TRENDSPOTTING 2019

Global contents also translated in Chinese

New tools, customisation, emerging growth centers to drive retail growth

"A major upheaval in the fashion and fashion related businesses in the past few years and a cooling economy is likely to restrict consumer spending this year. This could be further aggravated by the growing trade war between US and China that began last summer when the Trump administration levied a 10 percent tariff on $200 billion worth of goods coming from China. Paula Rosenblum, Managing Partner for market researchers RSR Research views if the trade war continues the prices of low-end and moderately-priced products will increase significantly and the impact of this price-rise will be swift." A major upheaval in the fashion and fashion related businesses in the... Read more

2019: A year of transformation for menswear fashion

"Year 2019 promises to be that of change in the world of men’s fashion. Events like high-profile label hookups, industry shakeups, and a focus on sustainability will rattle the Richter scale for menswear for the next 12 months with several brands igniting trends, change and quite probably a purchase or two." Year 2019 promises to be that of change in the world of men’s fashion. Events like high-profile label hookups, industry shakeups, and a focus on sustainability will rattle the Richter scale for menswear for the next 12 months with several brands igniting trends, change and quite probably a purchase or two. Timberland Christopher Raeburn plans to... Read more

New Age innovations turn unusual materials like milk, oranges into textiles

"Bolt Threads’ recently entered into a collaboration with Ecovative for growing faux animal leather from mycelium, mushrooms’ underground root structure. They grow the cells with other nutrients in corn stalk beds, compressing the structure into a two-dimensional material, and then tanning it with English breakfast tea instead of caustic chemicals. It takes 10 days to grow Mylo, unlike the years it takes to raise a cow. The leather-like slab is cut into thinner pieces, giving a supple feel. The material is biodegradable. " Bolt Threads’ recently entered into a collaboration with Ecovative for growing faux animal leather from mycelium, mushrooms&... Read more

Blockchain Technology revolutionises the global cotton market

"Blockchain technology is paving its path into the cotton market. This technology makes transactions and contracts simpler and tracing more accurate. But, the questions of reliability, scalability and governance of this revolutionary technology need to be answered before it is at a bigger scale. In October 2016, the Wells Fargo and Commonwealth Bank of Australia used blockchain technology to process and execute a cotton shipment worth $35,000 from Texas to Qingdao, China." Blockchain technology is paving its path into the cotton market. This technology makes transactions and contracts simpler and tracing more accurate. But, the questions of reliability, scalabili... Read more

Digital Printing-The future of commercial printing

"Conventional textile printing is giving way to digital printing inorder to accommodate short runs, fast turnarounds, or new products. The market is supported by a complex and well-established textile supply chain, of which printers are only a very small component. Commercial printers therefore, need to focus on more accessible textile segments similar to applications they already produce, such as textile-based sign and display graphics and direct-to-garment (DTG)." Conventional textile printing is giving way to digital printing inorder to accommodate short runs, fast turnarounds, or new products. The market is supported by a complex and well-established textile ... Read more

Labor, input cost inflation to raise global apparel prices

"As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, retail apparel prices, following months of rise, fell to a seasonally adjusted 0.9 per cent in November. The prices, compared to year earlier, declined by around 0.4 per cent. Now some of these retailers expect prices to increase as cotton prices spiked by $1 per pound in June only to level off at around a current 75 cents a pound. According to Cotton Incorporated, average import prices for cotton-dominant apparel increased 0.9 per cent month-over-month in October. Year-over-year, cotton-dominant apparel import prices were 2.7 percent higher." As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, retail apparel prices, following mon... Read more

Regional supply chains to determine world textile,apparel trade in future

"A growing phenomenon-- RPTN -- refers to geographically proximate countries forming a regional supply chain. Deepening of this RPTN increases the concentration of world textile and apparel exports. In general, three primary textile and apparel regional supply chains operate in the world today. Asian supply chain. Here, economically advanced Asian countries such asJapan, South Korea, China and Indiasupply textile raw material to the less economically developed countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Vietnam." A growing phenomenon-- RPTN -- refers to geographically proximate countries forming a regional supply chain. Deepening of this RPTN increases the c... Read more

Top 10 trends to define the fashion agenda in 2019

"The ‘State of Fashion Report’, co-published by McKinsey & Company and Business of Fashion, dubs 2019 as a year of awakening as companies will pioneer new innovations in automation and AI, disrupting themselves before others do it for them. The report 10 key trends that will define the fashion agenda in 2019 includes: Worsening economic conditions: According to McKinsey, the uncertainty that." The ‘State of Fashion Report’, co-published by McKinsey & Company and Business of Fashion, dubs 2019 as a year of awakening as companies will pioneer new innovations in automation and AI, disrupting themselves before others do it for them. Th... Read more

Brands focus on repair rather than replace to increase sustainability

"The fast-pace of our modern life makes it increasingly difficult to sustain the life of our garments even after producing them in the most environmentally friendly manner as possible. They end up in the garbage dumps quickly. For a long time, the industry has been greatly impacted by this use and disposal of clothing. A paper by WRAP suggests if consumers use their clothes for even nine months longer, they can reduce their footprint by around 20 to 30 percent." The fast-pace of our modern life makes it increasingly difficult to sustain the life of our garments even after producing them in the most environmentally friendly manner as possible. They end up in the g... Read more

New technologies help cotton replace synthetics as new performance fabric

"With its inherent properties of breathability, insulation, anti-allergenic and odor control complementing new technologies, Cotton is setting its sights on the performance sector. In the sports and outdoor market, conventional cotton can’t compete with synthetic garments as it cannot manage moisture across its surface on being wet. This is now being addressed, with R&D focused on spinning technology and innovative finishes. Another allegation made by the advocates of synthetics is that cotton isn’t as environmentally friendly as it appears and requires massive amount of water, chemicals and arable land to grow." With its inherent properties ... Read more

Millennials driving luxury market in China, elsewhere

"A survey by Bain & Company reveals, millennials, who make up one-third of China’s total consumers, were responsible for a growth in the Chinese market to 142 billion yuan in sales in 2017, about 20 per cent higher than the year before. Millennials are the generation born between in the early 1980s and early 2000s. In China, millennials comprise two distinct groups: those born after 1980 and those born after 1990. These millennials are referred to as the single most important demographic on the planet today by Goldman Sachs. Some luxe brands have caught the attention of millennial customers." A survey by Bain & Company reveals, millennials, who make... Read more

Luxe brands dominate Top 50 Most Valuable Brands rankings

"Accounting for 47 per cent of the total value in Top 50 Most Valuable French Brands 2019 ranking, the luxury sector demonstrates the powerful position of traditional fashion houses within the country's corporate landscape. The rankings, released by WPP and Kantar, boasts of six new entries along with legendary brands Louis Vuitton, in the first position, Chanel at second and Hermes third. The new entries include: Céline at the 38 position, Van Cleef & Arpels 43rd , Vichy at 41st , Tefal on 46th Carte D’Or on 44th and Maisons Du Monde on the 49th position." Accounting for 47 per cent of the total value in Top 50 Most Valuable French Brands 2019 r... Read more

Made-to-measure clothing is the future of fashion

"As the fashion industry moves towards size-inclusivity and sustainable practices, consumers are still facing issues with ‘one size fits all body types’. To cater to individual needs new made-to-measure business model will be the trend in future. Fashion brands are tailoring each garment to customer's size, body type and — in some cases — style preference. Businesses, such as Zozo and Red Thread, are using mobile technology to acquire a 3-D body scan for an accurately-sized garment, while others like Olivia Rose The Label -make their pieces, taking individual measurements and aesthetics into account." As the fashion industry moves towards ... Read more

Retailers blend intuition with AI for smart pricing

"Apparel retailers are embracing advanced analytics and blending intuition with science to regain control and price smarter. This has brought about a margin and sales lift of three to six percentage points for some companies. Pricing smarter requires understanding where customers perceive value and having the agility to respond to competitors’ moves with full insight into the impact on financial performance. Industry leaders are investing carefully in price and promotion, as well as leveraging insights from advanced analytics to make smart decisions." Apparel retailers are embracing advanced analytics and blending intuition with science to regain control an... Read more

Sustainability, AI, social media tools to determine future fashion trends

"A number of brands will actively engage themselves in improving their eco-footprint in 2019. Younger consumers will align themselves with businesses that support their values. This includes tracing the origin of products, its manufacturing technique and impact on environment. Recycled fashion will become more popular, with major brands starting to offer recycled (second-hand) clothing, as they keep up with the demand for more sustainable and conscientious practices." According to predictions by Immago, the top five emerging trends for 2019 are: Growing emphasis on sustainability A number of brands will actively engage themselves in improving their eco-footprin... Read more

Technology, AI transforming New Age fashion production

"Technology is changing the way fashion functions as tech companies including Google are partnering groundbreaking fashion projects. A case in point is Levi’s smart jacket, a project implemented in collaboration with Google. Computers allow modern designers to create new patterns and styles compared to old tools. But computing does not mean a laptop or desktop running windows new CAD software but machine learning and the use of AI to create a new era for the fashion industry. It is possible to use and mix styles with innovative materials such as bioengineered textiles and leather made from microbes." Technology is changing the way fashion functions as tech ... Read more