US-based leading fashion company PVH Corporation’s PVH Foundation plans to support the initiatives of global non-profit organizations by investing $10 million in them over the next four years. Owner of brands like Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, the company’s initial list of partners will include professions from under-served and under-presented communities who will be provided with an access to the industry.

Stefan Larsson, CEO believes, these partnerships will help PVH make a bigger impact on these communities. Committed to making a difference with inclusion and diversity, the company looks forward to elevating the next generation of innovators around the world, he adds. The global partners associated PVH include: KELY Support Group, World of Art Brut Culture (WABC), Australian Business and Community Network, Ecotece Institute, Fashion Council Germany (FCG), Graduate Fashion Foundation, House of Denim Foundation, Creatives Want Change (CWC), Custom Collaborative, I Love First Peoples, Misa Hylton Fashion Academy (MHFA), National Urban League, New Circles, Prep for Prep, etc.

American apparel and accessories brand True Religion has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Concept One Accessories and Capelli/Ballet, divisions of GMA Group, for a new collection of men's, women's and children's cold weather accessories, fashion headwear, and jewelry, as well as women’s handbags, small leather goods, and hair accessories.

As per a Business Wire report, the designs of the collection will pay a tribute to the brand’s core branding elements such as its horseshoe and Buddha logos. The design and creative execution of the collection will be led by Zihaad Wells, Creative Director. The collection will launch in stores in August 2022.

Sam Hafif, President and CEO, Concept One says, the group has over $1.2 billion in retail sales, across 12 categories of merchandise, and placement in all large retail chain in North America and Europe. Its new agreement with True Religion provides the group with an opportunity to drive $50 - 75 million in retail sales across all of its product categories.

Increasing raw cotton and yarn prices are compelling textile companies in Gujarat to underutilize their production capacity. A few mills in the state have also shut down operations due to lack of fresh orders owning to the price rise, as per a Textile Today report. As per Saurin Parikh, President, Spinners Association of Gujarat and Founder, Pashupati Cotspin, nearly 120 spinning mills in Gujarat are running at a little over 50 percent capacity currently. Since weavers and international buyers have refused to pay higher prices for cotton yarns, spinning mills in the state have not been able to increase their finished goods’ prices, he adds.

Chintan Thaker, President, Welspun Group affirms, two of the company’s units in the state are operating at 60 per cent capacity as international buyers have refused to pay for the increased prices. Many apparel units in the state are also facing production cuts. Vijay Purohit, President, Gujarat Garment Manufacturers Association (GGMA) says, high yarn prices has made it difficult for manufacturers to operate their units.

China’s cumulative retail sales of garments and accessories dropped 6 per cent on Y-o-Y basis, whereas it plunged by 22.80 per cent to $11.87 billion in April ’22. Latest statistics released by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) of China show, from the January to April 2022, China’s retail sales of garments and accessories dropped to $61.30 billion. Dismal sales of garment and accessories could be attributed to the resurgence in COVID-19 cases across China and fresh restrictions to fight the new wave of pandemic.

Reports suggest China’s overall retail sales dropped 0.20 per cent during the January to April ’22 period and 11.10 per cent in April alone. Online garment and accessories sales dropped 1.70 per cent during the January-April 2022 period.