Even amidst the pandemic-induced global slowdown, the aggregate value of luxury apparel brands grew 21 per cent this year, reveals a Brand Finance report. The value of sportswear brands grew 10 per cent while fast fashion brands saw a dip in value of 7 per cent.

Luxury brands show more resilience

With consumers once again indulging in luxury purchases, the high-end fashion sector seems to have recovered after over two years of losing value. Luxury brands were more resilient towards pandemic-induced changes in the industry. In fact, brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani managed to increase their brand value. Additionally, several new luxury apparel brands entered the list of top 50 apparel brands. These includes Boss whose brand value surged 54 per cent to $1.7 billion and Bottega Veneta, whose brand value increased 25 per cent to $1.7 billion.

A relatively new brand Boss rose out of the split of Hugo Boss into two separate brands: Hugo and Boss. The brand launched its new range of athletic wear during the pandemic with a ‘phygital’ campaign. Leveraging online social media platforms such as TikTok and e-commerce marketplaces, the campaign boosted not just Boss’ social media following but also sales volumes.

Nike tops apparel brand ranking

Nike emerged as the most valuable apparel brand in the ranking. It’s brand value increased 9 per cent to $33.2 billion. Nike was followed by Adidas whose brand value surged 2 per cent to $14.6 billion and Puma which noted a 13 per cent increase in brand value to $4.5 billion. The fastest growing brands in the ranking included smaller sportswear brands like Skechers and Li Ning. The brand value of Skechers increased 68 per cent to $3.2 billion while that of Li Ning surged 68 per cent to $2.0 billion.

Sportswear, athleisure brands see their value grow

In over 100 reports, leading brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance ranks over 5,000 brands across sectors every year. The consultancy includes the apparel industry’s top 50 most valuable and strongest brands in the annual Brand Finance Apparel 50 ranking. The ranking witnessed steady growth in the brand value of sportswear and athlesiure brands over the course of the pandemic. Richard Haigh, Managing Director, Brand Finance says, convenience factor encouraged luxury and sports brands to explore the online sales channels during these trying times.

Fast fashion brands register decline in value

An increase in demand for online shopping disrupted the business model of many fast fashion brands during the pandemic. Many brands could not sell their low-margin products online due to additional logistics and delivery costs. This led to a drop in their brand value during the period. Besides calculating brand value, the ranking also determines the brands’ strength by evaluating their marketing investment, stakeholder equity, and business performance.

Based on this metrics, Dior ranked as the strongest apparel brand with AAA brand rating and a corresponding Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 88.4 out of 100. In 2022, the brand jumped from its 12th rank in 2021 to become 1st in the list. The luxury fashion brand launched several new collections during the year through socially distanced fashion shows and events to launch new collections. The brand also launched influencer marketing campaigns on YouTube, Tiktok, Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok and Chinese video sharing mobile application Bilibili.

The future success of textile fabric finishing industry depends on the coordination between the finisher, the machine supplier, chemistry suppliers and other technology providers, says Regina Bruckner, Chairperson, VDMA. VDMA member companies mainly act as partners on the technological aspects of finishing processes, adds Bruckner. These VDMA specialist finishing suppliers will showcase their advanced systems at ITMA 2023.

Automation can reduce water usage in dyeing

Over the past few decades, dyeing machines have helped garment industry reduce water consumption significantly through their design and control technology. From 105 liters in 1980, the industry has been able to save 28 liter of water per kg on medium shades during the finishing stages of pre-treatment, dyeing and after-treatment. To reduce water usage further and achieve sustainability goals, the entire finishing process needs to be automated. Productivity rates also need to stabilize and increase by reducing unproductive waiting times and increasing occupational safety.

Automation of storage, weighing and dispensing systems also prevent workers from coming into direct contact with chemicals and dyes. On the other hand, digital storage systems help manage stock levels and generate orders precisely when they are required.

Reducing waiting time through advanced systems

Specializing in finishing technologies, VDMA companies offer advanced high-performance dryers, along with heat recovery systems, minimal application units, energy saving motors etc. These companies assist customers reduce their line set-ups and waiting times via automatic batching systems. These companies ensure process optimization through advanced control systems for parameters such as exhaust humidity and heat setting, with batch sequence optimization according to temperatures.

They also provide customers with energy management systems, assistance systems and process simulation and expert systems to maximize production output and minimize energy consumption. Digitization can address labor shortage VDMA member companies also ensure application of minimum application technology by introducing new production methods. They can address skilled labor shortage and ensure reproducible quality results through digitization and Industry 4.0. Process simulation on a PC can help these companies optimize process parameters before commencement of production.

Sports brand Reebok has signed a multi-season partnership with The Smiley Company to launch the Reebok Smiley Classic Leather Pump collection. As per Fashion Network, the collection will feature the brand’s pump technology. The two companies worked with graffiti artist Andre to create a graffiti piece that was printed on top of premium leather.

The graffiti leather panel is also covered with a special white peel-off paint to disguise the shoe, giving it the appearance of a typical Classic Leather with Smiley accents – including a branded Pump component, spray-painted logo on the tongue and tonal Smiley logo on the back of the shoe.

The Smiley Company is one of the world's top global licensing enterprises and its icon can be found not just on clothing and accessories but on homewares, and even food and beverages.

In its half-century year, the company is also working with Lee, Raf Simons, Sandro, Karl Lagerfield Reebok, Dsquared2, Galeries Lafayette, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, , Hanwa Galleria, Palacia del Herro and Cidade de Jardim, etc.

With over 10,000 visitors, the premiere event of Texhibition Istanbul Fabric and Textile Accessories Fair, organized by the Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters' Association (ITHIB) and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) from March 16 to 18, 2022 ended on a successful note.

The fair showcased high-quality and innovative fabrics from the weaving sector, including Kipaş Textiles, BTD Textile, Özdoku, Bossa and Yünsa; knitters like Gülle, Saka, Örkumod or İskur showed their current collections; yarn market leaders such as Korteks, Tepa and Gama were present, as were Şimşek Ege, EMR Zippers, Çağ-Tek and Öz-El Lastik for the accessories sector.

A total of 166 exhibiting companies presented themselves in clearly structured segments in a professional trade fair atmosphere/ In the Texhibition Forum, experts discussed the topics Sustainability, New Trends, Supply Chain and GMO-Free Cotton giving an outlook on the upcoming trends and developments in the Turkish textile industry. All events were heavily frequented by visitors.

Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of industry, trade and investment, has expressed the determination of the federal government to address the challenges facing the Nigerian cotton industry in creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.

Addressing a delegation of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN), the minister noted, the cotton industry has the capacity to transform Nigeria's rural economy and revive the textile and garment industries by creating over 2 million jobs, improve internal revenue across three tiers of government, reduce $4.0 billion import bill incurred annually on textile and apparel, earn foreign exchange and make Nigeria a global player in textile and apparel. workforce of less than 20,000 people.

Anibe Achimugu, President, Nacotan added, revival of the sector would not only help to take youths off the streets but also help to address youth restiveness, banditry, drug abuse and emigration issues. The prevailing global economic development called for a wider and more sustained approach to dealing with the challenges in the industry, Achimugu added.

He called on the minister to prevail on the Bank of Industry/Leasing Company of Nigeria for special intervention for the cotton industry.

He also sought the support of the minister for the payment of Nigeria's assessment to the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) for the periods of 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, which he put at $58,500.

Stoll has expanded its product range by launching a new CMS model. With three knitting systems, the new model CMS 503 ki is even more productive than its neighbor in the range, the CMS 502 ki, and covers the same range of applications as the latter. It can produce a wide range of fully fashion articles with maximum efficiency. A Equipped with STOLL's proven technology, the CMS 503 ki is as easy to handle as ever and operates with high reliability.

With the new knitelligence® machine generation, the CMS 503 ki is also prepared for the special requirements of the modern digital age: Process automation, transparency, digitization, faster response times, shorter production cycles, networking, and new business models are just a few aspects that open up completely new opportunities.

The CMS 503 ki is offered in gauges E3,5.2, E7.2 and E14/12. Other gauges can be requested. The working width is 45".

Leading Italian company in Warp Knit Seamless, Cifra has chosen Roica by Asahi Kasei, as an international reference for premium and smart stretch, for a new generation of clothing dedicated to wellbeing, travelwear and athleisure, made with Cifra’s exclusive and patented technology in the name of uniqueness and sustainability.

Cifra’s offer will include innovative garments for men and women that combine fashion and function, guaranteeing optimal comfort at any time of the day. Also on show will be base layers, tops, leggings, jumpsuits made with natural yarns, or recycled pre and post-consumer yarns in combination with Roica EF, the first recycled stretch yarn certified Global Recycled Standard (GRS). Cifra will offer design and performance with responsibility.

All of this translates into the synergy of development with Cifra. The products, the materials that compose them, along with the way of production and who produces them, transparency and traceability are all aspects that become an integral part of the common proposal that Cifra and Roica are able to offer by joining forces.

Global denim brand Wrangler® has launched Wrangler Reborn™, a curated collection of vintage and preloved denim featuring items from the 1950s to the 2000s. The collection celebrates the brand’s original, iconic and revered styles that shaped it into what it is today. As per a Textile World repot, the Wrangler Reborn Collection highlights resilience of Wrangler denim and the brand’s commitment to crafting quality pieces. The collection includes vintage denim styles from the brand’s archives, including its continued best-selling jean styles — the 13MWZ Cowboy Cut® jean and Cowboy Cut® 0936:

A tried-and-true wardrobe staple originally made by cowboys for cowboys, the 13MWZ (Men’s Western Zipper) Cowboy Cut has earned icon status. This style includes a deeper watch pocket, flat rivets and two additional belt loops. The Cowboy Cut 0936 features a slim-fitting silhouette for today’s modern cowboy. This style comes with the same iconic details of the 13MWZ Cowboy Cut with a modern twist that features a slim silhouette through the seat, thigh and knee. Launching online during Earth Month, the Wrangler Reborn collection is part of the brand’s WeCare Wrangler™ sustainability mission, It contributes to circularity within the fashion industry by reselling older denim pieces.

Vipul Organics has been awarded with the Oeko-Tex Certification for its pigment products under the brand name SunPrint for the textile industry. The certification will enable Vipul Organics to work with global textiles and garments companies committed to upholding a sustainable ecosystem. Mihir V Shah, Executive Director says, the certification will also help them broaden client base and target multinational companies focusing on safety and sustainability.

A definitive independent certification system, the Eco Passport by Oeko Tex is especially designed for manufacturers of process chemicals and chemical compounds. The passport certifies the safety and sustainability of the entire value chain of manufacturing textiles. During a multistep process, Oeko Tex analyses whether each individual ingredient in the chemical product meets the statutory requirements and that it is not harmful to human health. Both brands and manufacturers value the Eco Passport as credible proof of sustainable textile and leather production.

Chinese importers are cancelling or suspending orders of fashion goods from South Korea due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in Beijing, Northeast China’s Liaoning Province and East China’s Jiangsu province. Fashion products from South Korea form a small percentage of bilateral trade between the two countries. However, the surge in cases is likely to cast a shadow over a wider range of imported goods from South Korea, a major trading partner of China.

All products from South Korea are currently being put in warehouses at ports for at least 10 days after clearance before being delivered for sterilization work and reducing risks. This is causing orders for South Korean goods to drop by atleast 50 per cent, as per a Global Times report. The top five items exported from South Korea to China are machinery, chemical products, plastics and rubber, base metals, and mineral products, according to the Korea Customs and Trade Development Institution.

Currently, China is South Korea's largest trading partner, largest export market and largest source of imports, while South Korea is China's fifth-largest trading partner. With the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership coming into force this year, China will gradually reduce tariffs on a wide range of products, including textiles and stainless steel produced in South Korea to zero.