Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) export reached US$ 11.61 billion during the July-September period of fiscal year 2023-24, up from US$ 10.27 billion in the same period of FY 2022-23, indicating 13.07% year-over-year growth.

A category-wise disaggregated analysis shows that during the mentioned 3 months the export of knitwear was US$ 6.76 billion with 19.70% year-over-year growth, while woven garments export was recorded US$ 4.85 billion, with 4.97% growth.

In September 2023, the country's RMG export grew by 14.46% year-over-year and reached US$ 3.61 billion, which was US$ 3.16 billion in September 2022. However, export in September was around US$ 400 million less than the export in August this year.

The year-over-year growth in export cannot be judged as a trend since global import by Bangladesh's major markets is declining in the past few months. The economies in Europe and North America are not faring well due to higher inflation and rising interest rates, which is limiting the spending power of consumers.

Despite the global economic challenges, Bangladesh's RMG sector is showing resilience. The growth in export is being driven by a number of factors, including the increase in raw material prices, fuel, gas-electricity, and other production costs, which are causing inflated prices of goods to a certain extent. 

On the other hand, the emerging diversity in product range within the industry and the appreciable progress in higher value addition are also leading to unit price upsurge.

This is a promising sign as Bangladesh heads towards a more sustainable and innovative future. The country should focus more on the future possibilities and diversification when it takes further expansion plans, as inflation and cost hikes are inevitable in the longer term. The country can direct its investment towards the future by focusing on diversification, technology, and innovation.

Lenzing Group, a leading global producer of wood-based specialty fibers, has collaborated with Kentaur, a global specialist in the manufacturing of innovative and functional workwear, to develop a pilot collection of chef uniforms centered around circularity, durability, and functionality.

Aimed at reducing the usage of virgin raw materials in the workwear segment without reducing quality and comfort, the chef uniforms comprise 50% of TENCELTM branded lyocell fibers with REFIBRATM technology and 50% of recycled polyester.

“Our extended partnership with Kentaur marks a significant milestone in our efforts to transform the textile industry, including the workwear sector, into a circular model,” said Alexandra Steger, Business Development Workwear, Lenzing AG. “The pilot collection of chef uniforms with Kentaur is a great example of Lenzing’s circular solutions that combine circularity with functionality. The collection is not only made with quality fabrics of recycled materials which are the same high quality as virgin raw materials, but it comes with the added value of giving textile waste a second life. We are confident that the comfort and quality of the recycled materials in TENCELTM Lyocell fibers with REFIBRATM technology will also spread into other types of workwear, like healthcare and hospitality sectors.”

The partnership underscores Lenzing and Kentaur’s commitment in accelerating the development of a circular model for the functional workwear sector. The new collection will be showcased at the A+A trade fair, October 24–27, 2023.

TENCELTM Lyocell Fibers with REFIBRATM Technology

TENCELTM Lyocell fibers with REFIBRATM technology are a sustainable and innovative fiber solution that combines the benefits of TENCELTM Lyocell fibers with the added benefit of circularity. REFIBRATM technology enables the recycling of cotton textile waste into high-quality TENCELTM Lyocell fibers, reducing the need for virgin raw materials.

The pilot collection of chef uniforms is a testament to Lenzing and Kentaur’s commitment to developing sustainable and functional workwear solutions. The collection is a step towards a more circular future for the textile industry.

In a remarkable celebration of branding excellence, Nine West, the prominent designer, developer, and marketer of women's fashion footwear and accessories under the Apparel Group umbrella, proudly announces its achievement of prestigious Superbrand status at the Superbrands Award 2023. This accolade was presented alongside nine other exceptional brands during an illustrious ceremony held on the 28th at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City.

Receiving this esteemed award is not only a testament to its commitment to excellence and innovation but also an honor we deeply cherish. It underscores our unwavering dedication to delivering unparalleled quality and value, reflecting the robustness and resilience of its brand portfolio. 

This recognition underscores Nine West's exceptional ability to thrive and excel in a competitive market, reinforcing its standing as a leading brand in the global fashion and lifestyle industry. The award serves as a testament to Nine West's distinctive capacity to connect with consumers by offering products and experiences that distinguish themselves in the marketplace.

Furthermore, this achievement underscores Apparel Group's exceptional knack for nurturing and expanding brands in a fiercely competitive market, further solidifying its position in the global arena.

Virgio, a fashion-tech startup, is set to unveil a new version of itself this week. The brand is evolving from fast fashion to circular fashion, promising to be still fashion forward with enhanced customer experiences, and a renewed commitment to circularity and innovation.

This exciting development marks a new chapter in the brand's journey, and Virgio's design team has been hard at work, meticulously crafting new collections that embody both sophistication and modernity, all made in natural fabrics to ensure they last longer, are good for the community, and can be recycled after their usage.

Commenting on the evolution, Co-founder Amar Nagaram stated, “While fast fashion is agile, trendy and caters to the growing needs of the young blood in India, it also promotes over production, over consumption. Fast fashion companies use harmful fabrics and exploit labour to cut corners on pricing and quality fuelling the market with what will be sent to landfills. It’s a global crisis and we all are witnessing it. That’s why we’ve made a conscious choice to move our entire efforts to build a circular fashion brand.”

Virgio's commitment to circular fashion is pro-planet and will usher in a new era in the fashion industry in India. The brand's move to circular fashion is a welcome development, and it is sure to inspire other fashion brands to follow suit.

A groundbreaking partnership has emerged between Lenzing Group, a global leader in wood-based specialty fibers, and Kentaur, a Denmark-based innovator in workwear manufacturing. Their joint venture aims to revolutionize the workwear industry with a strong focus on circularity, durability, and functionality. The result of this collaboration is a pioneering pilot collection of chef uniforms that seamlessly integrates sustainability into every fiber.

The chef uniforms consist of 50% TENCEL branded lyocell fibers with REFIBRA technology, and 50% recycled polyester. This innovative blend significantly reduces the reliance on virgin raw materials without compromising on quality and comfort. Alexandra Steger of Lenzing AG expressed the importance of this partnership, marking a significant step towards a circular textile industry. The collection sets an example by not only utilizing recycled materials but also giving textile waste a new life.

Kentaur's Chief Commercial Officer, Christian Beirholm, emphasized their commitment to sustainability and circularity in the workwear industry. Their partnership with Lenzing, which began in 2018, has culminated in the incorporation of recycled cellulosic materials, proving that recycled content can coexist with high-performance products.

This pilot collection showcases the potential for workwear to be both durable and sustainable, with Lenzing's innovative Fiber Identification technology enhancing supply chain transparency. The collaboration underscores Lenzing and Kentaur's shared vision to accelerate the transition to a circular economy within the textile and workwear sectors.

Attendees of the A+A trade fair in October 2023 can witness Lenzing's commitment to responsible practices, as they showcase their latest portfolio, including the chef uniforms produced through this pioneering partnership with Kentaur.

Social media, AI, VR, metaverse, simulated in-store experience… the list grows bigger and keeps changing the landscapes and platforms for brands and their customers to engage in. Models showcasing latest collection in fashion glossies or towering billboards are still around but more for maintaining their legacy channels of communications rather than the primary outreach to customers. 

Fashion marketing now has to keep up as new social apps appear and also keep note that some apps may not be the wonder they were launched to be. The much-celebrated metaverse started getting flaks for its weak security that scared brands of being misled or hacked. In the midst of it all, creative agencies that manage reputable fashion accounts are getting out and about, coming up with a variety of platforms that may not be entirely pioneering but definitely engaging. 

As per McKinsey study, while the fashion has experimented with basic AI and other technologies viz.  Metaverse, nonfungible tokens (NFTs), digital IDs, and augmented or virtual reality, it has not experienced generative AI -- a nascent technology so far. It could change fashion marketing as per some indications are and improve at lightning speed and become a game changer in many aspects of business. “In the next three to five years, generative AI could add $150 billion, conservatively, and up to $275 billion to the apparel, fashion, and luxury sectors’ operating profits,” says McKinsey analysis.

Brand communication goes beyond fashion

Gen Z is keen to relate to their preferred brands not through product exclusivity but with the multifaceted brand personality that resonate with them. As this truth grows more profound, fashion brands have jumped off the catwalk, photo shoots and influencer endorsements into larger and live activities. One such example is the Air Afrique and Bottega Veneta collaboration. The pan-African airline Air Afrique, co-owned by a large number of sub-Saharan African nations, was operational between 1961 and 2002. Bottega Veneta partnered Air Afrique to launch an eponymous magazine, a platform dedicated to Afro-diasporic art and conversation. To mark the launch of the magazine, creative director Matthieu Blazy commissioned a series of blankets by Bottega Veneta’s Franco-Sudanese designer Abdel El Tayeb. Drawing on Sudan's history and contemporary identity, El Tayeb’s Afro-futuristic designs are a unique composition of fine wool, silver leather et al from the brand’s archive.

Similarly, Saint Laurent commissioned contemporary Cai Guo-Qiang to create a spectacular a first-time daylight fireworks display in Japan in June, the day Cai inaugurated her solo exhibition in Tokyo titled ‘Ramble in the Cosmos’. Spanish luxury brand Loewe is celebrating Japanese musician Kenshi Yenezu’ music through his creative spaces that can experienced at the Saint Laurent outlet in Tokyo.

Many brands capitalised on TV by partnering productions to increase visiblity. For example, Gucci provided access to its archives and allowed shooting in its Rome flagship for ‘House of Gucci,’ a film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver, which generated 25,000 posts across news and social media in ahead of the film’s release in 2021.

Levi’s goes Lollapalooza in India

Year 2023 marked the 150th year of the world’s most iconic denim jeans, the Levi’s 501. In India for example, Levi’s decided to engage with Indian youth consumers by jumping into the first Indian edition of Lollapalooza Music Festival held in Mumbai in January this year as a sponsor along with a host of other well-known entities and brands. Levi’s partnered a range of Indian influencers and artists to connect with the large Indian population of Gen Z consumers using this festival as its engagement platform.  The ‘Levi’s® on Wheels’ branded double decker chauffeured a group of influencers to the festival while driving around Mumbai to promote the label. The brand also ran a ‘Levi’s® Tailorshop’ which offered live garment customization. It enabled fans to customize their denim and make it truly their own through screen prints, paneling and heat-press.

This trend has had a positive impact on global creative talent pool that gains international recognition and international brands entrenching its regional loyalty. 

Introducing its new wool-blend lamb's wool fabric, a revolutionary product that will transform your fashion experience. It understands that fashion is more than just appearance; it also involves comfort and quality. That's why it created this innovative product, designed to satisfy your needs for both style and comfort.

The first thing you'll notice about this amazing fabric is how it feels. Its wool-blend lamb's wool fabric is made from carefully selected wool, resulting in a remarkably soft, warm, and cozy material. When you wear our product, you'll enjoy unmatched comfort, whether it's the cold of winter or the cool of autumn.

Besides its exceptional softness and warmth, our wool-blend lamb's wool fabric also has a natural elegance. 

Its distinctive visual appeal and texture give you a unique style. It believes that its product will make you stand out in any situation, whether it's work or social, enhancing your fashion sense and sophistication.

But what really makes its wool-blend lamb's wool fabric special is its adaptability. Whether you love outdoor activities or casual sports, our product can suit your preferences. Sporty cardigans made from this fabric are not only comfortable but also stylish, keeping you lively in various settings.

ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei is committed to delivering innovative and sustainable stretch solutions for denimwear. The company's strategy is based on two key elements:

A strong focus on R&D to deliver innovative solutions with lower impact on people and the environment.

A consolidation of partnerships along the whole supply chain through concrete collaborations with companies sharing ROICA™'s values.

ROICA™ Advanced Sustainable Stretch Solutions

ROICA™ offers a range of advanced sustainable stretch solutions, including:

ROICA™ V550: A sustainable degradable yarn with a Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Material Health Certificate. It degrades under ISO 14855-1 tested by OWS decomposing into CO2 and water.

ROICA™ EF (Chlorine resistance version): A yarn made from 35% of in-house pre-consumer waste and offering better durability under chlorine conditions.

ROICA™ Leading Partners for Denimwear Featuring ROICA™ V550

ROICA™ partners with leading denimwear companies to develop and produce innovative and sustainable denim fabrics. Some examples include:

Artistic Milliners: Artistic Milliners is using ROICA™ V550 in its Earthcore line of fabrics, which are Ellen Mac Arthur Jeans Redesign-compliant and feature the company's proprietary Crystal Clear 2.0 dyeing tech enabling salt-free Sulphur overdying.

Candiani Denim: Candiani Denim is using ROICA™ V550 in its ReSolve collection of fabrics, which are blended with GOTS certified organic cotton/regenagri® certified regenerative cotton.

Prosperity Textile: Prosperity Textile is using ROICA™ V550 in its LEAVE NO TRACE line of fabrics, which are made from recycled cotton and designed to benefit universal design.

ROICA™ is committed to helping the denim industry achieve a more sustainable future. With its advanced technologies and strong partnerships, ROICA™ is playing a leading role in the development and production of innovative and sustainable denim fabrics.

TITAS, the 27th Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show, will be held at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1 in Taiwan from October 17th to October 19th, 2023. The event showcases the latest trends and developments in Taiwan’s textile industry, which focuses on innovation and sustainability as the key drivers for future growth.

TITAS features three main themes that reflect the industry’s vision and consumer needs: “Sustainability, Functional Applications, and Intelligent Manufacturing.” These themes highlight the textile sector’s dedication to research and innovation.

The Alliance of Sustainable Remodeling CFC (Carbon Fiber Composite) is a special initiative organized by the Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI), in partnership with TaiFRP* and TTTA**. This initiative aims to promote the carbon fiber composite materials industry and create a network of local companies, research and development centers, and various industry applications. The event is held every season to support the expansion of the thermoplastic composites ecosystem and foster closer collaborations.

At TITAS, the initiative will present some of the cutting-edge solutions in biomaterial sourcing, low carbon emission, TPU fiber, natural fiber, and AI embroidery systems.

With its focus on innovation and sustainability, TITAS is a must-attend event for anyone involved in the textile industry. It provides an opportunity to learn about the latest trends and developments, see new products and technologies, and network with industry leaders.

MAS Holdings, a global apparel and textile manufacturing leader, has clinched the prestigious Clarivate South Asia Innovation Award for the third year in a row. This accolade, presented at the Mumbai Innovation Forum, underscores MAS' dedication to groundbreaking innovations and maintaining a robust intellectual property portfolio.

Ranil Vitarana, MAS Holdings' Chief Innovation Officer, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "This achievement is a testament to MAS’ commitment to both innovation and our valued customers' success."

This recognition solidifies MAS' position as a leading innovator, thanks in part to its innovation arm, Twinery. Twinery fosters a culture of innovation, uniting experts to tackle industry challenges. Product verticals Femography and Softmatter have redefined wearable technology and female health solutions, respectively. With 66 granted patents, Twinery's impact is evident, earning it the Fast Company Award for innovative workplace excellence.

MAS Holdings' consistent recognition in the South Asia Innovation Awards is a testament to its lasting contribution to the industry.