-T, play a crucial role in enhancing the development of this process. These dyes provide high color fastness properties, thereby improving the overall quality and durability of the dyed yarn.

A notable innovation, Fulgar's Q-Cycle yarn is a 100 per cent recycled polyamide fiber produced through a third-party controlled mass balance approach. This revolutionary fiber is manufactured without using virgin raw materials from crude oil. Instead, it relies on an innovative chemical recycling technology that replaces traditional raw materials with pyrolysis oil derived from end-of-life tires. This approach not only reduces CO2 emissions by up to 50 per cent during yarn production but also addresses environmental concerns by repurposing waste materials.

The application of CHT's Shortcut process to Fulgar's Q-Cycle yarn offers numerous benefits. It maintains the functional and aesthetic advantages of products made from virgin polyamide while incorporating environmental considerations.

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories,  a key player in recombinant spider silk commercialization, unveils its latest strategic move as it welcomes Nirmal Kumar to its senior management team in Vietnam. Kumar, renowned for his 37-year tenure at India's Central Sericulture Research & Training Institute (CSRTI), joins Kraig Labs to lead the spring production trials and launch the BAM-1 hybrid.

With expertise spanning silkworm breeding and mulberry cultivation, Kumar's appointment signals Kraig Labs' commitment to elevating its production capabilities. His role extends beyond overseeing operations; he's tasked with refining production protocols, training staff, and charting expansion strategies in Vietnam.

Founder and CEO Kim Thompson expresses enthusiasm about Kumar's inclusion, citing his invaluable expertise in advancing recombinant spider silk commercialization. Kumar's integration into Kraig Labs marks a significant stride towards achieving the company's production goals and underscores its dedication to innovation in the silk industry.

In a significant stride towards a circular economy in the textile industry, leading innovators Roica by Asahi Kasei and Tencel by Lenzing AG have forged a pioneering partnership. This collaboration heralds a new era of sustainable and circular-driven textiles, marking a pivotal moment in textile technology and sustainability.

Roica and Tencel have leveraged years of research and development to introduce contemporary, responsible, and high-performing fibers. The partnership aims to cater to the evolving needs of consumers and designers, offering fabrics that seamlessly blend quality with environmental consciousness.

At the core of this collaboration is a shared vision to accelerate progress towards a circular economy, ensuring improved end-of-life solutions for fabrics and garments. Roica introduces its innovative V550 stretch yarn, renowned for maintaining shape and color while boasting high eco-responsibility. Meanwhile, Tencel offers fibers sourced from controlled or certified wood, maximizing resource efficiency and minimizing environmental impact.

The highlight of this partnership lies in the technologies embedded within the fabrics. Roica V550 stands out as the world's first sustainable degradable yarn, certified under ISO 14855-1, while Tencel fibers boast biodegradability in various environments.

Shinohe Hiroaki, Chief Marketing Officer of Roica Europe, emphasized the collaborative effort's significance in shaping the future of sustainable fashion. He stressed the creation of textiles that not only excel in performance and aesthetics but also contribute significantly to a more sustainable planet.

Similarly, Carlo Covini, Business Development Italy & Switzerland at Lenzing Italy, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the partnership's role in setting a new standard for responsible textiles. The combination of Tencel 's recycling potential and Roica 's innovative stretch degradable technology promises a close-to-circular approach solution for brands and consumers.

As part of the partnership, Brugnoli unveils the Yogatime collection, featuring three new articles crafted with these revolutionary yarns. These fabrics cater to various garment needs, ranging from soft T-shirts to elastic leggings, all while prioritizing sustainability and comfort. All items are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, reinforcing the commitment to responsible production practices.

The collaboration between Roica and Tencel not only demonstrates a shared commitment to reducing environmental impact but also signifies a leap forward in textile innovation. As the textile industry embraces sustainability as a cornerstone principle, partnerships like these pave the way for a more eco-conscious future. Discover the Yogatime collection at Stand Brugnoli - N12 - Performance Days - Munich.

Japan will host the second edition of Denimandjeans from March 26-27, 2024, at Hamatsucho-Kan in Tokyo. This international denim-focused show follows the success of its inaugural edition in 2022.

Drawing together more than 30 esteemed indigo and denim producers, including Kurabo, Daily Blue, Foison, Iskur, Artistic Milliners, Pioneer Denim, and US Group, the event promises to showcase Japan's unparalleled expertise and innovation in denim manufacturing.

With Japan ranking as the third-largest importer of denim products worldwide, importing over 180 million pieces annually, Denimandjeans Japan serves as a pivotal platform for industry insiders and enthusiasts to explore and procure premium denim offerings from the country's diverse array of producers.

The two-day program features an impressive lineup of talks and seminars, with renowned figures from both Japan and overseas taking the stage. Among the distinguished guests are denim luminary Adriano Goldschmied, Founder, House of Gold, LLC; Yuji Honzawa, Founder, Dr. Denim and other notable brands; and Moto Suzuki, an innovative force in high-tech apparel solutions.

Adding to the roster of influential speakers include Juan Manuel Gómez, celebrated for his denim artistry, and Lucia Rosin, a fervent advocate of sustainable fashion practices. The event will also feature industry stalwarts like Kawai Shinji, president of Nihon Menpu, and Akihiko Kashino of Jeanologia, alongside branding expert Stefano Aldighieri.

Highlighting Japan's heritage as the epicenter of selvedge denim production, the show will showcase a dedicated Selvedge Corner curated by denim veteran Yuji Honzawa. This special exhibit will feature over 50 unique selvedge denims crafted from Japanese fabrics and global mills, offering attendees a glimpse into the rich tradition and craftsmanship synonymous with Japanese denim.

Marking a significant milestone in their partnership forged last year, Puma and Formula 1 have unveiled their inaugural collaborative collection.

The capsule collection offers a wide range of attire including track suits, hoodies, T-shirts, sweatpants, and a football jersey, alongside three distinct footwear models. Its footwear highlights include the Future Cat Motorsport, a driving shoe crafted with a partial leather upper and incorporating ProFoam technology within the midsole. Available in black or white color schemes, both iterations feature striking red accents in trim, branding, and laces.

Another standout offering is Puma's CA Pro, a tennis shoe with roots dating back to 1982. Available in black and white variations, each shoe is adorned with Formula 1 branding, complete with a branded keychain and special metal lace dubraes.

Completing the footwear lineup is the Leadcat 2.0 slide, which introduces a third pink option alongside the classic black and white renditions.

While Puma has been involved in Formula 1 since 2001 through partnerships with individual teams, their collaboration has deepened significantly since assuming the role of the sport's official supplier. This enhanced partnership coincides with Formula 1's surge in popularity, further emphasised by the appointment of A$AP Rocky as creative director, infusing the collaboration with his unique blend of fashion and streetwear influence.

The children's apparel market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 6.8 per cent from 2023-33 to reach $386.19 billion by 2033. As per a report by Future Market Insights, some of the factors driving this growth include an increasing demand for kids garments made from cotton fiber due to their easy washability, minimal shrinkage and resistance to color fade. 

Urbanisation is also driving the growth in the kidswear market with its expansion of the retail sector. The market growth is also supported by the burgeoning e-commerce sector offering convenience and a wide range of choices for parents.

Parents, particularly in urban areas, are showing a growing preference for branded kids' apparel, driving demand for products from reputable brands.

Clothing-related purchases for kids have surged due to the global increase in newborns, which has boosted the demand for kids' apparel products. 

China remains a significant market for kids' apparel, driven by factors such as a rising birth rate, robust economic growth, and increasing disposable incomes. The boys' segment is expected to hold a significant market share, while the girls' segment is projected to exhibit prominent growth due to evolving trends. Additionally, the casual segment is anticipated to witness substantial growth as parents prioritise comfortable and easy-to-wear clothing for children.