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The European Commission has acknowledged the growing risks of direct-to-consumer imports, particularly through online marketplaces, in its latest communication on e-commerce. Non-compliant and unsafe products threaten consumer safety, environmental standards, and fair competition.
A recent Reach for textiles project found that 16 per cent of 400 tested products violated EU regulations, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement. The Commission aims to tighten oversight under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA), ensuring e-commerce platforms take legal responsibility for the products they sell.
Key measures include removing the de minimis rule and fast-tracking Customs Code reforms to close loopholes that allow non-compliant goods to enter the EU unchecked. Strengthening coordination with Member States and industry stakeholders will enhance enforcement, while investment in digital tools like the Digital Product Passport will improve transparency and consumer trust.
Euratex welcomes the Commission’s crackdown, including joint action with the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network against Shein. It also supports efforts to develop a Digital Fairness Act to bolster consumer rights in e-commerce.
“With billions of garments entering the EU each year, we need a stronger system to ensure compliance,” said Euratex Director General Dirk Vantyghem. “We look forward to working with the Commission to create a fairer and safer market.”
The Commission’s push for stricter enforcement aims to level the playing field, protect consumers, and promote sustainable trade in Europe’s digital economy.
The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)’s 30th Global Textile Industry Survey for January 2025 reveals cautious optimism in the textile value chain. While the global business balance remains negative at -15 percentage points (pp), there has been a steady improvement since November 2024.
South America leads with a positive balance of +21pp, and garment manufacturers have also seen a turnaround, reporting +3pp.
Looking ahead, 43 per cent of participants expect conditions to improve within the next six months, lifting the global outlook to a positive balance of +29pp. South America and spinners are particularly optimistic, with balances of +46pp and +45pp, respectively.
Order intake continues to recover, with January 2025 figures showing a balance of -6pp after 14 months of progress. South Asia and South America perform strongly, and the global order backlog has increased to 2.5 months.
However, challenges remain, including a global capacity utilization rate of 72 per cent, weak demand, and geopolitical risks. Despite these pressures, order cancellations are low, and inventory levels have remained stable.
Fashion for Good has unveiled an innovative initiative, ‘Closing the Footwear Loop,’ aiming to tackle the footwear industry’s circularity challenges. The project brings together 14 leading brands to rethink the traditional "take-make-dispose" model, shifting towards circularity and innovation across the entire value chain. Brands participating include adidas, Martens, Inditex, lululemon, Puma, Zalando, and others.
The global footwear industry produces 23.8 billion pairs of shoes annually, with around 90 per cent of them ending up in landfills. The complexity of footwear, which often includes over 60 different materials per shoe, makes recycling and circular practices difficult. This complexity, combined with insufficient reverse logistics infrastructure, has hindered circular innovations in footwear, unlike in other areas of fashion.
‘Closing the Footwear Loop’ aims to change this by addressing key issues such as lack of end-of-life infrastructure, multi-material designs, and the need for unified circular approaches. The project includes detailed mapping of European footwear waste streams, which will inform solutions for recyclability and rewearability. In addition, it will produce guidelines for circular footwear design and assess end-of-use innovations, with the goal of driving industry-wide change.
Fashion for Good’s initiative aligns with its broader efforts to reimagine the lifecycle of footwear, creating a blueprint for future industry practices. This collaboration marks a critical turning point for the sector, as brands work together to create more sustainable solutions and reduce environmental impact.
Katrin Ley, Managing Director of Fashion for Good, emphasizes, "We’re not just addressing a challenge we’re creating a blueprint for systemic change.”
A key exhibitor at Bharat Tex 2025, WFX (World Fashion Exchange) will showcase its next-generation software solutions designed to digitally transform apparel and textile operations.
Attendees can explore WFX's comprehensive suite of cloud-based solutions, including Fashion ERP, Production Planning, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Traceability Software, Manufacturing Execution System (MES), and Virtual Showroom at Booth 12-A11. These tools are designed to enhance efficiency, transparency, and innovation across the fashion and textile industry.
WFX has established a strong presence in India's textile and fashion landscape, partnering with leading companies like Gokuldas Exports, Shahi, and Zivame. The company also serves globally recognized fashion brands and manufacturers, including Timex, Texport, Inqube, Indochine, Aquarelle, Steve Madden, Crossline, River Island, Benetton, Sarita Handa, XTM, Forever New, Mexx, TC, Asmara, and WTS.
At Bharat Tex 2025, WFX's industry experts will demonstrate how fashion technology is revolutionizing apparel and textile businesses. The organization will stage live demonstrations of ERP, PLM, PPC, and Traceability Software, showcasing how these tools can help brands optimize supply chains and streamline production. WFX will also offer exclusive insights into its latest product innovations, demonstrating how they can help companies stay competitive in today's dynamic, tech-driven market.
WFX's comprehensive suite of cloud-based solutions addresses the specific challenges faced by fashion brands and manufacturers. Their Apparel ERP & MES systems provide real-time insights into inventory, production, and resource management, enabling enhanced productivity, cost optimization, and improved decision-making. The cloud-based PPC solution offers dynamic capacity planning, integrated time and action milestone tracking, and real-time material availability, leading to a smoother, more efficient production flow.
WFX's Fashion PLM system streamlines product development from concept to production, improving collaboration and reducing time-to-market. With increasing demand for ethical sourcing, the company’s Traceability Software allows brands to track raw materials, manage certifications, and monitor supplier compliance. Finally, the Virtual Showroom digitizes the B2B buying experience, allowing brands to showcase collections to global buyers with multimedia visuals and detailed product specifications. By integrating PLM, Traceability, ERP, MES, and Virtual Showroom into a single ecosystem, WFX empowers businesses to achieve operational excellence and digital transformation.
Moda x Pure, the exclusive fashion destination at Spring Fair, launched on Sunday, drawing buyers from across the UK, including John Lewis, M&S, TJX, The House of Bruar, and more. The event showcased an exciting mix of new and returning brands across Womenswear, Footwear, Accessories, and Jewellery.
Tiago Silva of Yumi highlighted the show's strong footfall and trend-focused buyers, while Karen Caroll of South Beach remarked, “We’ve been busy all morning with new customers and solid orders.” Jay Chawla of Nova of London called the Moda x Pure merger a win, simplifying efforts for exhibitors and buyers alike.
For TRIXXI Clothing, Moda x Pure marked its European debut. “Our Californian vibe stands out, and the interest has been fantastic,” said Victoria Taylor.
The Moda x Pure Catwalk drew large crowds, unveiling the Pure Edit with standout collections from Angeleye, City Goddess/Goddiva, Trixxi, and AX Paris. Key trends included floral maxis, vibrant minis, crochet, fine knits, and classic Breton stripes. Graduate Fashion Week designers Rosie Brown, Shaunah Ivers, and Eli Hijink left a lasting impression.
Event Director Soraya Gadelrab summed up the success: “The energy has been fantastic, reaffirming Moda x Pure’s importance in uniting the fashion industry.”
Source Home & Gift 2025, the UK’s premier responsible sourcing event, is open until February 5, featuring global manufacturers and artisans alongside industry experts offering insights.
Top retailers, including John Lewis, Wayfair, Morrisons, and British Heart Foundation, have explored responsibly made products at the show. Laura Ashley’s VP, Poppy Marshall-Lawton, highlighted the event’s value in discovering non-UK manufacturers and licensing opportunities. Andrew Goodacre, CEO of BIRA, praised the creativity and craftsmanship on display.
‘Ask the Experts’ sessions covered key retail trends, sustainability, and compliance. Retail strategist Ami Rabheru discussed seasonal buying and product strategies, while CMA’s Mike Coates addressed regulatory changes and greenwashing. Kat Graham, MD of Scout & Swan, explored innovation and digital product passports, noting the impressive sustainable suppliers from Egypt, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.
Event Director Suzanne Ellingham shared top picks, including Peruvian brand Sumaq Qara’s handcrafted accessories, Kendaka. Upcycles’ textiles made from bin bags, and Kerala’s Cananor Guild, supporting traditional weaving. The new Egyptian Pavilion introduced sustainable products like VeryNile. shop’s gifts made from Nile plastic waste. Ethiopian brand Sabahar showcased fair-trade textiles, earning praise for quality and sustainability.
Louis Vuitton has named skateboarding champion Tyshawn Jones as its newest brand ambassador.
A native of the New York City, Jones is considered one of the most influential skateboarders of his time, having earned the Skater of the Year title in both 2018 and 2022. He is known for his ability to seamlessly merge skateboarding culture with his unique personal style.
The partnership between Jones and Louis Vuitton strengthened when Jones attended the luxury company’s men's Fall-Winter 2025 show as a guest of Pharrell Williams, Creative Director. A longtime admirer of Jones' contributions to skate culture and streetwear, Williams shares a strong connection to skateboarding himself.
Louis Vuitton's connection to skateboarding goes back to the era of Virgil Abloh, Former Men's Artistic Director, who championed the skateboarding community through collaborations and inspired designs.
This announcement follows Louis Vuitton's naming of actor Callum Turner as a brand ambassador in November. Jones joins a roster of other prominent figures representing the French luxury brand, including football star Jude Bellingham, Korean music superstar Lisa, and rapper Pusha T.
Ministry of Textiles plans to launch the long-awaited INDIAsize initiative, a study designed to create standardized garment measurements better suited to Indian body types, at the Bharat Tex 2025 event, to be held later this month.
According to Neelam Shami Rao, Textiles Secretary, the ministry will make anthropometric data publicly available for industry feedback before officially adopting standardized measurements for retail apparel. It will conduct a Masterclass with numerous sessions with the industry, notes Rao. The ministry will also release a set of anthropometric data publicly for industry input on any necessary adjustments or nuances.
Rao made these remarks while the unveiling of the Bharat Tex 2025 app and website. A major textile exhibition scheduled for February 14-17, 2025, Bharat Tex 2025 is expected to attract over 5,000 exhibitors, 6,000 international buyers from 120 countries, and more than 120,000 visitors.
Currently, both international and domestic brands in India use US or UK sizing conventions (small, medium, large, etc.). However, Western body types differ from Indian body types in height, weight, and specific body part measurements, often leading to fitting problems. The INDIAsize project will address these discrepancies and inconsistencies in garment fit by developing standard body sizes for the Indian apparel sector.
Copenhagen International Fashion Fair (CIFF) and Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) will jointly host the second edition of the Sustainable Showroom during New York Fashion Week (NYFW).
To be held from February 10- 12, 2025 at 161 Water Street, the Plus Plus Showroom will showcase 12 designers, including two American and ten Danish, pushing the boundaries of fashion through a commitment to sustainability.
The showroom will emphasize on environmentally responsible practices, ethical sourcing, and cutting-edge design. Collections in this showroom will demonstrate contemporary style while prioritizing eco-conscious production methods. American labels participating in this showroom include Agbobly and Private Policy. Representing Denmark are Adnym, CDLP, Dawn x Dare, Herskind, Molebo, Monies, Neuw Denim, Resume, Samsoe Samsoe, and Skandinavisk.
Highlighting the significance of this collaboration, Sofie Dolva, Director, Copenhagen International Fashion Fair, it will help shape the future of fashion and present brands with an unique opportunity to navigate the evolving market with organizational support.
Steven Kolb, CEO, CFDA, states, by connecting American designers to international markets, the showroom will help ensure the growth and vitality of their businesses. It will facilitate a cultural exchange, skill sharing and combined resources between the organizations and the participating designers to help strengthen their creativity.
The CIFF x CFDA Plus Plus Showroom will welcome industry professionals, press, and buyers from across the globe. It will provide a platform to connect with the designers at the forefront of the sustainable fashion movement.
Amsterdam-based fashion brand Scotch & Soda has launched a new collaborative collection titled, ‘Born to Love’ with contemporary pop artist Burton Morris.
Launched under the global brand management company, Bluestar Alliance, this collection has gone live on the brand’s website. It is also being retailed through the brand’s stores and other outlets across the US, Australia, Middle East, China and Europe.
Based on the brand’s enduring theme of love, the collection features Morris’ signature vibrant heart designs. Reimagining modern workwear with a colorful twist, the range blends single and multi-color screen-printed patches, shuttle loom designs and dynamic handcrafted look embroidery techniques.
Adding a playful touch to the garments, mini stain-stitch pocket details make each piece in the collection a wearable work of art. The collection includes structured trucker and bomber jackets, graphic tees, a matching knit set, and hoodies, complemented by accessories such as a baseball cap, tote bag, and silk scarf.
Revamping its operations in recent times, Scotch & Soda opened its first New York City store in Soho. Earlier, it had signed American singer, songwriter, and actor Joe Jonas as its first global ambassador besides inaugurating its new London store on Carnaby Street.
