AATCC has unveiled the first edition of the AATCC Journal of Research(AJOR): a compilation of 12 original research and review papers from the 14th Asian Textile Conference (ATC-14), which was organised by the Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the Federation of Asian Professional Textile Associations in Hong Kong, June 27–30, 2017.

Dr. Chi-wai Kan, Associate Professor in the Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was Guest Editor for this issue.

The following articles are included in this special issue:

• Hand Value Evaluation by Judge Gender and Education Background Influence on Woolen Fabric Fused with Interlinings for a Suit

• A Review of Chitosan Textile Applications

• Facile Fabrication of Microspheres and Microcapsules from a Recombinant Spider Egg case Silk Protein for Drug Delivery

• Properties of Modacrylic Fibers Prepared from Poly (acrylonitrile-co-vinylchloride) - Experimental and Theoretical Studies on Coagulation and Diffusion during Wet Spinning

• Effect of Curing Conditions on Electrical Properties of Screen-Printed Fabric Antenna for UHF RFID Tags

• Preparation of Para-Aramid Aerogel Fiber through Physical Gelation of Aramid Dispersion Liquid and Supercritical Drying

• Structure Control for Preparing High-Ionic Conductive Hybrid Nanofiber

• Fibers Made of Recombinant Spidroins - A Brief Review

• Laccase-Catalysed Biomimetic Coloration of Wool Fabrics with Phenols

• The Application of Hollow Segmented Pie Bicomponent Spunbond Hydro-Entangled Microfiber Nonwovens for Microfiber Synthetic Leather Apparel

• Influence of Woven Fabric Structural and Material Parameters on Dielectric Properties

• Electrostatic Filtration Performance of Conductive Fibrous Filters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has proposed a 40 per cent increase in wages of textile workers in some of the most remote areas of the country. The new government is studying to raise the country's minimum wage. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, re-elected in the last elections, is planning to raise it up to 30 or 40 per cent in some states of India. The minimum wage of the country is granted by each state, although it must always be above the quota set by the central government.

The measure will be included in a new labor law proposed by the government after the previous bill in this regard had to be paralyzed due to the proximity of elections. Labor Minister, Santosh Gangawar, has confirmed that the new law will also have an article referring to the minimum monthly payment, according to Just-style.

Currently, the minimum wage established for the whole country is $4.90 per day, with a variable plus based on inflation. However, as it is a decentralized regulation, Delhi, for example, has a minimum wage of $7.90 a day, while other states, such as Chhattisgarh, maintain the same criteria as the one set by the central government.

During ITMA 2019, Cotton & Textile Industries Holding of Egypt announced a major investment deal to facilitate the country’s textile industry. The investment program, facilitated by Brussels-based Werner International, will leverage the prestige of Egyptian cotton to restore Egypt’s textile industry to prominence. The investment is supported by Egypt’s President Abdul Fatah Al-Sisi and the Minister of Public Enterprises Hisham Tawfik.

The total investment of approximately $1.25 billion will be used to modernise spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, finishing, printing and cut-and-sew manufacturing. The investment will occur in phases and includes approximately 780,000 new spindles and 1,250 weaving machines. As a part of the investment, Egypt will construct a new state-of-the-art spinning mill for fine and extra-fine counts that will feature more than 180,000 spindles under one roof. The program will have a major impact on the competitiveness and the success of the Egyptian textile industry in the future.

Sales of KappAhl have slumped by 3.3 per cent in Q3 due to a decrease in the women’s wear turnover. KappAhl is a leading fashion chain in the Nordic region with 380 KappAhl and Newbie stores, including Shop Online, in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Poland and UK. Notably, sales for 2017/2018 totaled SEK 4.8 billion and the company has approximately 4,000 employees in ten countries. For Q3 (March-May), net sales of the brand was SEK 1,200 million compared to SEK 1,242 million achieved during the same period of last fiscal. Similarly the gross margin was down by 3.7 per cent for third quarter and profit after tax too saw a huge fall as it was SEK 6 million compared to SEK 94 million.

It is pertinent to mention here that selling and administrative expenses increased for the quarter, SEK 724 million compared to SEK 680 million.

Inventories at the end of the period were SEK 801 million while in the same quarter of last fiscal it was SEK 692 million. The company claims that the increase in inventories compared with the same period in the previous year is due to poorer sales in the quarter compared with the previous year and to a higher dollar exchange rate, but mainly consists of summer goods that are still in season.

The Economic Times is organising ‘India Licensing Expo 2019’ – India’s largest expo for textile manufacturers and fashion labels from July 08-09, 2019 at Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai. The Economic Times India Licensing Expo 2019 will showcase over 500 global fashion brands and over 3,000textile manufacturers and designers who will come together to explore business, learning and opportunities. Global brands like Femina, Warner Bros., Chota Bheem will also exhibit at the conference.

Apart from this The Economic Times is also organising a leadership forum Labels Conference where customers will know how to launch their own fashion brands from industry leaders like Roberto Bré, CEO Europe & Eastern Operations, Marie Claire – Paris, Anurag Kashayap – Film Maker, Writer and Director, Palash Sen – Singer & composer, Varija Bajaj MD AND CEO, Varija Collections, Rahul Sarangi – Global Head, Content & Business, The Viral Fever (TVF).

The Economic Times Labels Awards extends a credible platform to recognise exceptional work excellence in the Fashion and Lifestyle industry. The awards acknowledge the best in each sphere of internet marketers, animation, VFX and comics character.

The Textile Association (India) is Supporting Association and Journal of the Textile Association (JTA) is a Media Partner.

A seminar at the 26th Hong Kong Fashion Week (HFW) for Spring/Summer titled "New Retail Era: 'Fashion x E-commerce' Strategies", will see industry leaders come together to discuss latest trends in fashion e-commerce and examine how the industry can identify new opportunities amid the global economic uncertainties stemming from the current trade conflict.

Joining the discussion will be Alin Dobrea, Head of Brand Partnerships at Zalora; Eddie Lee, Regional CEO, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, ECMS Express; Edwin Wong, Founder & CEO, Cloudbreakr; and Raymond Yeung, Senior Sales Manager, Publications & E-Commerce Department at the HKTDC.

To be organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 26th Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from July 8-11, 2019.

H&M Group’s net sales increased 11 per cent to SEK 57,474 m (51,984) in Q2. In local currencies, net sales increased 6 per cent compared with the corresponding quarter last year.

The group’s gross profit was SEK 31,825 m (29,164). This corresponds to a gross margin of 55.4 per cent (56.1). Its profit after financial items amounted to SEK 5,934 m (6,012). The group’s profit after tax amounted to SEK 4,569 m (4,638), corresponding to SEK 2.76 (2.80) per share. As customer satisfaction and sales increase, the group has intensified its transformation work even further, which had a dampening effect on earnings development.

In April, H&M became the first big fashion brand in the world to provide detailed information concerning the factory and material for individual garments to help customers make more sustainable choices. It also launched its online store in Mexico during the quarter.

Islamic Fashion & Design Council (IFDC) will select the final lineup of global modest designers at Torino Fashion Week 2019 (TFW 2019). The event will be held from June 27 to July 3, 2019 in the historical city of Torino.

Vogue and La Stampa, lead media partners of TFW2019 have noted the final line-up namely Chantique (Dubai), Alice Giani Margi (Italy), Luya Moda (UK), and Coèga Sunwear (Dubai) who are set to showcase their winning blend of great fashion style and modest-enriched pieces. These modest designers will focus on a range of priorities, including sustainability, ethics, culture, value and tradition, and not at the very least great style at the forefront. The dynamic modest collections, ranging from street wear, ready-to-wear, right up to red carpet looks are being lined up and are sure to dazzle the global fashion industry and the attending leading media this year, while the key highlight and attendance will be at the IFDC Awards - where the best designer will be awarded with a free spot to headline at TFW2020.

Participation in the showcases offers a unique take on designs which are ready to be taken to the larger scale in the important industrial city of Torino, where brands are catapulted to new heights. With media coverage both nationally and internationally, the buzz increases year by year.

The product zone of Accessories Vision, to be held from September 25-27 in Shanghai, offers visitors an access to Chinese and international suppliers. Besides other products, the zone also includes options essential for smart branding, such as eco-friendly tags and labels.

Big names like 3M, Avery Dennison, Ideal Fastener and Shimada Shoji will return to the exhibiton alongwith key members of Button & Garment Accessories Industry Chamber New exhibitors include Huashengda Zipper (Cam), from Cambodia and Prime Fastener from South Africa. Other highlighted exhibitors include Hong Kong Bright Zipper & Machinery, Monica Crystal Accessories, U.R.Label & Printing and Wai Hung Weaving Factory, 3M, Mitchell and Mainetti.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association has temporarily stopped issuing utility declaration to 51 of its member factories for non-compliance. After nine months of the government instruction to stop providing UD to 142 factories due to slow progress in safety remediation, the trade body recently decided to suspend issuance of UD to 51 factories.

Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments on September 20, 2018 issued a letter to BGMEA and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association asking them to stop providing UD to the factories as the remediation progress in the units was not satisfactory. In the letter, DIFE requested the trade bodies to stop issuing UD to the factories for the next three months to expedite remediation in the units inspected under a national initiative.

BGMEA leaders held a meeting with the factory authorities to find out the problems of the factories in implementing corrective action plans. In the meeting, BGMEA decided to stop issuing of UD to 51 factories for six months and asked the units to made required progress within the time. If the BGMEA stops issuance of UD to the errant factories, it would be a good decision for expediting remediation work in the units.