The 44th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) unfolded crucial insights into the challenges and triumphs of the Indian apparel industry. Despite global uncertainties marked by two wars and inflationary pressures, AEPC remains optimistic about India's apparel exports, showcasing resilience amid adversity.

Chairman Naren Goenka announced that Indian apparel exports demonstrated a remarkable growth of 30.35% in 2021-22 and 1.10% in 2022-23, defying the pandemic-induced stagnation in global demand. AEPC is now steering the industry towards ambitious goals, aiming to elevate India's apparel exports from the current $16-17 billion to $40 billion by 2030.

To achieve this target, AEPC outlined strategic initiatives:

1. Establishing an in-house Market Intelligence Cell.

2. Reinforcing traditional exports of cotton through initiatives like promoting Kasturi cotton.

3. Guiding the industry towards technical textiles, MMF, and new product categories.

4. Diversifying markets beyond EU and USA, with a focus on emerging markets in FTA countries, Australia, UAE, Latin America, and Africa.

5. Emphasizing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance and sustainability through the "Certificate Program on Sustainability."

6. Advocating for increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the garment sector to enhance competitiveness.

Chairman Goenka also urged the extension of the ROSCTL scheme, highlighting its crucial role in planning business consistently amidst challenging market sentiments. The AGM concluded with gratitude towards government support and a commitment to foster strategic partnerships for sustainable growth.

Embark on a journey through the dynamic world of fashion as TURBULENCE sets the tone for Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2024. From March 6 to 8, the Trend Forum in Hall 5.1 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) will showcase four trends—Grace, Immersive, Switch, and Voices—curated by the visionary DONEGER | TOBE from New York. Experience the unfolding of a complex and vibrant future in apparel trends.

In the ever-evolving landscape of fashion, a global committee of trend forecasters, including representatives from Elementi Moda in Milan, NellyRodi Agency in Paris, and Sachiko Inoue in Tokyo, has once again united to unveil the Spring-Summer 2025 trends. These trends, born from a tumultuous world, blend self-indulgence and self-expression, encapsulating the positivity and sensibility necessary to navigate the world's turbulence.

Ecological consciousness and everyday influencers shaping fashion

Fashion's trajectory is being reshaped by a dual force—ecological consciousness and the rise of everyday influencers. The committee identifies four distinct trends: Grace, Immersive, Switch, and Voices. Though interconnected by shared disorder, each trend manifests unique aspects that mirror the changing ethos of the industry.

Grace: A quiet luxury lifestyle

Harmony in simplicity. The Grace trend champions enduring luxury through the celebration of peace, love, joy, and respect. Utilizing ornamental delicacy, gentle colors, and high-quality materials, this trend promises a lasting sense of tranquility.

A silver-tinged color palette, featuring elegant hues and tender blooms, adorns gracefully wrought fabrics. Unprocessed toiles, irregular slubs, subtle shiny satin, featherweight jacquards, and printed sheer fabrics blend seamlessly to create an atmosphere of refined serenity.

Immersive: comfort and minimalist expression

Comfort in every detail. Immersive embraces comfort and a minimalist style, demanding attention with powerful, graphic, festive mixes that inspire a positive spirit of collaboration through fashion.

Cosmic and oceanic blues meet tropical dusk in a vibrant contrast. Fabrics range from the functional elegance of robbed stretch jersey and Sea Island cotton to the festivity of decorative embroidery and fluid viscose jersey, promoting a relaxed yet expressive style.

Switch: DIY high-tech experiments

Expressive experimentation. Switch heralds a new dimension of part DIY and part high-tech fashion, encouraging wearers to express their personal style through experimental twists on everyday situations.

Recycled polyester and polyamide, cotton satin, glazed poplin, multicolor deckchair stripes, and dotted variations converge in a vibrant palette of joyful pastels and energetic brights, aligning with the theme of joyful pleasures and fantasy experiences.

Voices: Dazzling freedom and new age fashion

Contrasting, dazzling freedom. Voices envisions a future of instinctive New Age fashion—an ode to Earth that combines raw character, positivity, and improvisation.

Exuberant tones and tinted darks in textural compositions define the color palette. Fabrics range from crackled crêpe and various organic fibers exuding ornamental rusticity to decorative and baroque elements featuring rich velvety surfaces and artistic patterns.

The unified textile value chain under one roof

As the apparel fair coincides with Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition, Yarn Expo Spring, CHIC, and PH Value, the entire textile value chain converges under one roof, creating an extended platform for invaluable business networking opportunities.

In this dynamic landscape where fashion and ecological consciousness intertwine, the SS 2025 trends offer a glimpse into a future where self-indulgence meets mindful expression, mirroring the resilience needed to weather the world's turbulence.

The international textile landscape has been in the throes of an unparalleled and prolonged downturn since the latter half of 2022. Despite an initial surge in demand post-COVID lockdowns, the global textile industry now faces significant challenges. In a recent press release, Dr. K. V. Srinivasan, the newly elected President of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), highlighted the multifaceted factors contributing to this downturn.

Weakening demand, inflation, and geopolitical tensions take a toll

According to the ITMF's Global Textile Industry Survey conducted in November 2023, weakening demand, inflation, geopolitical tensions, raw material price volatility, energy cost hikes, labor shortages, and rising interest rates collectively spell out the major causes of the industry's slump. Notably, 76% of respondents pointed to weakening demand as the primary culprit.

Cancellations and outlook

Approximately 44% of survey participants reported order cancellations in the past four months, with 5% experiencing major cancellations exceeding 30%. Looking ahead, 44% anticipate a more favorable business situation in the next six months, reflecting a cautious optimism that surpasses the sentiment in September.

India's textile industry bears the brunt

Dr. Srinivasan emphasized the detrimental impact on India's textiles and clothing sector, attributing it to challenges in raw material supply, soaring power costs, and policy shortcomings. Urgent corrective measures were urged, including the elimination of the 11% import duty on cotton, addressing Quality Control Order (QCO) issues, and resolving pricing concerns related to key materials.

Policy reforms urged for industry revival

Addressing the Indian government, Dr. Srinivasan urged a halt to short-sighted policies affecting raw materials, power, labor, and new investments until industry revival. Financial relief measures such as a one-year loan moratorium, conversion of short-term loans into long-term options, and increased working capital were suggested to prevent textile units from becoming non-performing assets and safeguard jobs.

Competitiveness and global strategies

Despite being the second-largest global raw material manufacturer, India's textile exports remain stagnant at USD 35 billion. Dr. Srinivasan recommended a holistic approach, emphasizing the need for appropriate policy measures to enhance global competitiveness and capitalize on the China+1 policy.

In the face of unprecedented challenges, the textile industry awaits decisive action from governments and stakeholders to navigate the current storm and revive its global standing.

A key contributor to the country's exports and GDP, Pakistan’s garment sector is currently struggling with rising gas prices and the removal of energy subsidies under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.

As per a report by Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (PACRA), the recent gas tariff hike of November 2023, which increased the cost of gas to $10.3 per million British thermal units (MMBTU), is likely to impact the sector's margins and competitiveness.

The garment sector, which includes textiles, clothing and leather products, contributed 3.0 per cent to Pakistan’s GDP in FY 2023, increasing by 8per cent Y-o-Y to Rs2.6 trillion.

However, textile exports, which accounted for 59 per cent of the country's total exports, declined by 14.6 per cent in FY 2023, due to supply chain disruptions caused by import restrictions imposed by the central bank and flash floods in August 2022. Textile imports also declined by 21.8 per cent, as the central bank restricted the import of raw materials and machinery to conserve foreign exchange reserves.

The garment sector is dominated by 59 organised composite units, with 32 listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), PACRA said.

The rating agency said the sector's margins were expected to remain rangebound, owing to domestic factors such as higher expected cotton production in fiscal year 2024, stable interest rates and consistent demand, both locally and globally, with global economic activity expected to rebound.