Swedish Textile Machinery Association (TMAS) has demonstrated the potential of highly automated technologies in enabling textile companies in high-wage countries to compete in previously closed markets.

In a recent project, TMAS collaborated with its member companies, Automatex and Coloreel, to develop a fully automated machine that produces unique tote bags, providing companies with tools to differentiate in highly competitive fields.

The machine, developed by Automatex, is a fully automatic tote/consumer bag sewing unit that can produce fully finished bags in various sizes. The machine carries out all the necessary automated operations, including hemming, handle insertion, cutting, labelling, bag forming, and gusset forming, which previously had to be carried out manually.

The bags produced are still plain and uniform at this point, and with products that are intended to be used for as long as possible, personalization is the key.

To add decorative appeal, Coloreel's technology enables the high-quality and instant dyeing of a textile thread while it is being used in embroidery production. Additionally, the technology makes it possible to produce gradients in an embroidery design

TMAS Secretary General Therese Premler-Andersson believes that this collaboration emphasizes the positive potential of the latest Swedish digital textile technologies, which are enabling companies to generate new revenue streams wherever they happen to be located.

Mango, the Spanish fashion retailer, reported record sales of €2.68bn last year, a 13 per cent increase from pre-pandemic levels, as shoppers continued to spend on clothing despite inflation and the company expanded its presence in India and the US. Revenue grew 20 per cent from the previous year, with in-store and online sales benefiting from a post-pandemic appetite for fashion, despite tough competition in the sector. Net profit rose 21 per cent to €81m.

Company credited the return to normality last year and the end of Covid-19 restrictions for the company's success, as well as the opening of nine new stores in the US and its increasing presence in India, which is its leading market in Asia. In 2023, the company plans to open 35 new stores in India and expand its presence in the US to 40 stores.

Mango has 2,566 outlets worldwide and expects to open more stores this year, but only a third will be company-owned. Last year, Mango began transferring its 55 shops in Russia, which is under Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine, to local partners. Although 30 shops permanently closed, Mango still operates in 90 stores in Russia under franchise agreements.

The share of business generated by private labels in department store sales increased from 9 per cent to 16 per cent between 2019 and 2022, as per a new report by the International Association of Department Stores (IADS). The report has found that department stores around the world have been relying on their own brands since the Covid-19 crisis.

The rise in demand for private labels has been due to customers abandoning national brands in favour of cheaper options. For some department stores, developing their own brands is a way to improve profitability, especially as the pandemic has challenged them.

Department stores have repositioned their private labels in the high-end segment to maintain viable margins. Some see it as a way to compete with international brands, while others are pre-empting the high-quality essentials segment.

Private label retail prices have increased in line with overall price inflation. However, the higher prices have opened up a debate about going upmarket to justify a new price point. The report also found that private labels with the highest gross margins sell best.

Department stores are increasing the share of sustainable products in their collections and are keen to become more transparent. It is expected that private labels will continue to generate greater competitive and financial advantage compared to other commercial models found in department stores.

Bangladesh's top 31-60 apparel products saw a surge in export earnings in 2022, with a growth rate of 59.25 per cent. The products, which include men's and boys' woven overcoats, non-cotton woven shirts, and women's and girls' knitted blouses and overcoats, earned USD 4.28 billion in 2022, up from USD 2.69 billion in 2021 and USD 2.07 billion in 2020.

According to data, men or boys MMF woven overcoats were the highest exportable apparel item of Bangladesh, with exports worth USD 263.94 million in 2022. The second-highest item was men or boys non-cotton woven shirts, with exports worth USD 209.72 million in 2022, up from USD 111.22 million in 2021. Bangladesh's share of global imports for this item was 11.23 per cent in 2021.

In addition, the earnings from women or girls cotton knitted blouses increased by 50.63 per cent in 2022 compared to 2021, with exports worth USD 205.66 million. Other significant items included women or girls MMF woven overcoats, car-coats, capes, cloaks, anoraks, women or girls cotton woven jackets & blazers, men or boys cotton woven jackets & blazers, women or girls woven of rubberized or coated fabrics, M/B synthetic knitted trousers, woven clothing accessories, men or boys cotton knitted pajamas, women or girls cotton knitted coats, men or boys non-cotton woven trousers, women or girls synthetic woven jackets & blazers, women or girls MMF knitted briefs.

These 30 items account for 9.38 per cent of the total apparel export earnings of Bangladesh. The increase in earnings from these items is expected to boost the country's economic growth, as the apparel sector is a key contributor to its GDP.

The Philippine Tropical Fabrics Month showcased office uniforms made from indigenous tropical fabrics spun from natural fibers such as silk, banana, pineapple, and abaca, designed by local artisans.

The event, held annually in the first quarter, aims to raise awareness of local fabrics and promote collaboration between industry players and research institutions to promote innovation in clothing production.

The event, now in its tenth year, features a fashion show aimed at boosting the commercial production of indigenous tropical fabrics. It targets farmers, handloom weavers of natural textiles, retailers and millers, and producers of uniforms of various types.

The Philippines pioneered textile production in Southeast Asia, but changes in global trade, lack of technical knowledge and investment, and preferential policies led to a drop in the garment and textile industry’s export value from $3 billion in the 1990s to $1.2 billion by 2016.

However, the country remains competitive in the mid- to high-end market, primarily for its prized embroidery and intricate design capabilities, including handwoven fabrics made with indigenous fibers.

Fast Retailing, a global apparel company, has announced new targets for its Women Empowerment Program in Bangladesh. The program, initiated in 2019 with support from UN Women, aims to empower women and increase their participation in leadership roles in the garment industry.

The new targets, to be achieved by the end of 2025, include training 1,500 female workers to be supervisors, ensuring at least 30 per cent of supervisory and/or managerial roles are held by women, and providing female employees with increased access to childcare facilities, physical and mental wellbeing support, and safe transportation to and from the workplace. The targets will be implemented in eight of Fast Retailing's partner garment factories in Bangladesh.

Since its launch, the Women Empowerment Program has provided leadership and technical-skills training to female workers aspiring to become supervisors. By the end of FY 2022, 163 female workers had been promoted to management positions through the program.

To deepen the impact of the program, Fast Retailing plans to expand the number of training sessions and strengthen the enabling environment for female workers to thrive and feel safe in the workplace. Activities will include supporting the implementation of new and fit-for-purpose childcare facilities and services, understanding the challenges and opportunities for physical and mental wellbeing support, and addressing existing risks female workers face during their commute.

Fast Retailing's Women Empowerment Program demonstrates the company's commitment to championing gender equality in the apparel industry and empowering women to become leaders in the workplace.

Italian luxury fashion house Prada S.p.A. reported a 21% rise in net revenues to €4.2bn for the year ending 31 December 2022, driven by strong growth in retail sales which increased by 24 per cent to €3.7bn.

The company saw strong performance across all product categories, with leather goods up 18 per cent, ready-to-wear up 27 per cent, and footwear up 29 per cent. Gross margin was 78.8 per cent of revenues, equivalent to €3.3bn, while adjusted EBIT margin was 20.1% of revenues, or €845m.

Despite weakness in China due to Covid-19, Prada reported an overall growth of 25 per cent and Miu Miu saw revenues increase by 20 per cent, with a sharp acceleration in H2 due to successful products, fashion shows and events. The company’s online sales also saw double-digit growth, while penetration remained stable at 7 per cent of retail sales.

Among geographies, Asia Pacific declined by 2 per cent to €1.23bn, offset by strong performance in Korea and Southeast Asia. Europe saw growth of 63 per cent, the Americas generated growth of 22 per cent, Japan grew 31 per cent and the Middle East increased 23 per cent in total.

In January 2023, a survey conducted by American luxury fashion digital platform Saks revealed that 62 per cent of US-based consumers plan to spend the same or more on luxury items in the upcoming months.

Respondents with an income of over $200K indicated a preference for spending on clothing after travel, events, and activities. Among those surveyed, 60 per cent said they plan to purchase clothing, and 36 per cent will spend on shoes for their upcoming trips.

Women respondents expressed a desire to embrace spring fashion, with colourful styles and statement tops being a popular choice for the next three months. Meanwhile, men are expected to go for clean sneakers, loafers, and tailored suits, as per the Saks Luxury Pulse survey.

Social media platforms are proving to be an excellent source of fashion inspiration, with Instagram being the most popular platform among 55 per cent of those surveyed. 45 per cent of respondents indicated that they frequently use social media to read reviews, while 33 per cent use the medium to get inspiration for outfits.

The Saks Luxury Pulse survey is conducted periodically to gauge luxury consumers’ attitudes towards shopping, spending, and fashion trends. The survey is based on responses from 2,832 US-based respondents over the age of 18 and was conducted between January 13-17, 2023.

MAGIC New York, the premier wholesale fashion event for Modern Sportswear, Young Contemporary and Trend-driven fashion, successfully concluded on February 23.

Organized by Informa Markets Fashion, the event provided a 360-degree fashion experience for domestic and international retailers to discover new and established brands, build connections, and network with industry experts, further growing the east-coast MAGIC community.

The New York edition of MAGIC hosted over 80 exclusive brands, offering a more expansive modern sportswear footprint than the Las Vegas and Nashville events. Brands such as Gretty Zeuger, M Rena, Petit Pois, Angela Mara, Julian Chang, and Namsar showcased upcoming Fall and Winter 23/24 trends, including sheer tops, choker necklaces, animal prints, tulle, feathers, and denim on denim.

Jordan Rudow, Vice President of MAGIC, emphasized that brands, business owners, and retailers come to MAGIC New York to connect with other members in the industry and converge with national and international industry representatives. He added that the fashion community came to MAGIC New York with strong enthusiasm off of the successful Las Vegas event to discover new brands and build those important industry connections that further support and grow their businesses.

The next stop for MAGIC is in Nashville at the Music City Center, highlighting the latest trends in southern fashion on April 27-28. Informa Markets Fashion connects and inspires the global fashion community through online experiences, industry insights, and worldwide fashion trade events.

Indonesia's Fashion Chamber, the Central Bank of Indonesia, and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Dubai are presenting the Indonesia International Modest Fashion Festival (IN2MOTIONFEST) in Dubai.

The event, which is being held as part of the Indonesian Investment Forum in Dubai, is showcasing the beauty of Indonesian Heritage Textiles (WASTRA) to an international audience. The event is featuring three prominent Indonesian designers collaborating with Wastra SMEs under the Bank of Indonesia's SME development program.

IN2MOTIONFEST aims to become a world-renowned modest fashion event that supports Indonesian designers and brands to compete in a global landscape. The event seeks to enhance the capacity and linkage among domestic and global industry players.

The global Muslim fashion market is currently around US$313 billion and is expected to reach US$375 billion by 2025. With Indonesia's current trajectory, they are poised to capture a significant share of the global modest fashion market in the coming years.

The Middle East is an important market for the Indonesian modest fashion industry to harness, and events like IN2MOTIONFEST help promote the best of Indonesian modest fashion products to the world.