The value of apparel exports by Ethiopia to the US declined during the first four months of 2021. As per Apparel Resources, the African country shipped apparels worth $65.84 million to the US in the mentioned period. Values of both cotton apparels and MMF apparel exports declined the year. The country exported cotton apparels worth $42.22 million during the year while the value of MMF garment exports tumbled by 27.36 per cent during January-April ’21 to $ 22.92 million.

On a Y-o-Y basis, the country’s exports declined by 14.17 per cent, even as apparel imports from worldwide markets grew by 14 per cent. In terms of volumes, Ethiopia’s apparel exports grew by 3.55 per cent to 31.19 million SME to the US.

The latest World Benchmarking Alliance's (WBA) Gender Benchmark index names Urban Outfitters, The Foschini Group (TFG) and Zhejiang Semir Garment as worst performers at tackling gender inequality.

On the other hand, the report names Adidas and Gap Inc as some of the best performing fashion brands at tackling gender inequality.

The Gender Benchmark showed that nearly two-thirds of the top 35 apparel brands have not publicly backed gender equality and women's empowerment, while only 14 firms have implemented gender-specific policies.

The index — which examined factors such as the gender pay gap, representation in leadership, and policies to stop violence and harassment — gave the companies an average score of 29 points out of a possible 100, which the WBA called "concerning".

Adidas, Gap and VF Corp — known for brands from The North Face and Timberland to Vans — were the only three fashion industry giants to score more than 50 points on the WBA's index.

In its research, WBA said its research revealed significant gaps between commitment and action on gender equality in fashion.

Less than a third of the 35 companies had provided violence and harassment training to their staff, while only three brands had taken measures to address gender pay gaps, the WBA found.

In its quest to drive greater sustainability in the personal care and hygiene industry, the Lenzing Group’s flagship specialty nonwoven brand- Veocel™ has launched lyocell fibers with dry technology which are naturally smooth and gentle on skin, ensuring comfort for sensitive skin. Absorbent hygiene products are an indispensable part of many consumers’ lives and are relied upon daily. As these are essential items, it is important that they should offer maximum comfort and relief to the user. This is demonstrated by the new VEOCEL™ branded lyocell fibers which have the capacity to provide a high level of comfort, softness and dryness, when applied in these types of products.

While most hydrophobic fibers are fossil-based fibers, Dry technology by Lenzing allows cellulosic Veocel™ branded lyocell fibers to achieve similar liquid-controlling properties built on a biodegradable, botanic-derived material. The fibers are also soft to touch and gentle on the skin, thus beneficial for applications that have direct contact with skin, such as in femcare and period care products, adult incontinence products and baby diapers.

Not only are the hydrophobic Veocel™ branded lyocell fibers with Dry technology environmentally friendly, but they also provide great comfort and a feeling of dryness for the wearer, which comes from enabling strategic fluid distribution. This is a particularly useful trait in absorbent hygiene products as it helps to manage bodily fluids, keeping the surface dry and the touch soft even after encountering liquid. Overall, this contributes to a comfortable personal care experience for the wearer and allows them to feel as if their skin is next to nature.

UK retailer Tesco has been added as the new member of the US Cotton Trust Protocol. As per Knitting Industry report, Tesco has committed to source 100 per cent sustainable cotton by 2025.

Tesco’s membership marks a significant step in its ambitious sustainability programme which sets out its plan for climate action, its approach to protecting important ecosystems such as forests and marine environments, and its work on promoting sustainable agricultural practices that protect soil health and biodiversity.

Tesco also wants to continue to provide transparency throughout its clothing supply chain. a key reason for sourcing more sustainable materials through the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol for both its home and clothing ranges in store.

The Trust Protocol is a new initiative that provides fashion brands and retailers with the critical assurances they need to show the cotton fibre element of their supply chain is more responsibly grown. It works by providing member brands such as Gap Inc., Gildan, Next and Byford access to the Protocol Credit Management System to validate consumption of cotton and associated credit; and to aggregate year-over-year data in six sustainability areas: water use, greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, soil carbon, soil loss, and land use efficiency.

The Trust Protocol is governed by a board of directors, including Joe Little at Tesco. It is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, recognized by Textile Exchange and Forum for the Future, and part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cotton 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge, Cotton 2040 and Cotton Up initiatives.

Textile trade show Pitti Filati launched a new show space inside the Stazione Leopolda former railway plant, welcoming some 78 exhibitors. Exhibitors described the return to the physical experience as relieving in that there’s nothing that can replace the touch-and-feel experience when it comes to choosing fibers and textiles.

Exhibitors said, they felt the impact of the pandemic on many levels, from the notable absence of some international buyers to the preoccupation of exhibitors, which are recovering from a downturn in orders caused by protracted store closures that have left retailers with huge inventory from previous seasons.

They expect to see some signs of a rebound this year, even though the health emergency has conditioned retail sales and promotion of new collections in the first half, so it’s hardly business as usual, says Fabio Campana, CEO, Lanifico dell’Olivo.

Increasing challenges in the procurement of raw materials and spiking prices — due to shortage of supply, farmers’ financial struggles and increased logistics costs — are leaving spinners with more than one snafu to handle, he adds.

According to Alessandro Bastagli, CEO, Lineapiu, a Florence-based company, prices for the most luxurious materials including alpaca and super kid mohair skyrocketed by as much as 70 percent year-over-year, and even acrylic fibers are on the rise.

A new wave of COVID cases, especially along the Indian border, has prompted the Bangladesh government to shutdown its garment factories.

As per a new analysis from Panjiva, a business line of S&P Global Market Intelligence, this marks a stark reversal from a trend spotted earlier on in the pandemic. Then, Bangladeshi apparel manufacturers suffered from orders being canceled by retailers in Europe and the Americas, where COVID restrictions were much tighter.

Still, Panjiva’s data show Bangladeshi exporters of apparel to the United States have been more resilient than nearby regions during the pandemic. Shipments in the three months ended April 30 are down by just 1.6 per cent, compared with the same period of 2019, the firm said. Exporters from India and Sri Lanka, in contrast, dropped 10.1 per cent and 6.4 per cent, respectively.

Among the major retail brands with a presence in Bangladesh, shipments linked to H&M increased 13.5 per cent in the three-months ended May 31, compared with the same period of 2019, Panjiva found. While imports associated with Levi’s fell 47.8 per cent, and those with Calvin Klein-owner PVH dropped 68.7 per cent.

According to a September analysis of US International Trade Commission data by the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Bangladesh has been gaining market share as China has become less competitive in labor-intensive sectors including apparel.

However, the additional supply chain disruptions are likely to hit retail companies. A shortage of shipping containers and a dearth of truck drivers have already left inventory backlogged for weeks.

The next edition of MarediModa Miami will be held virtually throughout Miami Swim Week from July 10-31, 2021. As per Knitting Industry, the fair will showcase collections of textiles and accessories for beachwear, intimates and athleisure from a selection of European companies.

The fair will present elegant and sophisticated plain fabrics refined and iconic prints, vibrant and fresh colors, jacquards, flocked prints, laminated and metallic fabrics, lace, embroidery, fringes, sequins, precious accessories, innovative elastic rubber tapes, hi-tech and eco-sustainable fabrics. It represents the most innovative and sophisticated proposal for beachwear, swimwear, underwear, athleisure, resortwear and cruisewear, they add.

A part of the official trade show calendar of Miami, the event focuses on maintaining an active relationship with American customers, as well as promoting the European textile and accessories industry.

Despite recent government announcements that regulations have been relaxed in France, several countries, particularly India, Taiwan, and Turkey, remain heavily impacted by the coronavirus crisis. Hence, Messe Frankfurt France has decided to schedule the next edition of Texworld Evolution Paris in February 2022. As per Knitting Industry, the trade fair will be held in its usual format at the Parc des Expositions du Bourget in Paris.

In the meantime, the Messe Frankfurt France team continues to work actively on the installation of Texworld Evolution Paris – Le Showroom, which will be held from July 05 to 09, 2021.

This second and expanded edition will host the collections of 150 international companies and 7000 products and samples in two exhibition venues (the Atelier Richelieu and the 5 rue du Mail). This intermediary event will allow buyers to exchange ideas with other professionals, to discover new creative approaches and to decode trends for the sourcing of Autumn-Winter 2022-2023 collections.

With 144 per cent increase in searches for leggings, gym gear has become everyday wear for consumers, says a Lyst report. As per Allied Market Research, the global activewear market is expected to reach £393bn by 2024.

Black-owned fashion brand Teflar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, known for its vegan leather, gender-neutral handbag and luxury durags, plan to launch a sportswear line in September. Besides, sustainable fashion brand Pangaia has announced a 31-piece gym line.

Sales for athleisure have outperformed fashion sales, says Matt Powell, Senior Sports Adviser, NPD Group. Despite it being a trend before the pandemic, in 2020 the activewear market accounted for 40 per cent of all online sales.

Home gym goers are fully leaning into a new look. Lululemon announced an 88 percent sales increase in the first quarter of this year. Under Armour reported a year-on-year sales increase of 35% Gym brands such as Puma, Gap’s Athleta, and running shoe brands such as Brooks, On and Hoka all outperformed in their market.

Initiated by Fashion for Good, the Good Fashion Fund has signed the first investment contract with Indian manufacturer Pratibha Syntex. As per this contract, the investment company has granted a $4.5 million long-term loan to Pratibha Syntex to support its planned capital expenditures for machine replacement and sustainable equipment expansion in various sectors.

The $ 4.5 million investment will replace machinery in the spinning, processing and garment sectors, providing new equipment to expand its activities and facilities. The new equipment will significantly reduce the amount of water, energy and chemicals used. This enables Pratibha Syntex to drive a sustainability agenda to meet clients’ manufacturing demands while at the same time meeting their positive ambitions for climate change.

Pratibha Syntex supplies textiles and garments to popular brands such as C & A, H & M, Patagonia and Zara. Founded in 1997 in Pitampur, India, it is a sustainable, vertically integrated “farm-to-fashion” textile and garment producer. With more than 6,000 employees, the company connects 35,000 farmers in more than 20 countries with apparel brands and produces more than 40 million clothing annually.