"Scott Morrison, Founder and President of American denim brand 3X1 views jeans as one of the dirtiest garments produced by the fashion industry. The designer, who has been at the forefront of the high-end denim movement in America since its inception at the end of 20th century, owns three denim brands: Paper Denim & Cloth launched in 1999, Earnest Sewn launched in 2004, and 3x1 that was launched in 2011."

Scott Morrison, Founder and President of American denim brand 3X1 views jeans as one of the dirtiest garments produced by the fashion industry. The designer, who has been at the forefront of the high-end denim movement in America since its inception at the end of 20th century, owns three denim brands: Paper Denim & Cloth launched in 1999, Earnest Sewn launched in 2004, and 3x1 that was launched in 2011.

Paper Denim & Cloth was started in Italy-the country which has been a major source of inspiration for Morrison. Inspired by the Italian denim brand Diesel, Paper Denim & Cloth explores denim’s recent history to understand its evolution and create future strategies for its growth. On the other hand, Tonello focuses on more eco-friendly processes like waterless washing and laser distressing.

Italian brands focus on technology and innovation

One major reason why Morrison started his denim journey in Italy was unlike traditional capitalist businesses, Italian brands take a long term perspective on teeing up the future. Also, these brands focus more on technology and innovation. For example Tonello manufactures incredible machines and technology for waterless washing. The company has also been involved in the creation of lasers for garment processing for denim for the last 12 to 14 years.

Sustainability at an affordable price

Though his brands introduced a bunch of initiatives for ensuring sustainability in denim manufacturing, these drove up the cost of the garment. So the real challenge before Morrision was to offer customers a more sustainable solution at much closer price value proposition. He believes, though people are interested in being carbon neutral to a certain extent, they are not willing to pay more for it. Fortunately, today there are enough brands offering sustainable denims at affordable rates.

Hence, Morrison is optimistic about the future of the denim industry. His recent documentary series Common Thread, explores how the most democratic of garments can survive the coming environmental storm. This project, inspired by Morrison’s passion for denim, focuses on three major denim players of the luxury denim industry: fashion brand Diesel, denim manufacturer Candiani, and garment finishing company Tonello. He looks at how these multi-generational businesses take a longview approach to both financial and environmental sustainability, and how that view stands in stark contrast to the race-to-the-bottom influence of fast fashion.

A report from the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s General Department of Customs and Excise reveals Cambodia exported more than $7.97 billion worth of garment, textile and footwear (GTF) products in the first nine months of this year registering an increase of 13.18 per cent. The US accounted for $2.5 billion of these exports and the EU $2.4 billion – with $670 million going to the UK, Japan $711 million, Asean member states $121 million and other countries $1.5 billion.

Last year, the Cambodian government had announced those wishing to export their goods to the EU under the Everything But Arms (EBA) agreement are required to register in the EU’s Registered Exporter System (REX) to self-certify the Statement on Origin of their goods instead of applying for a Certificate of Origin.

Despite ongoing Sino-US trade tensions and facing a possible suspension of its access to the EU’s EBA agreement, Cambodia’s economic activity will remain strong with real gross domestic product growth expected at around seven per cent this year.

This is owing to continued export growth and strong construction activity. Inflation is expected to remain stable at around 2.5 per cent. The country’s stable macroeconomic environment, strong growth performance and ongoing structural reforms have contributed to its significant progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals. According to National Bank of Cambodia’s 2018 report, the Kingdom’s garment and footwear exports during the year increased by 24 per cent to $10 billion.

International trade show, Pitti Uomo has unveiled the theme for its January 2020 edition. The event will be held in Florence, Italy from January 07-10, 2020. It will focus on values like identity, nationality, pride and celebration by exploring the various meanings that the flag has in our culture.

Jil Sander has been selected as the guest designer for Pitti Uomo 97, whilst Telfar Clemens and his boundary pushing unisex brand Telfar, will exhibit this season’s special project. Stefano Pilati, the designer behind the independent label Random Identities, will be the guest of honor at the event and showcase his upcoming Fall/Winter 20/21 collection.

Around 200 foreign fashion brands have entered the Vietnam market including Zara, H&M, Giordano, Mango, Topshop, Gap, and Old Navy. Japanese casual wear brand Uniqlo will open its first store in the country in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 on December 6. The 3,000-sq-m store would be one of its biggest in Southeast Asia.

These brands are attracted by the 15-20 per cent annual growth recorded by Vietnam. Also, with its young demographic, growing incomes and 95 million population, Vietnam is considered a hugely promising market.

Vietnamese consumers are also shifting towards prioritising items like clothes and fashion. In a report released last year market research firm Nielsen said clothes were Vietnamese consumers’ third spending priority after food and saving. The survey also found that Vietnam ranked third globally in the number of people fond of branded goods after only China and India.

Pakistan’s textile exports during the first four months of the current financial year increased by 4.10 per cent. Knitwear exports were up 9.49 per cent. Bed wear exports grew up 5.72 per cent. However, exports of raw cotton from the country came down. The country’s merchandise trade deficit plunged by 33.52 per cent. Exports during the period increased 3.81 per cent. Imports into the country declined 19.21 per cent.

However, in the last four months of the current financial year, cotton yarn exports decreased by 2.14 per cent, cotton cloth exports by 4.83 per cent, and exports of tents, canvas and tarpulin by 1.58 per cent.

Textile exports in October grew about 7.44 per cent as against exports in October 2018. Exports of readymade garments grew by 12 per cent, knitwear by 9.49 per cent, bed wear by 5.72 per cent, towels by 0.80 per cent, art, silk and synthetic textiles by 9.46 per cent. Exports of raw cotton from the country during the period under review increased by 0.78 per cent, cotton carded or combed by 100 per cent and yarn other than cotton yarn by 21.24 per cent.

Pakistan’s textile industry has become viable after a gap of ten years, especially through the provision of regionally competitive energy tariffs. The industry witnessed a record 26 per cent growth in quantitative terms.

Polyester yarn price has hit the lowest since 2017. Even though most spinners have selling at around cost line, the sales cannot move smoothly. Some spinners suffered huge losses as they stocked up PSF during the decline of PSF or accumulated finished products, and some can run normally only by production cut and cautious operation.

Due to this continuous fall of polyester feedstock, PSF price stays in downtrend and polyester yarn is also dragged down. Most spinners start to sell at around the cost line, but even so, the sales cannot move smoothly. Some spinners suffered huge losses as they stocked up PSF during the decline of PSF or accumulated finished products, and some can run normally only by production cut and cautious operation.

The sustained depression of PSF makes a dent in the vitality of the market and the wait-and-see attitude adopted by downstream also hamper the sales of polyester yarn. In a long period of time, small and medium-sized spinners were forced to cut production and operating rate in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Hebei declined. In the meantime, end-user fabric plants ran at a low rate. Generally, spinners are not active in production cut considering production cost and labor sustainability, but this year, a large amount of small and medium-sized plants reduce production and some small plants even suspend production, which also indicates the sluggish market at present.

Looking the overall trend this year, lacking obvious improvement of polyester feedstock and rebound of end-user demand results in current depression of polyester yarn market which is also reflected in the slackness in peak season. As the Spring Festival will come earlier this year, most spinners are expected to take holidays much earlier. With so many unfavorable factors, the market will be difficult to improve. If end-user demand does not recover obviously, this situation may sustain until next year and overall operating environment will continue to be burdened.

Jaked, Italian the player in swimwear for years has chosen Carvico fabrics, always rich in quality made in Italy, to make its garments. The two new models of swimming costumes, Manga and Diamonds, are no exception.

The Manga line is made up of the entire women's swimsuit, the American men's swimsuit and the boys' and girls' swimsuit. To make them Jaked has chosen the recycled technical fabric VITA PL by Carvico, the eco-fabric in 100% polyester regenerated from waste materials (PET - plastic bottles). The swimsuits, characterized by bright multicolor patterns, are very comfortable, provide excellent fit and good coverage. They are resistant to chlorine, sun creams, and abrasions for prolonged use.

The Jaked swimsuits made with Carvico fabrics are colorful, high-performance and comfortable, ideal for supporting the athlete during training without ever giving up a touch of style.

With the colorful Diamonds models, the women's swimsuit, the men's swimsuit and the boy's and girl's swimsuits, Jaked has chosen Carvico's Darwin technical fabric, 100% polyester, resistant to chlorine. This particular fabric is idealfor training, ensures a perfect fit, resists over time and protects from UV rays.

Jiam will be held in Japan, May 20 to 23, 2020. This is a sewing machinery show. Sixteen existing exhibitors (11 domestic, five overseas) have expanded their exhibition space and 17 companies (seven domestic, ten overseas) will join the fair for the first time. The show will welcome exhibitors from Australia, China, Hong Kong and Macao, Germany, Greece, India, Taiwan, Thailand, and the UK.

Home Sewing Zone will be installed at Jiam, featuring sewing machines and related accessories for end users. This zone will be a platform that provides suggestions on how to enjoy home sewing machines. Another highlight will be the presentation of awards for a home sewing competition for elementary, middle and high school students. The show will provide solutions catering to each and every need, by combining existing high-level skill sets that have survived drastic market changes in the past with the latest technology built on knowledge and history. The 2020 edition will showcase products in which state-of-the- art technology and master craftsmanship will come together.

Various special seminars will take place throughout the four exhibition days. Yoshio Suzuki of Ginza Yamagataya will introduce men’s readymade clothes tailoring techniques during a skills training seminar. Addressing future technology, Koshiro Yokota, president of Toyotake Industry, will talk about an IoT case example for manufacturing factories.

Weaves will be held in Erode from November 27 to 30, 2019. The textile fair is looking at attracting a large number of overseas buyers. It will permit weavers to connect with a global audience. The event will focus on promoting power loom and handlooms. Over 250 exhibitors will showcase their distinct products from different parts of Tamil Nadu. Weaves will highlight processed and finished fabrics, home textiles, textile machinery as well as ethnic, handloom and khadi material, would be of great use to the 90 weaving clusters in the state. Participants at the expo will include griege (unprocessed) fabric manufacturers, made-up and garment producers, traders, and weavers, and also about 30 handloom weavers. It will have seminars on all four days. Visitors can book bulk orders and participants will have the capacity to cater to these orders. The venue will have lounges for business-to-business meetings as well.

Weaves acts as a gateway to the textile industry for weavers and an opportunity to showcase, connect, and collaborate, where innumerable textile talents can showcase their expertise and market their products to customers from all over the globe. Weaves is an attempt to have a global connect for weavers and all kinds of textile manufacturers and create opportunities through networking, technology, smart marketing and business empowerment.

Candiani Denim and Denham have launched a jeans collection using biodegradable stretch plant-based yarns. Coreva Stretch Technology replaces the commonly used synthetic and petrol-based elastomers without compromising on elasticity, recovery and durability. Moreover, the stretch denim obtained by using it is free from plastics and microplastics and–when added to biodegradable cotton or other biomaterials–is biodegradable. Candiani along with its suppliers devised a smart vulcanization process to refine the rubber yarn without compromising the elastomer itself and its properties. At the same time the company internally studied the actual corespun technology in order to put this inside the cotton yarns prior to be woven into the denim. Even finishing had to be customized to this new type of fabric, but the product was finally engineered and fine-tuned with solid physicals and amazing performances.

The new stretch fiber can be used for any denim weight and construction. Candiani has only developed 13 oz. and 15 oz. at the moment with a different range of elasticity, from comfort to super-stretch. Lighter weights will come in early 2020 as part of a wider Coreva collection. This can become the alternative stretch denim in the jeanswear market. Candiani wants it to be an alternative. Denim with Coreva will be recyclable, upcyclable and biodegradable.