Clovia ropes in Sharen Jester Turney as its new advisor
Clovia has roped in Sharen Jester Turney, Former President and CEO, Victoria’s Secret as its new advisor.
As per Economic Times, Turney is currently a board member and advisor to several global retail and techology brands and philanthropic organizations. Her expertise and advisory roles span the globe including London-based Marks and Spencer, Gloria Jeans in Russia, Cosmo Lady in China, Sweden-based global brand Happy Socks, , and New Store Omnichannel platform in the USA, to name a few.
She was president and CEO of the global lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret for nearly two decades.
Women’s innerwear, loungewear, and personal care brand Clovia has been one of the key branded players in the Indian direct-to-consumer space, which has been scaling profitably on the back of extensive use of technology and data in all its business areas.
Turney will support the organization support across functions like business strategy, category expansion like personal care, market insights, strengthening of brand positioning and experience, and international expansion.
Rent the Runway expands into resale
Rent the Runway is expanding into resale to enable customers to buy used designer clothes from the business in addition to renting them.
As per CNBC reports, customers will not require any membership to bu these clothes as Rent the Runway looks to broaden its reach and give shoppers more feasible entry points. Previously, only paying members were able to buy gently used Rebecca Minkoff dresses, Tory Burch tops and even Lululemon leggings from Rent the Runway, at a discount.
The launch comes as Rent the Runway is clawing its way back from the effects of the COVID pandemic. The company said that getting into the resale market offers another engine of growth and a fuller realization of our value proposition. It added that it has noticed twice as many customers self-reporting that they’re coming to Rent the Runway for sustainable fashion solutions, compared with 15 months ago, a sign that shoppers’ appetite to add secondhand apparel to their closets is growing.
With the launch, Rent the Runway positions itself as a closer competitor to already established resale marketplaces including Poshmark, ThredUp, TheRealReal and StockX. The latter, known for landing coveted sneakers, is expected to go public later this year. E-commerce marketplace Etsy plans to buy secondhand fashion app Depop for $1.62 billion
The total resale market in the U.S. will be worth more than $33 billion by the end of this year and is on track to top $64 billion by 2024, according to GlobalData.
Analysts say thrifting for clothing, accessories and home goods could be an even more compelling value proposition coming out of the health crisis, especially as Americans look to clean out their closets to make room for new styles, potentially in new sizes.
AAFA opposes California’s Senate Bill for garment sector
The American Apparel & Footwear Association has opposed discrete elements of California's Senate Bill No. 62 (SB 62) related to employment in garment manufacturing sector. Although well-intentioned, the bill, in its current form, would, among other things, impose unprecedented joint liability on businesses with no control over garment workers, AAFA said.
Though there are elements of this bill that AAFA supports, the brand guarantor provision, creating joint and severable liability, represents an extraordinary misunderstanding of who is responsible for the payment of workers’ wages and will worsen the situation of garment workers by creating an exodus of brands from California and subsequent job loss, the letter said.
Presently, all businesses engaged in garment manufacturing must register with the California labour commissioner and pay a registration fee. If a worker experiences aalabour violation, his employer as well as any manufacturer who contracts directly with the employer is jointly liable. SB 62 significantly expands this joint liability by creating per se joint liability between the employer, manufacturer and any other company in the garment supply chain, including licensors.
The bill, as currently drafted, does not recognise that brands or buyers may have little to no control over how a particular garment factory employer manages their payroll or enterprise finances. Further, any ‘brand guarantor’ would be liable for the worker’s entire wage claim, not only wages for time spent on garments related to their brand, adds Lamar.
Furthermore, the legislation includes intellectual property licensors, who do not issue purchase orders or set prices,he adds.
Textile Exchange refutes many PETA allegations against alpaca handling
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has urged retailers to ban alpaca wool altogether as Textile Exchange’s Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS) fails to prevent animal suffering.
Laura Shields, Corporate Responsibility Manager, PETA says, Textile Exchange’s RAS was created in response to the animal welfare group’s undercover investigation allegedly showing workers hitting, kicking, tying down and mutilating pregnant alpacas. She says, though the RAS claimed to treat the animals responsibly and respect their freedom, it fails to protect the basic welfare of alpacas in substantial ways.
Textile Exchange refuted many of PETA’s claims, but did acknowledge others. It said in contrast to PETA’s claim, if farmers are responsible for transporting alpacas, they must meet the standards of transport within the Responsible Alpaca Standard. These cover all aspects of transport from the condition of the vehicle, loading the animals, space in transport and transport duration.
On pain relief, Textile Exchange said while there is no therapeutic currently licensed for alpacas, it is actively working on a project to address the limitations of licensed pain-relieving products for all fiber animals across the countries where these are not available through the work with our stakeholders on the Animal Fibers Round Table.
Munich Fabric Start cancels View Premium Selection
Munich Fabric Start has cancelled fabric show View Premium Selection, scheduled to be held on July 13 and 14, 2021.The show has been cancelled due to the Bavarian government extending the current ban on events beyond July 14, 2021. In line with the Bavarian Ministry of State's decree, the organizer now wants to focus on planning Munich Fabric Start from August 31 - September 02, 2021, as well as Bluezone from August 31 to September 01, 2021, affirms Sebastian Klinder, Managing Director, Munich Fabric Start.
The organizer’s aim is to present the familiar exhibitor portfolio at MOC Munich for the Fabrics, Additionals, Bluezone, Keyhouse, Design Studios, Sourcing, ReSource and Sustainable Innovations segments at Munich Fabric Start. Also at Bluezone, visitors can expect the proven spectrum of international denim weavers and manufacturers at the Zenith Areal, together with the newly staged innovation hub Keyhouse.
Pakistan’s textile and apparel exports increase 231.2 per cent in April
In April 2021, Pakistan’s textile and apparel exports increased 231.2 per cent year-on-year but declined 1.3 per cent month-on-month, and rose by 17.4 per cent compared with that in same period of 2019. As per the CCF Group report, Pakistan’s export of knitwear, bedding and towels rose 238.2 per cent, 181.9 per cent and 308.4 per cent in volume respectively compared with the same period of last year. Compared with the same period of 2019, the export volume increased by 36.5 per cent, 24.7 per cent and 12.9 per cent respectively, indicating that the above three have recovered to the pre-pandemic level, and even achieved double-digit rises.
However, Pakistan’s apparel, cotton yarn and cotton fabric exports declined in varying degrees by 18.4 per cent, 17.6 per cent and 84.5 per cent respectively, indicating that the above three have not yet recovered, among which the export of cotton fabric had a larger decline.
From the perspective of cumulative exports from January to April, compared with the same period in 2019, total export volume of textile and apparel increased by 17.1 per cent, in which the cumulative export volume of knitted fabrics, bedding and towels rose by 31.6 per cent, 20 per cent and 14.3 per cent respectively while that of apparel, cotton yarn and cotton fabric dropped by 21.1 per cent, 2.8 per cent and 81.2 per cent respectively.
ITMA Asia-CITME 2020 to showcase latest technology from big industry names
Leading flat knitting solutions provider Shima Seiki Mfg has confirmed its participation in ITMA Asia +CITME 2020 exhibition along with Hong Kong subsidiary Shima Seiki (Hong Kong). As per Knitting Industry reports, the exhition will be held at the national Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China, later this month. The theme of the exhibition will be ‘Step Beyond’ through which Shima Seiki will present its vision of the future, besides addressing a variety of solutions in factory automation, digital transformation (DX), and various online solutions.
One of Shima Seiki’S exhibits will include the wholegarment knitting machines; MACH2XS which features the proprietary four-needle bed and Slideneedle technology combined with spring-type moveable sinkers and i-DSCS+DTC Digital Stitch Control System with Intelligence and Dynamic Tension Control, and capable of all-needle knitting of wholegarment items.
The other machine to be exhibited includes the MACH2VS, a flexible V-bed machine capable of knitting Whole garment knitwear using every other needle, or conventional shaped knitting using all needles. It also features spring-type moveable sinkers and i-DSCS+DTC Digital Stitch Control System with Intelligence and Dynamic Tension Control. MACH2VS is presented in ultrafine 18 gauge with auto yarn carriers as a prototype option.
ITMA Asia will also launch the next-Generation 4-bed whole garment knitting technology in the form of SWG-XR which adopts the SWG moniker from the first-generation whole garment knitting machine introduced back in 1995. The ‘X’ represents 4 needle beds arranged in an X- shaped formation as per the original SWG-X machine, while ‘R’ stands for Reborn and Revolution Shima Seiki will also showcase three new online services at ITMA Asia. These include APEXFiz subscription-based design software; yarn bank digital yarn sourcing web service; and Shimanavi e-learning service.
USTR concludes investigations into DSTs
United States Trade Representative (USTR) has concluded the one-year Section 301 investigations of Digital Service Taxes (DSTs) adopted by Austria, India, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the UK. As per Sourcing Journal, the taxes aim to impose additional tariffs on certain goods from these countries, while suspending the tariffs for up to 180 days to provide additional time to complete the ongoing multilateral negotiations on international taxation at the Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) and in the G20 process.
At a USTR hearing last month, Blake Harden, Vice President, Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), stressed imposition of any additional tariffs on imported goods would hurt American companies, consumers and workers without obtaining the elimination of Austria, India, Italy, Spain, Turkey, or the UK’s digital services taxes.
Beth Hughes, Vice President-Trade and Customs Policy, American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), added that the group has serious concerns that the imposition of new punitive duties on US imports from Austria, India, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the U. would result in great harm to the domestic industry and exacerbate supply chain disruption issues.
From USTR’s proposed product lists, members of the Retail Industry Leaders Association, including Walmart and Target, import goods such as cosmetics, perfumes and shampoos from the U.K.; carpets, bed linens, curtains, tiles, kitchen fixtures and bathroom ceramics from Turkey; glassware and footwear from Spain, and jewelry and furniture from India.
Harden fears that the tariff may fail to convince US’ trade partners to withdraw or reform their digital services taxes. They may also harm US’ retailers’ ability to compete globally, he adds.
Crystal International launches new denim fabric collection
Hong Kong-based Crystal International Group has launched a new denim fabric collection using recycled fabrics and other sustainable components. As per Sourcing Journal, the company has developed a line of 10 denim fabrics for men and women called Second Life Denim that provide deeper color shades and strong weft yarn compared to traditional recycled fabrics. The collection is made using recycled fabrics certified with Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), as well as sustainable materials including Lycra T400 fiber with EcoMade technology and Repreve recycled polyester.
The collection is a part of the denim factory’s wider efforts to close the loop—a concept that it initiated last year when it partnered with The R Collective to launch a range of jeans resewed from upcycled Levi’s inventory and leftover samples. The collection carries forward Crystal’s commitment towards cleaner production with dyes and wash processes. The recycled cotton is dyed with liquid indigo for further water and chemical reduction, and sustainable washing methods are adopted in the finishing.
The collection is available in physical and digital formats to meet the market’s growing demand for 3D virtual sampling. Customers can learn more about the fabric’s footprint by scanning the QR code on the product, which gives access to a video about the collection and manufacturing information, including fabric information, Environmental Impact Measurement (EIM) score, sample room and washing information and certificate logo.
Autumn Fair to be the largest event across home, gift, fashion and design sectors
To be held from September 5 to 8, 2021 at the NEC Birmingham, UK Autumn Fair will be the largest event for the season’s buying season across the home, gift, fashion and design sectors. The forthcoming fair will be collocated with the Moda and offer the most comprehensive and inspirational curated line-up of fashion, footwear, and jewellery. The Home and Interiors section will feature new products from brands like Coach House, Hill Interiors, Authentic Models and Malini. The Summerhouse section will feature an array of new premium home interior accessories and soft furnishings with new collaborations and launches from brands Gallery Direct, Pacific, and Inis.
Buyers seeking the season’s must-have toys will benefit from established brands Ty and Grossman as well as new ones including Universal Games and Paul Lamond Games, Little Bird Told Me, Mood Bears, and Hippie Chick. Within Greetings section, the show will feature brands The Art File, Love Lilly, Look What Debbie Did, Vent for Change, Emotional Rescue, Dean Morris, and The Gifted Stationery Company.
The show organizer Hyve Group plc is also working closely with industry association, AEO (Association of Event Organisers) to establish safety protocols for the event. The Safe & Secure Guidelines promise to introduce a Safe & Secure stamp for visitors to confirm maintenance of highest health and safety standards across Autumn Fair.
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India loses 20 per cent textile and garment orders due to COVID-19
COVID-induced crisis has led to Indian textile and apparel manufacturers losing 20 per cent orders to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. This has compelled apparel manufacturers in Noida and Greater Noida to shift to PPE manufacturing as a stopgap measure, However, Lalit Thukral, President, Noida Apparel Exporters Council (NAEC) claims, this cannot substitute their core business of garment making. To alleviate their sufferings, A Sathivel, Chairman, AEPC has urged Prime Minister to declare apparel exports as essential services and exempt these exporting units from lockdowns across India.
Apparel exports units in India have been unable execute orders due to lockdowns. This is likely to result in not just short-term loss of orders and export earnings but also a long-term loss of the buyers, warns Sakthivel. In 2020, Indian apparel exports declined 13 per cent to $14 billion due to loss of buyers, informs Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor, CMAI.
Alchemie Technology teams up with HeiQ to rollout Novara production
Alchemie Technology has joined HeiQ in its efforts to rollout the third quarter production of its Novara digital multifunction finishing solution. Novara also enables lifestyle product innovations at lower production cost for fashion, sportswear, technical clothing and upholstery. The solution is suitable for finishing all fabric types from 50 to 1,000 gsm, including polyester, cotton, nylon and polycotton.
The solution can apply single-sided, or simultaneous two-sided, coating of multiple finishes to specific areas of textile like combining anti-odor and water repellency in one material. Using Novara for single-sided finishing of HeiQ Viroblock required 52 per cent less chemistry, 66 per cent less water and 50 per cent less energy, while achieving a 99.7 per cent reduction in antimicrobial activity after 15 washes, notes Dr Simon Kew, Managing Director, Alchemie Technology.
Kew noted extensive testing using HeiQ’s chemistry with Alchemie’s digital finishing technology has achieved exceptional finishing performance with half the chemistry required of traditional finishing methods.
Primark, Bestseller, H&M resume business in Myanmar
Fashion retailers like Primark, Bestseller and H&M planning to resume sourcing in the Myanmar.
As per Apparel Resources, Danish fashion retailer Bestsellerhas commissioned an independent report to evaluate its due diligence to ensure responsible production in Myanmar. The retailer says there are no grounds to assume that its three factories located in Myanmar are either directly or indirectly, owned by the military.
H&M too has gradually started placing new orders again. The Swedish retailer is focused on avoiding the imminent risk of its suppliers having to close their factories in Myanmar.
Primark, the Irish fashion retailer, also will be now sourcing in the country. The retailer is committed to fulfilling all existing orders with its suppliers in Myanmar.
Meanwhile, organisations like the Clean Clothes Campaign are urging all suppliers, brands and retailers, active in Myanmar, to publicly condemn the military coup, call for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law.
Nigeria produces 10 million yarn materials in 2020
The Nigerian Textile industry produced 10 million yarn materials in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread insecurity.
Godwin Emefiele, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria disclosed that the apex bank financed over 278,500 hectares in 2019 and 2020 with over 90,000 metric tons of cotton seed harvested.
In addition, nine ginneries were brought back to life and ginned cotton all year round for the first time in 10 years.; over 620,000 direct and indirect jobs created in two years; while the industry capacity of the ginneries increased from an average of 19 per cent to 51 per cent.
Emefielerevealed that the textile sector got 100 per cent of their major raw material (cotton lint) at a CBN-subsidized rate of N440,000 as against the market price of N593,000 and that uniformed Services have started patronizing made-in-Nigeria textiles for their uniform.
Between 2019 and 2020, a memorandum of understanding was signed among critical stakeholders across the value chain, including cotton farmers, ginneries, textile and garment companies and end-users of cotton products and this has led to at least 5 agencies partnering with local textile manufacturers, said Emefiele.
For the 2021, the Bank plans to involve ginneries inbackward integration by cultivating an average of 53,100 hectares with an estimated output of 106,200 Metric tons at two metric Tons per hectare.
The Bank is also working with existing prime anchors for 10,000 hectares of land with an estimated output of 20,000 metric tonne, Emefiele declared while adding that CBN will be working with associations to cultivate about 80,000 hectares of land with an average output of 120,000 Metric tons at 1.5 Metric Tons per hectare.
He reiterated that CBN remained committed to ensuring the successful implementation of the CTG program across the country and will continue to dedicate appropriate resources to driving its implementation.
