Bangladesh’s garment exports in November 2022 rose by 26 percent year on year. This is commendable in view of the ongoing economic slowdown and has come in the wake of rising raw material prices, highend apparel production and increased exports to new markets such as Korea, the Middle East and India.

Exports from Bangladesh’s chief competitors China, Myanmar and Vietnam have lagged in the last five months due to the changing global situation. As a result, some buyers from these countries have recently turned to Bangladesh.In recent months, Bangladesh’s exporters faced a huge drop in output due to gas and electricity disruptions. The Ukraine-Russia war also dragged down purchase orders from Europe and America, the largest market for the country’s garment exports, amid growing fears of an economic recession.

During September 2022 and October 2022 export revenues dropped by six percent and eight percent. But November 2022 was a turn-up for the books as export receipts exceeded the target for the month by 17 percent.Garments fuelled the turnaround, accounting for almost 83 percent of the total exports from July 2022 to November 2022. Exports have grown ten percent in the first five months of fiscal year 2023.

Luxury house Chanel has decided to take over Fashion Art. For the past fifteen years, Chanel has had its denim pieces made by this manufacturer. It was in 2007 that Chanel first hired Fashion Art to design a pair of denim pants evoking the colors of the morning English fog for the 2007-08 Paris-London Métiers d'art collection.

Fashion Art was born with this first piece washed out with cloudy brushstrokes done by hand. Fashion Art specializes in the manufacture of jeans and high-end denim garments as well as fabrics for bags and shoes.

Founded in 2008, Fashion Art employs 38 people and collaborates with 15 highly qualified partners located within its geographical perimeter, who manage the production of the garments, while it handles the entire development cycle in-house, including the preparation of patterns or the grading and sewing of prototypes, having two buildings of 2,500 square meters.

Recognized for its expertise in denim, Fashion Art has invested heavily in technological research and sustainable development. It is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified, as is its entire external production chain. Rather than the traditional method of starting with the printing of the fabric, Fashion Art's artisans first make the garment. It is then cut up, and depending on the desired effects it is then passed through powder-based abrasion, laser cutting, 3D printing of patterns, working with jacquard, adding embroidery or a tweed yoke. The last step consists of meticulously reassembling the garment to its original form.

Dior has launched a collection in partnership with the brand Denim Tears. The line celebrates the inventiveness of the house of Dior and the strength of its creative dialogues and pays homage to Black artists like James Baldwin and Miles Davis.

Denim Tears is no stranger to collaborations. Most recently, the brand linked up with Levis to launch a collection that explores America’s harrowed history against racial injustice and persecution, all while creating an artistic framework of African-American conceptual conceptualism.

Likewise, Denim Tears collaborated with guest designer Eli Russell Linnetz of the Californian-based brand ERL. Their capsule was presented back in May 2022 as part of the 2023 resort collection launch.Denim Tears also linked with Readymade for its latest collaborative project. The Denim Tears and Readymade collaboration materializes as a collection of apparel and accessories riffed with Readymade's signature upcycled garments and Denim Tears' famed Cotton Wreath motif. Hoodies, semi-flared sweatpants, and shorts lead the collection. Wrapping up the offering is a shoulder bag with straps comprising pearls and knit recreations of raw cotton.

Fashion house Dior was founded in 1946. Today, from dresses to accessories, from fragrances to lipstick, to the most expert skincare, the house of Dior enhances the beauty of women, bringing radiance and modernity.

Pakistan’s exports of men’s apparel to China increased by more than 17 per cent in the first ten months of 2022 as compared with the same period in 2021.

As for the major factors behind the increasing export of men’s clothing to China, Pakistan is a major producer of cotton crops, and it is cheaper as compared to China so it has a benefit over China. Also Pakistan has cheap labor compared to China which is cost-effective for men’s apparel exports to China.

In January 2020, Pakistan and China entered into the second phase of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement under which China has eliminated tariffs on 313 priority tariff lines of Pakistan’s export and out of the 313 high-priority products that Pakistan can now export without duty payments to China 130 are from the textiles sector. The reduced tariffs on textile products, an expected surge in Chinese investment into Pakistan, and the potential shift of production base from China to Pakistan may change the regional dynamics of the textile trade.

Pakistan has a target of raising the country’s textile and clothing exports by 2025. As China has the world’s largest textile industry—in terms of both production and export—it is an inevitable trading partner for Pakistan to meet this 2025 target.

China’s retail sales value of consumer goods was down 0.5 per cent year on year in October 2022.

Of the total, retail sales of garments, footwear, hats and knitwear were down 7.5 per cent year on year.During January 2022 to October 2022, retail sales of consumer goods were up 0.6 per cent year on year. Of the total, retail sales of garments, footwear, hats and knitwear from January 2022 to October 2022 were down 4.4 per cent year on year. In October 2022, retail sales of garment enterprises above a designated size were down 9.2 per cent year on year. From January 2022 to October 2022retail sales were down 5.5 per cent year on year.

From January 2021 to August 2021, retail sales of clothing, foot and head wear and knitted goods grew by 24.8 per cent in China.From January to August, retail sales of social consumer goods in China were up by 18.1 per cent, eight per cent higher than the same period of 2019. In August 2021, retail sales of social consumer goods saw a year-on-year growth of 2.5 per cent, three per cent higher than that of 2019. By consumption type, in August, retail sales of commodity had a year-on-year growth of 3.3 per cent.

Yarn Expo will be held in China, March 8 to 10, 2023. A comprehensive selection of sustainable textile products will be on display.

The fair will play host to exhibitors with products in multiple major yarn categories, including cashmere, cotton, fancy, linen/ramie, and wool. In addition, buyers will be able to source a host of chemical yarns and fibers, many of which are used to produce eco-friendly functional textiles.

Yarn Expo is a leading trade fair in the industry as well as the ideal platform to exchange advanced market information to promote business co-operation and meet new customers.

The global market is on the road to recovery, and industry players are eager for business-as-usual, indicated by the early signup of some key functional yarn and fiber exhibitors.Taiwan’s Everest Textile will exhibit PA56, its polyamide-substitute yarn sourced from renewable materials, low carbon polyester yarn, produced from industrial waste gas, air covering yarn, nylon 66 mechanical stretch and its thick and thin yarn series. China’s Bioserica Era will exhibit a series of antibacterial products and especially its flagship fiber, Bioserica, a bio-based mixture of PHBV and PLA primarily derived from corn starch. Once fused for spinning, the resulting antibacterial, antiviral fiber is softer, more eco-friendly, and more heat-resistant than pure PLA fiber.

Brands from Brazil will participate in Premiere Vision New York, January 17 and 18, 2023,

Première Vision is not only a showcase for Brazilian products in the North American market but is also an opportunity to put Brazil on the world’s radar as the event is present in several other countries. So the likes of Stampa Studio, Berlan, Savyon, Brand Textil and Oficiana Caramelo will exhibit their new lines full of innovation, creativity and sustainable products.

Brazil is one of the largest exporters of apparel and fashionable goods. Arab countries are some of the largest importers of apparels and textiles from Brazil. The United Arab Emirates accounts for the highest imports from Brazil, followed by Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco.

Advanced techniques used in manufacturing helps manufacturers meet the demand from various countries.Heightened interest of the government and private players in the country’s apparel and textile industry has contributed to making the country among the top textile producing countries.

Premiere Vision New York takes place twice a year, always according to the spring/summer and autumn/winter calendar. The fair is considered one of the most important in the world in terms of trends in the textile segment, focusing on fabrics, yarns, fibers, textile design and accessories. The participants are divided by textile segments, print designers, leather, accessories and inputs producers.

In a world that prefers synthetic rather than natural materials due to lower pricing and easy availability in just about anything in daily living, man-made fibres are doing well in the textile industry. Market analysts say the global synthetic fibre market was valued at $62.65 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $89.09 billion by 2029, registering a CAGR of 4.50 per cent during the forecast period of 2022-2029.

Synthetic fibres are secured from polymers and are also called man-made fibres. They usually exhibit essential features such as strength, elasticity, lightweight, washability, softness, and cost efficiency and specific features such as wrinkle resistance, and crease recovery and are moisture resilient. The synthetic fibre market is segmented based on type and application and polyester is the most popular in making garments as it is durable and stretchable.

Polyester the most popular man-made fibre

The Global Synthetic Fibers Market research report by Pune-based Data Bridge Market Research has pointed out synthetic fibres are being utilized in weaving fabrics, narrow fabrics and felt, and finishing and fabricating fabric products which are used in manufacturing home furnishings products and apparel.

Polyester is the most popular as it has durability and versatility. Analysts felt the increase in disposable income that has helped the garment industry to thrive, particularly in the growth-centric nations is one of the major factors driving growth of synthetic fibre market. The increase in social media usage across all age groups and rural and urban areas as well as the growing acceptance of e-commerce, influencers, and the social media business has accelerated the market growth.

Along with this is increased use of textile fabric in several processes, such as knitting, crocheting and weaving among others to manufacture a versatile range of finished and semi-finished goods in segments like bedding, clothing, apparel, medical, and other accessories are all helping this expansion. Global consumption of polyester filament and staple fibre has been rising as compared to the use of pure cotton in the apparel industry mainly due to the price and durability factors.

The sales of home furnishings is set to increase even more from 2022 to 2029 with many more branded and unbranded players and retail stores entering this segment and expanding the market. Switching to man-made fibre will help apparel manufacturers get higher prices.

Bangladesh switches to more synthetic fibre export

As per studies synthetic fibre makes up 78 per cent of the world's clothing and the remaining 22% is made of cotton fibre. With Bangladesh being the hub of apparel exporters, switching to man-made fibre will help Bangladesh apparel manufacturers get higher prices.

André Wissenberg, VP of Germany-based Oerlikon Textile GmbH said at a recent seminar in Dhaka, “Bangladesh has the potential to switch to the production of synthetic fibre-based textiles and apparel to realise greater per unit values in the world market. Buyers are choosing man-made fabrics as substitutes for cotton fibre for sustainability and environmental issues. Bangladesh is the world's second-largest exporter of textile goods while Germany is the second-largest importer of products from Bangladesh. Germany and Bangladesh are therefore in close bilateral dialogue.”

Currently, Asia-Pacific countries dominate the synthetic fibre market because of the large number of manufacturers in the region. With China’s and Korea’s stakes down in the current global situation, it is time India took advantage of this opportunity to maximise domestic consumption and export figures.

Victoria’s Secret revenues for the third quarter fell nine per cent. Comparable sales for the third quarter decreased 11 per cent compared to the third quarter of 2021.International revenues were up 43 per cent.

After nearly a year and a half as an independent, publicly-traded company, the company continues to make significant progress in its transformation and mission to celebrate and champion all women. It has created a solid financial platform with a new, more agile operating structure, and even in a very challenging macroeconomic environment was able to deliver third quarter operating income and earnings per diluted share results above the previous guidance.

The strategic growth plan is to strengthen the core, ignite growth and transform the foundation. Victoria’s Secret has leadership positions in intimates and beauty and recently acquired AdoreMe, a technology-led, digitally-native intimates brand. Victoria’s Secret will leverage Adore Me’s expertise and technology to improve the customer shopping experience and accelerate the modernization of its digital platform.

Founded in 2011, US-based Adore Me is an online-only intimates brand. Victoria’s Secret is forecasting full year 2022 net sales to decrease six per cent or seven per cent compared to last year’s full year net sales.

Vietnam’s textile and apparel industry plans to be more environmental-friendly by 2030.

By 2023, the industry plans to reduce energy consumption by 15 per cent and water consumption by 20 per cent.Earlier in 2022, the EC proposed a new strategy to make textiles more durable, repairable, reusable and recyclable, to tackle fast fashion, textile waste and the destruction of unsold textiles, and ensure their production takes place in full respect of social rights.

Europe is a traditional and key market for Vietnam’s textile and footwear industries. This is an issue businesses must focus on quickly deploying if they want to exploit markets like the US or EU and other large markets. This will also help businesses develop sustainably and reduce production costs. The industry’s businesses have carried out many greening activities, such as replacing electric boilers, using rooftop solar power, and reusing wastewater.

In the first ten months of 2022 the export value of the country’s textile and garment industry was up 17 per cent. This was due to Vietnam’s participation in free trade agreements. These helped Vietnam diversify export markets.In addition, textile and garment industry enterprises are accelerating digital transformation in management and supply chain and catching up with the trend of greening and sustainable development by producing new yarn from hemp and wool.