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The Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2025, the premier international forum on sustainability in fashion, will return from 3-5 June at the Copenhagen Concert Hall. Organised by Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), the non-profit championing a net positive fashion industry, the summit enters its 16th year with the urgent theme, ‘Barriers and Bridges’, aiming to transform challenges into opportunities for meaningful industry change.
The event will gather over 1,000 stakeholders from fashion, policy, finance, innovation, and adjacent sectors to address regulatory, financial, and ideological hurdles facing the industry. Five pivotal forces Innovation, Capital, Courage, Incentives, and Regulation will serve as the summit’s guiding framework to shape fashion’s sustainable future.
Her Majesty The Queen of Denmark, a longstanding patron of GFA, will open the summit on 4 June and tour the Innovation Forum, which is set to be a major feature of this year’s edition. The forum will host a curated selection of solution providers from across the value chain, from next-gen materials to advanced end-of-use processes.
It will also showcase the shortlisted innovations from GFA’s Trailblazer Programme 2025, developed with PDS Ventures, highlighting three sustainability pillars: Working With Nature, Closed Loop Pathways, and Tech Powered Transformation. The winner will be announced on 5 June.
Confirmed speakers include leaders from Kering, Gucci, H&M Group, eBay, Ganni, Zalando, RE&UP, Visa Europe, The Lycra Company, UN Environment Programme, Cornell Global Labor Institute, Fair Labor Association, and Bangladesh Centre for Worker Solidarity.
The summit will feature a dynamic programme of sessions including ‘Innovation vs. Imitation: Fashion + A.I.’, ‘Electrify Everything? The Carbon Transition’, ‘Tariffs, Timelines and Transitions’, ‘Jobs with Dignity’, and ‘Who Cares? Closing the Consumer Gap’. Additionally, over 20 closed-door Leadership Roundtables will offer policymakers and industry leaders a platform for focused dialogue and tangible outcomes. Topics include ‘Bridging Bangladesh’s Circularity Deadlock’, ‘A People-Centric Transition’, and ‘Climate Adaptation in Luxury Value Chains’.
Federica Marchionni, CEO of GFA, stated that the 2025 edition comes at a critical juncture, emphasising the need to bridge gaps in an increasingly complex landscape and push forward a regenerative, inclusive, and innovative fashion ecosystem.
China National Garment Association (CNGA) will host the BIRD Fashion Fair 2025 from 11 to 13 June at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center (Futian), marking the country’s first international trade fair dedicated exclusively to innovation and progress in womenswear. Over 800 exhibitors from major fashion hubs Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Zhengzhou will showcase their latest collections across 34,000 square metres, alongside Intertextile Shenzhen apparel fabrics and Yarn Expo.
Held in the heart of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), one of China’s most dynamic economic regions, the fair highlights the region’s strength in fashion creativity, advanced manufacturing, and global trade connectivity. With cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou at its core, the GBA is home to leading womenswear brands, cutting-edge designers, and specialised suppliers driving the integration of Chinese fashion into international markets.
BIRD 2025 positions itself as a strategic platform connecting Chinese and global markets under the theme Bold / Intelligent / Relentless / Design. It will span four halls, presenting a wide spectrum of womenswear dresses, blouses, knitwear, activewear, sun protection clothing, accessories, bags, shoes, scarves, hats, and belts.
Visitors can expect tailored business matching, high-end forums, curated fashion shows, and trend presentations. Leading companies will unveil their newest products and innovations. International guests will benefit from multilingual support, fast-track pre-registration with free admission, hotel bookings, and transport assistance.
With its strong emphasis on creativity, smart production, and international collaboration, BIRD 2025 aims to elevate China’s womenswear industry on the global stage, making Shenzhen a key destination for fashion-driven business.
Source Fashion, the UK’s leading responsible sourcing show, is set to return from 8-10 July 2025 at The Grand Hall, Olympia London, bringing together an impressive international roster of audited manufacturers and suppliers. With participants from over 25 countries including Turkey, Portugal, the UK, China, India, France, Sri Lanka, and emerging African markets, the show offers UK retailers, brands, wholesalers and corporates a comprehensive view of ethical and innovative sourcing solutions. Reinforcing its position as a key hub for global fashion trade, this edition aims to spotlight sustainable practices, local sourcing, and international collaboration.
Turkey, Taiwan, and Peru add fresh global perspectives
This season marks the debut of several international exhibitors. Among them is Turkey’s Ronin Textile, a brand catering to the plus-size fashion market. Founder Seyhmus Barlas sees the event as an opportunity to introduce their classic, inclusive designs to a broader audience and forge global partnerships.
From Asia, Taiwan’s Universal Textile will present its sustainable woven and DTY production capabilities. With a modern texturizing facility producing 24 million yards of woven fabric and 33,000 tons of DTY annually, the company has become a preferred sourcing partner for global brands due to its innovation and commitment to quality.
Peru’s J&R Company Textil also makes its first appearance at Source Fashion, offering sustainable collections made from premium fibres like alpaca and cotton, showcasing Peru’s heritage in textile craftsmanship and eco-conscious production.
Returning names reinforce commitment to sustainable sourcing
Returning exhibitors highlight the continuity and success of the event in promoting ethical sourcing. ASU, a long-time participant with operations in both Paris and India, sources all materials locally and sustainably while undergoing annual audits. Its owner Vijay Ahuja credited the event for consistently attracting quality clients including UK high-street names such as Nobody’s Child and Mango.
Portuguese sustainable casualwear producer WonderRaw also returns this year. Based in Barcelos, WonderRaw focuses on on-demand production using 100 per cent organic cotton, eco-friendly inks, and recyclable packaging. CEO Luis Oliveira shared his confidence in the UK market and cited the show’s appeal among new-age brands, influencers and designers as a key reason for their continued presence.
India strengthens its global presence
India remains a dominant presence at Source Fashion with many manufacturers returning to strengthen ties with global buyers. Among them is Desert Crafts, a design and production house known for its extensive range of womenswear, menswear and kidswear. The company exports to multiple markets including the UK, Australia, Spain, the US, and Germany, with a current focus on expanding in English-speaking countries.
Niren Shah, owner of Desert Crafts, noted his longstanding participation at the event’s February and July editions, underlining the show’s consistency in connecting Indian exporters with international buyers.
Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director of Source Fashion, expressed pride in the event’s growing global reach. She emphasized the importance of offering a diverse supplier base that supports nearshore, offshore, and onshore sourcing strategies. "With over 25 countries represented, the show reflects the truly global nature of today’s sourcing landscape,” she said. “Our goal remains to connect the UK buying community with responsible, audited manufacturers who are leading the charge in ethical and innovative practices across the fashion supply chain.”
China’s leading fashion trade event, CHIC 2025 (September), will return to the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai from September 2 to 4. Positioned as the most significant platform for the country’s apparel industry, the fair will once again unite over 800 fashion companies and brands across the entire textile value chain with an expected footfall of more than 60,000 professional buyers from China and abroad. The upcoming edition, themed ‘Fashion Picnic in Autumn’, promises a creative and relaxed setting to foster networking, innovation, and trend discovery while presenting Spring/Summer 2026 collections.
Nine themed zones highlight industry trends
CHIC 2025 (September) will cover more than 50,000 square meters across the North Entrance Hall and Halls 2.1 and 3 of the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, featuring nine themed exhibition zones that reflect the latest fashion innovations and market trends. These include CHIC Selected, which showcases quality-driven market leaders; CHIC Impulses, focused on designer-led collections; Denim World and Sports Outdoor, highlighting active and casual wear; Tailoring Journey, dedicated to formalwear and suiting; Fashion Tech, presenting technological advancements in textiles and apparel; and The Wardrobe, Unique Specialties, and Accessories/Footwear/Bags, offering a wide range of fashion products across categories.
Each thematic area is tailored to make navigation intuitive for buyers and help brands gain targeted visibility. The structured approach enhances both the visitor experience and business effectiveness.
A Picnic inspired setting for business and creativity
The autumn edition of CHIC adopts its “Fashion Picnic” concept not only in theme but also in design and layout. Natural elements, relaxed seating areas, and creative installations will evoke a picnic-like environment, fostering open conversation and exploration. Interactive formats such as industry salons, trend showcases, and networking events will drive dialogue on key issues shaping the global fashion market. The show aims to be both a commercial hub and a source of creative energy, providing a platform for mutual inspiration, collaboration, and future-oriented thinking.
CHIC is also renowned for its high-impact matchmaking formats. During its spring 2025 edition, the fair recorded over 165,000 trade buyers, 55 per cent of whom were first-time visitors. With more than 1,000 matchmaking sessions already facilitated in the past, the upcoming autumn event will continue offering tailored B2B networking, tapping into new markets and channels to expand brand reach and visibility.
Knowledge sharing and digital integration
Adding to its value, CHIC will host CHIC Talks a series of expert-led seminars and workshops that bring together top-tier professionals, brands, and associations to share insights on innovation, sustainability, retail evolution, and consumer trends. Complementing these are the CHIC SHOWS, where fashion labels and national organizations will present their latest creations through dynamic runway presentations, showcasing the creative pulse of the season.
On the digital front, the CHIC WeChat Mini Programme continues to serve as the fair’s central tool for engagement. It offers streamlined services such as registration, business matching, live stream access, and exhibitor directories, making it essential for participants navigating both the physical and digital facets of the event.
CHIC 2025 blends business with inspiration in a refreshingly relaxed atmosphere. As the fashion world prepares for the Spring/Summer 2026 season, this Shanghai showcase promises to be a pivotal gathering point for shaping industry futures.
Prior to CHIC, the Bird Fashion Fair will take place from June 11 to 13, 2025, at the Shenzhen Exhibition and Convention Center, providing another important platform for fashion industry engagement in China.
Eastman Naia participated as an official Innovation Partner at Challenge the Fabric (CTF) 2025, held on May 13-14 in Milan. The event brought together global leaders from fashion, textiles, and forestry to advance circular solutions and promote the future of man-made cellulosic fibers (MMCFs).
A key feature of the event was the CTF Award, a global design competition pairing emerging talents with material innovators. As part of the program, Eastman Naia partnered with designer Oscar Ouyang and Italy’s Lady V mill to develop a visionary garment made from NAIA/WO a unique blend of 50 per cent RWS-certified virgin wool, 50 per cent GRS-certified recycled wool, and Naia Renew fiber. Finished in traditional wooden barrels, the fabric delivers a soft ‘lambswool’ texture while maintaining eco-friendly credentials.
Naia Renew, Eastman’s next-generation cellulosic fiber, is made from 60 per cent sustainably sourced wood pulp and 40 per cent recycled waste, enabled by advanced molecular recycling. The collaboration highlighted how heritage textile methods and cutting-edge sustainable technologies can merge to create fashion-forward, responsible designs.
Lady V’s Cristiano Vieri praised the fabric’s luxurious texture and environmental value, while Oscar Ouyang described his design a shepherd-inspired look as a tribute to both the fiber’s versatility and its sustainable origins.
Eastman’s Marketing & Sustainability Director Claudia de Witte emphasized the importance of partnerships during a panel discussion, reinforcing the brand’s dedication to action-driven, scalable sustainability in the fashion industry.
The European Union has proposed a €2 flat fee on billions of small parcels shipped directly to consumers, primarily from China, in a move targeting platforms like Shein and Temu. The plan aims to end customs exemptions on parcels worth less than €150, shifting the financial burden onto major online marketplaces.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said the surge in low-value parcels 4.6 billion in 2023, with over 90 per cent from China has strained customs systems and complicated safety and standards enforcement. The fee would help offset inspection costs and boost EU budget contributions. Parcels routed to warehouses will incur a lower €0.50 charge.
The EU’s action mirrors recent US measures. Earlier this month, the US slashed tariffs on small packages from 120 per cent to 54 per cent but retained a $100 flat fee per parcel. These moves are designed to close the ‘de minimis’ loophole that allows duty-free shipments of inexpensive goods, which Chinese platforms had long exploited.
Japan is also reviewing its current exemption on parcels worth under 10,000 yen, citing concerns about unfair competition, illegal goods, and lost tax revenue. Officials are weighing the impacts of removing exemptions amid a fivefold rise in small parcel imports over five years.
With Shein and Temu facing tightened rules in the US, there are fears of redirected excess inventory flooding EU markets. Both platforms claim compliance with regulations and boast over 220 million users in Europe.
As France and the UK explore similar clampdowns, the global backlash is reshaping the future of cross-border e-commerce and raising the cost of cheap online goods for millions of consumers.
VF Corp-owned brand, Timberland has appointed Darren McKoy as its new Global Vice President-Product Design and Creative Direction. He previously served as the Creative Director for Dr Martens for three years.
This marks a return to VF Corp for McKoy, who was earlier engaged as the Product Manager-EMEA, The North Face from December 2010 to February 2012.
The announcement comes just months after McKoy departed the iconic UK footwear brand Dr. Martens in January. At Dr Martens, he progressed through various roles since joining in 2015.
His extensive career also includes stints at Adidas, Mamas & Papas, and Asics, in addition to his prior role at The North Face. At Timberland, McKoy will be engaged in managing the brand’s boots business.
This isn't the only significant creative appointment Timberland has made this year. In February, the brand named Drew Villani as its Global Creative Director, Marketing. Having previously worked at Calvin Klein, Villani is tasked with bringing Timberland's creative vision to life across all facets of brand marketing.
After months of signaling its intent to divest the California-born chino brand, the American denim giant, Levi Strauss & Co has inked a deal to sell Dockers to Authentic Brands Group (ABG) for $311 million.
The agreement may also include performance-based bonuses that could earn Levi Strauss up to an additional $80 million in the coming years.
Having recently launched its updated brand message ‘Always a fit,’ Levi Strauss & Co registered a 4 per cent decline in revenue to over $323 million in 2024. The brand made up about 5 per cent of Levi Strauss & Co's total revenue, which totaled $6.4 billion last year.
This sale allows the company to further align its portfolio with its strategic priorities - focusing on its direct-to-consumer strategy, expanding its international footprint, and investing more deeply in its women’s and denim businesses, says Michelle Gass, President and CEO, Levi Strauss & Co.
The sale is a part of the company’s broader Project Fuel transformation plan, which has already included several major shifts including shutting down its Denizen brand, closing its Plock manufacturing facility in Poland, exiting the footwear business, reducing its workforce, doubling down on the Levi’s label and its growing athleisure brand, Beyond Yoga
Known for operating through licensing partnerships, the Authentic Brands Group will fold Dockers into its vast portfolio, which includes Ted Baker, Van Heusen, Arrow, Izod, Nautica, and Eddie Bauer, among others.
Jamie Salter, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, ABG, says, Dockers is a brand with strong consumer recognition, deep heritage, and a well-established licensing foundation. The brand helped define the casual workplace aesthetic and offers tremendous opportunity to expand in that legacy across various categories.”
The deal is expected to close around July 31, 2025, for Dockers’ intellectual property and operations in the US and Canada. It’s European and Asian operations - including stores and retail partnerships - are expected to transition to ABG by January 31, 2026.
Until then, Dockers will continue to operate under Levi Strauss & Co.’s infrastructure during the transition.
Meera Cotton & Synthetic Mills is expanding its garmenting division with a new, state-of-the-art factory in Bhiwandi.
Slated to begin commercial production by June 2025, this facility will triple Meera's garmenting capacity. It's a fully compliant unit, boasting 500 advanced Juki stitching machines, a completely automated Lectra-Gerber cutting room, and even a dedicated bonding (seam-sealing) setup for performance wear like tights and sports bras.
By mid-May, the factory will begin producing over a million garments monthly. It will focus exclusively on MMF-based knitted fabrics for garments. The company also plans to double its yarn and fabric manufacturing capacity by 2027, signaling significant future growth.
Beginning its journey in 1994 with polyester yarn, Meera expanded into circular knitting by 2000, launching its garment division in 2012. Initially focused on woven fabrics, the company smartly pivoted to polyester knits post-Covid. Today, Meera operates over 500 knitting machines, including more than 400 open-width and finer gauge machines specifically for producing Juric, a high-performance polyester fabric. Nearly 50 per cent of their garments feature Juric blends, known for moisture-wicking, stretch, and UV protection.
The company's strength lies in its vertical integration, controlling the entire process from yarn to finished garment. This provides superior agility and quality control, crucial for knitted fabrics where even minor inconsistencies can cause defects. Meera produces about 44,000 metric tons each of yarn and fabric annually, with 80 per cent of its yarn used internally to ensure consistency and speed. Their current garmenting capacity stands at 3.6 million units per year.
Meera supplies fabrics to thousands of customers and boasts direct clients like Arvind Ltd and Ginza Industries. In garments, they specialize in MMF-based knitwear, including activewear and fashion items like T-shirts, sports bras, and shorts. They cater to major domestic retailers such as Reliance Retail and Aditya Birla Group, and internationally, they supply prominent European brands like Lefties and Terranova, also handling large volumes for LPP.
As a part of its broader strategy to revitalize its cotton, textile, and apparel (T&A) sector, the Kenyan Government has launched a new initiative aims to boost manufacturing and create jobs under the ‘Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.’
During a recent official visit to Benin, Dr Juma Mukhwana, Principal Secretary for Industrialization, emphasized the sector's crucial role in Kenya's industrialization and job creation goals. The T&A sector in Kenya is a priority value chain for the Kenya Kwanza government, Dr Mukhwana stated, adding that textiles have been identified as a key driver for economic growth and job creation.
Dr. Mukhwana led a delegation from the State Department for Industrialization and Rivatex East Africa on a benchmarking mission to Benin, a leading cotton producer in Africa. This visit followed a January 2025 Cabinet decision to restructure Rivatex, a state-owned textile firm, by bringing in strategic non-equity partners.
One of the companies being considered for a partnership is ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), which specializes in developing and operating industrial parks and special economic zones across Africa. Dr Cleophas Lagat, Board Chair, Rivatex confirmed the visit was part of the due diligence process for ARISE IIP, a finalist in the tender to lease the Eldoret-based textile firm.
Employing nearly 900,000 people, the cotton industry in Benin produced 553,000 tons in the 2023/24 season. The government supports the sector with fertilizer and pesticide subsidies, and strong cooperation among farmers, ginneries, and the government has streamlined its value chain. Dr. Mukhwana noted that Kenya is studying how to replicate Benin's model of robust backward linkages between cotton farmers, ginneries, and manufacturers to reduce reliance on imports and add local value.
Despite Kenya benefiting from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade deal with the United States, its local production capacity remains underutilized. In 2022, apparel exports to the US under AGOA reached $603 million, accounting for 67.6 per cent of Kenya's total U.S. exports. Dr Mukhwana highlighted, despite high demand for Rivatex products, nearly 40 EPZ-based textile factories still import raw materials that could be sourced locally.
The Kenyan Government is optimistic that the planned restructuring of Rivatex and strategic partnerships with experienced players like ARISE IIP will significantly enhance Kenya's competitiveness in the global textile market.
