Korean scientists have developed a new chemical technology, called "chemical sorting," which can help recycle post-consumer textiles into valuable monomers that can be reused to create new polymer materials.

This new technology separates polyester from other fabrics in a mixed and contaminated form and uses a unique chemical compound to disrupt the chemical interaction between polyester and the dye used for its color. This allows clean polyester to be extracted from the mixture, which can then be recycled into valuable monomers for the synthesis of polymer materials.

The chemical recycling technology has been licensed to Renew System Co., Ltd. in South Korea, and a demonstration plant is set to open by the end of 2024, with commercial operation planned for 2025. The technology has the potential to substantially reduce waste in landfills and achieve a circular economy in the plastic and textile industries.

The apparel industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, and synthetic fibers like polyester, which accounts for over half of all fabrics produced, are a major threat to the environment because they are not biodegradable. Unfortunately, almost 90% of post-consumer fiber wastes are either incinerated or deposited in landfills.

Texworld Evolution Paris is celebrating its 25th anniversary and has scheduled a special edition of the event from 3rd to 5th July 2023 at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre in downtown Paris. The event will bring together buyers and exhibitors from all over the world and is expected to offer a unique experience for attendees. Texworld Evolution Paris is comprised of five major events: Texworld, Texworld Denim, Apparel Sourcing, Avantex, and Leatherworld Paris.

According to the event's organizer, Messe Frankfurt, around 1,300 exhibitors from twenty different countries, including India, China, Turkey, Korea, and Taiwan, have already confirmed their presence.

The anniversary edition of Texworld Evolution Paris will provide visitors with special events, entertainment, and innovative services, as well as networking opportunities. In addition, the Avantex Fashion Pitch awards will take place as part of the Avantex Paris show within Texworld Evolution Paris. The awards ceremony recognizes the best innovative fashion and textile projects each year.

The candidates for the Avantex Fashion Pitch awards will present their work in a 5-minute pitch to a jury of industry experts on July 3rd. The winner of the awards will receive a 'Start-up' stand at the next edition of Avantex Paris. The competition has three categories for innovative projects: services, textiles or soft materials, and fashion design. Interested applicants must submit their applications by June 10th.

Texworld Evolution Paris has always been a successful event for buyers and exhibitors, this anniversary edition promises to be something special offering a unique experience.

Fashion for Good has launched the Dyestuff Library, a digital tool designed to help partners choose sustainable dyestuff for commercial use.

The library provides visibility and access to sustainable innovations, accelerating the shift towards more environmentally friendly options. The project is supported by a group of Fashion for Good’s corporate partners including Inditex, bonprix, Target, Patagonia, adidas, BESTSELLER, Otto International, Paradise Textiles, Welspun, and Shahi Exports, as well as other stakeholders.

Traditionally, textile dyes were derived from natural sources before synthetic dyes revolutionised the industry. However, the annual use of over 10,000 tons of synthetic dyes has had a toxic impact on both humans and the environment. Despite efforts to phase out harmful chemistry, there has been a lack of clarity regarding the performance and scalability of sustainable dye options.

The Dyestuff Library aims to provide a solution to this problem by selecting 15 dyestuff innovations to participate in lab and pilot trials over the course of a year. Innovators will undergo extensive compliance and toxicity testing to ensure their safety for commercial use.

The project will be supported by supply chain partners Paradise Textiles and RDD Textiles, university and lab partners NimkarTek, Institute of Chemical Technology and UNICAMP, as well as participating Fashion for Good partners, textile experts, and ZDHC.

The world’s second-largest garment manufacturing hub Bangladesh has often been ignored by the niche but profitable high-end fashion sector as the South Asian nation had established itself as one of the top sources for basic garments. However, things are changing, post pandemic and the Russia-Ukrainian conflict that just won’t go away. Many luxe brands are now sourcing more from Bangladesh as the country meets quality requirements and is able to deliver as per orders.

Luxury brands serious about Bangladesh

US-based brands have been the first as the US-China face-off continues and American brands, to avoid conflict in their domestic market, find in Bangladesh, a reliable and uninterrupted source. Bangladesh has already been manufacturing for Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Gap, Calvin Klein, Timberland and Puma as well as the Italian Giorgio Armani and Dutch fashion brand G Star Raw. Ralph Lauren has also commissioned a few Bangladeshi textile manufacturers to produce their quality of denim fabric. Recently, Bangladeshi media reported a four-member buyers’ team from Hugo Boss AG had visited the country to look for supplier partners that meet the German luxury label’s standards.

Hassan points out, many international luxury fashion brands are shifting their orders to Bangladesh from China and Vietnam as the country’s suppliers gained the confidence of global buyers amid a supply chain disruption. Moreover, US brands are transferring orders to Bangladesh from China due to geopolitical issues, as they find Bangladesh a reliable supplier.

Companies likes the DBL Group, Square Group, Viyellatex Group are all getting orders from top luxury brands like Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss among others. As per a TBS news, Dutch fashion brand G-Star RAW is looking to source about two lakh pieces of outerwear worth around $10 million from Bangladeshi manufacturer Snowtex Outerwear. For sportswear brand Puma, Urmi Group is the one of largest suppliers of Puma.

No change in vendor pricing post-pandemic

As per a study by a group of British financial researchers that interviewed around a thousand Bangladeshi garment manufacturers, big clothing brands are squeezing Bangladeshi suppliers to offset inflation. About 70 per cent brands sourcing from Bangladeshi garment manufacturing factories are paying vendors about the same as before the pandemic. This translates to an unfair trade as the pre-pandemic negotiated prices do not factor in the sharp increase in raw material and energy prices.

The study indicates while the big brand names might add glitter but in reality have done nothing to help Bangladesh’s garment manufacturing sector generate sustainable profits and better wages for its workers. Professor Muhammad Azizul of Aberdeen Business School that lead the research stated when suppliers are underpaid, workers are the ones who are impacted. The number of workers employed in factories that participated in the study post-pandemic was about 10 per cent lower than pre-COVID levels in 2020 despite a rise in clothing exports from Bangladesh. H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Inditex SA’s Zara, Walmart Inc. and Gap Inc. were among the large international retailers that were named in the report.

Bangladesh has done much towards quality output

During the Bangladesh Business Summit 2023, representatives of the country’s garment manufacturing industry requested international fashion brands to be fair in terms of negotiated prices as Bangladesh has certainly invested in improving quality and diversity of products. President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Faruque Hassan stated the practice of paying Bangladeshi garment exporters much lower than global average prices was unethical and went against all the effort the South Asian nation has made, including green compliances. Mohammed Hatem of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) pointed out that massive progress was made in the areas of workplace safety and environmental sustainability and today Bangladesh has proudly positioned itself as the world’s most preferred apparel sourcing destination. Hatem says, Bangladesh has the highest number of green factories and in fact eight of the world’s top 10 green factories.

End of the day, whilst its portfolio of luxury and fashion brands might look stellar, is the country’s garments manufacturing centre benefitting from improved profits and better wages remains to be seen.

The global sequins clothing market is expected to witness a steady rise at a CAGR of approximately 6% during the forecast period, driven by increasing fashion trends and the evolving landscape of retail brands, as per Future Market Insights

Millennials, who are influenced by luxury lifestyle, are particularly attracted to these sequins dresses. The market is also propelled by the growing demand for sequins clothes during wedding seasons, growing popularity of the theme party and rising trend of the entertainment industry contribute to the market growth.

The US and Canada are the largest markets for sequins clothes, with Canada introducing high-end wear and investing in the research sector for introducing a variety of clothing with sequins. In the US, fashion is the largest and most common application segment, and the popularity of sequins costumes is high among the young generation, which primarily attributes the regional growth.

European countries, including France, Germany, UK, Netherland, Spain, and Italy, have produced high-end luxury sequins clothes, while Southern and Eastern European countries like Poland, Romania, and Hungary have produced medium-priced products.

Manufacturers and suppliers need to focus on new techniques for the production of fashion and sequins clothes and expand their business portfolios to collaborate with e-commerce supply channels for steady market growth.

“Balancing the need to produce less with innovating and reaching company goals, and increasing the longevity and durability of products”, says Daisuke Tsukagoshi, CEO, Fast Retailing in a recent interview.

He highlighted the company's commitment to creating products that people truly need, rather than following the fast fashion trend. Tsukagoshi has been instrumental in guiding Uniqlo, a brand of Fast Retailing, through a significant transformation from a Japanese-based fashion destination to a globally recognized clothing brand. This transformation comes at a time when the fashion industry is being rethought, and the company is adapting to these changes.

The company has taken significant steps to achieve its sustainability goals including a goal to use 100% sustainable materials in its products by 2030. Uniqlo launched its Re.UNIQLO program in 2020, which encourages customers to recycle their unwanted clothes in exchange for discount vouchers. The company is also exploring new and innovative ways to produce clothing sustainably.

In addition to its focus on sustainability, Fast Retailing is committed to innovation. The company invests heavily in research and development to create new, high-quality products that meet the changing needs of consumers.

Uniqlo, which opened its first store in 1984, has come a long way since then. The brand now offers a wider range of clothing and has over 1,000 stores worldwide.

Industry stakeholders, unions in German textile and clothing industry reached an agreement to raise the incomes of approximately 100,000 employees. The collective agreement includes income increases totaling 8.1 percent, with lower wage groups receiving at least 230 euros more.

Additionally, employees will receive tax-free inflation compensation payments of 1,500 euros and a continuation of partial retirement under improved conditions for 24 months.

IG Metall, the union had initially demanded an 8.0 percent pay rise over twelve months, but the agreed-upon increase is slightly higher. The tariff result not only benefits employees but also secures the future of the companies.

The recent round of collective bargaining was reportedly one of the most difficult in decades, with the companies facing significant challenges. The apparel manufacturing industry is facing additional pressure from the announced closure of Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof stores and the insolvency of Peek&Cloppenburg.

However, the collective agreement offers some relief for employees and provides some stability for companies in this challenging time.

With the theme of "Future Heritage" aimed at bridging tradition and technology across interconnected metaverse worlds, The Metaverse Fashion Week 2023 (MVFW2023) featured 63 fashion brands, including Dolce & Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, and Diesel, among others, held during March 28 to 31.

The event was held on multiple metaverse platforms including Decentraland, Spatial, and Over the Reality. However, compared to last year, the event received a somewhat muted reaction with only 60 brands participating, as opposed to 70 the previous year, and only 50,000 guests as opposed to 108,000.

The decline in interest in the metaverse, following flash crashes and bankruptcies in the cryptocurrency industry in 2022, could be the reason behind the subdued turnout. Nonetheless, the event featured some exciting highlights, including Dundas and a community fashion show that highlighted 11 talents from the Decentraland fashion community.

Other notable highlights included the exhibition of the winning designs from Dolce & Gabbana's Future Reward competition, Tommy Hilfiger's daily product drops, and Diesel and HAPE's engaging virtual party featuring wearable NFT drops.

The metaverse brings together the convenience of online shopping with the ability to experience products virtually through immersive technologies. Fashion week isn't just about luxurious clothing and glamour but also an opportunity for brands to explore the potential of the metaverse.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will host a series of seven exhibitions and conferences in April to showcase various lifestyle sectors.

The events, which will run concurrently from 19-22 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, will include the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, Home InStyle, the Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair, Fashion InStyle, the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair, the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference.

The EXHIBITION+ hybrid model will allow exhibitors and buyers to participate both physically and via the Click2Match platform until 29 April.

Over 3,800 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions will attend, with 70% being non-local exhibitors who will participate in person. The HKTDC expects participation from 170 buying missions from 50 countries and regions.

The fairs will feature a brand-new Cultural & Creative Corner to promote designer brands and products with a unique cultural touch. The events will also host several themed zones, pavilions, and seminars covering various topics.

Bangladesh has emerged as a major manufacturing hub for winter jackets, as production orders shift away from China due to higher costs and a shortage of skilled workers.

International brands and retailers are taking notice of Bangladesh's competitive prices, improved production capacity, and ability to supply high-end value-added garments. This trend has been driven by local apparel makers diversifying their product offerings in recent years. Although winter jackets were a relatively new export sector in the country, nearly 50 local apparel exporters are currently producing jackets priced between $30 and $50, a segment that did not exist five years ago.

Leading jacket exporters like Snowtex and TEAM Group are receiving a lot of work orders from international retailers and brands. Snowtex currently has the capacity to export between $25 million and $30 million worth of jackets each month, while TEAM Group ships winter jackets worth $10 million every month. Another major apparel manufacturer, Fakir Apparels Limited, has set up a new jacket manufacturing unit in Narayanganj to meet the rising demand. With this added capacity, the company can ship 150,000 jackets abroad each month.

In addition to traditional export destinations like the US and Europe, Bangladesh's winter jackets are also being sent to some Scandinavian countries and Russia. The country's garment makers aim to earn better prices by supplying value-added items, according to the president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).