MarediModa will return to its physical edition from July 17-19, 2022 in Maimi after a gap of two years. The beachwear event will present the European collections to buyers from South and North America. It will showcase collections of fabrics and accessories from Italy, France, Spain and Germany. Elegant and sophisticated plain fabrics with unique and iconic prints in bright and fresh colors alongwith laminated and metallic fabrics, lace, embroidery, precious finishes, hi-tech and sustainable fabrics will be showcased. The event will bring together all fabric and accessories producers alongwith an Italian private label manufacturer. Visitors will be granted free of charge access both to the Trend Book S/S 2024 and the video by trend forecaster David Shah.

Shrugging of inflationary pressures in the US and Europe, Bangladesh’s apparel exports grew 50 per cent this year to $3.52 billion – in the first 27 days of June. As per a Textile Intelligence report, the sector also recorded over 1,200 per cent year-on-year growth in a single day during the period though exports declined by 39 per cent in three days out of 27 days, as per Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). The data was calculated on the basis on data provided by the National Board of Revenue.

From July-May, FY22, readymade garments exports grew 35 per cent growth to $38.52 billion compared to the same period last year, shows EPB data. Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA says, the trend may continue in the next two months. He warns, next year might be tough for the industry due to rising inflation and recession as buyers are shying away from placing new orders. He hopes, the industry will grow 36 per cent this year and maintain growth next year.

Fazlul Hoque, Former President, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) says, the apparel industry is benefitting from excess orders shipment owing to increased global demand. Apparel exports will return to regular trend as Eid Ul Adha will affect exports, he adds. Some buying houses confirm a drop in orders from the US and EU. Orders from Japan and South Korea have remained the same until now, they add.

Ashikur Rahman Tuhin, Managing Director, TAD Group and a Former Director, BGMEA adds, though global inflation might affect apparel exports, they have a chance to bounce back during next Christmas.

Digitalization has gained newfound importance for textile machinery manufacturers, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic that forced physical outlets to shut operations. In times like these, digital services enable them to continue business operations smoothly.

Many global textile machinery manufacturers have already adapted digitization and digitalization. Principles of Industry 4.0 are being applied in textile technology and textile manufacturing sectors across the value chain in spinning, weaving, processing and garmenting. The upcoming conference: ‘Digitalization – A Step Towards Textile 4.0’, aims to map the industry’s journey towards digitalization.

Focus on industry transformation

To be organized by Textile Association (India), Mumbai, on October 14, 2022, the conference will elaborate on the transformation of global textile business through digitization digitalization and digital transformation. It will dwell on challenges faced by the industry in the digital market and identify feasible solutions. The topics to be covered include:

● How digitalization affects the textile industry

● Impact of digitization on textile manufacturing operations

● Digitalization in the garment industry

● Robotics in garment Industry

● Artificial Intelligence in textile & garment industry

● Textile industry, a digital step ahead

● Modern textile process automation

● Software applications for textile process automation

●AI and supportive techniques in textile & garment manufacturing

The first textile conference in Asia on this topic and second in the world, the conference will be attended by distinguished speakers who will simplify the topic for visitors. The conference will be addressed by around 500 policy makers, reputed textile professionals and renowned technology experts from different parts of the world and India.

Ellen McArthur Foundation estimates on an average, Americans throws away 37 kg pounds of clothes every year. Around 85 per cent of the garments produced in the country are either thrown away in landfills, or burned causing massive air pollution. Around 95 per cent of total discarded clothing and textile waste can be repurposed or recycled. However, the fashion industry fails to achieve this.

The problem has been compounded by the disposable nature of fast fashion. From 2000 to 2015, global clothing production doubled, says WRAP, while the number of times people wore a garment item fell by 36 per cent as big brands launched hundreds of low-priced affordable garments every year.

Upcycles gives new life to discarded garments

Rising consumer awareness has led to brands and companies embracing the circular economy concept. Upcyling has gained newfound importance with the process giving discarded garments new life by fixing errors. Upcycling helps consumers reuse garments creatively and repair pre-owned clothes. Upcycled garments are more environment-friendly as they consume less energy, water and chemicals. They also release fewer gas emissions compared to recycled garments. Various post-consumer upcycling initiatives and take-back schemes have been launched by international brands.

The increase in sustainable practices is encouraging brands and retailers to introduce new upcycling methods. Brands like Re/Done; Urban Outfitters, Asos and Zara have launched upcycling initiatives.

Brand launch initiatives galore

Brands are embracing upcycling initiatives with renewed enthusiasm and vigor. For instance, sustainable fashion brand Doodlage launched a 100 per cent upcycled or recycled collection so has other brands including Bengaluru-based ethical fashion brand Pomogrenade, Gujarat-based label RaasLeela, The Second Life, Patch over Patch, etc.

There is also an increase in the number of knowledge sharing platforms addressing the sustainable fashion needs. Latest Apparel Sourcing Week 2022, in Bengaluru dug deeper into upcycling by focusing on issues like using fashion deadstock to reduce waste, introduce multi-stakeholder marketplaces to address the issue, increase transparency between stakeholders, etc. Realizing the value of sustainability in the new informed world, consumers in India are opting to buy from eco-friendly and sustainable fashion brands.

Emergence of new brands

Also, many new sustainable fashion brands have come up. Sustainable brand The Summer House’s platform Relove provides customers an option to buy and sell verified secondhand garments, giving more scope to upcycling. Industry veterans like Naresh Tyagi from Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail; Kaustubh Korde from Myntra; Ruchita Chhabra from The Sourcery; Shailesh Kumar Sharma from SGS; Ajay Ravuri from Arvind; Suvidha Chopra from adidas; Prasad Pant from ZDHC; and others are setting new benchmarks by effortlessly establishing upcycling as the next big thing.

Having grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years, Vietnam’s textile and garment industry has become an integral part of the global supply chain. In 2021, Vietnam became the world’s second largest textile and garment exporter overtaking Bangladesh. It exported textiles and garments worth $39 billion in 2021, nearly 12 per cent more than 2020, says the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association.

FDI grows 7.8% Y-o-Y

While other textile manufacturing companies are struggling to deal with COVID-19 losses and drop in exports, Vietnam has become a bright spot in the global industry. As per a Global News Wire report, foreign direct investment in Vietnam is grew 7.8 per cent Y-o-Y with $4.42 billion investment disbursed in the first three months of 2022.

Vietnam’s textiles and garments sector is attracting the most FDI as traditional large-scale manufacturers like China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan have reduced production in recent years. Vietnam is fast emerging an alternative apparel sourcing destination to China. The Nam Dinh province in the country is introducing new policies to support industrial real estate developers, leading to the setting up of new industrial parks in the province.

Boosting real estate development

A textile-specialized industrial park, Aurora IP is boosting the development of industrial real estate market. Being developed by the Cat Tuong Real Estate Group, Aurora IP is coming up in two phases. The first phase includes development of about 520 hectare textile-dyeing specialized sustainable industrial park to improve the lives of the local community, and creating a favorable work environment for experts.

The park will be equipped with a wastewater treatment system having a capacity of 110,000 cu m/day night and a surface clean water system with capacity of 170,000 cu m/day night. Its robust infrastructure will encourage the development of high-tech textile plans for dyeing processes.

The sustainable development strategy of the Cat Tuong Group along with the support of the local government will make Aurora IP, one of the most reliable destinations for development of a sustainable textile and garment industry, says Tran Quoc Viet, Chairman & CEO, Cat Tuong Group.

International eco-hub C.L.A.S.S. plans to team up with Milano Unica to encourage a new generation of fashion through C.L.A.S.S. Smart Shot, the online space offering high-tech materials across categories. Launched in 2018, the online shop targets students, designers and new generation of brands who aim to explore and test innovative materials by mixing styles.

To be located in Hall 8 at Milano Unica, the C.L.A.S.S. Zone will trace the journey of smart materials with advanced responsible solutions for the contemporary wardrobe. It will focus on all natural, transformed, innovative and back in the loop materials, enabling visitors to create design, innovative and yet responsible products in line with their new generation of contemporary values. The C.L.A.S.S. Smart Shop partners to will exhibit at Milano Unica include: Albini Group, Brullo, Iluna Group and Zignone.

Held across several venues in Moscow including the Zaryadye Park, Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy, State Department Store, Revolution Square and Mayakovskaya Metro Station, the event showcased over 3,000 styles from 200 designers. It also featured 208 stylists, makeup artists and over 27, 000 models.

Of all venues, Zarvyadve Park held 70 fashion shows while VDNH displayed the works of 84 designers from different cities across Russia. Around16 shows were arranged at Tverskaya Square. A collaborative show was organized in GUM while individual shows were arranged at Revolution Square, and Mayakovskaya Metro Station.

Live-streaming on 120 websites

The events of the Moscow Fashion Week were live-streamed at over 120 websites by Russian and international media, as well as in the official group of the event in VK. Designer shows and business events were viewed 3 million times.

Five marketplaces hosting 138 brands

Moscow Fashion Week also featured five marketplaces that were visited by 225 brands. The professional B2B showroom featured collections from 138 brands in all categories – women’s and men’s wear, kidswear, outer apparel, bags, accessories, and fashion jewelry. The showroom was visited by 249 buyers from 40 cities of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam in 7 days. 

Over 230 deals to the total amount of over 60 million RUB were approved in the showroom with the average deal amount of about 260,000. RUB. Designers made 800 potential agreements, which were to be further discussed and signed after Moscow Fashion Week finishes.

The convention program included over 50 sessions that were attended by 180 speakers. Experts at the sessions talked about market readjustment, considered business issues, tried to collaborate efficiently and to establish connections between all representatives of the fashion industry. 

Workshops on digital fashion

Experts in digital and contemporary art as well as in digital fashion read lectures and held workshops for visitors. This initiative merged Russian artistic traditions and digital art. Emerging digital artists showcased their works based on traditional Russian ornaments. Besides, event goers were offered digital wear shows – models at virtual catwalks were 3D avatars. 

Fashion Capital Festival organizes 1,300 workshops

The Fashion Capital Festival took place at 35 venues throughout the city, its hub being at Tverskaya Square. The festival featured over 1,300 workshops, 110 concert programs, about 50 historic fashion shows and shows by emerging Russian designers along with 42 lectures, 105 movie plays, and 300+ animation programs. 

Set to take place from August 29-31, 2022, at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai, Yarn Expo Autumn will enable visitors to source quality fibres and yarns that align with consumers’ eco-friendly expectations. Quality, sustainable blend of domestic and international exhibitors have been confirmed

Yarn Expo Autumn is being organized by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT. The fair will showcase a wide spectrum of environmentally-friendly technology and raw materials to various end-user industries, from both domestic and international exhibitors, the organisers said in a press release quoting a recent report.

International exhibitors at the fair include Rieter Machine Works (Switzerland) and The Movement China (Netherlands). omestic exhibitors include Orient International (Holding) Co, Jiangsu Zhongyuan Industrial Group Co, Jiangsu Yueda Spinning Co and Fujian Cyclone Technology Co.

ShavkatMirziyoyev, President, Uzbekistan has directed the government to generate an additional $9 billion in revenue per year by processing yarn into finished products and attracting foreign brands, the President's press service said.

As per a report by the Xinhua News, the Uzbek leader set a goal to attract 50 popular foreign brands to the country's textile industry and announced new subsidies and incentives for exporters of textile products.

Mirziyoyev said, after an international boycott on Uzbek cotton was lifted early this year, foreign companies have been showing great interest in products produced in Uzbekistan.

Since 2016, the country's volume of textile production has increased by five times, and exports by four times, reaching almost $3 billion, the press service said, adding that during this time reprocessing of cotton has risen to 100 from 40 per cent.

However, the degree of processing yarn into finished products still remains low at 23 per cent, meaning the industry "is missing a $9 billion opportunity every year.

Uzbekistan produces around 3 million tonne of cotton annually and plans to increase production by implementing new agricultural technologies, including drip irrigation.

Focusing on luxury fabrics, new trade show TexPremium was held from June 27-28, 2022 at One Marylebone in Central London.

As per a Drapers report, the show was organised by John and Fergus Kelley, Directors, London Textile Fair. Prices at the event ranged from €10/metre to €30 (£8.63 to £25.88), but most were €15/metre to €20 (£12.94 to £17.25). Although TexPremium is targeting a different market, the issues plaguing exhibitors and buyers were similar to those at the main London Textile Fair event in March. Supply chain issues were the most-often-cited challenge by TexPremium attendees.

Tom Christopher, Sales Executive, National Weaving, the ongoing crisis has caused the Pembrokeshire-based woven and printed label manufacturer to significantly revise its order timeline:

Nothing Underneath choseTexPremium to seek out innovative sustainable fabrics. The London-based womenswear brand’s production assistant Sophie Houghton said, the company uses only use natural fibres, biodegradable textiles, etc. It’s always on the lookout for new, sustainable, interesting developments.