Apparels

UK clothing imports rose 15.26 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to £1.435 billion (~$1.938 billion) in May and increased 7.89 per cent from April.
Textile fabric imports also grew, while fibre imports declined slightly.
Q1 2025 clothing imports were up 10.28 per cent YoY but down from Q4 2024.
For full-year 2024, clothing, fabric, and fibre imports all declined, continuing the downward trend seen since 2022.

Manish Chopra is the new CEO of Sabyasachi Couture. He previously worked at Shein India, backed by Reliance Retail. This change occurs as the Indian luxury market rebounds. Sabyasachi and other Indian labels are expanding globally. Aditya Birla Group holds a majority stake in Sabyasachi. They have also invested in other fashion houses.

The World Gold Council suggests gold prices might weaken if geopolitical and trade tensions ease, or if the US dollar and Treasury yields increase. Reduced central bank gold purchases and retail investment could also trigger a mid-term price correction.

Rising uncertainty and new Trump-era tariffs are destabilising fragile African textile industries.
Lesotho has already declared a national state of disaster.
With AGOA expiring soon, fears are growing across sub-Saharan Africa.
The rollback or expiry of AGOA could stall two decades of economic progress.
As the US shrinks aid, countries including China and India are working to establish closer ties.

Blip, a quick fashion delivery startup, has shut down less than a year after launch, citing limited capital and go-to-market challenges. Despite growing investor interest in ultra-fast fashion, cofounder Ansh Agarwal said bootstrapping made competition difficult. He remains optimistic about the sector but acknowledged the need to make a tough decision.

Kiaasa Retail, an ethnic fashion brand, has filed preliminary papers for an IPO on BSE’s SME platform to raise funds. The company plans to utilize the proceeds to expand its retail presence in Tier II and Tier III cities, enhance its digital channels, and meet working capital needs.

Gold prices surged over 1% as investors sought safe-haven assets amid President Trump’s tariff announcements, while silver hit a 13-year high. Trump’s new tariffs on imports from Canada and other trading partners triggered a decline in global stocks and increased economic uncertainty, boosting gold’s appeal.

Prada will send experts to Maharashtra to work with local artisans. This follows concerns over Prada’s Kolhapuri-like sandals at Milan Fashion Week. The company may launch a special ‘Made in India’ sandal collection. Prada is also interested in Indian jewellery and garments. Discussions include skill development and sustainable production. The goal is to create transparent and ethical supply chains.

Unifa Accessories (BD) Co Ltd, a China–British Virgin Islands (BVI) joint venture, will invest $48.66 million to establish a fashion accessories manufacturing unit in BEPZA Economic Zone, Mirsharai.
The project aims to produce 28 million items annually and create 2,830 jobs.
BEPZA EZ hosts 42 companies with $942.15 million in total investments.

Puma’s new V-S1 silhouette brings football-inspired design to the streets, merging pitch heritage with lifestyle flair.
Drawing from the 2000s-era V1.06 and V1.08, it features a low-profile build, asymmetrical lacing, and a heel cage.
Launching in Gold and White-Silver, the V-S1 reflects streetwear’s evolving connection to sport and culture.