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Active wear shirts now change color with thermal heat signature. The shirt is a new way to measure workout using one’s body heat since it keeps a comfortable temperature but has the ability to change colors depending on body temperature.
The material used to make the shirts is MRI stylised technology-approved and has been combined with the body’s blood flow and metabolism with advanced thermal imaging to create the color changes. The harder a workout, and depending on the muscles that are worked, the shirt will change colors accordingly, giving a clear map of the muscles that have been worked on and those that need to be worked on.
Fitness apps are capable of tracking activities, diet, weight, and sleep patterns to help people stay motivated toward fitness goals. The drawback to most of these fitness apps is the need to have a smart phone on 24/7 to get the most accurate response.
Being able to visualise the impact of a workout in real time via a person’s thermal heat signature makes this clothing jump leaps and bounds over any other. It’s unlike other gym clothes. It allows the wearer to push harder and exceed their own expectations.
With these workout clothes, people will get to know more about themselves and how their metabolic response changes with the amount of heat that is produced. What makes this active wear even better is the fact that it's eco-friendly because of the non-toxic dyes.
Bangladesh garment companies have been trying hard to win more orders. However, one problem they face is foreign buyers want quality products at low prices. And for various reasons, including an energy crisis and factory remediation costs, production costs have increased by 18 per cent. So, whoever can offer low prices will win orders. Some companies having volume capacities are taking orders at low prices. This is setting an unhealthy trend in the sector.
Terror attacks have affected visits of buyers. So it’s necessary for mills to go abroad and book orders. Competition from countries like Vietnam is another factor. Bangladesh’s clothing exports to the US declined by around six per cent during the first quarter of the current calendar year.
In the first 10 months of financial year 2016-17, the country’s exports were only 2.26 per cent higher than exports in the same period of the previous year. Most likely the country will miss the target of current fiscal year. In the first 10 months of this financial year, exports were 6.06 per cent short of the target. For the first time the country fears having negative growth by the end of this financial year.
In the first five months of this year, Vietnam’s exports to France increased 15 per cent over the same period last year. Exports of cell phones and accessories were up 21.7 per cent year-on-year and accounted for 37 per cent of the total. Footwear exports were up five per cent and textile and garment exports were up 20.6 per cent. Vietnam’s exports of rubber products to France increased sharply by 127 per cent. Exports of textile, garment, leather and footwear materials together were up by 98.2 per cent. Exports of plastic products were up by 70 per cent and confectionery exports were up by 66 per cent.
However, exports of pepper to France decreased by 38 per cent and those of precious stones, metals and products to France decreased by 28.9 per cent. France is Vietnam's fifth largest trade partner in Europe and is the third largest European investor in the southeast Asian country. Almost two thirds of French investments are made in the services sector, one fifth in industry (water, gas and electricity), seven per cent in agriculture and five per cent in retailing.
Almost 300 French businesses are set up in Vietnam in the form of companies, representative offices and joint ventures.
Two sewing technopolises will be created in Kyrgyzstan one in Voenno-Antonovka village of the Chui oblast (near Bishkek) and the other at the Bishkek Machine-Building Plant.The project will supervise the technopolises activity. The State participates by allocating land and developing laws regulating the industry.
According to the State Committee for Industry, Energy and Subsoil Use, the Bishkek Technopolis will be built within three years and the other one in more than five years, since it is necessary to solve communication problems. Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbai Jeenbekov says to resume efficient production, it is necessary to divide the management and territories of the existing two plants, and the BSP, the strategic enterprise, should work in accordance with the established procedure maintaining the regime of secrecy. Jeenbekov instructing the relevant state authorities to resolve the issue of allocating land plots in the BMBP territory for Technopolis.
The implementation of the Technopolis project will help increase textile and clothing production by more than 30 per cent, create 10,000 new jobs, and increase tax revenues.
Working within the EEU, Kyrgyzstan’s entry into the Eurasian Economic Union has changed the whole model for future development of the country, and like other EEU member countries, Kyrgyzstan has to go through the difficult stage of adaptation to new integration rules. Kyrgyzstan’s sewing industry needs to reach a new level to gain access to the EEU large trade market.
The EEU has strict requirements for customs clearance, certification, technical parameters and other standards which are tougher than the domestic ones. There will be new opportunities as local sewing companies have big orders. Work within the technopolis will help implement big orders. Each company will fulfill its own order but if a big order comes, it will be distributed among all enterprises. It is planned that the Bishkek technopolis will unite 20-25 enterprises, and 40-45 enterprises will be in Voenno-Antonovka.
Paula Dumont Lopez is the new chief creative officer, global operations, at New Look. She succeeds Roger Wightman and will join in September this year along with securing a seat on the board alongside Wightman, who continues to remain a board member.
Lopez was with Esprit and us credited with reviving the business of women’s wear. She had previously worked for 10 years at Inditex’s Zara Basic as head of product. At New Look her expertise in identifying trends and leadership experience in product, buying and design are expected to be an asset to the business.
New Look is a South African-owned British global fashion retailer with a chain of high street shops. It was founded in 1969 and since May 2015 its owned by investment company Brait. The chain sells women’s wear, men’s wear, and clothing for teens with 592 stores in the UK and over 280 across Europe, China and Asia. The retailer caters to women, men, maternity, plus size and teens with a range of products to suit their personal style--the latest trends, celebrity looks, fashion forward pieces, or simply wardrobe essentials. For financial year 2017 web sales generated 16 per cent of sales.
India can capture the space vacated by China in the international textile market by focusing on manmade fibers, feel experts. Synthetic textiles made from manmade fiber account for 70 per cent of the world textile supply. Contrary to global trend, cotton still commands more than 50 per cent of India’s textile production.
Given the scale of exports from China, even a one per cent shift means a 10 per cent increase in India’s exports. However, there is a need to go in for innovation in fabrics, integrate the value chain and invest in skill development to boost textile exports from the country. Hastening of negotiations with regard to free trade agreements with EU and Canada and labor law reforms and logistics improvements are essential for the growth of the textile sector.
Textile exports from India increased by 18 per cent in February-April 2017 after having remained stagnant for three years. Under-investment in the sector is the biggest challenge for India. It has resulted in a weaker value chain driving foreign buyers to other countries. Speed, innovation and digitization hold the key to India's success.
India is already is reeling under a huge competitive disadvantage in the international textile market when it comes to manmade fiber based textile products. Competitors like China, Vietnam and Bangladesh are ahead in global exports of manmade fiber textiles.
The Southern India Mills Association (SIMA) has welcomed the GST era for the textile industry. It says a seamless tax structure for the entire cotton textile value chain is a great step forward. With the implementation of GST, all indirect taxes would be merged. So far the textile industry had been suffering with numerous taxes and different types of cess which were not duty drawback compatible and therefore adding to the cost, thus making the industry uncompetitive especially the micro, small and medium enterprises and decentralized segments.
Various exemptions and loopholes in the laws enabled a major portion of manufacturers and traders in the textile value chain to opt for tax evasion by mis-declaration and by various other methods but that would end. The country, after independence, for the last 70 years was struggling with a complex tax structure, rigid and antiquated laws that were major stumbling blocks to achieve a sustained economic growth rate.
Tamil Nadu accounts for a third of the textile business in India. SIMA feels 2017-18 will be a good year for the cotton textile industry with a sound tax ecosystem and real time governance coupled with availability of surplus cotton. Interestingly, SIMA now wants some taxes and levies that are not subsumed in GST like the market committee fee and various other municipal taxes to be also scrapped.
Bangladesh’s shipments to Japan declined 3.7 per cent in the first 11 months of 2016-17. Earnings fell 16.09 per cent short of expectations.
But the country’s exporters hope to cross the billion dollar mark by the end of the fiscal year, an achievement already made in the EU, US and Canadian markets. Japan is Bangladesh’s single largest export destination among Asian nations and its market offers promising returns for quality apparel and leather and jute and associated goods. Japanese consumers are quality conscious. Exports to Japan have been soaring over the last few years maintaining nearly 20 per cent growth every year.
During the July to May period, Bangladesh exported garments worth $696.32 million to Japan. Of this, $374.38 million were from woven items and $321.94 million from knitwear. Japan wants to reduce its dependence on China for goods like apparels, electronic gadgets and home appliances.
Another catalyst has been the relaxation of the ‘Rules of Origin’ by Japan on knitwear and woven garments from least developed countries. This allows Bangladesh to enjoy a zero-duty trade privilege and a competitive edge against countries like China and Pakistan in meeting Japan’s annual demand for garments worth over 40 billion.
Bangladesh is keen to collaborate with India on various fronts such including supply chain, technology and textile education. Bangladesh is the world’s second largest readymade garment exporter and India is the second largest producer of manmade fiber and textile fabrics.
Bangladesh feels it can work with India for creating a supply chain, where it can source the raw material like cotton and manmade fiber, yarn and textiles and convert them into fashion apparels. In 2015-16, Bangladesh’s garment exports to India grew by 31 per cent. Bangladesh’s overall exports to India increased by 30.82 per cent at the same time.
Besides being the top cotton producer in the world, India possesses huge capacities for producing yarn and fabric, and is also among the largest manufacturers of manmade fibers, yarn and fabric. As a neighbor, India is ideally positioned to supply these inputs at lower prices and with lower lead times to the Bangladesh readymade garment industry.
Connectivity offers a game-changing opportunity for India and Bangladesh. This is pivotal to India’s connectivity with its north-eastern region and with countries of Asean. Equal emphasis on physical and institutional connectivity between India and Bangladesh will facilitate the exploration of more opportunities through trade and investment.
"ISPO Textrends highlighted the need for meeting personal goals, whether on a high performance level or through experiencing something new on a more leisurely and wellbeing approach. ISPO Textrends expert Louisa Smith says the outdoors market is expanding, brands should be aware of consumer needs, especially the millennials, who are reaching their peak purchase power, seeking out the much sought-after work/life balance, rather than just the hardcore sports participant at a professional level."
ISPO Textrends highlighted the need for meeting personal goals, whether on a high performance level or through experiencing something new on a more leisurely and wellbeing approach. ISPO Textrends expert Louisa Smith says the outdoors market is expanding, brands should be aware of consumer needs, especially the millennials, who are reaching their peak purchase power, seeking out the much sought-after work/life balance, rather than just the hardcore sports participant at a professional level.
Evolution of performance fabrics
In the outdoor market, there is a surge in high performance apparel, soft-wear, backpacks, tents and footwear, with the companies selected to feature in ISPO Textrends at the ISPO Shanghai delivering, not just on function but also style. There is an increase in water sports activities from kayaking to surfing, kite surfing to free diving that crosses over into street sports, inspired by athleisure that has dominated the activewear/lifestyle market. From attending music festivals to taking to travel, performance fabrics feature across a wider spectrum of the market than just the traditional sports market.
Products embrace mega trends
A key mega trend is ‘Moment’ with consumers realising they have an abundance of ‘stuff’ in the form of multiple gadgets, appliances and personal possessions, there is a notable mood to pushing forward to outdoor experiences to share on social media and via group apps. They now realise activities and experiences shared on social media have much more kudos than having the latest must-have item. This is about taking time out, encountering new experiences and locations in the great outdoors through to more extreme sports, and most importantly sharing it.
Fabrics selected for the season have also embraced the ‘Dynamic’ mega trend, focusing on renewed efficiency that comes into play as sustainability comes into focus. A range of recycled and biosynthetic fabrics feature alongside the inherent and also enhanced possibilities of natural fibres including cotton, merino wool and modal. Cleaner technology also comes through with one dye-bath processing, reducing water consumption to layering technology that adds value to the consumer, eliminating finishing process and harsh finishes.
Hybrid fabrics that reduce garment processing stage also feature as body mapping and zoning are applied into the fabric seamlessly, rather than being inserted by machine. The final mega trend, ‘Calm’, is evident through all selected products. With a noticeable nod towards lightweight qualities and a new sensual and soft touch in all sectors of the market without neglecting the multi-functional technically and creativity. Surface effects also come through, with the colour palette for the season ranging from a deep intensity contrasting with a fresh tropical tone through to muted hues.
ISPO Shanghai – a showcase for 2019 trends
From July 6-8, 2017, the innovative ISPO Textrends forum will highlight all latest developments for Spring/Summer 2019 at ISPO Shanghai. In addition, on July 7, there will be a fully illustrated presentation of not just trends and colour palette for this season but also a recap of the trends for Fall/Winter 2018-19.
