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Faruque Hassan, President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), has urged global quality assurance provider Intertek to help promote Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) industry worldwide.
Hassan made this request during a meeting with an Intertek delegation, led by Sandeep Das, Regional Managing Director - South Asia, at the BGMEA office in Dhaka. The meeting was also attended by Miran Ali, Vice-President BGMEA, along with key Intertek executives including Neyamul Hasan, Country Business Line Leader and Shoriful Islam. Head of Business Assurance
During the discussion, the Hasan extended an invitation for Intertek to participate in the ‘Made in Bangladesh Week,’ an event scheduled to take place in Dhaka this November.
The two parties discussed a range of topics relevant to Bangladesh's apparel industry, including the global market situation, consumer demand, and emerging trends. They also explored how Intertek could support garment factories in Bangladesh to ensure their prodPucts not only meet the highest safety standards but also remain globally competitive. A key focus was how Intertek could help factories address the growing consumer need for safe, high-quality products that comply with both international and domestic regulations.
Hassan highlighted the significant progress made by Bangladesh's garment industry over the years. He noted the industry's impressive strides in workplace safety, environmental sustainability, and ethical manufacturing, including a strong focus on hygiene, health, safety, and waste management.
Retail sales at Clarks Village surged 14.2 per cent Y-o-Y during the April–June quarter, according to data from its owner, Landsec. The outlet destination saw a rush of shoppers eager to visit new brands and refreshed stores.
This strong performance is part of a broader trend, as Landsec reports a robust quarter across its entire portfolio of premier retail destinations, with significant year-on-year increases in both sales and foot traffic. This follows a record year for Landsec's retail properties.
The sunniest April–June in recorded history encouraged shoppers to update their closets and treat themselves to new summer apparel, driving a 9.3 per cent Y-o-Y increase in clothing sales. Overall foot traffic at the premium Somerset outlet rose by 3.8 per cent, as customers prioritized the experience of shopping in person.
Jacopo Venturini, CEO, Valentino, has resigned from his position in the company, as per a report by Women's Wear Daily. Valentino and Venturini reached a mutual decision to end his association with the company, citing personal reasons on Venturini's part.
The announcement comes months after it was disclosed that Venturini was on sick leave, amid rumors of his impending departure due to the brand's financial struggles last year.
Meanwhile, the company's creative direction remains stable with Alessandro Michele continuing in his role as creative director. A recent addition from Gucci, Michele is expected to steer Valentino through its current challenges, noted sources familiar with the company's internal affairs.
Fashion brand Vans has appointed Grammy-winning artist SZA as its first-ever Artistic Director. She will be responsible for new campaigns and exclusive collections.
Praising SZA for her ‘genre-transcending sound and radical authenticity,’ Vans states she ‘challenges fashion codes and cultural expectations’ and ‘encourages young people to write their own stories.’ The company believes, this makes her the perfect person to embody ‘Off the Wall,’Vans' motto for creative freedom and self-acceptance.
SZA says, for her, joy, community, creativity, and fashion go hand in hand. It's still all about humanity, culture, and connection. Curiosity and courage are the best medicine for uncertainty, and Vans embodies that lifestyle, she adds.
Parent company of PFAFF, Singer and HUSQVARNA Viking sewing brands, SVP Worldwide has launched three new PFAFF sewing machines: the Creative Expression 750, Quilt Expression 725, and Expression 715. These machines combine precision engineering, cutting-edge technology, and the timeless craftsmanship PFAFF is known for.
The new models will be available for purchase beginning August 14, 2025 on PFAFF.com and at authorized PFAFF Dealer locations across the United States and Europe. Expanded global distribution in Latin America and Asia Pacific is planned throughout Q3 and Q4 of 2025.
The new expression series machines showcase advanced features tailored to both serious hobbyists and professional sewists. All models offer built-in connectivity to the Creativate digital platform of creative tools; large color capacitive touch screens for an intuitive, modern sewing experience; automatic needle threaders eliminate threading frustration and exclusive PFAFF stitch techniques for distinctive embellishments.
The creative expression 750 and quilt expression 725 also feature adjustable laser sewing guidance, enabling users to achieve unmatched accuracy for complex projects
Transforming into a major buyer, Gildan Activewear has acquired competitor HanesBrands Inc for $2.2 billion.
According to the Montreal-based company, the deal will create a powerful new entity with a highly efficient manufacturing base and strong brand recognition, leading to significant growth opportunities.
Glenn Chamandy, CEO, says, the combination will create a global leader in basic apparel with access to iconic underwear brands and further strengthen our low-cost, vertically integrated manufacturing network.
This acquisition comes roughly a year and a half after Gildan faced its own leadership crisis, which saw Chamandy ousted and then reinstated in May 2024 after the previous CEO and board resigned. Following his return, company shares saw sharp gains. While they had since fallen this year due to trade and tariff concerns, Gildan's stock climbed more than 10% in midday trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Wednesday.
The stock gains occurred despite the company's announcement that it would suspend its share buyback program until its debt-to-earnings ratio improves.
Gildan promises at least $200 million in cost savings through the combined companies’ efficiencies. The company also plans to use its robust manufacturing base to help expand the Hanes brand into activewear, an area where Hanes is currently limited.
The cash-and-stock deal involves Gildan issuing HanesBrands shareholders 0.102 of a Gildan share and $0.80 in cash for each Hanes share. The stock issuance makes up 87 per cent of the deal's value. The terms set HanesBrands’ equity value at $2.2 billion, and Gildan will also assume approximately $2 billion in HanesBrands debt. The deal may also include exploring a potential sale or other strategic alternatives for HanesBrands Australia.
Bill Simon, Chairman, Hanesbrands, says, the deal provides significant and certain value for his company's shareholders, offering both immediate cash and the upside potential of the combined business. As part of Gildan, HanesBrands will benefit from an even stronger financial and operational foundation that will provide new growth opportunities, he adds.
Giriraj Singh, Minister of Textiles, has announced the formation of four new, industry-led committees. These committees aim to quickly develop recommendations for new market diversification, fiscal and business reforms, structural changes in the value chain, and cost competitiveness. The minister made the announcement at a high-level meeting with key textile and apparel industry leaders to discuss the current global trade situation. The Minister of State for Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, and Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, were also in attendance.
Singh emphasized the ‘5F’ approach - Farm to Fiber to Factory to Fashion to Foreign - and stressed the need to diversify the country’s export basket, boost product competitiveness, and tap into new and underserved markets, according to a press release from the Ministry of Textiles.
He urged exporters to actively explore the European Union (EU) market, which collectively imports textiles worth $268.8 billion - more than twice the size of the US market. India has already signed 15 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with countries whose combined textile import demand is $198.9 billion, and is currently negotiating an FTA with the EU.
Singh also highlighted that the government aims to strengthen domestic value addition, promote sustainable manufacturing, and reinforce India’s global reputation for quality. He expressed confidence that, through a united effort between the industry and the government and a focus on innovation, India will reach its $100 billion export target by 2030 despite global uncertainties.
India is currently the world’s sixth-largest exporter, holding a 4.1 per cent global share. It shipped $37.7 billion worth of textiles and apparel in 2024–25, which contributed 8.63 per cent to its total merchandise exports. While the US accounts for 28.97 per cent of India's textile exports, it makes up just 6 per cent of the overall $179 billion industry, where domestic demand has surged in the past decade.
In the first eleven months FY2024-25, Pakistan's textile and apparel (T&A) exports increased by 7.37 per cent to $16.365 billion, according to data from the country's Ministry of Commerce.
The T&A sector made up 55.36 per cent of Pakistan's total exports of $29.564 billion from July 2024 to May 2025. This is a slight increase from its 54.21 per cent share during the same period in FY24.
By category, knitwear exports increased by 14.46 per cent Y-o-Y to $4,555.35 million, while exports of non-knit ready-made garments (RMG) grew by 16.35 per cent to $3,768.43 million.
However, exports in some categories declined. For instance, exports of cotton yarns decreased by 32.04 per cent to $618.54 million, while cotton fabric exports decreased by 2.57 per cent to $1,686.31 million. On the other hand, bedwear exports increased by 10.56 per cent to $2,829.51 million.
On the import side, synthetic fiber imports rose by 7.17 per cent Y-o-Y to $471.42 million. Imports of synthetic and artificial silk yarn increased by 13.81 per cent to $631.99 million. A notable increased was seen in textile machinery imports, which rose by 61.09 per cent Y-o-Y to $213.49 million between July 2024 and May 2025, suggesting a revival of new investments in the sector.
In a broader view, Pakistan's textile and apparel exports registered a slight increase of 0.93 per cent to $16.655 billion in FY24, contrasting with the 14.63 per cent decline to $16.501 billion in FY23, and the $19.329 billion from FY22.
In the first eleven months FY2024-25, Pakistan's textile and apparel (T&A) exports increased by 7.37 per cent to $16.365 billion, according to data from the country's Ministry of Commerce.
The T&A sector made up 55.36 per cent of Pakistan's total exports of $29.564 billion from July 2024 to May 2025. This is a slight increase from its 54.21 per cent share during the same period in FY24.
By category, knitwear exports increased by 14.46 per cent Y-o-Y to $4,555.35 million, while exports of non-knit ready-made garments (RMG) grew by 16.35 per cent to $3,768.43 million.
However, exports in some categories declined. For instance, exports of cotton yarns decreased by 32.04 per cent to $618.54 million, while cotton fabric exports decreased by 2.57 per cent to $1,686.31 million. On the other hand, bedwear exports increased by 10.56 per cent to $2,829.51 million.
On the import side, synthetic fiber imports rose by 7.17 per cent Y-o-Y to $471.42 million. Imports of synthetic and artificial silk yarn increased by 13.81 per cent to $631.99 million. A notable increased was seen in textile machinery imports, which rose by 61.09 per cent Y-o-Y to $213.49 million between July 2024 and May 2025, suggesting a revival of new investments in the sector.
In a broader view, Pakistan's textile and apparel exports registered a slight increase of 0.93 per cent to $16.655 billion in FY24, contrasting with the 14.63 per cent decline to $16.501 billion in FY23, and the $19.329 billion from FY22.
From August 20 to 22, 2025, the 8th annual IFCO – Istanbul Fashion Connection will welcome over 250 exhibitors and over 30,000 trade visitors from over 100 countries.
The event will showcase all segments of the industry, including menswear, womenswear, kidswear, denim, shoes, accessories, activewear, and homewear.
Womenswear will be the largest segment with 125 exhibitors. It will feature brands from premium to mass-scale production, including İpekyol, a top brand known for its modern, high-quality, and quickly delivered feminine fashion.
The creative center of the event is TheCore Istanbul, which will highlight 24 of Turkey’s most influential designers, such as Arzu Kaprol, Mehtap Elaidi, Hatice Gökçe, and Sudi Etuz. These designers are keys to establishing Turkish design on the international stage.
The menswear section will feature brands like DS Damat, Kiğılı, JAKAMEN, Sabri Özel, UCLA, and NCS, showcasing men's fashion that blends traditional tailoring with modern market trends.
Kidswear will be represented by 21 exhibitors offering trendy, high-quality collections focused on design, comfort, and sustainability.
With its expanded list of exhibitors, curated trend areas, high-profile runway shows, and a diverse seminar program, IFCO solidifies its position as a strategic B2B platform connecting Europe and Asia. The event's location combines cultural inspiration with direct business opportunities in a unique way.
