Leading luxury fashion brand, Kering-owned Bottega Veneta has chosen to opt out of social media by shutting down all its accounts in January. Daniel Lee, Creative Director says, the brand sees social media as the homogenization of culture where everyone sees the same stream of content. According to him, social media platforms resort to playground bullying which he doesn’t favor.

From April, the brand plans to replace all its social media posts with a quarterly online magazine, called Issue that will offer more progressive and more thoughtful content. The magazine will be an audiovisual one with fashion photography, music and video.

Bottega Veneta is an Italian luxury fashion house based in Milan, Italy. Its product lines for men and women include ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes, accessories, jewellery and fragrances. Bottega Veneta was founded in 1966 in Vicenza, Veneto, by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro. Its Intrecciato leather-weaving was an instant hit. After the company was purchased by the Gucci Groupin 2001, a new “stealth wealth” pulse revived Bottega Veneta.

The first edition of Functional Textiles Shanghai by Performance Days will be held from September 28-29, 2021 at the Shanghaimart Exhibition Center. The fair will focus on latest trends and innovations from the world of textiles, yarns, membrane technologies and accessories for functional sportswear, workwear, performances wear and lifestyle wear. It will feature top manufacturers such as Romrol, Sanchuan and Winsun confirming their participation along with other well-known brands such as Anta, Bosideng, Decathlon, Descente, Eral, Fila Hotwind, Icicle, Jeep, Kailas, Kappa, Li-Ning, Peace Bird, Peak, Semir, Skechers, Toread, Uniqulo, Zuczug and 361°, to name a few.

The fair will include an informative supporting program with exciting expert talks and discussion panels on sustainable and industry-relevant topics. The Chinese functional apparel market is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. Performance Days/Design & Development GMBH and Tengda Exhibition will launch the new Functional Textiles Shanghai By Performance Days in China to explore business opportunities in this market.

Increasing orders from domestic clothing manufacturers is likely to boost China’s cotton imports to monthly average of $601.05 million during January-August 2021. As per reports, China imported $3,567.23 million worth cotton in 2019. Despite the pandemic, its cotton imports maintained their level at $3,562.38 million. Despite fluctuating in range of $150 million to $250 million between April-August 2020, they recovered in the following months

China’s cotton imports in December 2020 grew by 89.33 per cent month-on-month. The US recently banned all products containing cotton produced in Xinjiang over human rights issues. Hence, manufacturers started replacing Xinjiang cotton with imported cotton fiber. If Chinese manufacturers use local cotton to fulfill orders from western countries, they are likely to face quality issues and order cancellations.

At a recent online meeting, representatives of value-added textile associations in Pakistan urged the government to ban export of cotton yarn to ease the commodity crisis. They also proposed a 10 per cent duty on cotton yarn export to help stem falling trend in apparel textiles export. The representatives also demanded permission to import duty free cotton yarn from across the world for at least next six months to arrest the commodity crisis that continues to hit the local market.

Though globally, prices of cotton have decreased but the commodity is still costly in Pakistan. Representatives urged the government to open an immediate forensic audit of local cotton yarn producers, similar on the pattern of sugar probe. Pakistan is currently facing approximately 40 per cent low cotton crop, which is the lowest quantity over the past three decades. The representatives demanded urgent mechanism and policies to increase cotton production.

They also urged the government to help facilitate apparel makers to import cotton yarn from Central Asian Republics through land route via Afghanistan as the sea route is taking a long duration due to shortage of containers and vessels. Representatives who attended the online meeting included: Jawed Bilwani, Chairman, Pakistan Apparel Forum; Riaz Ahmed, Central Chairman, Faisal Mehboob Shaikh Senior Vice Chairman, Tariq Munir, Vice Chairman, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association, Mian Farrukh Iqbal, Senior Vice Chairman, PHMA Northern Zone, Ch Salamat Ali, Ex-central Chairman, Syed Zia Alamdar, Ex-Chairman, Kashif Zia, Ex-Chairman, PHMA, Ijaz Khokhar, Chief Coordinator & Ex-Central Chairman, Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufacturers & Exporter Association, etc.

A new report by Moody’s Investors Service says, global fast fashion and discount brands are most at risk as sustainable processes assume greater importance for buyers of their apparel. The report expects large international brands such as Hennes & Mauritz AB, Nike. and Adidas, and luxury companies such as Ralph Lauren, will fare better. Greater scrutiny of sustainable practices will challenge the credit quality of many global apparel firms, and transform the way they do business, it says.

Analyst Guillaume Leglise, says, environmentally conscious and socially aware consumers will compel global fashion brands to adapt to sustainability measures with environmental and social factors putting the apparel industry’s profitability at risk.

As per the report, another challenge facing apparel companies stems from regulation related to data protection, Brands using online and data analytics are vulnerable to data protection risks, cyberattacks and non-compliance fines, all of which can tarnish their reputations, it says.

Held in Jiangsu, China, the 12th Sewing Machinery Industry Leading Enterprise Summit focused on the theme: ‘Cooperating Double Cycles, Expanding New Markets.’ The summit was attended by leaders of the Chinese sewing technology industry and associations including SG Group, Jack Stock, IMB, Dahao and China Textile Information Center, etc. Among the prominent participants were, He Ye, Vice Chairman, China National Light Industry Council and Chairman of the China Sewing Machinery Association (CSMA).

Dong Kuiyong, Deputy Director, China Textile Information Center, commented on future situation and the development direction of the textile and clothing industry in the post-COVID era through a review and analysis of the goal completion in 2020. Dong also proposed the‘14th Five-Year Plan’ to China’s enhance core innovation capabilities, sustainable development capabilities, resource allocation capabilities, strengthening service-oriented manufacturing and optimization and development for the sewing machinery industry.

Chen Xinhua, Chairman, IMB, corroborated, in future, apparel companies will incorporate intelligent manufacturing techniques in their factories.

Ready To Show & Virtual Fashion Tour, Italy the duo virtual concurrent events were concluded successfully recently. Held between March 16-19, 2021, the virtual events, first of its kind, were aimed at giving international apparels, accessories, textiles and leather manufacturers direct access for sourcing to major Italian and European buyers, as well as offering Fashion Collections by designers and labels of Italy and other countries.

The show featured companies 35 companies across product categories from over 25 countries, divided into three halls; Sourcing Global, Sourcing Mauritius and Fashion Collections. Over 800 registered visitors from 65 countries attended the show with exhibitors from 12 countries including Italy, France, India, the US and Latvia. Mauritius, with 11 selected exhibitors was the main attraction at the event. The visitors consisted of importers, private labels, large retailers and all other imported apparel and textiles.

The event was organized by Tortona Design & Fashion Italy, in association with FashionatingWorld.

The first day hosted a webinar under the theme “Fashion Sourcing & Trends during Challenging Times” consisting of five sessions titled, ‘Mauritius: Your Partner of Choice to Source Fashion and Sustainable Apparel Products’. The session was discussion with Geerish Bucktowonsing, Executive Director, Economic Board, Mauritius. The second session, ‘Buyers’ Perspective: How should Companies & Countries make effective presentations?’ was discussion with Claudia Carillon, CEO International Designers Network & Senior Expert Fashion Consultant and Manuela Brodersen-Horn, Fashion TV Production, Germany.

The third session titled ‘India as a potential Sourcing Hub for Europe’ was moderated by Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman, Export Promotion Committee, AEPC; the fourth webinar ‘Changes in fashion during and after the pandemic: Prevention & Therapy’ was moderated by Vittorio Giomo, Milano, Expert in Trends and Sustainable Fashion & Textiles.

The fifth session was on ‘Inter-Seasonal Evolution of Current Trends- FW21-22 & SS22 ‘moderated by Cristina Fedriani, Owner and Director, Progetto Stile & Fashion Consultant.

Fashionatingworld alongwith DFU Publications partnered Virtual Fashion Tour Italy to organize five webinars on issues facing the global fashion industry.

The 7th ITMF Corona Survey brings some cheer to the textile industry. The survey reveals the turnover of global textile companies declined 9 per cent in 2020. However, this decline is significantly better than the expected drop of 33 per cent in 3rd survey conducted at the peak of Corona wave in April 2020. The 7th ITMF survey was conducted from January 25 to March 10, 2021 among ITMF members and affiliated companies and associations. It polled around 196 companies from across the world.

The survey termed year 2020 to be one of the worst for global textile and apparel industry. However, compared to what was expected in 6th ITMF Corona Survey done between November 20 and December 14, 2020, the actual turnover for 2020 improved by 3 percentage points from -12 per cent to -9 per cent.

Highest decline in textile chemicals

The survey shows, the pandemic impacted the entire textile value chain including producers of textile machinery. All segments were impacted to a certain degree. The textile chemicals segment declined 20 per cent while the weaving/knitting machinery segment declined 15 per cent.

Finishing/printing machinery segment was the third largest loser with a 13 per cent decline. The nonwoven segment witnessed a zero per cent decline while the fiber segment recording 10 per cent growth. These two segments benefitted from the extraordinary demand for masks during 2020, which compensated for their loss in other areas like automotive or apparel.

Africa to emerge biggest gainer

Regionwise, Africa seems to be biggest gainer with textile turnover increasing almost 31 per cent from 2021-2024. The turnovers of South America and South East Asia are expected to increase by 21 per cent while that of North America is expected to increase 16 per cent. Europe and South East Asia are expected to record lowest turnovers with only 12 and 5 per cent increase by 2024.

An international forum for the world's textile industries, The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) keeps members across the world constantly informed through surveys, studies and publications, participating in the evolution of the industry's value chain and through the organization of annual conferences as well as publishing considered opinions on future trends and international developments.

On February 1, Myanmar’s attempts to reinstate democracy in the country were badly thwarted by its military as voters in the recent election overwhelmingly supported the party of popular leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup can be used by fashion companies to establish ethical working standards in the garment industry, says a new report by Quartz.

As per the report, fashion companies operating in the country can use their influence in various ways. They can publicly denounce worker exploitation at supplier factories. These factories are known to fire workers or cut payments on slightest pretext such as holiday leave for time off. Ma Moe Sandar Mynt, Chairperson, Federation of Garment Workers of Myanmar urges brands to help workers and create a fair working environment in the country.

Low-cost labor makes Myanmar a favored garment hub

For the last few years, Myanmar has been increasingly relying on garment exports to fuel its economy. As per World Trade Organization, the country exported over garments worth $5 billion in 2019 making up over 30 per cent of its total exports. In recent years, many clothing firms have set up factories in Myanmar taking advantage of low-cost labor and favorable relationship with the European Union. Swedish brand H&M has 42 manufacturing sites in the country while Primark sources from 21 factories, Next buys from 40 factories. Uniqlo’s parent company Fast Retailing also has six suppliers in Myanmar

Ensure safety and financial security of workers

These international fashion companies have urged military to restore democracy in Myanmar. Trade groups including Ethical Trade Initiative, American Apparel & Footwear Association, Fair Labor Association have also urged brands to severe ties with military-controlled businesses and ensure the safety and financial security of workers.

In response to this call, H&M has paused new orders in the country. The brand has halted orders due to practical difficulties being faced in import of raw materials and export of finished clothes. However, the company has not made any long-term decision as yet.

Cotton USA, leading U.S. cotton fiber promoter and manufacturer of cotton products, arranged a technical seminar on ‘Driving Long Term Profitability for Mills and Manufacturers with Cotton USA Solutions’ on March 31, 2020 at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in the Capital.

This program was aimed to widely introduce ‘Cotton USA Solution’ a cotton consultancy service to uphold the next level of business transformation for greater profitability, improved productivity and the latest techniques by Cotton Council International (CCI).

Around 200 stakeholders from different factories, brands, technology providers and cotton specialists were present at the event.

The event was organized in two sessions. In the first session, Ali Arsalan, Managing Director, Atiya Consulting and CCI Consultants and Representative in Bangladesh delivered the welcome speech and hosted the whole event; Bruce Atherley, Executive Director of CCI gave the latest updates on Cotton Council International; US Cotton Trust Protocol (USCTP) News by Stephanie Thiers-Ratcliffe, Director (Brand and Retails) of CCI; COTTON USA Solutions + Mill Mastery Course Introduction by Chris Faerber, Member of CCI Technical Team and Dr. Rubana Huq, President, BGMEA also joined in the program virtually and shared her remarks in the seminar.

An expert pool of CCI technical team combining from different countries is assuring all these solutions to the factories by connecting virtually or physically. Currently, Bruce Atherley, Executive Director of CCI (from the USA) is leading this 10 members, technical team.