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Bangladesh has started amending its labor laws under pressure from the International Labor Organisation and the European Union. The amendment may be done by the end of August. Some basic changes will be made. The worker percentage needed to form a trade union in a factory may be brought down.
Current law, which was hurriedly amended in July 2013 three months after the Rana Plaza building collapse, requires collection of signatures of 30 per cent of the workers in a factory to form a trade union. The suggested amendment says, if a factory has 500 workers, 30 per cent must sign up for a trade union; if the number of workers is 5000, about 10 to 15 per cent of them need to give their signatures. But not more than three unions in a factory will be allowed although the international community demands a higher number.
The country is also working to amend the labor law of the export processing zones. The EU has already warned Bangladesh of suspension of the GSP under the EU's Everything But Arms scheme if labor rights are not improved further. Bangladesh has committed to amending labor laws by the end of August.
Maredamare will be held in Italy from July 22 to 24, 2017. This is a beach wear trade fair where around 200 Italian and foreign brands will present beach wear and accessories collections for summer 2018. Fashion shows, theme-based workshops and meetings, exclusive presentations and events are lined up.
The main theme is a tribute to graphics and geometric patterns that make surfaces alive. The source is minimalistic and unconventional, sometimes audacious. Micro and macro motifs are wisely balanced as to make spaces more lively and vital; a sophisticated kind of luxury is reached through the wise development of the most unusual geometries.
Sport Couture is a sophisticated interpretation borrowed from the technical universe. It is realised through minimal graphics, color blocks or small and nearly unnoticeable all-overs that leave room to the performance of the fabric. Cuts are simple. Bikinis and one-piece bathing suits are inspired by water and beachwear sports.
Hippie Boho is nomad, rebellious and adventurous. It represents a journey to faraway sun-burnt lands, a voyage to the discovery of signs and patterns borrowed from remote universes. Gypsy prints and abstract patterns blend with stripes and floral motifs.
Powerful Rainforest represents a nature explosion in its full power. Flora and fauna prints with saturated and majestic tones characterise this trend.
The 2017-18 International Woolmark prize gets under way. Industry partners, retailers and designers will align themselves and their brands to help promote outstanding and emerging talent from across the world.
This year’s the Indian subcontinent and Middle East regional final will take place on July 24 in Dubai. A panel of judges will decide which designers will go through to the global final for the men’s wear and women’s wear categories to be held early 2018. The judging panel includes AlisonTay, Editor, Grazia Middle East; Che Kurrien, Editor, GQ India; and Nonita Kalra, Editor, Harper's Bazaar India.
The six regional awards will be held in Seoul, Sydney, London, Milan, Dubai and New York. One men’s wear and one women’s wear finalist will be selected from each region.
This year has a total of 64 designers taking part in the international Woolmark prize, spreading across key global and emerging markets. Woolmark has an extensive network of relationships spanning the international textile and fashion industries and highlights Australian wool’s position as the ultimate natural fiber and premier ingredient in luxury apparel.
Woolmark is a subsidiary of Australian Wool Innovation, a not-for-profit enterprise that conducts research, development and marketing along the worldwide supply chain for Australian wool on behalf of about 50,000 woolgrowers that help fund the company.
US-brand Fruit of the Loom has recently joined The Sustainability Consortium (TSC). TSC is a global, non-profit organization working to transform the consumer goods industry so that mainstream consumer goods bought each day are more sustainable.
Joining TSC will allow Fruit of the Loom to evolve and expand its current processes to remain a sustainable organization and leader in the apparel category. As a part of The Sustainability Consortium, Fruit of the Loom will have access to one of the world’s largest research databases, which translates sustainability science and data into business tools that can be used throughout a product’s supply chain and lifecycle. Other members of TSC include manufacturers, suppliers, services providers, NGOs, civil society organizations, governmental agencies and academics.
The Sustainability Consortium, formed in 2009, has more than 100 members and there are over 2,000 users of TSC tools worldwide; it convenes more than 200 global organizations annually over an average of 75 networking opportunities. Fruit of the Loom, is into family apparel, intimates, and athletic apparel and equipment. With a heritage of more than 150 years, its diverse portfolio of more than 20 iconic brands includes Fruit of the Loom, Russell Athletic, Spalding, JERZEES and Vanity Fair.
Germany based Terrot has introduced the new UCC572TR, a computer controlled circular knitting machine. Developed for knitting electronic-jacquard transfer relief for fashion textiles with three-way technology, this allows various pattern styles on both sides of the fabric, making the UCC572TR extremely flexible with regard to different fashion applications and bonds. Terrot, is a manufacturer of electronically and mechanically controlled circular knitting machines.
Usual knitting structures, either one or more colors, are possible. The high-grade knitting structures as double face, jacquard and relief represent the real strength of the machine. Through special transfer technology demanding hole and structure patterns can be realized quickly and without any major effort.
Using the three-way technology, the UCC572TR is extremely efficient and reliable. The model has 72 feeds over a 30-inch diameter. Similar machines hold only 48 systems at the same diameter. The machine reaches a speed factor of SF 540 and delivers a substantial production performance. Pattern changeovers can be made in seconds via USB or LAN port.
With its enormous pattern possibilities, the electronically controlled knitting machine offers users the greatest possible flexibility to respond quickly to changes in fashion market conditions and adapt quickly to the changing customer requirements.
Researchers from University of Cambridge, UK, including one of Indian origin, have designed a super strong, stretchy artificial spider silk, composed almost entirely of water. The fibres, which resemble miniature bungee cords as they can absorb large amounts of energy, are sustainable, non-toxic and can be made at room temperature, and it may be used to make eco-friendly textiles and sensors.
The fibres are spun from a soupy material called a hydrogel, which is 98 per cent water. The remaining 2 per cent of the hydrogel is made of silica and cellulose, both naturally available materials, held together in a network by barrel-shaped molecular "handcuffs" known as cucurbiturils. The chemical interactions between different components enable long fibres to be pulled from the gel.
The fibres are pulled from the hydrogel, forming long, extremely thin threads a few millionths of a metre in diameter. After roughly 30 seconds, the water evaporates, leaving a fibre which is both strong and stretchy. Darshil Shah, from Cambridge says although their fibres are not as strong as the strongest spider silks, they can support stresses in the range of 100 to 150 megapascals, which is similar to other synthetic and natural silks.
The fibres are capable of self-assembly at room temperature, and are held together by supramolecular host- guest chemistry, which relies on forces other than covalent bonds, where atoms share electrons. They think that this method of making fibres could be a sustainable alternative to current manufacturing methods, added Shah.
The strength of the fibres exceeds that of other synthetic fibres, such as cellulose-based viscose and artificial silks, as well as natural fibres such as human or animal hair. In addition to its strength, the fibres also show very high damping capacity, meaning that they can absorb large amounts of energy, similar to a bungee cord. There are few synthetic fibres which have this capacity but high damping is one of the special characteristics of spider silk.
At Texworld this week, USA, global leader in odor elimination and smart fabric technology solutions Noble Biomaterials, will present a variety of high-performance textiles made with XT2 ® anti-odor technology.
The company will offer natural textile alternative to polyester often used in technical knits and activewear brands. Lenzings' sustainable fibers offer moisture transfer and comfort, and when blended with the anti-odor benefits of Noble's silver-based technology, provide an optimum textile for active-lifestyle applications that can be washed less frequently and maintain freshness.
Joel Furey, Founder and CCO, Noble Biomaterials says, “Noble has a deep commitment to sustainability and a rich history in fiber and textile development. The company’s goal is to consistently innovate new textiles and technologies that improve people's lives every day.”
The company engages in numerous sustainability initiatives, including recovery and recycling of silver, addressing sourcing, production, and product end of-life. In addition to its commitment to the bluesign® system, Noble's products are OekoTex certified. Its XT2 technologies use the properties of silver to provide long-lasting odor protection. Unlike topical finishes or treatments, the silver is inherent and permanent to the yarn and will not wash out or wear off lasting the life of the product.
Noble will participate in a panel discussion with Lenzing Fibers, Samil Spinning and Buhler Quality Yarns at Texworld. Moreover, to present its latest textiles and technologies Noble will also be joining the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, July 26-29 in Salt Lake City.
Noble Biomaterials, is a global leader in bacterial management solutions for soft surface applications. The company is known for producing unconventional material technologies designed for mission critical applications in the performance apparel, healthcare, industrial, and developing wearable technology markets.
China is the largest global supplier to Sri Lanka. In 2016, 42 per cent of Lanka’s global imports was from China. From 2007 to 2016 Sri Lanka's total bilateral trade with China increased 363 per cent and from 2015 to 2016 there was a 11 per cent year on year increase.
The two countries are now discussing a free trade agreement, which would enable more mutually beneficial trade for both countries and offer potential to redress the trade deficit. Lanka's top exports to China last year were tea, coconut, footwear parts, apparel and rubber tires. Top imports from China last year were mobile phones, boats and vessels, handmade fabrics and petroleum. In general, exports to China have been on an upward trend, surging 568 per cent since 2007.
China signed a deal with Sri Lanka late last year to further develop the strategic port of Hambantota and build a huge industrial zone nearby, a key part of Beijing’s ambitions to create a modern-day Silk Road across Asia. Sri Lanka hopes to expand its export basket by producing medical equipment, using its comparative advantages in textile and rubber sectors. Its strategic location has been a crucial factor in its engagement with other countries.
After 21 years, executive vice-president John Daniels will retire from AATCC in March 2018. In 1974, Daniels had joined AATCC as laboratory manager, working with numerous test method development committees in developing new methods, improving existing test methods, and managing the development of technical symposia. After five years in this position, he moved on to a successful career in the textile industry.
During his tenure as executive vice president, AATCC began exhibiting at major global textile trade shows; instituted online webinars and online test method training; launched international test method trainers in numerous countries; instituted global membership representatives for the convenience of international members; and developed and launched proficiency testing programs.
The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) provides test method development, quality control materials, education, and professional networking for a global audience. Under Daniels’ guidance, AATCC weathered two major textile recessions, when many US textile manufacturing and apparel jobs were lost. He positioned the association to weather these difficult times, and remain financially and professionally sound.
In 2016, with help and tremendous support from members and non-members alike, the AATCC foundation reached the million-dollar mark in contributions, and now provides 13 scholarships focused on textile design, merchandising, sciences, and engineering.
China posted a surge in exports and imports in June. In its fourth successive month of growth China’s exports increased11.3 per cent year-on-year in dollar terms and imports were also strong, with year-on-year growth of 17.2 per cent. Exports to the US, EU and Japan were the main reason for the acceleration as they rose 15.8 per cent compared with 9.7 per cent in May. Exports to non-G3 countries were relatively sluggish at 4.7 per cent compared with growth of 2.8 per cent in May.
June’s exports were driven by sharp improvements in electronics and machinery and high-tech products while exports of labor-intensive goods such as toys, garments and furniture were up 6.2 per cent. China has been performing better than expected, fuelling hopes the world’s top trader in goods and a key driver of global growth was stirring after a years-long growth slowdown.
However, there are indications of slowing growth in the Chinese economy as it deals with weaker demand and excess industrial capacity left over from a debt-fuelled infrastructure boom. China’s economy expanded last year at its weakest rate in more than a quarter of a century. Weak growth is a major concern for policymakers who prefer stability and it complicates their efforts to retool the economy into one driven by consumer demand rather than state investment and exports.
