FW
US noted a dip in volumes of underwear imports from January to May 2018 by 3.13 per cent. Import was valued at $1,454.81 million a growth of 0.63 per cent on Y-o-Y basis. India and Vietnam lead in underwear imports to the US followed by countries like China, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
India shipped 7.34 million dozen of underwear to the US worth $131.37 million marking a growth of 3.07 per cent in value-terms and 10.16 per cent in volume-terms. India marked a profitable period due to high unit prices valued at $17.89 per dozen. This unprecedented growth indicates, India has been able to capture orders of high-end underwear.
Vietnam too posted a solid period as it shipped 18.89 million dozen of underwear fetching $245.59 million, not far behind to the export value of China which clocked $299.57 million and exported 19.33 million dozen of underwear in the US market.
In value and volume of export Vietnam grew by an impressive 12.68 per cent and 1.97 per cent, respectively, while China fell drastically by 4.86 per cent in value and 4.53 per cent in volume. Given the pace of growth, Vietnam is expected to takeover China in underwear export to the US by the end of 2018.
Moving on to Bangladesh, data shows a negative trend as it dipped 3.72 per cent and exported underwear worth $ 119.06 million. The analysis indicates the trend of basic underwear is on an all-time low, while underwear made up from specialised fabrics and manufactured with advanced technologies will surely make a mark in the future.
Many of the exhibitors at trade shows Premium and Seek held from July 3 to 5 were clearly inspired by the green, ethical sentiment that is spreading throughout the fashion world. There seems to be a growing awareness in the industry of the urgent need to transform the traditional modes of doing business in textiles and fashion.
Filippa K has overhauled its approach from the bottom up, creating a virtuous circle from the fabrics it uses to the clothes’ treatment at the end of their useful life. The Swedish label has set itself the goal of becoming 100 per cent sustainable by 2030. In the meantime, it progresses gradually towards full sustainability by using recycled wool, polyester, zips and yarns, as well as vegetable ivory buttons.
North Sails too adopted a more sustainable approach, reducing its consumption of plastics and using more recycled fabrics. Its spring/summer 2019 collection features recycled plastic or cotton.
Danish label Selected launched its sustainability strategy a year ago. Nearly 60 per cent of its women’s wear collection, and 70 per cent of menswear, is made using sustainable materials.
Denim label Nudie Jeans utilises biological cotton only, and is transparent about its sourcing: its website indicates the provenance of the fabrics it uses, and where the various products are manufactured.
China looking at importing cotton from Myanmar. China has been importing cotton from the US for 10 years but the ongoing trade war has made China look elsewhere. And Myanmar is a possible source. One reason for the interest is Myanmar does not charge import duties on cotton yet.
China is the world’s largest importer of cotton. China’s demand for cotton could drive prices higher than their current levels, though. This year’s Myanmar’s pre-monsoon cotton yield is much lower than last year’s because there are fewer growers. In Myanmar, cotton is grown only in a few townships.
On the flipside, rising cotton prices could encourage more growers to return to the industry. With higher prices for cotton, more farmers could be expected to start growing cotton later this year.
In Myanmar, cotton is planted twice a year, in February and July, with both seasons lasting four months each. The harvest from both seasons is distributed equally between the local and Chinese markets. However, cotton plant cultivators in Myanmar constantly face difficulties in obtaining seeds and face challenges due to scarcity of labor. Myanmar exported around 4,300 tons of cotton to China in 2016-17 compared to just 1.6 tons in 2013-14.
Apparel Textile Sourcing Canada (ATSC) will be held August from 20 to 22, 2018. The show will unveil latest in apparel from countries such as Switzerland, Spain, the US, UK, India, Turkey, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal. This is an event for anyone wanting to make connections and do business with fashion, apparel and textile contacts across the globe.
Highlights of the event include: a Made in Ukraine showcase introducing eight Ukrainian designers and manufacturers; more than 500 international exhibits; three days of seminars and panels; and a spectacular fashion show spotlighting one-of-a-kind designs from established and up-and-coming Canadian designers.
More than 5,000 visitors are expected to attend over the three-days. The event, now in its third year, will attract apparel and fashion executives, influencers, designers, retailers, importers, wholesalers, merchandisers, buyers and suppliers. A unique on-site business matchmaking service will be offered to bring overseas suppliers and contacts together with interested Canadian show attendees.
Top, high-quality Chinese brands are looking for Canadian representatives to import and distribute their products in Canada. New to this year’s event is the addition of the China Brand Show, coming to Canada for the first time as part of ATSC and adding categories such as accessories, giftware, home electronics, footwear, luggage and houseware and general merchandise.
Countries like Thailand, Indonesia and possibly the UK are looking to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership. This is a huge free trade zone that will account for 13 per cent of the world's gross domestic product and 15 per cent of global trade.
TPP-11 nations are big recipients of exports from Asean members that have signed the agreement, or are likely to join later. The US’ decision to pull out almost collapsed the TPP as Asean members had little incentive to remain in the pact, which required them to push through painful domestic reforms without the benefit of access to the US market.
Malaysia and Vietnam opted to stay in the agreement, while Thailand and Indonesia warmed to it. The US pullout reduced the clout of the trade accord. America is a major export market for these Southeast Asian nations, accounting for 10 to 20 per cent of their exports but only Singapore has a bilateral FTA with the world's largest economy. For Asean members, the primary reason for being part of the trade pact was greater access to the lucrative US market.
Thailand and Malaysia began FTA talks with the US in 2004 and 2006, respectively, but negotiations fizzled because of unworkable US demands.
The alpaca fiber market is expected to have astounding growth in the coming years. Alpaca is a natural fiber that provides more warmth minus the scratchy texture of wool. Alpaca clothing is warm, soft, and extremely comfortable.
The market is witnessing high growth mainly due to an upsurge in demand for alpaca fiber fleeces and other types of fashion accessories made with alpaca fiber. As the trend of offering highly sustainable and eco-friendly garments and accessories is gaining popularity in the fashion apparel industry, the alpaca fiber market is growing at a rapid pace with the surging demand for warm and soft alpaca fiber.
As high genetic merits can lead to producing large quantities of high-quality alpaca fiber, manufacturers in the alpaca fiber market are putting efforts into providing nutritious feed to alpacas. Nutrition makes a significant impact on the health and reproduction capabilities of alpacas, and ultimately helps to obtain softer and high-quality alpaca fiber.
Peru is the largest alpaca fiber producer and has some 3.8 million alpacas, which is 87 per cent of the world’s alpaca population. The country’s alpaca exports increased by over 110 per cent in 2017 with a rise of over 14 per cent average per kilogram in the export price.
"Shenzhen is fast establishing itself as China’s fashion capital with some 1,000 fashion brands, 2,000 garment companies and 30,000 fashion designers based in the city and this year’s strong growth confirms Intertextile Pavilion Shenzhen as the industry’s platform of choice for suppliers to connect with leading brands from this sector. Around 35 per cent more exhibitors came this year, which in turn attracted 13 per cent more trade buyers. Some big domestic brands sourcing at the fair included Bosideng, Elegant Prosper, Heilan Group, Marisfrolg, Peacebird and Purcotton, while the fair’s strong exhibitor profile and Shenzhen’s location adjacent to Hong Kong attracted global fashion labels like Debenhams, Evisu, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Ralph Lauren and Triumph to source at the fair."
The just concluded edition of Intertextile Pavilion Shenzhen witnessed a greater increase in exhibitors and buyers, reflecting the strength of the Southern China fashion sector. The fair welcomed record 971 exhibitors from 12 countries, and 17,664 trade buyers from 35 countries. Accommodating these extra exhibitors, the fair occupied one more hall this edition, and covered 37,500 sq. m.
Shenzhen is fast establishing itself as China’s fashion capital with some 1,000 fashion brands, 2,000 garment companies and 30,000 fashion designers based in the city and this year’s strong growth confirms Intertextile Pavilion Shenzhen as the industry’s platform of choice for suppliers to connect with leading brands from this sector. Around 35 per cent more exhibitors came this year, which in turn attracted 13 per cent more trade buyers. Some big domestic brands sourcing at the fair included Bosideng, Elegant Prosper, Heilan Group, Marisfrolg, Peacebird and Purcotton, while the fair’s strong exhibitor profile and Shenzhen’s location adjacent to Hong Kong attracted global fashion labels like Debenhams, Evisu, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Ralph Lauren and Triumph to source at the fair.
China, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the UK were represented by exhibitors again at this year’s fair, while India, Indonesia, Thailand and Turkey were new faces. This year’s top 10 buyer countries, excluding Mainland China, were Hong Kong, Taiwan, the US, Korea, India, Japan, Brazil, Australia, the UK and Macau.
Exhibitors’ experiences
Atsushi Yamazaki, President, Crystal Cloth, Japan, stated, “The reason we exhibit here is there are many young designers and small brands in Shenzhen
that have high potential to become big in the near future. We have already met around 20 that we can work with that have a lot of potential. Our company has been in China for five years now, and we have seen a big improvement in the quality of buyers. This fair is effective for us to meet existing customers as well as new ones, and to increase our sales. We can find big opportunities to grow here.” Similarly, Alex Poyner, Print Designer, Fairbairn & Wolf Studio, UK, highlighted, “On the first day morning, there were already many buyers packed into our booth – both old and new customers. They were highly interested in our products. We have had mills and fashion designers visiting us, and they have been highly interested in our products. We have got very great results so far. I have been really impressed by the quality of the buyers as well, but not only this, the quality of their fabrics our designs will be printed on is also very good.”
Jacky Lam, Sales Director, UPW, Hong Kong, said, “We met many new customers who were strongly interested in our products, including Mainland Chinese, Hong Kong and European buyers, and some have even placed orders already. The buyers who showed immediate interest were mainly top management and designers of fashion brands as they can see our software benefits in terms of reducing production and design costs and time. Overall, this fair is very beneficial for us. Shenzhen is China’s fashion capital where most of the successful brands and market leaders are based, and this fair has attracted high-quality buyers that makes our participation effective, and even better than our expectations.”
Buyers’ delight
Gabriela Pardo De Andrade, fashion designer, Gabii G Fashion, Spain, said, “I am sourcing for our high-end, luxury collections, and this fair definitely has enough range here to match our needs. There is everything you could want here: from synthetic to natural, man-made to machine-made, and fabrics to accessories. Just for embroidery products alone I saw so many potential items to source.”
The next Intertextile fair in the apparel fabrics sector is Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn edition, which will take place on September 27-29, 2018. The next Intertextile Pavilion Shenzhen will be held from July 4-6, 2019. This fair is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK); the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; the China Textile Information Centre; and the Shenzhen Garment Industry Association.
Turkish towel and bathrobe exporters have identified China as one of their key target markets, with growing demand there. Turkish towels and bathrobes are sold as luxury products with the image of European goods in China.
There is a common perception in China that wealthy people buy European goods. And since Turkey is a European country, manufacturers of Turkish products hope to find a good market in China. Turkish exporters plan to open a warehouse and hold promotional events in China so that Turkish towels and bathrobes can claim a larger share of the Chinese market.
The number of people in China’s high-income group is more than double that in Turkey. Turkish cotton hammam towels have evolved from the Turkish hammam bath tradition and are super lightweight, quick-drying natural cotton towels. They are ideal for outdoor pursuits as well as for home use. They are of natural fiber, 100 per cent cotton, totally flat-woven fabric with no fluff which makes them lightweight. This is great news for allergy sufferers as no manmade fiber is blended in.
These towels come from Denizli in southwest Turkey. This region’s textile exports to China in 2017 showed a two-fold increase compared to the previous year.
International Apparels & Textile Fair 2018 aims to be UAE’s premier platform for Fashion, Fabrics and Clothing. International Apparel and Textile Fair 8th edition will showcase Autumn/Winter pre-collection 2019 and Spring/Summer highlights. With more and more exhibitors, the fair aims to expand to become a major influence on the UAE fashion scene.
The fair will attract a wide range of textile mills, and print designers. Exhibitors are mainly from Europe, India, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Turkey and various other high-end manufacturers from around the world. IATF will provide manufacturers and their agents the opportunity to showcase their products to the most influential buyers and designers on the UAE fashion scene.
There will be 125 exhibitors from various countries around the world who participated in the fair, IATF has once again proven its status as UAE’s exclusive sourcing fair for apparel and textile.
The 8th edition of IATF had attracted 3,575 buyers who are mainly from the UAE and GCC region. A number of visitors came all the way from Oman, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Qatar. Other buyers came from all across Asia, African countries, Europe and Australia.
Principally the event, IATF provides a professional and conducive atmosphere to business and networking. In response to the need for a dedicated trade exhibition in Dubai the show has been designed for a quality event for the Fashion and Fabrics Business in the UAE.
Germany’s TUV Rheinland has opened a state-of-the-art testing facility in Haryana. The facility offers global-standard testing services for exporters, importers, manufacturers and global retailers for testing of garments, home textiles, leather and footwear, toys, food contact material and fashion jewelry.
TUV Rheinland, based in Germany, is a global leader in independent technical services. It provides facilities to test products in accordance with national as well as international standards. Its accredited laboratories for softline testing services enable stakeholders in the softlines supply chain create consumer products that comply with quality standards and are safe for use.
The facility includes a dedicated toy testing laboratory, capabilities for physical and chemical testing of garments and home textiles that will facilitate shorter time-to-market for fashion retailers in a highly competitive garment retail industry. An expanded leather- and footwear-testing laboratory in the new facility will help meet testing requirements from EU and US retailers.
The facility is also a Zero Discharge of Harmful Chemicals (ZDHC) provisionally accepted laboratory providing services for wastewater testing, to comply with global norms defined by ZDHC and other global retailers. Modern consumers expect responsible production practices and safety standards employed across the entire supply chain. Consumer safety, specifically child safety, is top priority in countries such as the US and those in the European Union.
