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Kering has formed a strategic partnership with 0-93 Lab, a non-profit cultural initiative, to bridge the gap between young creatives in Greater Paris and the luxury industry. Founded by designer Bastien J Laurent in 2019, 0-93 Lab seeks to make fashion design and visual arts more accessible to youth, offering free workshops and events to inspire and empower the next generation of creatives in Aulnay-sous-Bois and surrounding cities.
Thanks to Kering's support, 0-93 Lab will soon unveil a new 325 square meter creative space, fully equipped for practices like sewing, dyeing, screen printing, embroidery, photography, and filmmaking. Located in Aulnay-sous-Bois’ Cité des 3000 district, this inclusive venue will introduce local youth to the fashion industry, prepare them for art and design schools, and support their personal and professional creative journeys.
This partnership has already made an impact, with Kering leaders mentoring young creatives during a six-month program. Additionally, in July 2024, participants worked with Balenciaga fabrics to create costumes for Apaches, a ballet performed at the Opéra de Paris. Looking ahead, 2025 will bring a new initiative: a workshop program directly connecting Balenciaga’s creative teams with 0-93 Lab's young talents.
Bastien J Laurent, Co-founder and Artistic Director of 0-93 Lab, highlighted how Kering’s involvement helps new generations of talent shape France’s creative industries. BéatriceLazat, Chief People Officer at Kering, added that this partnership reinforces their commitment to mentorship and preserving craftsmanship in the luxury industry.
Rieter reported a strong order intake of CHF 725.5 million in 2024, up 34 per cent from CHF 541.8 million in 2023, marking four consecutive quarters of year-on-year growth. This signals an early market recovery despite ongoing challenges.
However, sales fell sharply by 39 per cent to CHF 859.1 million (2023: CHF 1,418.6 million), reflecting weaker demand. The Machines & Systems Division saw the steepest decline, with sales plunging 56 per cent to CHF 424.9 million (2023: CHF 965.0 million).
The Components Division dropped 7 per cent to CHF 247.6 million, while After Sales remained stable at CHF 186.6 million.
Rieter ended the year with an order backlog of CHF 530 million, down from CHF 650 million in 2023. The company expects an EBIT margin in the upper half of its 2 per cent-4 per cent guidance, despite lower revenue. This resilience is attributed to the successful execution of its “Next Level” performance program.
While sales struggled, Rieter’s rising order intake and cost optimization efforts position it for a stronger performance in 2025.
Hong Kong-based investment firm backed by Joe Tsai, Co-founder, Alibaba, Blue Pool Capital has acquired a 12 per cent stake in Italian luxury sneaker brand Golden Goose. This investment follows Golden Goose's abrupt postponement of its planned stock market listing last year.
Blue Pool's expertise in sports, entertainment, and consumer industries, combined with its knowledge of the Asia Pacific market, will support Golden Goose’s expansion plans, says the brand. Blue Pool manages the assets of Tsai, who chairs the Chinese online retail giant and co-founded it with Jack Ma, as well as those of several families. Oliver Weisberg, CEO, Blue Pool Capital will join Golden Goose's board.
Private equity firm Permira will retain a majority stake in Golden Goose.
In June, Golden Goose unexpectedly halted its planned initial public offering (IPO) on the Milan Stock Exchange, citing market volatility due to political uncertainty in Europe. In November, Silvio Campara, CEO reiterated the company's commitment to an IPO but emphasized the need to wait for more favorable market conditions.
Golden Goose confirmed that the transaction with Blue Pool was negotiated and agreed upon shortly after the IPO postponement last year, and was finalized recently.
Poised for significant growth, the global home textile market is project to expand at a CAGR of 6.1 to $235.9 billion by 2033 from $130.5 billion in 2023, as per a report by Market US.
This growth will be driven by several factors including rising global income levels and increasing consumer interest in home décor. The trend towards enhanced interior design in homes will continue to fuel demand for premium and personalized home textiles. Furthermore, the growing adoption of eco-friendly materials and technological advancements in fabric production are creating new opportunities for manufacturers.
Government support also plays a role. Governments worldwide continue to invest in infrastructure to facilitate textile production. They are also providing incentives for environmentally sustainable practices. As regulations become stricter to ensure safety and environmental standards, manufacturers are being pushed to innovate and adhere to these updated guidelines.
In 2023, bedroom linen dominated the product segment, holding a 45.3 per cent market share, driven by demand for high-end, eco-friendly materials. Polyester led the material market with a 37.6 per cent share due to its affordability and versatility. Offline distribution channels, particularly supermarkets and hypermarkets, commanded a 65.5 per cent share of the market. The Asia Pacific region, with its robust manufacturing capabilities and growing middle class in countries like China and India, held the largest market share at 45.6 per cent, valued at $58.7 billion.
Sudwolle Group’s Biella Yarn introduces its Spring/Summer 2026 collection, Imperfect Elegance, inspired by Kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending with gold. Just as Kintsugi turns flaws into beauty, this collection blends fibres into harmonious, refined yarns.
A highlight of the launch is a unique dress showcased at PittiFilati, created in collaboration with MRC Knitwear Research and AdornaRicami di Laura Annovi. The piece features knitted swatches joined with fine metallic yarn, echoing Kintsugi’s golden seams.
The collection offers premium Merino wool yarns, including Brisbane Nm 2/60 and OTW Opal Nm 2/60 (100 per cent Merino wool Superfine, 17.5 mic, anti-shrinkage). Luxurious blends include Katherine Nm 2/48 (Merino and silk) and Microfiamma Seta NM 3700. Innovative PBT blends like Beacon Nm 44/2 and Barrier Nm 54/2 add durability while maintaining elegance.
A refreshed colour palette draws from summer sunsets, featuring intense pinks, deep reds, warm yellows, and rich oranges. Cool aquatic greens, frost blues, and apple greens add contrast, while warm browns and classic black offer timeless versatility. Biella Yarn also reintroduces Linus Nm 2/50, a Merino-linen blend, available in vibrant and neutral shades.
Minimalist designs crafted with these yarns include summer tops, dresses, polo shirts, and trousers, presented at PittiFilati in Florence. These lightweight creations showcase Merino wool’s elegance for warm-weather wear, inviting designers to embrace transformation through artistry and innovation.
The Indian International Textile Machinery Exhibitions Society (India ITME Society) will host the third Global Textile Technology & Engineering Show (GTTES 2025) from February 21-23, 2025, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai. This event aims to be a global platform showcasing the latest advancements in textile technology and engineering.
Ketan Sanghvi, Chairman, India ITME Society, states, GTTES 2025 will address the evolving needs of the textile and machinery industry. It will encompass advancements in weaving, processing, finishing, garments, knitting, and technical textiles, emphasizing eco-friendly practices and sustainable growth. The event anticipates strong participation, featuring innovative solutions, product launches, and networking opportunities. GTTES 2025 aligns with India's vision of becoming a global leader in textile technology and engineering by 2047.
Building on the success of previous India ITME Society events like India ITME, ITME Africa & Middle East, and previous GTTES editions, GTTES 2025 aims to strengthen fabric preparation and processing while expanding India's presence in knitting and garmenting. This third edition will feature approximately 175 exhibitors across eight categories, with a focus on advanced weaving, processing, sustainable solutions, digital printing, and knitting technologies.
With the Indian textile market projected to reach $350 billion by 2030 and textile exports expected to hit $100 billion, GTTES 2025 will drive technological innovation to support this growth. Green technologies and sustainable solutions will be a major highlight.
Leading textile technology suppliers from Germany, Switzerland, China, and over 27 other countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, the US, and others, will participate. The event is expected to attract over 25,000 professionals and will include B2B meetings with international delegations from Sri Lanka, Ghana, and Ethiopia.
GTTES 2025 will feature product launches from companies like Shuttleless Looms, Samruddhi Engineering, Om Corporation, Ingersoll-Rand (India), and Sumaria Global Sales LLP. The Chhattisgarh Government will also have an investment promotion program.
The textile industry accounts for 13 per cent of India's industrial production, 2.3 per cent of GDP, and 12 per cent of foreign exchange inflows, with a 4 per cent share of global textile and apparel trade. GTTES 2025 aims to energize the Indian textile industry and propel it into the global market. Metakeys: GTTES 2025, India ITME Society, textile machinery, weaving, processing, finishing, garments, knitting, technical textiles, sustainable solutions, digital printing, Bombay Exhibition
Q3, FY25 profit of Indian clothing retailer Arvind Ltd increased by 13 per cent, owing to a strong demand for its textiles during the festive season.
Net profit of the retailer housing international brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Arrow, Calvin Klein increased to Rs 103 crore during the quarter ended December 31,2024 against Rs 91.7 crore in the corresponding quarter a year earlier.
Running from September to January, the festive season traditionally contributes significantly to retailers' annual sales as consumer spending increases during the period.
Arvind Ltd’s revenue from operations grew by 11 per cent during the quarter. This growth was mainly driven by an 11 per cent increase in revenue from its core textile segment, which accounts for 74 per cent of its total sales.
Aided by new customer acquisitions, the company’s textile segment also saw strong volume growth during the quarter, while margins remained stable across segments.
The company also recorded 10 per cent rise in total expenses during the quarter as prices of cotton, its key raw material, remained elevated.
The company’s advanced materials segment, through which it makes fabrics and protective gear for construction work, rose by 9 per cent.
OETI, a globally accredited testing and certification institute and a founding member of the Oeko-Tex Association, will participate in Bharat Tex 2025 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from February 14 to 17. Visitors can meet OETI at Hall 12, Booth 12-A8.
“Our participation highlights OETI’s commitment to the Indian market. As a founding member of Oeko-Tex, we bring extensive expertise to support the industry’s need for quality, sustainability, and compliance with international standards,” said Vignesh Amalraj, OETI’s Country Manager for India.
At Bharat Tex 2025, OETI will offer key insights into sustainability and regulatory compliance for the textile and leather sectors. Highlights include guidance on EU sustainability regulations such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), Green Claims Directive, and Digital Product Passport (DPP). The institute will also present solutions for consumer safety, product traceability, PPE certification for European markets, and emissions testing.
OETI will showcase its expertise in sustainable chemical management, including ZDHC-approved training to help brands minimize environmental impact. Visitors can also explore Testex Academy, an online learning platform developed by OETI’s parent company, Testex AG, in collaboration with Future Wear Group. The academy covers key topics like the Circular Economy and the EU Waste Framework.
“OETI aims to empower Indian businesses to meet global standards in compliance, quality, and sustainability. By participating in Bharat Tex, we support the industry in navigating challenges and ensuring transparency and due diligence across the supply chain,” said Miriam Scheffelmeier, OETI’s Global Head of Marketing and Sales.
IFC plans to construct a new garment manufacturing facility adhering to highest environmental standards in partnership with Kenyan apparel manufacturer Royal Apparel EPZ. The company also aims to create new jobs, especially for women.
To achieve its goals, IFC will loan Royal Apparel EPZ $15 million to support the construction of the new factory near Nairobi, creating an estimated 3,700 jobs.
The investment is the first to be received from the Canada-IFC advancing Gender Equality, Resilience, Opportunity and Inclusion Worldwide Facility (Canada GROW gender fund). IFC’s investment in Royal is supported by the development of an earlier project including an analysis of the supporting textiles value chain and markets in Africa. Royal is a leading manufacturing company known for high-quality apparel and commitment to sustainable practices. IFC’s financing package is for Royal Apparel EPZ and its associated companies, Royal Garment EPZ and Royal Clothing EPZ, together Royal Apparel Group (Royal).
Partnering with IFC enables the company to leverage their extensive experience and resources to achieve growth objectives and produce high-quality apparel, says Omprakash Shukla, Chairman, Royal Apparel EPZ. The company aims to empower marginalized communities by providing jobs that promote sustainable livelihoods, eradicate poverty, and elevate living standards.
EDGE-certified, Royal’s new factory will feature energy-efficient machinery, and renewable power sources. Developed by IFC, EDGE is a certification tool that recognizes buildings designed to reduce energy and water consumption while incorporating sustainable building materials.
An export-focused apparel manufacturer, Royal supplies its products to major brands in the United States of America and other markets. As part of the financing, Royal will adopt advanced production approaches, including automation, to increase competitiveness. The project demonstrates IFC’s continued commitment towards the industrialization of Africa.
Blue of a Kind and Isko Luxury by PG have collaborated to launch ‘Stories,’ a capsule collection showcasing a shared commitment to responsible fashion.
The collection focuses on upcycling leftover fabrics from Isko Luxury by PG, the high-end range designed by Italian textile designer Paolo Gnutti for the Turkish mill Isko. Gnutti and Fabrizio Consoli, Founder, Blue of a Kind, recognized their complementary aesthetics and shared values, paving the way for this partnership.
Isko provided the leftover fabrics, primarily from discontinued collections and sample production. Blue of a Kind adhered to its sustainable production philosophy, minimizing water usage, eliminating chemicals, and utilizing laser technology for certain garment treatments.
Featuring reimagined Blue of a Kind styles, the ‘Stories’ collection incorporates Gnutti's signature flock denim technique. The designs of this collection emphasize relaxed silhouettes with wider cuts and loose fits for both tops and bottoms, reflecting current fashion trends. The collection includes jeans, trucker jackets, and oversized trench coats, all showcasing the flocked denim aesthetic.
Retail prices for the ‘Stories’ capsule range from 220 to 590 euros (approximately $230-$620).
This collaboration underscores Blue of a Kind's dedication to sustainability. Since its 2018 launch, the brand has focused on upcycling vintage stock to create unique, handmade jeans. In 2019, the brand upcycled a capsule collection from the mill’s sample fabrics in partnership with the Milan-based Candiani Denim. The ‘Stories’ collection with Isko Luxury by PG further strengthens Blue of a Kind's position at the forefront of responsible denim fashion.
