The fashion industry in India is becoming more inclusive towards plus-size women, with a growing number of designers and brands launching plus-size clothing lines.

The change in attitude reflects growing public criticism of fat-shaming and has been aided by public naming and shaming of discriminatory practices by industry watchdogs.

The Indian market for plus-size clothing is estimated at $2 billion per year, and the plus-size segment is projected to reach $696.7 billion globally by 2027. However, some people argue that the newfound inclusivity is little more than tokenism.

Valued at USD 1.7 trillion in 2022, the global textile industry is on an upward growth trajectory, with the rising footprint of retail outlets and supermarkets, according to a recent report from Grand View Research.

The industry is set to benefit from the adoption of data analytics, AI, IoT and 3D technologies, which have redefined clothing production and minimized waste.

The demand for low-cost clothing has prompted brands to inject funds into synthetic and sustainable garments, with temperature-sensitive clothes poised to be the next big thing to boost sustainability in the apparel sector. Additionally, there has been a paradigm shift in fashion production, with the demand for vegan leather and more ethical practices, including investing in cruelty-free, eco-friendly, and fur-free options.

The report highlights that the household textile market share will rise with surging consumer spending on renovation and furnishing, with retailers poised to inject funds into sustainable home décor.

The industry is expected to prioritize recyclable fabrics and sustainable packaging to bolster their environmental profile. The technical textile sector is also expected to see bullish investments with heightened demand for durability and strength from various industries.

Investments in bio-based polyester and fashion textiles are expected to grow in the European market, while the Asia Pacific textile industry is set to benefit from buoyant investments in garments and apparel across China, India, and Bangladesh.

Gap has partnered with Mattel to launch a new clothing line inspired by the iconic Barbie doll, ahead of the release of the new film "Barbie" in late May.

The Gap x Barbie collection will include an assortment of T-shirts, skirts, logo hoodies, denim, button-downs and accessories, as well as pet apparel, retailing from $24 to $69.

The collaboration is part of a series of collaborations that will also feature Hot Wheels, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, Masters of the Universe and others.

This marks one of Mattel’s largest softlines partnerships, which will be available on Gap's website and select stores globally.

Better Cotton, the world's largest cotton sustainability initiative, has announced the revision of its Principles & Criteria (P&C) to drive continuous improvement and deliver sustainability impact at field-level.

The P&C define the organisation's approach to more sustainable cotton production, and farmers must comply with the requirements to attain a licence and sell their cotton as 'Better Cotton.'

More than two million farmers worldwide, from large to smallholder operations, currently hold a licence. The revised Principles cover Management, Natural Resources, Crop Protection, Fibre Quality, Decent Work, and Smallholder Livelihoods, as well as Gender Equality and Climate Change.

The revised standard will have a farmer-centric approach and serve as a more locally relevant standard that addresses the environmental, social, and economic matters most pertinent to cotton production today.

The P&C revisions will ensure the responsible use, conservation, and enhancement of natural resources and promote wellbeing in farming communities, supported by more robust requirements surrounding Decent Work and Gender Equality, in addition to the inclusion of a new principle: Smallholder Livelihoods.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) unveiled seven creative events yesterday covering fashion, lifestyle and licensing at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The events are the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair; Home InStyle; the Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair; Fashion InStyle and the Hong Kong International Printing and Packaging Fair, as well as the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference.

These seven events have attracted more than 4,100 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions, covering gifts, home products, home textiles, fashion, printing and packaging solutions, licensing projects and more, while the Asian Licensing Conference has invited about 30 global industrial giants and insiders to share insights.

The events have recruited more than 200 buying missions from 50 countries and regions, including buyers from the mainland, Japan, Korea, Association of Southeast Asian countries, India, the Middle East, Germany, France and the United States to source in Hong Kong.

During a media tour, Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director HKTDC affirmed, “HKTDC has always been committed to promoting Hong Kong creative and design industry to the world through exhibitions, conferences and other activities. Seven major events are being held under one roof for the first time,providing a unique platformtocultivatenewpossibilities.We believe this will create greater synergies and will open up more business opportunities across industries and disciplines.”

“This year, the exhibitions featured about 70% non-local exhibitors and welcomed numerous provincial and municipal delegations from Mainland China – a testament to the return of international businessmen to Hong Kong,” she added.

Fashion InStyle and Home InStyle reflect the new repositioning of the shows

Speaking at overseas journalists breakfast meeting today morning Katherine Fang, Chairperson HK Garment Advisory Committee, Hong Fashion Week the earlier titled show has been repositioned and renamed as Fashion InStyle keeping in mind that fashion today spans into lifestyle space not just restricting itself to apparels. Fashion InStyle, the new identity truly represents what the exhibition and various forums have to actually offer. HKTDC has another show Centrestage which is held during September month will showcase brands and designers through many catwalks and fashion shows.

“The new positioning and new identity represent more inclusiveness of the show, as we introduce new fashion technologies and AiDLab forum in the show, broadening the concept of the show”, added Joe Leung, Associate Director, Marketing & Buyer Engagement, HKTDC.

Designer brands across lifestyle products showcase very creative works

As the cultural and creative industries flourish, the Cultural and Creative Corner zone debuts at the Gifts Fair and Home InStyle to showcase designer brands and products with cultural characteristics, unique and tasteful designs.

At Home InStyle, the Zhejiang Pavilion features handcrafted home-decor products from different provincial cities under the Zhejiang Ingenuity: Culture and Quality theme. Fashion InStyle has attracted about 500 exhibitors, including a debut Jiangxi Province pavilion where 25 exhibitors showcase fashion and accessories.

HK designers and brands showcase their creativity

The Hong Kong Houseware Fair has been renamed Home InStylewith the expectation of bringing more design and style-oriented products to buyers. The Hong Kong Industrial Designers Association (IDSHK) will join Home InStyle for the first time.

The HKTDC has been a staunch advocate for the development of local creative culture and protection of intellectual property, including ReMix, SHIBAINC, Falling Cyan, Malut Design and 8EGGS Studio – displaying the products of Hong Kong creative minds.

Technology leads to sustainable future

Fashion InStyle’s zone InnoFashion and Trade Services focuses on fashion technology and a variety of innovative fashion technologies, including the AiDLab of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which brings in world’s first designer-led AI system (AiDA) that facilitates designer’s inspiration and speeds up the whole ideation and design development process, improving the sustainability of the production chain. Demand for environment-friendly products continues to rise in global markets.

The AiDLab Summit debuted at Fashion InStyle with academic experts discussing artificial intelligence (AI) application in fashion design.

Retailers and the global economy face an era of hope and uncertainty as countries strive to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the efforts to return to "normal," it is unclear what the new normal will look like with customers accepting digital communication, remote services, and mobile technology at unprecedented levels.

McKinsey reports that retail had the highest rate of consumer digital adoption with online clothing purchases increasing by 40% and online grocery purchases up by 100%. With digital adoption at an all-time high, retailers must adapt to increasing prices, escalating inflation, and supply disruptions.

The trends that will shape the retail industry going forward include eCommerce, hybrid experiences, digitally aware millennials and Gen Z, customization, effortless customer experiences, and workforce empowerment.

Although brick-and-mortar sales are recovering, eCommerce remains a primary focus. Retailers are transforming their physical stores into a combination of fulfillment hubs for online orders and customer experience centers. Hybrid experiences combine digital and physical elements to create unique, memorable shopping experiences.

Younger customers are digitally aware, and they shop according to their values. Brands must show their commitment to social causes to gain their trust and loyalty. Ultra-personalization engages clients emotionally and increases brand loyalty.

Retailers must invest in a customer experience management platform that allows them to understand customer behavior and chart customer journeys. Retailers must adapt to these trends to succeed in the current scenario and beyond.

Companies must also rethink employee empowerment to boost headcount with creating healthier, happier workplaces.

The spandex industry in mainland China is poised for increased competition in 2023 due to a substantial expansion of capacity. Despite experiencing a lackluster growth cycle since 2018, the industry saw a surge in demand for pandemic prevention materials in 2021, leading to an increase in profit along the value chain. This resulted in the announcement of several new spandex projects and the subsequent start of production.

The expansion of spandex capacity is expected to peak in 2023, with an estimated growth rate of 18%, the highest since 2009. The capacity of spandex is projected to increase by 507kt/year to 1292.5kt/year, up from 785.5kt at the end of 2018. New units are set to begin production in the first half of 2023, with the biggest quarterly increase in history expected in Q1.

As new units with high efficiency and low cost begin operations, some older spandex units in East China will be eliminated. While the launch of new units will be concentrated in the first half of 2023, some units may be postponed if demand fails to effectively chase up.

The proportion of Midwest China in the spandex market has increased significantly, with the market share of some East China regions declining due to little or no increase in capacity.

The global performance knitted fabrics market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2033. driven by the increasing demand for performance knitted fabrics from the sports and activewear industry, as well as the growing awareness among consumers regarding the benefits of wearing these fabrics, according to a report by Fact.MR

Consumers are increasingly looking for comfortable, breathable, and flexible apparel and accessories, which has led to a surge in demand for performance knitted fabrics.

The growing awareness among consumers regarding the health benefits of wearing performance knitted fabrics has also propelled the market growth. Performance knitted fabrics offer benefits such as breathability, quick drying, high absorption, and stretchability, making them highly desirable in the sports and activewear industry.

Market trends shaping the performance knitted fabrics industry include the growing demand for athleisure, sustainable fabrics, technological advancements, and smart fabrics. Athleisure has become popular among consumers, driving the demand for knitted fabrics with high performance properties. Manufacturers are also introducing fabrics made from organic, recycled, and biodegradable materials, which are eco-friendly and sustainable.

Technological advancements such as 3D knitting are also driving the demand for high-performance fabrics that offer enhanced strength, flexibility, and comfort. Smart fabrics with embedded sensors that can measure body temperature, heart rate, and other health-related metrics are also gaining popularity among consumers.

Assembly member Anna Kelles is leading the way in promoting environmental conservation in New York, as reported.

In an interview on Spectrum Local News, Kelles discussed the Fashion Act, a bill she sponsored, which aims to hold major clothing labels accountable for their impact on the environment and society.

The bill seeks to ensure that clothing labels are using natural resources responsibly and implementing fair labor practices. It also aims to promote sustainable fashion practices, which is vital as the fashion industry is responsible for a significant percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions. If passed, the Fashion Act will require clothing labels to disclose their environmental impact and take steps to minimize it.

The fashion industry is responsible for a significant percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions, and New York, as a significant player in the industry, has a responsibility to promote sustainable fashion practices.

Kelles' efforts to promote environmental conservation are vital to protecting New York's environment and economy. Metakeys: USA, Fashion Act, Anna Kelles, Carbon,

India’s Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), under Ministry of Textiles has a new Secretary General, Mithileshwar Thakur. He is a member of the ’89 batch of Civil Service.

“My mantra for exponential growth of Indian Textiles and Apparel sector is investment, innovation and integration of value chain”, says Thakur on his new role. “The focus should be on building scale, skill and technology besides diversification of products basket and strengthening of Brand India,” he said.

The idea is to align the industry’s approach with the government’s vision to make India a favoured textiles destination, he added.

Earlier, he served as Additional Director General in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and was extensively involved in the formulation and implementation of India’s Foreign Trade policy; administration of Trade Remedy Measures; amendment of Anti-dumping, Anti-subsidy and Safeguard Rules and negotiation of Free Trade Agreements/ CECA/CEPA.

He had also headed Trade Division in the Department of Commerce. Thakur has in-depth knowledge of Customs, Excise and GST laws and procedures.