Guess has partnered with Authentic Brands Group to go private in a deal that values the apparel company at approximately $1.4 billion. As part of the transaction, Authentic will acquire a 51 per cent stake in ‘substantially all’ of Guess' intellectual property (IP). A group of ‘rolling stockholders,’ including Maurice and Paul Marciano, Co-founders and Carlos Alberini, CEO will own the remaining 49 per cent of the IP. The current Guess management team will continue to run the business, holding 100 per cent ownership of the operating company.

Under the agreement, remaining Guess shareholders will receive $16.76 per share in cash. This is a higher valuation than the $13 per share non-binding offer made by WHP Global in March 2025.

As a powerhouse brand, Guess has defined style and culture for over 40 years, says Jamie Salter, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Authentic Brands Group. The brand has tremendous respect for the Marcianos and their team and aims to build on this legacy in partnership with them as Guess enters its next chapter within our platform.

Authentic Brands Group has a vast portfolio of over 50 global brands, including major surf brands like Quiksilver, Billabong, and Volcom, which collectively generate around $32 billion in annual retail revenues.

Paul Marciano, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, notes, joining forces with Authentic which is the world’s second-largest licensor will enable the brand to build on this foundation and expand reach as a global lifestyle brand.

Currently, Guess operates nearly 1,100 stores in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, with an additional 527 stores run by partners and distributors worldwide.

According to Carlos Alberini, CEO operating as a private company will give Guess enhanced flexibility to navigate today’s complex operating environment and execute on a more targeted, long-term strategy, enabling us to even better serve customers around the world.

Sales of Amer Sports Inc’s Technical Apparel Unit, rose by 25 per cent in Q3, FY25. Owner of the outerwear brand Arc’teryx, the company has been witnessing declining growth and is projected to fall further.

Sales from existing locations or revenue generated from owned retail stores and e-commerce sites open at least 13 months increased by 15 per cent as against the 19 per cent expectations by the Wall Street.

Despite this, the Finnish sporting goods conglomerate remains upbeat about the future and raised its full-year outlook for a second time this year. The company projects revenue will grow by 21 per cent as against 15 per cent to 17 per cent as per a prior forecast,

The company expects full-year earnings to reaching $0.77 to $0.82 per share, up from $0.67 to $0.72 last predicted, and more than the $0.75 analysts polled by Bloomberg had expected. The guidance assumes higher tariffs than previously expected.

Following high-level diplomatic engagements between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a new chapter appears to be opening in the India-China trade relationship. While a basic summary of the meeting points to a renewed focus on dialogue to ease border tensions, the most concrete outcome on the trade front has been China's decision to lift export restrictions on key commodities, including rare earth magnets and fertilizers.

This strategic shift is being closely watched by India's textile and apparel sector, where analysis indicates that while there may be some benefits, the most likely outcome is a further increase in imports from China, particularly of raw materials and machinery.

The Economic Reality: Increased imports are likely

The fundamental reason for this lies in the sheer scale and efficiency of China's textile industry, which far surpasses India's. This dominance creates a trade dynamic where India relies heavily on China for crucial inputs, a reliance that is only set to deepen with the lifting of export curbs.

Key imports from China for Indian textiles

This dynamic is already reflected in the significant trade deficit that India maintains with China in the textile and apparel sector.

Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India (latest available data, FY 2022-23)

The bilateral trade reality and the case for caution

While the new developments could help Indian textile manufacturers become more price-competitive in the global market, particularly in Western countries that are seeking to diversify their supply chains, the direct bilateral trade with China remains a significant challenge. Analysts argue that with its colossal production capacity, China is in a prime position to increase its exports of cheaper finished goods to India. This could exacerbate the existing trade surplus and pose a direct threat to India's domestic manufacturing base.

Tirupur and Surat industries’ heavy import dependence on China

The knitwear cluster in Tirupur and the synthetic textile industry in Surat both rely heavily on raw material imports from China. The recent developments could indeed stabilize their supply chains for inputs like yarns and dyes. However, this same opening exposes them to fierce competition from cheaper Chinese finished goods. This underscores a crucial point: the lifting of restrictions benefits India's ability to produce competitively for global markets but does not inherently provide an advantage for exporting finished goods directly to the Chinese market. Instead, it makes the Indian market a more attractive destination for China's products.

Diplomatic thaw, a double-edged sword for India's textile sector

The recent diplomatic thaw and the lifting of China's export restrictions, while seemingly beneficial, are a double-edged sword for India's textile sector. The likely outcome is a deeper reliance on Chinese raw materials and machinery, leading to an increase in imports. This, coupled with China's superior scale, could allow it to further dominate the Indian market with cheaper finished goods. While the developments offer an opportunity for India to strengthen its domestic production for global export, the challenge of a significant trade imbalance with China remains a complex and critical issue that requires strategic long-term planning.

The addition of spandex yarn in the textile industry has changed the sector in many ways. While traditional metrics like yarn count (NE) and GSM (grams per square meter) have long dictated fabric quality and feel, the inclusion of spandex is adding a new layer of complexity, impacting not just a fabric's stretch but also its weight, cost, and design possibilities.

Understanding the yarn count and GSM

At its core, fabric quality is defined by two fundamental metrics:

Yarn Count (Ne): This number indicates the fineness of the yarn. A higher count (e.g., 60s, 80s) signifies a finer, more lightweight yarn, ideal for soft, breathable fabrics. Conversely, a lower count (e.g., 20s, 30s) indicates a coarser, heavier yarn used for more durable and structured materials.

Fabric GSM (grams per square meter): This metric measures the fabric's weight and density. It's a crucial indicator of a garment's intended use.

• Lightweight (100–150 GSM): Perfect for summer shirts, linings, and innerwear.

• Medium-weight (150–250 GSM): The standard for everyday T-shirts, dresses, and casual wear.

• Heavy-weight (250+ GSM): Reserved for durable items like hoodies, sweatshirts, and towels.

Adding weight and complexity

Spandex, also known as Lycra or elastane, is a synthetic fiber renowned for its exceptional elasticity. When blended with natural fibers like cotton, it provides stretch and recovery, making garments more comfortable and form-fitting. However, its impact extends beyond just elasticity; it directly influences a fabric's GSM and, consequently, its cost.

How spandex impacts GSM

Contrary to popular belief, adding spandex to a fabric blend, even in small percentages, typically increases the overall GSM. This is because spandex yarn, despite its fine appearance, is denser than most natural fibers like cotton or polyester. When a spandex filament is wrapped by or twisted with a cotton yarn, the combined yarn becomes slightly heavier. This results in a finished fabric that, for the same given yarn count, has a higher GSM than its 100 per cent cotton counterpart. For example, a 30s cotton single jersey might have a GSM of around 150-160, while a 30s cotton/5 per cent spandex blend could easily jump to 170-180 GSM.

The cost equation

The introduction of spandex also adds a layer of complexity to costing. While the primary cost is the spandex fiber itself, there are other factors at play. For example, raw material cost as spandex is a petroleum-based product and is significantly more expensive per kg than cotton or polyester. Even a small percentage can increase the raw material cost of the yarn. Moreover, special machinery and more delicate handling are often required during knitting and weaving to prevent the spandex from breaking or losing its elasticity. This can slow down production and increase operational costs.

Spandex also requires specific dyeing processes and chemical treatments to ensure the color consistency with the blended fibers. These specialized finishes can add to the overall cost. Fabrics with spandex are often marketed as "stretch" or "performance" fabrics, allowing brands to command a higher price point. This allows them to pass on the added costs to consumers who are willing to pay for the comfort and durability benefits.

GSM and cost comparison

The following hypothetical data table illustrates the impact of a simple 5 per cent spandex blend on a common single jersey fabric.

As seen in the table, the 5 per cent spandex blend not only increases the fabric's GSM but also adds a substantial premium, making the fabric approximately 25-30 per cent more expensive at the raw material stage.

The bottom line for designers and consumers

The "spandex effect" is a critical consideration for designers and manufacturers. While it offers a pathway to creating more comfortable and functional apparel, it requires careful planning to balance the desired hand feel and performance with the increased weight and cost. For consumers, the price tag on a spandex-blended garment reflects not just the stretch but also the specialized processes and premium materials that went into its creation. The takeaway is clear: the modern textile landscape is no longer a simple calculation of yarn count and weight; it's an intricate dance of fibers, function, and finance, with spandex leading the way.