The government’s rejection of a proposal to import cotton from India has disappointed Pakistan’s textile industry. Jawed Bilwani, Chairman, Pakistan Apparel Forum has termed the move disappointing and said cotton and cotton yarn import, as recommended by Commerce Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood, is the need of the hour.

Czmpared to 2014-15, Pakistan faces a 50 per cent drop in cotton production this year. Sea freights have also increased 700 per cent due to the pandemic, delaying goods shipment to 105 days instead of 25, says Bilwani. He recommended a ban on cotton and yarn exports for six months in case the government does not want to allow imports from India.

In May 2020, Pakistan lifted the ban on import of medicines and raw material of essential drugs from India amid COVID-19. India-Pakistan trade ties nose-dived after a terror attack on the Pathankot Air Force base in 2016 by terror groups based in Pakistan. Ties strained further after India's war planes pounded terrorist training camp inside Pakistan in response to the Pulwama terror attack. India's move to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 strained India-Pakistan ties further leading to the expulsion of Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad. Pakistan also snapped all air and land links with India and suspended trade and railway services.

The American Image Award committee of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) awarded Hanesbrands as the ‘Company of the Year’. Based in North Carolina, HanesBrands is a socially responsible leading marketer of everyday basic innerwear and activewear apparel in the Americas, Europe, Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

Walmart bagged the Retail Innovator of the Year Award while Gabriela Hearst was named Designer of the Year. Black in Fashion Council (BIFC) was awarded the ‘fashion maverick’ and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) received the Eco-Steward of the Year award.

The Eco-Steward of the Year award was launched this year to honor the industry's acceleration of journey to sustainability and its initiatives to protect the future of the planet and its people. The award function will be held virtually on June 21

Swedish fashion retailer H&M has been accused by Vietnamese social media users of bowing to China’s pressure and changing an online map to show disputed territories in South China Sea as part of China. However, Chinese regulators refuted these allegations saying, the online map had been altered with H&M assent following government criticism.

As per reports, Shanghai branch of the Cyberspace Administration of China was alerted by members of the public to a problematic map of China on H&M's website. The Shanghai municipal bureau of planning and natural resources ordered the error to be remedied immediately and H&M complied, according to the cyberspace watchdog.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea and has overlapping territorial claims with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. Beijing's rising assertiveness against counter claimants in the East and South Sea has resulted in unprecedented agreement across the Indo-Pacific.

Foreign companies in China including H&M and Nike are facing tremendous pressure following their statement on forced labour in Xinjiang. They are also been subjected to pressure amid China's rising tension with the west.

Uproar among Chinese nationals and authorities following its statement on forced labor in Xinjiang has forced Swedish fashion retailer H&M to close 20 stores in China. As per reports, several companies including H&M and Nike are being targeted by China over their statement on forced labor in Xinjiang. They are being subjected to pressure amid China's rising tension with the west.

The ruling Communist Party lashed out at H&M, Nike and other shoe and clothing brands last week after the United States, the European Union, Britain and Canada imposed travel and financial sanctions on officials accused of abuses in Xinjiang in China's northwest. H&M was forced to shut down 20 of its 500 outlets in the country,

The world’s second largest retailer was also pulled from major e-commerce stores in China and blocked by several major navigation, review and rating apps. Chinese celebrities also terminated their contracts with these brands, including Nike, Adidas, Puma, Converse, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Uniqlo.

Universal Standard, the size-inclusive brand has collaborated with the UK fashion house Erdem to create an eight-piece collection anchored in white and indigo denim that merges notions of romance and utility.

As per Sourcing Journal, the capsule collection consists of two different styles of jean—a wide legged boyfriend jean and a high-waisted skinny jean with a double button sailor front—a denim boiler suit, a deconstructed denim skirt, a shirt dress and two floral print cotton blouses.

The collection pushes the design house out of its comfort zone of ethereal fabrics and into the world of size-inclusive denim. Erdem’s creative touches are evident in the romantic undertones found throughout the capsule collection such as ruffles and smocking. The collection also marks Erdem’s entry into a more accessible price point. While floral boyfriend jeans in the brand’s Spring 2020 collection retail for $540, the Erdem x Universal Standard collection retails for $120-$198.

Trade Representative Katherine Tai said, the United States is not yet ready to lift tariffs on Chinese imports, but could be open to talks with Beijing.

In January 2020, ex-president Donald Trump signed an accord between Beijing and Washington after a bruising trade battle that saw tariffs imposed by both sides. But the former trade lawyer warned that suddenly axing the levies could harm the US economy unless a policy reversal is communicated in a way that allows the government to make adjustments.

Tai said, while she recognized the tariffs were taking a toll on some US businesses, they had been imposed to remedy an unbalanced and unfair trade situation. She has already discussed Beijing's trade practices in calls with Japanese ministers, and in her confirmation hearings said she supported a holistic review on China.

To support the #CheckWhatsGood campaign, Tencel has launched a ‘good filter.’ The ‘good filter’ invites the public to use the filter to share all of the “good” things that they see and do each day for the planet. From choosing clothing made out of sustainable fibers and using metal straws, to bringing reusable bags to the grocery store or biking to the office, there are so many simple things we can do each day to make a difference for the planet. The "Good" filter can also be accessed through the IG Effects Gallery in IG stories.

The new action-oriented social media based campaign has been designed to encourage us all to "check" themselves this month and take stock of the small decisions we make & habits we build to support a healthier planet. The goal is also to help consumers of all ages understand that when they see a Tencel™ logo, they can trust what they are buying and know that it is sustainably sourced.

In addition to the #CheckWhatsGood filter, Tencel also plans to launch an assortment of interactive tips, tricks, and simple changes we can make for a more sustainable life, along with fun quizzes, informative events, and brand giveaways, all through their Instagram stories.

Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Association (TAPPI)will organize a virtual nonwovens conference as a part of Tappicon 2021 event of the from May 04-05, 2021. The event will kick start with a keynote presentation on the industry’s response to COVID-19 by Dave Rousse, President, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry Association (INDA). The highlight of the program is a power packed panel session on “Preparing for Future Pandemics and PPE.” Panel involves key leaders in the industry including Karen Bitz-McIntyre, Editor Nonwovens Industry magazine.

The event will bring leading organizations such as TAPPI and INDA to discuss the state of the sector and innovations in nonwovens and technical textiles. Speaking about the nonwovens field, Larry Montague, TAPPI President & CEO stated, “While the pandemic has taught us many things over the last year, one of the most significant has been the sizeable role nonwovens played in ‘stopping the spread,’ both in the healthcare community and beyond. Whether we’re talking about face masks, filters, various Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), or wipes, the industry was, and still is, on the frontline of this fight providing lifesaving protection.”

The conference features presentations from leading industry and academic leaders. A timely presentation on the recent advances in spunmelt nonwovens will be delivered by a representative from Exxon Mobil Corporation. Novel solutions to microbial problems will be dealt in a presentation by ViaClean Technologies. International speakers from India, United Kingdom, Turkey, and United States will deal with topics like design aspects of coveralls, nanofiber filters, etc.

The Intex South Asia – Bangladesh edition virtual expowasvisited by2000+ trade buyers from the textile and apparel industry of Bangladesh and also attracted overseas buyers from Sri Lanka, Spain, Mauritius, Finland, Italy, Peru and Algeria.

The buyers interacted with 70+ global suppliers participating from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the United Kingdom (UK) through pre-arranged B2B meetings over Zoom and the Bee2Bee platform.

Intex South Asia Bangladesh was inaugurated virtually on March 22, 2021, by the Minister for Textiles & Jute, Golam Dastagir Gazi (Chief Guest) and JogiranjanPanigrahi, Jt. Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India (Guest of Honour) in the presence of Mohammad Hatem, Former Vice-President, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BKMEA), Abdul Matlub Ahmad, President,India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) and former President of FBCCI andDilip Chenoy, Secretary General, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The VIP Opening Ceremony of Intex South Asia Bangladesh was broadcasted live on Bee2Bee, YouTube and Facebook simultaneously.

Some of the leading buyers from Bangladesh whovisitedthe virtual platform and attended B2B meetings with interested suppliers were Aaron Denim, Epyllion Group, S. Oliver Overseas, Tom Tailor Sourcing, Windy Group, Asmara International Ltd, Bitopi Group, Decathlon Bangladesh, Dewhirst Group, Hoplun BD, Palmal Group, LCWAIKIKI, Herma Group, H&M Bangladesh, Li & Fung, PVH Far East, Louietex Manufacturing, Dird Group, etc.

Intex South Asia Bangladesh is endorsed and supported by Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BKMEA), Chittagong Chamber Of Commerce & Industry, Bangladesh Chemical Importers & Merchants Association, India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Dutch-Bangla Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Our international supporting organisations are Malaysia Knitting Manufacturers Association (MKMA), Thailand Textile Institute (THTI), Korea Textile Center (KTC) and China’s Zhejiang Province - Department of Commerce.

Analysts Wells Fargo and JPMorgan opine that Gap Inc is ready for a comeback amid an attempt to turn around the business. The company recently sold its kidswear brand Janie and Jack to Go Global Retail, a fashion and retail investment platform.

Gap acquired Janie and Jack in 2019 amid the Gymboree bankruptcy.

As part of Gap Inc’s Power Plan 2023, and exemplified by this transaction, the company is prioritizing strategic focus and resources behind the growth and potential of our billion-dollar brands in Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta. said Sally Gilligan, Head-Strategy.

Gap grew by over 300 per cent over the past 12 months. Its profit and sales have been steadily improving since the quarter ended in July, though analysts forecast a loss for the quarter that ends in April.

Analysts Well Fargo expects demand for new clothes to jump with vaccinations increasing and a massive accumulation of consumer savings. The firm believes as outside-the-home activities are more widely adopted, a flood of pent-up demand could drive a major rebound in apparel by 2021.