Apparels

Chief minister of India’s Tamil Nadu state MK Stalin has laid the foundation stone of a manufacturing unit of Taiwanese footwear firm Dean Shoes at SIPCOT Park in Ariyalur district’s Jayankondam.
It will be the first unit to be set up there at an investment of $118.5 million and is expected to generate 15,000 jobs.
“Tamil Nadu is going through a renaissance in industrial development,” he said.

Turkiye and Qatar signed the Declaration of Facilitating Trade to boost bilateral trade to $5 billion.
Despite being Qatar’s fifth-largest apparel supplier, Turkiye’s exports have been declining, with apparel imports dropping 26.23 per cent year-on-year in 2024.
In 2023, Turkiye accounted for 10.23 per cent of Qatar’s apparel imports.
The agreement aims to reverse this trend.

Wolverine Worldwide has opened a new 11,000 sq. ft. global Innovation Hub in Boston, Massachusetts, to boost design and product development for brands like Saucony.
This follows recent openings in China, Hong Kong, and London, alongside renovations to its Michigan headquarters, reflecting a focus on fostering creativity, collaboration, and global brand growth.

Adidas Originals and BAPE collaborate on the Y2K-inspired Orketro sneaker, blending BAPE STA and adidas designs.
The bold silhouette combines mesh, enamel leather, and signature BAPE STA Y2K colourways with 1ST LINE CAMO overlays.
Available in yellow-blue, tonal purple, and a BAPE-exclusive black-white, the sneakers feature co-branded detailing for a striking, pop-culture-driven look.

The UK’s clothing imports in September 2024 fell by 11.90 per cent year-on-year to £1.273 billion, with Q3 imports down 10.21 per cent annually to £3.755 billion.
Textile fabric and fibre imports also declined compared to 2023 levels.
Annual clothing imports in 2023 dropped by 25.94 per cent to £15.702 billion, reflecting a continued downturn in the UK’s textile and apparel trade.

Cambodia’s apparel exports grew by 23.6 per cent to $8 billion in the first ten months of 2024, making up over 37 per cent of its total foreign income.
Exports of both knitted and non-knitted apparel saw strong year-on-year growth.
Imports of fabrics and fibres also rose significantly.
Despite global economic challenges, Cambodia’s textile sector remains resilient, marking a significant recovery.

Despite the upcoming holiday season, German retailers expect subdued demand, with orders up by just 1.9 per cent year-over-year, per Setlog.
Forecast nominal sales growth for 2024 is 1.3 per cent, effectively zero in real terms.
Rising freight costs and strong competition from Chinese e-commerce giants are concerns.
Asia remains crucial for production despite rising costs.

Epic Group has restructured its leadership team, appointing Sunil Daryanani and Dinesh Virwani as executive vice chairmen, and Suraj Kalra as CEO to drive its strategic objectives.
Led by founder Ranjan Mahtani, the committee also includes leaders in finance, HR, procurement, and digitalisation, aiming to strengthen Epic’s global presence, improve operations, and enhance stakeholder value.

H&M is partnering with Glenn Martens for an Autumn 2025 collection.
Known for merging streetwear and couture, Martens joins a line of iconic designers H&M has collaborated with since 2004, when it launched its first designer collection with Karl Lagerfeld.
This initiative has made top-tier fashion accessible, reflecting each designer’s unique vision and values across two decades of partnerships.

PUMA and Coperni’s second collection fuses fashion, sportswear, and tech, reimagining classic PUMA designs with a futuristic approach.
Highlights include the eco-friendly Asymmetrical Gown, T7 Jacket and Pants with Coperni’s knot design, and a hoodie with cat ears.
Footwear like the Speedcat and 90SQR, plus a reimagined Swipe Bag, showcase bold colours and co-branded details.