Apparel

This is not the first time that India has found itself with a heaven-sent opportunity. This time, however, all indicators are that the ground situation is different. Will India be able to upstage China in the global textiles and apparel trade? A ground report.

The Big Bro vice-like squeeze of the sweeping tariff hikes will soon be felt far beyond edgy boardrooms and uneasy stock exchanges, and there are sporadic reports of this already starting to take effect. For hundreds of thousands of garment workers—many in the factories across South and Southeast Asia, and Africa to a lesser extent—the arbitrary spike in trade tariffs will be a matter of life and death.

The lesson of the current US tariffs crisis roiling the trade world is this: you cannot keep relying on one country as your export destination. From now on it has to be ‘US Plus One’.

In perhaps the first of its kind research, texfash.com maps the fashion choices of India’s young population—the Millennials and GenZ—probing key influences that shape how this key demographic consumes and shops—be it their sustainability quotient, budgets, style influences, fits, marketplace and more.

An Apparel Impact Institute report calls upon apparel brands, textile manufacturers, policymakers, and financial institutions to take immediate action to accelerate decarbonisation even as it urges brands to commit to electrification targets and provide financial support to suppliers in building renewable electricity capacity and adoption, ensuring a more resilient and cost-effective supply chain.

India's textiles and handicraft industry has received a €9.5 million (₹85.5 crore) grant from the European Union (EU) for a joint initiative with the country’s Ministry of Textiles to foster inclusive growth, resource efficiency and sustainability in the textiles sector along with driving livelihoods, and women’s economic empowerment.

The Union Budget 2025-26 emphasis on strengthening domestic manufacturing, enhancing exports, and fostering economic growth is expected to have a significant impact on fashion brands and retailers in India. A texfash analysis that explores its key provisions and expected impact on industry, and how fashion brands and retailers can capitalise on these developments.

EURATEX has published its trade policy priorities for 2024–29, outlining the key steps needed to secure a resilient and competitive future for the European textile and clothing industry. The ‘position paper’ addresses critical challenges such as market access, regulatory compliance, and the alignment of trade, industrial, and energy policies.

As the fashion industry increasingly recognises the urgent need for sustainable practices, the shift towards circular manufacturing for textiles and apparel has gained momentum. However, despite notable innovations and advancements, significant opportunities and enablers remain to promote widespread adoption. A UKFT report identifies key enablers necessary for further advancement and action forward for the manufacturing sector to accelerate circularity.

The True Cost Calculator is a freely accessible, self-assessment tool to enable fashion professionals efficiently measure, compare, and minimise the ecological, environmental, and social impact of clothing throughout its entire lifecycle. Anse Smeets, Researcher and Project Manager Circular Economy, at Vito NV, one of the organisations behind the tool, talks nitty-gritties.