India

An overwhelming 95% of the world’s handmade fabrics are supposed to come from India, but the sector remains largely unacknowledged, even in the country. A new UNESCO report has emphasised on the need for policy interventions to make the sector viable, competitive and equitably structured.

The first ever cotton varieties bred under organic conditions, developed through a decentralised organic participatory breeding programme, have recently been made available to farmers in India. These improved varieties are the outcome of joint efforts made under the project Seeding the Green Future. The varieties were developed through a decentralised organic participatory breeding programme of FiBL Switzerland and partners.

A survey of 19,000 consumers across the US, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, China, India and Brazil, has found that consumers are not paying a premium for "sustainable" products yet. About 70% admitted to feeling wary of corporate sustainability claims and commitments.

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has lifted its ban on Indian garment exporter Natchi Apparel Pvt Ltd, which supplied to H&M, among others. The ban was lifted after the company provided evidence that forced labour at its factory had been eliminated.

The urge to gift an enduring piece of Punjab’s legacy, and the lack of it, led to the setting up of Aab Label, a contemporary brand that draws inspiration from the hand-embroidered heritage craft of phulkari. Founder Shreya Mehra shares her story.

Polyester is not going away from India any time soon, especially in the context of it being the fibre that is seen as the one answer that the country has to overtake China in the textiles-apparel business. This was reinforced when Reliance Industries Limited, the country’s biggest textiles player, announced the company plans to invest ₹750 billion (roughly $9.41) in its oil-to-chemical (O2C) business over the next five years to expand capacities in polyester and vinyl verticals. A texfash.com analysis.

Myntra has joined hands with Fairtrade, and will add a "sustainable" clothing line, made out of responsibly sourced cotton from the Fairtrade-certified supply chain. The line will be part of its casualwear brand Here & Now.

Indian market regulator SEBI has suspended trading in cotton futures on MCX for a month. The trading will remain suspended to revise contract specifications in consultations with various stakeholders and also allow wider value-chain participation.

Apparel retail in India is in for a boost with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs exempting readymade garments sold in loose form from the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules.

BD Nathani, who always dreamt of travelling the world began by selling a cough syrup, and ironically was felled by the dastardly COVID-19. He had recapitualted his journey in his debut book My Journey Through Lala Land.  A texfash.com tribute through extracts from Chapter 7 of the book.