Men's accessories brand GRAMS28 is embracing the brick-and-mortar experience with their inaugural pop-up store in London's vibrant Soho district. Starting October 25, 2023, customers can immerse themselves in GRAMS28's world of luxury products and innovative designs, exploring the brand's offerings firsthand.
"We want our customers to not just see, but feel and experience the essence of GRAMS28," shared Benjamin Chan, GRAMS28's founder and principal designer. "We're incredibly grateful for the support we've received, and we're committed to crafting even more exceptional products for everyone."
Encompassing the brand's creative philosophy, the pop-up store promises an immersive experience, allowing customers to connect with GRAMS28's unique aesthetic and craftsmanship.
VF Corporation unveiled its fiscal year 2023 Environmental & Social Responsibility report, themed "Purpose. Driven." The report encapsulates VF’s strides in environmental and social commitments, merging previously separate Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Action (IDEA) content.
Bracken Darrell, VF’s CEO, commended the company’s resilience amid global challenges and affirmed dedication to fostering sustainable lifestyles. The report, centered on People, Planet, and Product, addresses gender parity, racial equity, human rights, climate change, and responsible sourcing.
Brand-specific achievements in FY23 showcased inclusivity efforts, LGBTQ+ advocacy, regenerative practices, and circular design products. VF's key advancements include a 19.0% representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) employees in U.S. leadership positions, surpassing 18.1% in FY22.
Recycled polyester usage increased to 40%, nearing the 50% target by FY26. The APAC region launched VF’s 23rd global Pride employee resource group (ERG), and VF achieved 80% progress toward improving the lives of one million workers by FY26.
The report adheres to global standards, referencing the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), aligning with UN SDGs. VF's FY23 achievements reflect its commitment to purpose-driven progress and sustainable business practices.
In a landmark development at the Annual Conference 2023 of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) in Keqiao, China, K.V. Srinivasan from India ascended to the presidency. The Committee of Management unanimously elected Srinivasan to lead the Federation for the 2023-2025 term, signaling a significant shift in leadership.
Spain's Juan Parès retained his position, being re-elected, while Mustafa Denizer from Türkiye joined as Vice President. The newly elected Honorary Treasurer is Ernesto Maurer from Switzerland. The Non-executive Board saw several familiar faces with re-elections, including Uday Gill (Thailand), Salman Ispahani (Bangladesh), and others.
Notably, new additions to the Non-executive Board include Stefan Hutter (Singapore), Anees Khawaja (Pakistan), and others, reflecting a diverse global representation. Additionally, prominent figures like Rafael Cervone (Brazil) and John Cheh (Hong Kong, China) were co-opted to the Board.
A standout recognition went to Ruizhe Sun from China, appointed as Honorary Life Member for his exceptional contributions during his tenure as Vice President (2016-2020) and President (2020-2023). This ITMF leadership transition sets the stage for a dynamic period, with a mix of experienced hands and fresh perspectives steering the global textile industry.
British Wool has unveiled a series of strategic initiatives aimed at fortifying its position in the market, with a strong focus on maximizing prices, enhancing member engagement, and achieving organizational efficiency.
Andrew Hogley, CEO of British Wool, emphasized the commitment to driving demand for British wool to ensure long-term returns for its members. The initiatives include a structured marketing approach, a competitive online auction system, and operational enhancements to strengthen member engagement.
Notably, the marketing team has successfully developed the British Wool brand identity, emphasizing animal welfare, environmental standards, and quality grading. This strategic shift has led to a remarkable 30% increase in businesses specifying British wool in their products over the past year. The competitive online auction, a crucial component in maximizing wool value, has been revamped to include new buyers, fostering a more balanced competition.
Operationally, the implementation of a new IT system in depots provides full traceability for every wool bale sold, significantly boosting efficiency. Despite recent improvements in auction prices, Hogley reassured members that British Wool remains dedicated to further growing demand for their wool and simultaneously enhancing service quality and operational efficiency. The organization's multifaceted approach underscores its commitment to sustainability, quality, and market competitiveness.
Better Cotton, the world's leading cotton sustainability initiative, is launching a groundbreaking program in Côte d'Ivoire, signaling a commitment to uplift 200,000 local cotton farmers over the next five years. The initiative aims to equip farming communities with training and resources, laying the foundation for the production of more sustainable cotton.
The Professional Association of Cotton Companies of Côte d'Ivoire (APROCOT-CI) will play a pivotal role as Better Cotton's Strategic Partner, overseeing efforts to enhance climate resilience and economic prospects for local farming communities. APROCOT-CI, representing the interests of key cotton companies in the country, will collaborate with six member organizations, including CIDT, Ivoire Coton, Global Cotton SA, CO.I.C-SA, SICOSA 2.0, and Seco SA, to serve as Better Cotton Programme Partners. Together, they will provide essential training and resources to cotton communities, fostering social and environmental improvements.
Jean François Toure, President of APROCOT-CI, emphasized the shared commitment to making a positive impact in the cotton industry, focusing on improving the lives of smallholder cotton farmers. The collaboration integrates Better Cotton's sustainable farming practices with APROCOT-CI's local expertise to boost cotton yields, reduce environmental impact, and enhance social and economic outcomes for farmers.
This strategic partnership emerged after APROCOT-CI expressed national interest in a Better Cotton program, and a multistakeholder event in Abidjan in March solidified the potential impact. Alan McClay, CEO at Better Cotton, highlighted the significance of expanding into Côte d'Ivoire, expressing gratitude for APROCOT-CI's support in advancing sustainable cotton production. Better Cotton's move aligns with its broader goal of building a strong presence in Africa, empowering smallholder farmers to address climate change through continuous improvements in sustainable agricultural practices.
Monforts, the textile machinery builder, recently showcased its ingenuity in meeting unique specifications for a Montex 8500 stenter line at Curt Bauer's Aue plant in Germany. With 150 years of tradition, Curt Bauer specializes in home textiles, West African damask fabrics, and technical textiles. The company's technical textiles branch produces innovative fabrics for automotive brands and refrigerator counter roller blinds.
In response to the need for increased productivity and reduced energy consumption, Curt Bauer opted for a new Montex 8500 line with a 3.2-meter working width and MonforClean heat recovery technology. This system utilizes waste heat from the drying process, resulting in up to 40% energy savings compared to conventional stenters.
The challenge of fitting the larger machine into the limited space was met with a multi-level configuration, utilizing scaffolding platforms to maximize floor space. The intricate assembly process, dubbed the "shoehorn method" by Monforts, required millimeter precision.
Gert Bauer, joint managing director of Curt Bauer, expressed satisfaction with the new line's performance, noting lower gas consumption and improved drainage of polyester fabrics. The collaboration between Curt Bauer and Monforts successfully navigated the complexities of customization and spatial constraints, showcasing the companies' expertise in adapting to evolving industry needs.
While bed bugs have become a global issue, they are not the result of textiles. Instead, globalization and increased travel are the primary factors driving their spread.
Despite the misleading name, bedspreads and other textiles are not responsible for the resurgence of bed bugs. These pests hitchhike on luggage, clothing, and other items, and they are attracted to carbon dioxide, which humans exhale.
Experts recommend using proper pest management techniques, isolating infested items, and washing and drying them at high temperatures to control bed bug infestations.
The textiles industry need not worry about the bed bug issue, as textiles are not the cause. Globe trotters and sports fans can safely travel to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics without fear of bed bugs.
A delegation of 12 Italian textile machinery manufacturers will be exhibiting at the upcoming ITME Africa trade show in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 30th to December 2nd, 2023. The Italian companies will showcase their latest innovations at the Italian Pavilion, organized by ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, and the Italian Trade Agency.
Kenya's textile and garments industry is a significant contributor to the country's economy, ranking among the leading revenue sources. The government's focus on sustaining growth through targeted programs and international agreements, such as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and Kenya, has created a favorable environment for the textile sector.
In 2022, Kenya's total imports of textile machinery reached Euros 24 million, with Italian imports accounting for approximately 4% of the total, valued at around Euros 900,000. The future demand from Kenyan textile companies is expected to focus on high-end and medium to high-end technology, presenting an opportunity for Italian manufacturers to strengthen their market share.
The participation of Italian textile machinery manufacturers at ITME Africa is a testament to their commitment to the Kenyan market and their recognition of its growth potential. The exhibition will provide a platform for Italian companies to showcase their expertise and establish strong business partnerships with Kenyan textile producers.
As per Cotton Market Bulletin l
Cotton Futures
Most cotton futures contracts closed higher on November 13, 2023.
The December 2023 contract closed up 16 points at 77.48 cents per pound.
The March 2024 contract closed down 3 points at 79.47 cents per pound.
The May 2024 contract closed up 13 points at 80.41 cents per pound.
Pakistan
The Spot Rate Committee of the Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) decreased the spot rate by Rs 2,00 per maund to Rs 17,500 per maund.
The cotton market remained bearish with low trading volume.
Australia
Cotton Australia is launching an information and advertising campaign to tackle spray drift risks for growers.
The campaign will include radio ads, media releases, and collaboration with enforcement agencies.
The goal is to ensure that growers and contractors spray in compliance with regulations to protect themselves and their neighbors.
Overall, the cotton market is mixed with some contracts up and others down. Pakistan is experiencing bearish market conditions with low trading volume. Australia is taking proactive steps to address spray drift risks.
The World’s Fashion Leader According to a recent study by ThreadSpy, an online retailer of high-end menswear, Nike is the most valuable fashion brand in the world.
The study used Google search volume and social media metrics to calculate the market value of various brands. Nike scored 9.87 out of 10 and had a market value of £30.5 billion, making it the clear winner. Some Highlights Nike is the undisputed champion of the fashion industry, with a huge lead over other brands.
Zara is the runner-up, followed by Louis Vuitton in third place. The top 10 list also features Prada, Adidas, Burberry, and more. The study shows the diversity and dynamism of the fashion industry, with brands from different segments competing for the top spots.
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