Vietnam Textile and Garment (VTG) exhibition was held September 21 to 24, 2022.

The four-day exhibition attracted the participation of more than 200 domestic and overseas businesses from 15 countries and territories worldwide.

It showcased a wide range of products in textile machinery, apparel, fibers, filaments, yarn fabrics, footwear machinery, and materials at 800 booths. It provided an ideal opportunity for Vietnamese textile and garment manufacturers to gain access to advanced technologies and the latest market information, and connect with leading enterprises globally.

A series of seminars were held within the framework of the exhibition, during which speakers shared their expertise.

Since 2001, VTG has been deeply involved in Vietnam’s textile and garment industry, bringing groundbreaking technologies and leading machinery to the local market.VTG is also a bridge between local and international industry players in the post-pandemic period.

Vietnam plays an increasingly large role in the world’s textile and garment value chain, with garment products exported to over 180 countries and territories. Major garment makers are continuing to explore expansion and production opportunities in the country. For the first six months of 2022, Vietnam’s exports of textile and garment products increased by 17 per cent compared to the same period last year.

South African clothing retailers are moving away from imports from China.

The South African flag is increasingly decorating labels on garments at major retail chains across the country. It’s an effort to bolster the country’s clothing and textile sector. As of now more than half of the textiles sold by South African retailers are imported from abroad, and nearly 60 per cent of those imports come from China.

But now domestic production is seen as a way of actually responding to what the customer needs and more efficiently. The shift is now gaining momentum on the heels of global trade disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic as well as record unemployment. Domestic production will mean more jobs. South Africa has a target of 1,21,000 new textile jobs by 2030 and 60 per cent of all textile goods sourced locally in the next five years.

But this will require investment in skills training and support for entrepreneurs.Regular power cuts and decaying railways are impeding local manufacturers from producing and transporting goods. And there are other practical barriers to closing the trade imbalance between China and South Africa. China has economies of scale and South Africa as compared to China is a relatively small country.

Ganni, a ready-to-wear fashion brand, has achieved B Corp status. The Danish women’s wear label scored 90.6 points while B Corp certification requires a B Impact assessment score of over 80 points.

Ganni successfully answered over 300 questions pertaining to its governance, workers, customers, environment and community. Thanks to its efforts towards using certified organic, lower-impact and recycled fibers, the women’swear brand received 90.6 points.

The NGO B Corp was founded in 2006. There are over 4000 certified B Corporations in more than 77 countries today. All of them are united by the same goal to reconcile profit maximization with a social mission on their journey towards a responsible, environmentally sustainable and socially fair future for business. They aim at meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency and accountability in order to balance profit with purpose.They operate at the very top of their class, excel in creating a positive impact for their stakeholders, including their workers, communities, customers and the environment.B Corp offers a tangible and transparent framework for keeping businesses accountable and setting industry benchmarks.

Founded in 2000, Ganni has 27 stores across Europe and the US, and is available via 400 wholesalers worldwide.

Indonesia is set to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

This is the world’s largest free trade agreement.While Indonesian exports will benefit from the reduction in tariffs between RCEP members, the country’s downstream industries are also well poised to receive greater investments. Supported by an abundance of natural resources, Indonesia is actively seeking to climb up the global value chain – transitioning from an exporter of raw commodities to a producer of high-value products.

The RCEP presents an opportunity for Indonesia to better integrate into regional value chains and attract investments into its industries, especially manufacturing, which accounts for 20 percent of GDP. Indonesia aims at becoming a manufacturing hub. Indonesia’s main areas of production are textiles and garments, electronics, automotive, footwear, food and beverages, and chemicals. The country’s trade-to-GDP ratio is 40 percent, lower than the global average of 55 to 60 percent, highlighting that Indonesia is poorly integrated with global supply and value chains.

However, with RCEP set to eliminate 92 percent of tariffs on goods traded among its 15 members, Indonesia fears that this could trigger an influx of imported goods and thus impact the competitiveness of local businesses, particularly micro and small medium enterprises.

Men’s wear brand Brioni is set to venture into women’s wear. The brand’s aim is to offer a range of models in the same couture style of Brioni’s menswear, but in women’s sizes and fits, in a spirit of timeless beauty, sophisticated simplicity, unparalleled freedom and lightness, combined with top-notch fabrics and details. So for instance Brioni offers a white suit, a turtleneck sweater under a cashmere coat, a shirt and satin evening trousers, matched with a dinner jacket.

Founded in 1945, this Italian luxury house specialises in sartorial ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes, eyewear and fragrance, and provides a tailor-made service.

All products are made in Italy and meticulously handcrafted by expert artisans. The house is revered for its personalised bespoke approach. Its product range comprises all categories of men’s apparel and accessories, including shoes, leather goods, jewelry, eyewear and fragrances.

Brioni has the potential to redefine its position as a unique luxury brand. The house’s philosophy is based on a pioneering approach to menswear. Suits of this high-end Italian brand retail in the thousands of euros. The brand has a distinct identity, and is known for its sartorial values and pioneering heritage. Brioni is a part of the French luxury group Kering.

Second only to China, Bangladesh carved out an awe-inspiring success story in the global RMG supply. Exports worth USD 42 billion last year contributed to an 83% of its total export volume. Whilst the RMG sector in Bangladesh continues its growth, the two-year long pandemic and the drop in demand for RMG imports from the West thereafter created an economic crisis for the nation. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have targeted the USD 100 billion mark of export by 2030. After the hit it took in the last two years, Bangladesh is keen to diversify its RMG portfolio.

This is where technical textiles present an opportunity. Futuristic technical textiles used in planes, cars, and firefighters’ uniforms and protective clothes are not what comes to mind in the RMG sector but this category represents a huge potential for Bangladesh’s diversification plan. Textile technology has become increasingly commercially viable and is experiencing rapid increase in demand. Garments made of technical textiles can offer many qualities which traditional garments cannot; they can be antibacterial, insect repellent, flame retardant, odorless and much more, allowing the wearer to reduce risks and bodily harm.

Manufacturers of technical textiles use both natural and manmade raw materials. Manmade materials, which currently account for 40% of total fiber consumption across the entire textile industry, include items like polyester, nylon, acrylic and polypropylene. The global market for technical textile is projected to reach $208.5 billion by 2024 from $178.92 billion in 2020. Its market is assumed to reach $298.1 billion by 2030. Europe represents the largest regional market for technical textiles, accounting for an estimated 28.8% share of the global total.

The Asia Pacific dominated the technical textile market with a share of 45.9% in 2019. China is the largest exporter of technical textile products with a share of 24%. This is followed by USA, Germany and Republic of Korea with a share of 10%, 9%, and 4% respectively. Within the Asia Pacific region, China and India are two leading countries in the technical textile sector. India is the world second largest polyester producer and its market size is USD 19 billion. India has set up a scheme within an average growth rate of 15-20% to increase their domestic market size of technical textiles to USD 40-50 billion at 2024; through market development, technological development, international technical collaborations, marketing and investment promotion.

Bangladesh has a lot of work cut out for it as they venture into the technical textile segment. In 2010, the Bangladeshi technical textiles consumption market value was USD 281.1 million and production value was USD 252.2 million. Whilst the pandemic may have been doom and gloom for Bangladesh’s RMG sector, the silver lining came in the form of technical textiles as demand for gloves, mask, PPE kits, etc. grew. During this production process, Bangladesh realised it lacks the infrastructure, research facilities and skilled labour to compete significantly in the global market. The government of Bangladesh has launched various conduct schemes and policies for technical textile manufacturers to make them globally competitive.

The pandemic rang in bad tidings for apparel exporters in Asia and South East Asia as the dip in US’ imports was significant. Compared to imports worth USD 111.033 billion in 2019, in 2020 imports worth USD 89.596 billion were registered. The trend took an upward turn in 2022 as The US Department of Commerce released figures for the first half of this year. The latest import figures indicate that US economy is witnessing fast recovery, and the world’s largest economy is continuing to support economic recovery in developing countries.

The import of textiles and apparel by the US continues grew at high rate and rose by 30.97 per cent to USD 66.308 billion in the first six months of 2022, compared to $50.626 billion in the same period of 2021. With 26.80 per cent share China continues to be the largest supplier of textiles and clothing to the US, followed by Vietnam with 13.87 per cent. According to the Major Shippers Report, “Apparel constituted the bulk of textiles and garments imported by the US in January-June 2022, and were valued at $49.578 billion, while non-apparel imports accounted for $16.729 billion.” In contrast, import of apparel to the EU experienced a dramatic drop of 80%.

Man-made fibres constituted the largest chunk at USD 33.4 billion, with cotton coming in second at 29.5 billion. Products from silk and vegetable fibres accounted for USD 1721.6 million whereas wool products stood at USD 1648.5 million.

China retains its pole position as the largest exporter to the US. The US textile and apparel imports volume from China in Jul 2022 reached 3.21 billion, down by 9% year-on-year. The imports value reached 3.59billion USD, up by 26.7% year-on-year. US apparel imports value from China in Jul 2022 toppled 1.27 billion USD, up by 22.7% year-on-year. The textile industry of China is the largest manufacturer and exporter in the world with an export turnover of USD 266.4 billion. Low-cost production, raw material quality, industrial structure, modern high-tech machinery, label development and work process in domestic consumer and global market contribute to China’s unshakeable leadership in this sector. The output volume of China textile industry accounts for more than half of the global market.

Other gainers have been Bangladesh up by 60.3%, Indonesia up by 60.27 %, India up by 57.2%, Cambodia up by 52.5% and Pakistan up by 50% year-on-year. The non-apparel sector also experienced a growth surge as Cambodia’s exports rose by 73%, Vietnam by 29% and Italy by 27.5%. Turkey was the only nation that lost ground up to 8%. However, with all figures released, the ASEAN countries collectively experienced the best in this growth surge whilst India and Bangladesh did not.

It should be noted that US apparel imports enjoyed a decent growth but started to face softening demand. Thanks to consumers’ spending, in the first half of 2022, US apparel imports went up 40% in value and 24% in quantity from a year ago. However, the US economy remains highly uncertain in the medium term and it might see many US fashion companies to turn more conservative in placing orders.

Paris Fashion Week is being held from September 26 to October 4, 2022.

In addition to the fashion shows, many showrooms are bringing together foreign delegations to present the creations of many brands for spring-summer 2023. The biggest names in fashion are sending their models down the runway to showcase only the best of the best for the warmer seasons. There are show-stopping looks from the fashion week classics such as Balenciaga, Chanel, Valentino, MiuMiu and Louis Vuitton. An abundance of talented, but lesser-known designer brands such as Dice Kayak or Ungaro are also expected to be present. Some fresh looks can be expected from the brand Off-White on runways bringing streetwear to high fashion.

Sphere will be at the center of the event and will showcase seven emerging brands.Camera Showroom Milano will make its return after five seasons of absence and will offer the collections of some 30 ready-to-wear and accessories brands.The DACH Showroom will feature the creations of 17 brands and designers. The Swedish Fashion Council will present eight brands. Eight brands will be present from Hong Kong and nine from South Korea. There will be five Japanese women’s fashion and accessories brands.Influencers make fashion more accessible and are the key to linking the modern day to the unchanging classiness of Paris Fashion Week.

Esprit is launching two new global innovation hubs. These will be in New York and London. Called Esprit Futura, the hubs are a part of the group’s digital strategy to reimagine customer engagement experiences by converting data into insights, igniting the brand’s international expansion in line with the rapidly escalating pace of digital change in the current environment of fashion retail. With New York and London both globally connected cities with pronounced cultural influences, the brand’s digital and creative innovation will be closely linked to the two fashion capitals.

Esprit Futura New York will serve as the company’s international center for creativity and design, a source of ideas and concepts for its branding strategy. The London facility will serve as the brand’s center for customer experience innovation, offering customers omnichannel connections to the Esprit network. Esprit Futura Amsterdam, the brand’s first physical hub, will remain the core for e-commerce and technology growth.

Lifestyle fashion brand Esprit based in Hong Kong is in the process of transforming into a global company with creative minds and processes in key cities enabling consumers to be connected to the brand on a multi-dimensional level. This will enable Esprit to adapt to major challenges in fashion and the macro environment in order to propel it into the future.In addition, Hong Kong will continue to be the worldwide administrative headquarters for finance, sourcing, and operations.

Polyester-cotton, poly spun and recycled polyester prices have witnessed a steep fall in India.

Poor demand and a downward trend in cotton and cotton yarn prices have caused the decline. The declining prices of polyester yarn have left mills in disarray as they have already been facing losses in cotton yarn.

There is no sign of improvement in buying in domestic or export markets. Cheaper cotton and cotton yarn have added to the woes of polyester yarn. Mills are offering even lower prices as buyers remain absent. The declines in polyester yarn prices have left spinning mills in losses during the last week. The mills are now facing a disparity of Rs5 to Rs10 per kg for polyester yarn due to the recent decrease. Polyester-cotton, poly spun and recycled yarn prices also witnessed a steep fall of up toRs25 per kg in Ludhiana due to weaker demand and declining cotton and cotton yarn prices.

The downward trend continues in cotton prices in north India as arrivals are increasing gradually. Spinners’ buying continues to remain weak. Cotton arrivals increased to 6,500 bales of 170 kg in the north Indian region and cotton prices decreased byRs300 per maund of 37.2 kg.