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Held on December 12, 2024, in Coimbatore, India, Cotton Day 2024 emphasised on a collaboration between US Cotton and the Indian textile industry to help drive the global cotton value chain forward.
Organised by Cotton Council International (CCI), the event highlighted the rapid growth of the US Cotton Trust Protocol program. William Bettendorf, Director, Cotton USA Supply Chain for South Asia, stated, the Trust Protocol’s exponential growth not only strengthens supply chains but also unlock new opportunities for Indian mills and brands.
Focusing on the role of Supima cotton in the global textile market, Marc Lewkowitz, President & CEO, Supima, stated, paired with the innovative AQRe™ Project platform, the premium quality of Supima cotton helps Indian manufacturers meet international demands with precision, responsibility, and authenticity. The partnership between these two entities reflects a shared vision for a sustainable and innovative future for the textile industry, affirms Lewkowitz.
The event also addressed the impact of import duty removal on Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton. This policy change has not only made high-quality US Pima fiber more accessible to Indian mills but also enhanced India’s global competitiveness significantly, it added
Highlighting the importance of strengthening US-India collaboration to foster sustainable practices and meet evolving global market demands, Peush Narang, Representative, Cotton Council International, advocated for removing of the import duty on US Upland Cotton to provide Indian spinning mills greater access to high-quality fiber, enhancing competitiveness and sustainability.
The event also introduced the Mill Performance Index, a live dashboard for tracking and optimising mill productivity, demonstrated how data-driven tools can revolutionise operations.
Additionally, it showcased advancements in traceability solutions, including contributions from the US Cotton Industry, Textile Genesis, and Oritain, highlighting how technology can enhance transparency and build consumer trust.
Delving into the emerging trends impacting the fashion industry, industry experts at the event offered insights into the key factors shaping the future of fashion retail in India. They focused on the importance of innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration in maintaining competitiveness in the dynamic market.
Premiere Vision New York, the leading sourcing platform for North American fashion, is set to return on January 14-15, 2025, at the iconic Tribeca 360° venue. This year’s edition will focus on forward-thinking materials, trends, and innovations for the Spring/Summer 2026 season, reinforcing its position as the top destination for creative, sustainable fashion solutions.
The event will feature over 150 international and local exhibitors, offering a diverse range of fabrics, accessories, leather, prints, and tech-driven textiles. Designers, brands, and manufacturers will find exclusive insights into the latest collections, from bold prints to sustainable denim and artisanal craftsmanship.
Sustainability will be at the forefront, with the expansion of the ‘a better way’ program. This initiative highlights exhibitors committed to eco-conscious practices, offering transparent product lifecycles, ethical processes, and reduced environmental impact. Visitors can easily identify these exhibitors by the ‘a better way’ sticker, ensuring they connect with leaders in sustainable fashion.
In addition to product showcases, Premiere Vision New York will host exclusive trend and color talks by Celine Khawam, PV’s Fashion Consultant. Khawam will reveal key trends for Spring/Summer 2026, including Re-Store, Re-Fresh, and Re-Set, while exploring innovative material innovations.
The event will also feature industry experts, including Lesley Vargas, Founder of LSV Consulting, who will discuss cost complexities and building strong manufacturing relationships. PV New York remains the premier destination for professionals seeking to stay ahead of the evolving fashion landscape with a focus on sustainability and innovation.
The American Association of Textile Chemists & Colorists (AATCC) and The Textile Association (India) (TAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster collaboration and enhance the global textile industry. This partnership aims to promote communication, align efforts, and advance educational initiatives in the fiber-to-fashion value chain.
Through the MOU, AATCC and TAI will jointly develop training programs, seminars, and conferences to benefit the Indian textile industry. Both organizations will leverage their expertise to promote standards and knowledge-sharing, supporting students, professionals, and businesses. Members of each organization will also receive a 30 per cent discount on membership in the other, with special introductory offers for TAI members from AATCC.
AATCC President Christina Rapa expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting its potential to support the Indian market with high-quality testing standards, training programs, and networking opportunities, while advancing the mission to connect textile, chemistry, and color science professionals globally.
AATCC Membership Chair Kanti Jasani announced the signing of an MOU between AATCC and TAI, emphasizing that the partnership will strengthen the textile industry by fostering collaboration and providing educational, training, and networking opportunities for students, professionals, and businesses across the sector.
TAI President Tulsi L Patel highlighted the value of the collaboration, noting that with over 26,000 members, TAI is eager to partner with AATCC to organize joint educational programs and expand opportunities for individuals and businesses in the Indian textile sector.
As part of its outreach, AATCC has appointed Seshadri Ramkumar, a distinguished professor at Texas Tech University, as the first AATCC Ambassador to India. Ramkumar will represent AATCC in fostering industry relationships and promoting international collaboration.
Seshadri Ramkumar stated that the partnership between AATCC and TAI establishes a foundation for meaningful knowledge exchange and growth in the fiber-to-fashion and advanced textiles sectors.
AATCC Executive Director Gregg Woodcock expressed optimism, stating that the partnership and the Ambassadorship of Seshadri Ramkumar represent a significant step toward increased engagement with the Indian textile community.
This strategic collaboration underscores the shared commitment of AATCC and TAI to drive innovation, education, and global connectivity in the textile industry.
Renowned for its performance meets craft styles, iconic Italian sportswear brand Fila is set to its launch its operations in Malaysia. Known for its distinctive design and commitment to excellence, Fila is set to make a significant impact in the country with its launch of a curated lifestyle apparel and footwear collection, including dedicated collections for trending sports like pickleball and tennis.
FILA opened its first store in Malaysia at Pavilion KL on November 29, 2024, followed by the launch of its flagship store at Sunway Pyramid on December 11, 2024. These store openings mark a significant milestone in FILA’s retail expansion in Malaysia, bringing Italian-inspired style to a wider audience. A third store at IOI City Mall is set to open on December 18, 2024, further strengthening FILA’s presence in the local market.
Known for offering high-quality, stylish products, Fila blends fashion-forward designs with functionality. The brand delivers versatile apparel and footwear that transition effortlessly from sport to everyday wear.
The Tennis Club Collection is an example of Fila’s commitment to creating bold and stylish pieces. Featuring modern details and sleek designs, this collection adds a fresh, vibrant touch to sportswear. The Targa Club shoes, a standout in the collection, combine comfort with Italian-inspired style, making them perfect for both on and off court.
Fila has also launched the Fila Hunt interactive challenge. Spot the FILA-wrapped train on the Kelana Jaya Line LRT, scan the QR code inside the train and collect all four FILA QR codes—Blue, White, Red, and Black to unlock exclusive prizes.
From January to September 2024, India’s apparel imports declined by 6.83 per cent to $1.09 billion, as against $1.17 billion in the same period last year, as per data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Analysed by Apparel Resources, the data shows, imports of both knitted and woven apparels from Bangladesh declined by 10.43 per cent, and from China by 6.34 per cent during the period. Imports from Bangladesh declined to $455.67 million while those from China contracted to $188.16 million as buying sentiments amongst apparel businesses of India softened during the period.
Among European suppliers, imports from Italy dipped by 19.52 per cent Y-o-Y to $34.72 million whereas, imports from Spain lowered to 8.32 per cent Y-o-Y to $99.10 million.
Emerging as a strong partner, Sri Lanka’s apparel shipments increased by 13.68 per cent Y-o-Y to $50.86 million during the January to September 2024 period, indicating the growing confidence of India’s apparel buyers in Sri Lanka’s capability to meet desired quality, cost and timeline expectations.
Vietnam’s textile and apparel (T&A) exports are expected to increase by 11.26 per cent to $44 billion in value in 2024, according to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS).
Meanwhile, T&A imports by Vietnam are likely to increase by 14.79 per cent to $25 billion during the year, notes Vu Duc Giang, President, VITAS. According to Giang, many companies in the sector are experiencing a growth in orders for both 2024 and 2025. In 2025, the industry aims to increase its exports to around $48 billion, says Giang.
However, the industry may encounter significant challenges during year including limited opportunities for large orders, stagnant prices and slow consumer demand recovery, he warns. Companies may also face new challenges such as persistently low order prices alongside rising input costs, significant changes in purchasing practices by brands, and stricter regulations on payments and production volumes, he adds.
According to Nguyen Xuan Duong, Chairman, Board of Directors, Hung Yen Garment Corporation, exports in the sector are projected to grow to $44 billion in 2024, with exports to the EU remaining modest.
To better leverage this large market and effectively utilise the tariff benefits provided by the EVFTA, Duong proposes, competent agencies should address the industry's limitations. Additionally, they must develop local raw material resources besides meeting origin rules, he adds.
Additionally, T&A companies need to continue investing in technology, automation, and robotics to improve production process. They also need to adopt drastic energy-saving measures and utilise renewable energy in production to obtain green certifications, Duong states.
Isak Andic, Founder, Mango, a Spanish clothing retailer and one of Europe's largest fashion groups, with nearly 2,800 stores worldwide, passed away in an accident.
The 71-year old entreperenuer fell down a ravine while hiking in the mountains near Barecelona with family members. His death was mourned by Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister, Spain, who hailed Andic’s entrepreneurial vision. Andic’s vision of inspiring leadership and unwavering commitment helped him transform his Spanish firm into a world leader in fashion.
Applauding Andic’s commitment to business, Salvador Illa, Head-Regional Government, Catalonia says, with his leadership, Andic has contributed to making Catalonia great and projected it to the world.
The media-shy entrepreneur was one of Spain's richest men. He and his family have a net worth of $4.5 billion, according to Forbes’ estimates.
Born in 1953 in Istanbul, Andic moved to Barcelona in Spain's wealthy northeastern Catalonia region with his family when he was 14. He opened his first shop on the Paseo de Gracia, Barcelona's famous shopping street in 1984 with the help of his older brother Nahman. He later expanded with more stores in Spain and other countries like Portugal and France, all under the name Mango.
The company's versatile offerings, which encompass both professional and casual styles, have been a hit with consumers, with Mango selling nearly 160 million items of clothing and accessories a year.
The brand has consolidated its position as one of the leading international fashion groups, with a major presence in more than 120 markets and 15,500 employees worldwide, according to its website. In 2023, it achieved a turnover of € 3.1 billion and plans to set up 3,000 stores across the world by 2026.
This year, the Cotton Day 2024 Bangladesh event focused on the benefits of using high-quality, sustainable US Cotton in thriving textile industry of Bangladesh. The event was hosted by Cotton USA™ on December 10 in Dhaka. It was organised by Cotton Council International (CCI) and emphasised on navigating the evolving global fashion supply chain through robust partnerships between US cotton growers and Bangladeshi textile mills.
Highlighting the challenges and opportunities associated with US cotton, Showkat Aziz Russell, President, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), appreciated its superior quality and sustainability while also acknowledging logistical hurdles, particularly long lead times.
BTMA aims to address these hurdles by investing in warehouse facilities to streamline inventory management and ensure prompt deliveries. The association aims to increase the usage of US cotton and foster a meaningful partnership with the US business community, states Russell.
Emphasising on the importance of innovation and strategic partnership for overcoming the demand and oversupply challenges, William Bettendorf, Regional Director-SAG, CCI, introduced the data and benchmarking tool, Cotton USA Mill Performance Index®, a powerful resource that compares mill performance across five key cost drivers. The index demonstrates how sourcing US cotton can improve productivity and yield, offering mills a competitive advantage.
Deliberating on the future of global cotton production, Frederick Barrier, Vice President –Sales, Staple Cotton Cooperative, emphasised on factors like seed technology, water availability, and sustainable practices. Bangladesh remains committed to importing 275,000 cotton bales in 2024-25 from the US, affirms John King, Senior Vice President.
Maria Bille, Director-EU Policy emphasised on the growing importance of transparency and fair practices in the fashion industry. She emphasised on the importance of using sustainable cotton to align mills with evolving requirements.
Addressing the rising demand for sustainability and ethical practices, Zoe Lindsey, Vice President – Sales, noted, 76 per cent of consumers prioritise these values, avoiding brands that neglect social and environmental responsibility.
Hosted by Ali Arsalan, CCI representative, the event attracted over 250 stakeholders, including spinning industry leaders, brands, technology providers, and cotton specialists. It served as a platform to highlight how US cotton's premium quality and sustainability can empower Bangladesh’s textile industry to thrive in an increasingly regulated and competitive global market.
From March 2023 to February 2024, India made 246 clothing shipments to Norway, shows export data by Volza. Involving 33 Indian exporters who supplied these goods to 46 Norwegian buyers, these exports marked a marginal decline of 1 per cent compared to the previous year.
In February 2024 alone, India’s clothing shipments to Norway declined by 18 per cent Y-o-Y compared to February 2023. These exports marked a 53 per cent M-o-M decline from exports in January 2024. Despite this, Norway continues to be a key destination for Indian clothing exports.
Global clothing exports are dominated by China, Vietnam, and the United States. Of these, China leads with 3,221,463 shipments, followed by Vietnam with 2,500,367 shipments, and the United States with 2,319,930 shipments.
The fashion, apparel, and textiles sector is facing a potential upheaval as the US government announces a new 10 percent tariff on goods imported from China. Trump has called out 25 per cent tariffs for Mexico and Canada and 10 per cent for China, the US’ three largest trade partners, for which the US imported more than $1.2 trillion worth of goods in 2023. This move comes on the heels of a study released by the National Retail Federation (NRF), which highlights the economic consequences of such tariffs. The NRF study, conducted by Trade Partnership Worldwide, titled ‘Estimated Impacts of Proposed Tariffs on Imports’ analyzed the potential impact of tariffs on a wide range of consumer goods, including the fashion industry.
The study concluded tariffs would lead to:
Higher costs of doing business: Importers and retailers will face higher costs for goods sourced from China, potentially leading to reduced profit margins or increased prices for consumers.
Job losses: The study estimates significant job losses across various sectors, including retail and manufacturing, as businesses grapple with increased costs and reduced consumer spending.
Supply chain disruptions: Tariffs could disrupt established supply chains, forcing businesses to seek alternative sourcing options, potentially leading to delays and increased complexity.
The additional 10 per cent tariff on Chinese imports affects the fashion industry that is particularly vulnerable. China is a major supplier of raw materials, fabrics, and finished garments for many global brands. According to the USITC, China accounted for approximately 30 per cent of US apparel imports in 2023. This reliance on Chinese imports highlights the potential impact of the new tariffs on the US fashion industry. The NRF study estimates that a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese imports could lead to a loss of over 200,000 US jobs and reduce GDP by $30 billion.
The new tariff could significantly impact the industry in several ways. For example, increased import costs are likely to be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices for clothing and accessories. This could reduce consumer demand and impact sales. Fashion companies may be forced to diversify their sourcing, moving away from China to avoid the tariffs. This could lead to increased production costs and logistical challenges as companies establish new supplier relationships in countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, or India. While some argue tariffs could boost domestic manufacturing, the reality is more complex. The US fashion industry has gone through significant offshoring in recent decades, and rebuilding domestic production capacity would require substantial investment and time.
Indeed, the new tariffs on Chinese imports are a challenge for the US fashion, apparel, and textile sector. Businesses will need to adapt quickly, exploring alternative sourcing strategies, optimizing their supply chains, and potentially adjusting their pricing strategies to remain competitive in this evolving landscape. The long-term impact of these tariffs on the industry and the global economy remains to be seen.
