The rewarded 2021 CLASS Icon Award Portuguese brand Duarte will present its Fall/Winter 2022/23 collection developed in collaboration with CLASS Eco Hub at the Milan Fashion Week. Duarte’s creations will be featured as a special project at WSM (WHITE Sustainable Milano) platform space inside “Unveiling the fashion Backstage”, a docu-event focusing on an immersive journey into the amazing world of premium and smart supply chains that make innovative and responsible fashion wardrobes a reality. For its second collection Duarte still counts on CLASS support in sourcing materials and communication activities as part of the Icon Award yearly program.

The streetwear designer Ana Duarte, with the help of the Milanese hub, is back with a renewed collection that counts 40 pieces continuing the concept and the story behind the previous World Keeper: the irresistible superhero Tadao - Ana Duarte’s dog – fighting against the environmental issues created by mankind and personified as Smog Man (air pollution), Fire Man (climate change), Deforestation Man (forests destruction) and Wave Man (water overconsumption).

This time the inspiration is also Street Dance drawn directly from the city streets, with majorly unisex pieces (apart from some small specific details linked to sizes or ergonomics) and materials that both respect the planet and keep you warm. The prints drawn from ripped posters giving birth to a sort of new style that we can name “Eco- Street Dance”.

The color palette explores the dark shades of grey, cream, blue and black, with artistic pops of color of a hopeful urban culture that tears apart posters from the past and turns them into a new brighter story

On the occasion of the OECD Forum, Clean Clothes Campaign is once again urging garment companies to immediately ensure that workers are all paid during this crisis and receive the severance they are owed if they lose their jobs.

At the start of the 2022 OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector, Clean Clothes Campaign welcomes the strong emphasis on purchasing practices in the official agenda. The OECD Forum aims to galvanize the industry as well as regulators into taking long overdue action to ensure that workers can survive the pandemic and that companies’ purchasing practices create the space for workers’ rights to be respected in the future.

The Severance Guarantee Fund will mitigate the devastating consequences of unemployment for workers in the future by directly compensating workers and financially supplementing or strengthening government social protection programs for unemployment or severance benefits. Brands and retailers would contribute to both funding streams through a fee based on volume sourced from each country, and employer fees would be a percentage of their wage bill in each country. As social protection systems improve, the brand premiums will be reduced accordingly.

The OECD Due Diligence Guidance on Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector recognizes the harmful impact of purchasing practices on workers’ rights including low wages. The numerous product cycles or seasons per year associated with the ‘fast fashion’ model, late and delayed payments, and price negotiation strategies requiring cost-cutting by suppliers are all singled out for their potential of adverse effects. The OECD Guidance recommends that businesses: assess whether their purchasing practices contribute to harm; implement control measures to prevent contributing to harm; and develop management procedures that purchasing departments should follow to mitigate against harm.

A survey by the WTO and the United Nations names Vietnam as the most attractive apparel sourcing location for the United States. Vietnam is also seen to be equal to China in terms of production quality. However, China leads in terms of efficiency, innovation, lead time and vertical integration. As per an Innovation in Textiles report, Chinese exports are likely to suffer from claims of forced labor being used within Xinjiang province. This led to many countries banning imports of Xinjiang-made cotton and, under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), companies

Bangladesh ranks lower than Vietnam based on 10 out of 12 criteria. Its score on sustainability totaled 2 compared to Vietnam’s score of 3.5. Vietnam also emerges a leader amongst apparel sourcing locations as per a survey by the data analytics and consulting company GlobalData. To ensure compliance with UFLPA norms, apparel brands may prefer to source from locations which they can be confident do not use materials made in Xinjiang province. This may lead to a considerable drop in apparel imports from China in 2022 and beyond.

Multi-stakeholder organization Netherlands’ Organic Cotton Accelerators (OCA) has been included as the new member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC). A global industry-wide group of more than 250 leading brands, SAC works to reduce environmental impact and promote social justice throughout the global value chain.

As SAC’s new member, OCA will support its commitment to a collaborative sector approach to unleash the organic cotton effect. The organization will also help promote and pursue SAC’s 2030 strategy to create resilient farming communities and ecosystems for a future-proof organic cotton sector. OCA will align with SAC’s insights and methodology in collecting and engaging data from its farm program in India and Pakistan to shape the development of robust environmental and social impact goals.

As a member of the SAC, OCA will contribute both data and resources to support the Higg Index, which enables companies to proactively measure and manage issues like environmental stewardship, working conditions, and supplier relations. The SAC has set forth an ambitious new strategic plan to transform business for exponential impact. SAC will work with its members to strengthen industry accountability by focusing on reducing sector-wide emissions by almost half by 2030 and promoting safe and fair working conditions across the global value chain.

Leather and shoe industry exhibition, Lineapelle is being held from February 22- 24,-2022. The exhibition focuses on sustainability, eco-design and resource conservation. Among the prominent exhibitors at Lineapelle is Sympatex exhibiting for the 13th time in a row. The company is showcasing its Fibre2Fibre offering, clothing technology and a new range. Sympatex’s sister company Utmospheric showcases a technology to produce an inner shoe in one cast. The company will open its specially developed production facility in Freilassing, southern Germany to visitors after the exhibition.

As worldwide leading producers, Sympatex® Technologies has been offering high- tech functional materials in clothing, footwear, accessories and technical fields of application since 1986. The company develops, produces and distributes membranes, laminates and functional textiles as well as finished products worldwide. The Sympatex membrane is highly breathable, 100 per cent wind- and waterproof and regulates the climate. It is also 100 per cent recyclable, climate- neutral, bluesign® certified, and it received the ‘Oeko-Tex-Standard 100’ certificate. It is also PTFE-free and PFC-free

Tunisia’s jeans exports to the US increased by 69.4 per cent in volume and 84.3 per cent in value in 2021 compared to 2020, with 366 thousand pieces worth $9.33 million. The average price of Tunisian Jeans trousers increased 8.77 per cent to $25.5 in 2021, as per an analysis by the Textile Technical Centre (CETTEX). As per an African Manager report, US’ jeans imports grew 31.8 per cent in volume and 30 per cent in value in 2021. Imports from Bangladesh, Mexico, Vietnam, China, Pakistan and Cambodia covered 80 per cent of the US market share in jeans.

The textile and clothing sector in Tunisia can benefit from the US market provided it abolishes the customs duties of 17 per cent. On signing a preferential agreement, the sector could get 3 per cent of the total US market share of jeans and generate a positive dynamic of exports and of job creation. Value of exports is likely to increase to $108 million while volume will increase to 3.67 million. This will create almost 15,000 direct jobs and 22,500 indirect jobs.

US textile and clothing imports, which had declined in 2020, rebounded sharply during January-November 2021, notes a Textileintelligence report by Innovation in Textiles. US textile and clothing production and exports also rebounded during the period. US’ imports of textile and clothing from Argentina had declined sharply in 2020. However, there was significant rebound during January- September 2021. Textile and clothing production, imports and retail sales in the country had also declined in 2020 but rebounded from January-September 2021.

Imports from Brazil improved significantly during January-October 2021. Also, textile and clothing production in the country improved in 2020 and during January-November 2021. However, its textile and clothing imports declined in 2020 before rebounding again January-October 2021. Colombia’s textile and clothing exports to the US also rebounded sharply during January-November 2021. Mirroring these trends, textile and clothing production also increased during the period.

A similar trend was noted in Mexico whose textile and clothing exports rebounded during January-October 2021. The country’s textile and clothing production also rebounded sharply during January-October 2021.

Latin America’s apparel exports are expected to increase sharply this year as the US incrases orders to the region. However, raw material shortage may scupper these gains, say experts. Raul Garcia, an industry expert affirms, apparel sales may increase 10 per cent this year as US buyers continue to engage in near sourcing and seek competitive places such as Mexico.

Mexico’s shipments may rise to $7 billion this year, predicts Garcia predicted as brisk sales of knitwear, T-shirts, polo shirts, lingerie, underwear and socks will fuel exports, according to a Women’s Wear Daily report. Denim and denim products exports may also rise to benefit manufacturers in La Laguna industrial hub which houses factories of Levi’s and Wrangler, adds Garcia.

However, the industry is demanding a more flexible rules of origin under the USCMA agreement as a lack of fabric, notably synthetic yarn and thread, makes it difficult for suppliers to meet orders. Central America’s exports to the US may also surge around 10 percent, according to Juan Sánchez, Owner, Texsun. However, like Mexico, the country is also facing raw materials shortages that are undermining shipments

The Cambodian government plans to launch a new development strategy to transform its garment trade into a dynamic, diversified, high-value and competitive sector, says Phan Phalla, Secretary of State, Ministry of Economy.

Phalla adds, the sector can produce better goods and command higher prices by upskilling workers. Vongsey Vissoth, Permanent Secretary of State, Ministry of Finance adds, to achieve significant growth for the economy, the garment sector needs to implement the development strategy. The strategy will also help increase the number of domestic investors, he adds.

Kaing Monika, Deputy Secretary General, Garment Manufacturers Association says, the strategy can serve as a clear roadmap for the sector on how to retain its competitive edge. It should emphasize on the labor sector and focus on improving workers’ well-being, productivity, professional relations and skills development, he adds.

Cambodia exported nearly $8.83 billion worth of garments, footwear and travel goods in the first 10 months of 2021, up by more than a tenth year-on-year, according to data posted by GMAC. Broken down by category, exports of garments, footwear and travel goods totaled $6.538 billion, $1.113 billion and $1.179 billion, respectively.

All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has appreciated the government for its initiatives to boost Pakistan’s economy. As per a Global Village Space report, the Pakistan government recently approved the Textiles and Apparel Policy (TAP) 2020-25 to double Pakistan’s exports to $42 billion.

According to APTMA, the textile policy will encourage investments in Pakistan. It will create more employment opportunities and develop new markets. On the other hand, the WACOG Bill will bring sustainability to the gas sector. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s continued GSP status improved the country’s exports levels.

As per Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor to the PM,the policy gives Pakistan’s textile industry internationally competitive electricity and gas rates. The parliament also passed the amended Weighted Average Cost of Gas (WACOG) Bill to ensure Pakistan’s energy security. The bill is expected to improve the pricing structure, remove anomalies and enhance supplies of imported gas.

Moreover, textile units in Pakistan are incurring power and energy costs 2. 4 percentage points more than India and 7.8 percentage points higher than Bangladesh.