India’s home textile exports surged to $7.34 billion during 2021 as the country benefitted receding pandemic and countries adopted the ‘China Plus One’ strategy. As per an Apparel Resources report, the US emerged the top export destination for India with 58 per cent of total export value, India recorded revenues worth $2.60 billion from its home textile exports to the EU.
Compared its Asian counterparts, India’s home textile exports to the US’ surged past Bangladesh’s of $450 million in 2021 and Vietnam’s $ 17.77. India’s linen exports grew 45.83 per cent to $2.45 billion in 2021. On the other hand, China’s linen exports declined 17.58 per cent to $889.64 million in the four aforementioned categories in 2021 from $1.08 billion in 2019, though it upped shipment by 15.60 per cent compared to 2020.
Of all major players in the segment, Welspun Group is moving towards touching $1 billion revenue targets for the first nine months of current fiscal, the company’s revenues climbed 35.80 per cent to approximately $955 million. It is also expanding its manufacturing footprint, with capacity increase in towels, bedding, rugs and carpets in the coming months.
American clothing giant, PVH Corp has closed all its stores in Russia and Belarus following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. PVH is primarily concerned about the people’s suffering due to the war in Ukraine and escalating humanitarian crisis. The company has committed to provide comprehensive financial, operational and moral support to all associated impacted by the war.
The retail group has assured that all associates will continue to receive their salary and benefits. It continues to make corporate donations to the Red Cross and supporting relief organizations in the region. The group’s associates are donating to organizations in Europe through Global Giving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund.
Founded in 1881, PVH is one of the world’s largest and most admired fashion companies, connecting with consumers in over 40 countries. Some of its iconic brands include the likes of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger.
Virtual social world Decentraland will host a digital fashion week called ‘Metaverse Fashion Week (MVFW)’ from March 24-27, 2022. As per a Spin Off report, the fashion week will include runway shows, fashion experiences, pop-up shops, and afterparties over four days. It will hold numerous catwalks in Decentraland’s newest district, the ‘Luxury Fashion District,’ presented by UNXD and Vogue Arabia.
The Fashion Week will kick off with the inauguration of Selfridges’ flagship metaverse store on March 23. The launch features an immersive experience with Paco Rabanne + Victor Vasarely. MVFW will also host futuristic runway shows daily by fashion houses, such as Dolce & Gabbana, Dundas, and Etro, as well as digital fashion brands like The Fabricant, new designers making their digital wearables debut at MVFW like Kid Super, and NFT celeb Fewocious.
The CashLabs Space will host a confluence of exhibitions highlighting the intersection of fashion and art from a mix of renowned artists and designers, as well as up-and-coming talent. The event will conclude with after-parties by brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Hogan+Exclusible, Faith Connexion and Faith Tribe + Blondish in Decentraland.
The deluge that devastated Pakistan this monsoon season is a grim warning to not only the beleaguered nation but also its neighbors in South Asia that climate change is throwing the region into absolute chaos and is a sign of worse situations to come. The climate minister of Pakistan, Sherry Rehman recently informed the Pakistan Climate Change Council, she will table the loss and damage statistics that have been collated as a consequence of the climate change elements that are beyond the control of Pakistan and the inability of the country to utilize existing options practiced around the globe simply due lack of resources to comply. Rehman will introduce this discussion at COP27, being held in Cairo from November 6 to 18. Rehman told the Council “The COP27 must capitalize the adaptation fund and introduce agility and speed in countries that need to build resilience.”
Textile sector plays a key role
This sector continues to be the backbone of the country’s economy as it employs 40 per cent of Pakistan’s work force and contributes 8 per cent to its GDP. However, in comparison, the sector is responsible for emitting 6 per cent of Pakistan’s greenhouse gas as a direct result of stationary combustion, is the largest consumer of electricity and also consumes a vast share of the nation’s water resources. It is widely reported, the country’s lax approach to environmental regulations has resulted in factories who are a part of the international supply chain comply but the factories manufacturing for the domestic market ignoring these regulations.
Pakistan’s environmental experts have long been discussing the urgent need for the government to implement strict compliance across the sector as a whole, educate manufacturers on the benefits of resource management through efficient usage and provide monetary incentives, particularly to SMEs to invest in renewable energy and efficient energy practices.
NAMA to assist in transformation
Pakistan’s Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Activities has been given the task of assisting textile sector to de-carbonize. It will provide the much needed funds with financial cooperation as well as expertise and advisory support with technical cooperation. NAMA has already established easy-access loans at highly-reduced interest rates for manufacturers so they are facilitated to adopt efficient and renewable energy technologies.
NAMA has also prepared a slew of case studies that can help local manufacturers understand the process, the benefits and the ethics of compliance. NAMA’s technology component will not only improve regulations but also address the issues of non-compliance which is rampant in this sector. The NAMA Support Project has been welcomed by Pakistan’s textile sector that appreciates the intention, the inputs and the desired outputs as outlined by the forum. Additionally, NAMA is hopeful that its initiatives will percolate to reach out to boost the green technology sector and educate the banking sector to play a supportive role in promoting such initiatives.
Towards ‘Net Zero’ Pakistan
It is important to note that 95 per cent of signatories for Net Zero Pakistan are from the textile sector, reinforcing how serious it is in comparison to the agriculture and other sectors. Saleha Asif, CEO, Pakistan Textile Council reiterates the sector is a natural leader for the national initiative by the country's leading companies to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Made with materials grown in compliance with organic agricultural standards, organic apparels are setting new standards in the Indian garment industry, says a Textile Value Chain report.
Garment companies across India are launching organic apparel collections to create new opportunities for themselves. Most of these collections are being launched in cotton fabrics. As per Organic Trade Association the organic cotton industry was expected to grow 10 per cent by 2021-end. The industry plays a crucial role in India, one of largest producers and exporters of cotton yarn across the world.
Improve air quality and water conservation
Besides improving farmers’ livelihood, the organic apparel sector also boosts soil sustainability. Additionally, it improves air quality and water conservation besides helping the country fight climate changes. Manufacturers and retailers across India are increasing the percentage of organic fibers in their collections besides launching completely organic garment items. This growth in organic apparels is being fuelled by the ever-growing demand for organic fibers in India.
Organic fibers can be found in all Indian products ranging from personal care items to home furnishings. They are being used to produce a variety of products including sanitary products, make-up removal pads, cotton puffs, bathrobes, sheets, bedding, toys, diapers for kids, sportswear, stationery, and note cards, etc.
Encourage more empathy amongst consumers
The growth in India’s organic apparel market can be attributed to many factors including geographical conditions, land and soil. The industry is reaping the benefits of this growth and pursuing new growth opportunities. The popularity of organic apparels in India has reached new heights as they encourage consumers to be emphatic towards other human beings. For instance, organic cotton consumes a sizeable amount of insecticides and pesticides produced across the world. The organic apparels market in India is also getting a boost by production rates in many states and the employment opportunities it creates. Rising consumer awareness is also fuelling growth of organic cotton in India.
Conserves natural resources
Concerned about their health and comfort needs, young consumers are focusing on new fabrics and textures that have minimal environmental impact. Experts and designers believe, organic clothes help reduce consumers’ stress by detoxifying their bodies. Non-synthetic and breathable, organic fibers help conserve natural resources and treat farmers and nature with fairness.
Second largest employment producer in the country, the Indian textile industry is mainly dominated by the organic cotton market. The industry has witnessed exponential growth in the cotton industry in the last four decades.
Aiming to be one of the most sustainable businesses in the textile sector, Sangam India has increased its use of clean energy besides ameliorating its waste treatment.
Stepping up focus on sustainability, Sangam India has installed two solar power plants to reduce its carbon footprint by 20 per cent per year. The company has also set up three effluent treatment plants and four sewerage treatment plants to reduce its industrial water contamination and enable the water to be reused.
Pranal Modani, Chief Business Strategist, says, the company aims to optimize its resource consumption while simultaneously developing ‘cleantech’ products that conserve resources themselves.”
The business plans to increase its use of recycled fibers and reduce its plastic waste. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the business will also focus on manufacturing organic cotton products. Its usage of organic cotton and organic fiber will help reduce the high levels of soil erosion and would eventually start improving the overall soil quality, adds Modani.
A global leader in developing innovative fiber and technology solutions for the textile and apparel industry, The Lycra Company has launched Lycra ® Dual Comfort Technology for ready-to-wear (RTW) and wovens. As per Textile Focus, the latest innovation will help the company transform its garment categories by providing functional performance benefits with the sustainable features that today’s consumers desire.
The Lycra® Dual Comfort technology combines comfortable stretch and cooling comfort with long-lasting shape retention. The technology is based on the new Lycra® T400® A EcoMade fiber. Created with a proprietary process, the new fiber delivers the texture and appearance of a spun yarn, offering low-impact, comfortable and versatile garments with thermal comfort.
FORT technology is the perfect solution for the emerging ‘new utility’ trend that blends rugged performance with tailored elegance and is designed to cater to the needs of cross-segment apparel categories – workleisure or outleisure.
British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has launched a five-piece circular denim collection designed in line with the Ellen MacArthur Jeans Redesign guidelines.
As per a Sourcing Journal report, the collection uses non-stretch fabrics made with organic cotton and a minimum of 25 percent recycled cotton. As part of the guidelines, the jeans are also free of metal rivets which can hinder the recycling process, and jeans were tested to ensure they maintain their quality after a minimum of 30 home washes.
The line includes women’s mom and boyfriend jeans, a tapered jean for men, a mom jean for girls and a standard fit for boys. The collection is now available exclusively on the M&S website, with prices from 18 pounds to 39.50 pounds.
In 2021, M&S set new standards for its denim supply chain. According to these standards, all cotton used for M&S clothing would be responsibly sourced, with the majority collected through the Better Cotton Initiative, which helps farmers reduce their water usage and increase their profits. The company pledged to reduce water intake during the wash process by using technologies from sustainable finishing tech firm Jeanologia. Standard indigo dyes were also swapped for cleaner alternatives that require less water and fewer chemicals to produce.
Following similar moves by Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Kering, Chanel and Prada, Burberry has temporarily shut stores in Russia following Moscow’s invasion of its neighbor Ukraine. As per a report by The Guardian, the British fashion brand has three stores in the country, including one run by a franchisee and one in Moscow’s famous Red Square.
The brand’s Russian site is operational, though international orders are likely to be disrupted further by Visa and Mastercard’s decision to pull out of the country, resulting in the majority of foreign transactions being blocked. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, owner of brands including Christian Dior, Givenchy and Bulgari, has also shut 124 boutiques in Russia while Kering, which owns Gucci and Saint Laurent, plans to close its two shops in the country.
To address the war directly, Giorgio Armani organized a silent fashion show in Milan last week to show solidarity with Ukraine. However, the company is yet to confirm whether it has shut or suspended its operations within Russia in line with some of its rivals. Increasing operational and reputational risks of trading with Russia and the impending dangers of sanctions are weighing heavily on stocks across the luxury sector.
Bangladesh and India can complement each other in the development of apparel and textile industries of both countries, says Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA. At a meeting with Narain Aggarwal, Former Chairman, SRTEPC, Hassan urged for more collaboration and cooperation between the two neighbors to explore avenues towards deriving two-way trade benefits.
Both entrepreneurs discussed possible areas of collaboration between BGMEA and SRTEPC to identify mutual business opportunities and work to make the best use of them. They also discussed the possibility of both the associations working together to create a bridge between apparel and textile businessmen of Bangladesh and India to facilitate meaningful business interactions.
Hassan said, Having a strong textile industry producing man-made fibres and fabrics, India can meet the demand of Bangladesh’s RMG sector that plans to diversify its products from cotton to non-cotton. Aggarwal also urged BGMEA’s exporters to participate in the upcoming exhibition ‘Source India 2022’ scheduled to be held on March 20-22, 2022 in Surat, India.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
US Apparel Imports: Scenario changes subtly as China's dominance reduces
For years, China reigned supreme as the undisputed king of US apparel imports. While still the largest supplier in aggregate... Read more
US Apparel Imports: Scenario changes subtly as China's dominance reduces
For years, China reigned supreme as the undisputed king of US apparel imports. While still the largest supplier in aggregate... Read more
Built to Break: Is our ‘waste problem’ just a design flaw?
The air in numerous pockets of the country hangs thick with the stench of discarded refuse, a stark testament to... Read more
From Importer to Global Leader: Brazil’s cotton revolution
Brazil’s ascent from a net cotton importer to the world’s largest cotton exporter is one of the most compelling success... Read more
The Unraveling: How Bangladesh's economic crisis threatens its global apparel do…
Bangladesh, a global apparel exports powerhouse, finds itself grappling with a complex economic crisis that is increasingly impacting its ready-made... Read more
US Cotton: Shifting dynamics amidst reciprocal tariffs and quality advantages
The US has long held a dominant position in the global cotton market, thanks to its reputation for producing high-quality... Read more
India’s textile and apparel industry sees mixed fortunes in FY25: Wazir Indices
India’s textile and apparel sector showed mixed results in FY25, with growth momentum visible in sales but profit metrics showing... Read more
UK charts course for circular fashion leadership with new CFIN roadmap
A new landmark report released by the Circular Fashion Innovation Network (CFIN) outlines major strides and a comprehensive roadmap for... Read more
The Unseen Cost of Fashion Returns: Undermining sustainability efforts
Fashion brands are increasingly vocal about their commitment to sustainability, proudly unveiling initiatives centered on recycled polyester, reduced water consumption... Read more
China's Luxury Crossroads: Consolidation or retreat for global giants?
For years, China has been the undisputed El Dorado for global fashion and luxury brands. A growing middle class, with... Read more
