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Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry is urging upstream producers under the Indonesian Fiber and Filament Yarn Producers Association (APSyFI), to be more transparent and compliant with regulations. This is a part of their move to ensure fair competition and support sustainable growth in the industry.
The ministry raised concerns about the low reporting of compliance among APSyFI members, noting that only 15 of 20 companies submitted their operational reports. There are still large APSyFI member companies that don't report their performance at all, says Febri Hendri Antoni Arief, Spokesperson. He emphasized, this lack of accountability undermines the association's claims as an industry leader.
Arief highlighted, while APSyFI has asked the government to tighten import controls, some of its members have dramatically increased their own imports. Data shows, yarn and fabric imports by these companies increased by 239 per cent within a year, rising from 14.07 million kg in 2024 to 47.88 million in 2025. On one hand, they demand protection, yet on the other, they actively operate as major importers. This contradicts the spirit of building a self-reliant domestic industry, he explains.
Despite these issues, the government has given extensive protection and fiscal incentives to upstream textile producers for years. These include various Anti-Dumping Duties (BMAD) and Safeguard Duties (BMTP) that are valid for several more years. Despite enjoying dual benefits, tariff protection and generous import facilities, these company have shown little interest in reinvesting or modernizing their technology, adds Arief.
The minister warns, a proposed 45 per cent anti-dumping duty could result in up to 40,000 layoffs in downstream industries, which would be a national tragedy. In contrast, any potential job losses in the upstream sector would be much smaller.
With Indonesia's textile industry growing by over 4 per cent in H1, FY25, the Ministry is calling for greater cooperation and compliance to maintain this positive momentum.
A Fortune 150 technology company, Coupang has launched a new office in Hyderabad, growing its India Development Center. This move underscores India's growing importance as Coupang's fastest-growing global technology hub, with a focus on deep tech, core systems, and generative AI.
The expansion comes on the heels of Coupang's strong Q2, FY25 financial results, which saw net revenues rise by 16 per cent Y-o-Y to $8.5 billion. The company also reported an operating income of $149 million, demonstrating its continued momentum.
Harshal Wanjari, Vice President – Engineering, Coupang, notes, India is central to the company’s vision as it scale its engineering capabilities and global footprint."
Since its launch in late 2023, the India Development Center has rapidly become Coupang’s most dynamic engineering hub. India-based teams are at the forefront of AI and generative AI innovation, building capabilities that enhance customer experience and automate operations.
The company is building a powerhouse of innovation pioneering the use of Gen AI to drive the next wave of transformation, led by some of the best engineering talent and leaders in India, says Himanshu Verma, Vice President-Engineering and Head, India Site.
To support this growth, Coupang is hiring senior engineering leaders with experience from top global tech companies. The company is actively recruiting for a wide range of technology roles at its Bengaluru and Hyderabad locations.
Coupang's India teams are responsible for core technologies that power its vertically integrated infrastructure, enabling innovations like overnight delivery and intelligent fulfillment. They lead critical domains, including logistics, fraud detection, cloud infrastructure, and Coupang Eats. This work is foundational to the company’s ability to deliver speed and reliability at a global scale.
With annual revenues exceeding $30 billion in 2024 and recognition as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in 2025, Coupang continues to lead innovation in retail, delivery, and streaming. The company remains committed to attracting top tech talent in India by offering a fast-paced environment where bold ideas can become global solutions.
Several leading US industry groups, including the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and the Consumer Brands Association (CBA), have applauded the new United States-European Union Framework on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade.
In a joint statement, the heads of the AAFA and CFDA, Steve Lamar and Steven Kolb, respectively, thanked US President Donald J Trump and EU President Ursula von der Leyen. They highlighted, the new 15 per cent reciprocal rate will not be an additional charge on top of existing most-favored-nation (MFN) tariffs, which would provide significant relief to the American fashion industry. This industry has long struggled with high duties on imported materials, equipment, and finished products.
Lamar and Kolb also urged the US government to apply this ‘non-stacking concept’ to future trade deals. They emphasized, this would help the fashion industry, which supports over 10 million US workers, to continue to design, produce, and sell apparel, footwear, and accessories.
Melissa Hockstad, President and CEO, CBA, also praised the deal. She stated, the agreement will reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers for American companies. Hockstad noted, the administration's acknowledgment of the need for natural resources from the EU is a crucial step in a ‘common-sense America First trade policy’ that will benefit both manufacturers and consumers.
Finally, she stressed that as the largest domestic manufacturing employer, the consumer-packaged goods industry is pushing for a quick implementation of the ambitious trade deal.
YKK Corporation is partnering with the Fashion Frontier Program to educate and inspire the next generation of designers on sustainable design. This partnership will focus on how fastening products like zippers, snaps, and buttons can play a key role in creating a more circular fashion industry. The Fashion Frontier Program is an educational and awards program for fashion designers who blend social responsibility with creativity. YKK’s vision aligns perfectly with the program's goals of fostering growth and providing a supportive framework for future designers, which led to the new partnership.
As part of the collaboration, YKK will lead a lecture titled ‘Little Parts. Big Difference’ at the program's first incubation session this August. The goal is to help the 16 program semifinalists understand how to integrate fastening products into their sustainable design practices. The lecture will also showcase new products YKK is developing to support a circular economy and will include a discussion with the designers. YKK will also provide products for them to use.
In the next fiscal year, YKK plans to create synergy among designers by participating in an incubation program for winners of the YKK Fastening Awards.
The program aims to discover and develop future fashion designers who combine social responsibility and creativity. Being organized by Yuima Nakazato Laboratory Co, the first incubation session will be held in August 2025 while the award ceremony will be held in mid-December 2025. The event is being co-organized by the Executive Committee of the Fashion Frontier Program - unisteps Incorporated Association, It is supported by the Ministry of Environment.
PVH-owned Calvin Klein is boosting its presence in Asia with the launch of its largest lifestyle store in Tokyo.
Located at 4-31-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, the new three-story flagship store serves as a ‘cultural and commercial destination’ that provides the ultimate brand experience in one of the world's leading fashion capitals.
David Savman, Global Brand President, Calvin Klein, states, the Tokyo flagship marks a pivotal milestone in the global retail strategy for the Calvin Klein brand. The brand has always stood at the intersection of fashion and culture, creating products and consumer experiences that resonate and inspire, and their stores are where this element of their iconic DNA is the most fully realized.
This Tokyo launch follows the brand’s first flagship opening in Paris last year. Like the Paris store, the new store will also stock the full Calvin Klein apparel range, including dedicated floors for menswear and womenswear, along with accessories, eyewear, and fragrance.
Calvin Klein also plans to open third flagship store in SoHo, New York later this year.
Abercrombie & Fitch has entered into a multi-season partnership with Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt and his wife, former professional soccer player Dani Watt. This collaboration is the first for Abercrombie's activewear brand, Your Personal Best (YPB).
The co-designed collection will roll out in three seasonal drops: Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026, and will feature styles for both men and women.
The first collection for men will include a variety of shorts, tees, tanks, and hoodies. The women's range will feature an assortment of leggings, sports bras, and sweatshirts. Prices will range from $29 to $90, and the collection will be available on abercrombie.com and in stores.
Carey Collins Krug, Chief Marketing Officer, Abercrombie & Fitch Co, notes, TJ and Dani are the perfect partners who bring "authenticity and athletic insight to every stage of the process, helping create a collection that performs as well as they do, without sacrificing style.
Launched in 2022, YPB aims to empower customers to be their personal best in any situation, from high-intensity workouts to casual moments. The collection is available in sizes XXS-XXL, with additional options for long and short lengths.
Gap has partnered with international girl group Katseye to launch its new global Fall Denim campaign titled ‘Better in Denim.’ The campaign taps into early 2000s nostalgia with a fresh, contemporary reimagining of the iconic track Milkshake.
Central to the collection is the return of Gap’s popular Long & Lean jeans. Originally a fan favorite, this silhouette has been reintroduced with a modern fit that aligns with today’s fashion while keeping its timeless appeal.
Shot by photographer Bjorn Iooss and directed by Bethany Vargas, the campaign’s visuals capture a vibrant mix of individuality, movement, and style. Choreographer Robbie Blue adds dynamic energy, weaving music and dance into the storytelling.
With ‘Better in Denim,’ Gap continues its tradition of celebrating personal expression and cross-generational style, reminding audiences why denim remains a cultural staple.
Global apparel retailer, Uniqlo has partnered with Academy Award-winning actor, Cate Blanchett as its newest Global Brand Ambassador. Blanchett will work with Uniqlo to promote the brand’s LifeWear philosophy, which focuses on a continuous pursuit of excellence, humanitarian support, and positive social contributions.
Tadashi Yanai, Founder and Chairman, Uniqlo, states, Blanchett is one of the greatest actors of her generation. Her passion is evident in her contributions as a role model for women, her mentorship of emerging artists, and her long-standing commitment to humanitarian and environmental causes. Through this partnership, we will work together to make positive changes in the world.
Blanchett quips, Uniqlo’s mission to improve lives through its LifeWear apparel: timeless design, perfected simplicity, affordable, accessible, quality clothing that lasts, is admirable She adds, she's energized by the opportunity to support key aspects of the LifeWear philosophy, including helping the next generation, highlighting the global displacement crisis, giving back to communities, and contributing to a more equitable world.
One of the world's most celebrated actors and producers, Blanchett is known for her roles in films like Tár, Carol, The Aviator, and Elizabeth, as well as her acclaimed work on stage. She is also a style icon and a key figure behind the scenes, having served as co-Artistic Director of the Sydney Theatre Company and as a co-founder of the production company Dirty Films.
Danish fashion company Bestseller has made a strategic investment in the German cleantech company matterr to support its groundbreaking polyester recycling technology. This investment was made through Bestseller's innovation and investment arm, Invest FWD.
The partnership is a significant step toward addressing the fashion industry's sustainability challenges. Matterr has developed a chemical recycling technology that transforms hard-to-recycle textile and packaging waste into new raw materials that are identical in quality to virgin polyester. This process allows polyester to be reused repeatedly without relying on fossil fuels.
Bestseller's investment, combined with a substantial €30 million grant from the EU, will help matterr build a small-scale industrial plant by 2026. This new facility is designed to process 10,000 tons of polyester-rich waste annually.
According to Bestseller, one of the reasons for this investment is the scalability of matterr’s technology. The goal is to create solutions that can benefit the entire fashion industry, not just Bestseller's own supply chain. This aligns with Bestseller's broader ambition to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and increase the use of recycled materials.
Marking a significant milestone with an all-time high participation, the 13th edition of Gartex Texprocess India 2025 kicked off at the Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Being held from August 21-23, the three-day event is being jointly organized by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India and MEX Exhibition. This year's expo boasts over 200 exhibitors and more than 600 brands, with a remarkable 35 per cent of participants being first-time exhibitors. The sheer scale and diversity of the show solidify its reputation as a premier global platform for the textile industry.
The 2025 edition introduces two exciting new features; the LeatherX Pavilion and the Textile Care Forum, making the event more comprehensive than ever. The show floor spans over 150,000 sq ft, buzzing with activity as stakeholders from across the value chain - from yarn to finished products - engage in meaningful conversations and exchange innovative ideas. International participation is also at a record high, with brands from China, Japan, Italy, Germany, and Singapore joining the fray. Notable global companies include Durst, Morimota Singapore (Kansai), Epson, Morgan, Jinjen, Groz Beckert, Brothers International, Jack Franc, Veolia, and Amazon. The high energy and vigorous activity across all stalls on the first day are a clear indicator of the show's success and the industry's robust health.
Government leaders emphasize growth and sustainability
The inauguration ceremony brought together key government officials and industry leaders. In his address as the Chief Guest for the event, Manohar Lal Khattar, Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Minister of Power, highlighted the textile industry’s crucial role in job creation, noting, it employs over 45 million people, including a large number of women and rural populations. He also acknowledged the government’s various initiatives and incentives designed to boost the sector and generate employment.
Speaking about the transition to renewable energy, Khattar urged attendees to upgrade their plants to green energy sources, pointing out, India has already met its 2030 target of replacing 50 per cent of its energy with clean sources. The government has have extended several schemes, including subsidies up to 75 per cent, he stated, reinforcing the government’s commitment to its Mission 2047 goal of reducing emissions.
Guest of Honor Rakesh Sachan, Minister of MSME, Khadi, Village Industries, Sericulture, and Textile and for the Government of Uttar Pradesh, focused on the need for indigenous machinery. He noted, the Indian textile industry still heavily relies on imports and shared how the Uttar Pradesh government is working to support industrial growth. This includes the development of a 150-acre apparel cluster in Noida, which will be the state's first textile park. This project aims to attract investment, create jobs, and boost exports. Addressing the recent US tariffs, Shri Sachan called for the industry to "upgrade and create capacity" and "improve on indigenous technology."
Industry leaders express optimism
The opening ceremony featured a distinguished lineup of dignitaries, including Raj Manek, Executive Director & Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings and Himani Gulati, Director, MEX Exhibitions.
Expressing his excitement about the overwhelming response, Manek said, India is high on the global textile map, and Gartex Texprocess India 2025 is a perfect platform to up the ante and bring all stakeholders together under one umbrella.
The exhibition features several special zones, including The Denim Show, organized in association with the Denim Manufacturers Association, as well as the Fabrics and Trims Show, and Screen Print India (Textile). The new LeatherX Pavilion and the launch of the Textile Care Forum, in partnership with the Drycleaners and Launderers Association of India, add further value, connecting various segments of the industry. The overwhelming success of the first day is a testament to India's growing dominance in the global textile space, and the remaining days of the exhibition are expected to yield even more positive results.
