Representatives of more than 260 textile enterprises attended the “2013 China International Cotton Conference” held in Nanjing recently to discuss the current dilemma faced by the Chinese cotton textile industry. Participants voiced concern that the mainland domestic cotton price is higher by around 5,000 yuan/ton compared to price in the international market, Economic Daily News reported. Since the cost of cotton accounts for 70 percent of the total production cost, the final cos

Baytik Industrial Oasis (BIO) has signed up MRS Fashions as a tenant, with a $10 million garments factory planned on the leased premises. The garments manufacturer has taken a five-year renewable lease on more than 9,500 sqm of purpose-built light industrial buildings in phase one of BIO, situated in Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP) in Hidd. "BIO was the logical choice for our expansion in Bahrain, providing us with a ready to occupy world-class facility in an environment dedicate

A Japanese company has developed a synthetic protein based on spider silk and plans to use it to mass-produce a highly resistant and flexible fiber in the near future. After six years of research, Spiber, in collaboration with Keio University's Institute for Advanced Biosciences and the company Kojima Industries, will inaugurate a plant this year with the capacity to produce up to 100 kg of synthetic spider silk a month. "This type of fiber has many applications," company spokesman Shinya Mu

The Italian Textile Industry has a global market share of seven percent and is the second major producer behind China. Italy is also a pioneer in the premium market segment. The famous fashion sector is the most important consuming sector of Italian textiles, known for high quality and an association with the Italian way of life (La Dolce Vita). SMI the industrial federation Sistema Moda Italia estimates that the turnover of the textile and apparel sector totalled in 2012 EUR 50.5 million, ther

Source: Reuters Shoppers in the 109 countries where Spanish fashion chain Mango has stores recognise its celebrity faces well, but few know much about the company behind the clothes modelled by Kate Moss, Gerard Pique and Scarlett Johansson. “Mango is from Spain, part of the Inditex group, isn’t it?” said Maria Lekae, 29, a Russian shopper browsing in the branch on Barcelona’s smart street Passeig de Gracia. Her misconception that Mango is one of Zara owner Inditex’s cluster of brands i

Source: Visit Beijing “” (Jing Daily) “A few years ago, the concept of “accessible luxury” as a market mover in China was little more than a dot on the horizon. Today, the situation couldn’t be more different. Accessible luxury brands (and traditional luxury brands that have expanded into the accessible luxury sector) have seen significant growth marked by rapid and profitable retail expansion, increased e-commerce sales, a loyal following of new middle-class customers, and renewed inter

Though summer is just right around the corner, Fall 2013 ad campaigns are slowly rolling in. Photographed in London by the designer himself, Tom Ford’s Fall 2013 women’s campaign images have just hit the web and we can only think of one word to describe it all: fierce. Reflecting the collection’s multi-ethnic prints, the campaign features Korean model Soo Joo, Polish model Zuzanna Bijoch as well as Gemma Refoufi and our very own Herieth Paul. Against a clean white background, the pop art colle

As we’ve religiously documented over the past few years, Kate Middleton’s effect on retail is impressive to say the least. Now, Max Mara has announced that it is naming one of their beautiful demure coats after the Duchess of Cambridge. The coat, which was worn by the Duchess when she and Prince William visited Cambridge last November (her upside-down bow belt caused quite the sensation) is now being called The Kate by the company. The wool and cashmere beige coat, complete with a high neck

hat do you tend to reach for in case you're going to experience crazy air-conditioning during the summer? A denim jacket? A plain cardigan? Well, out with the old and in with a white blazer is what I say. Here are three celebrity-approved reasons you should consider getting one... It lends a polished touch to jeans and flats: Check out Olivia Palermo walking her dog in New York City. She's wearing light-wash denim that has a few holes in it but manages to look put-together thanks to h

Global cotton stock has grown to an all-time high and is expected to rise even more. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecast for 2013/14, the global stock is expected to grow to 92,741,000 bales of cotton. 112 billion T-shirts in stock That is more than 112 billion T-shirts in stock. A bale (480 lb.) of cotton weighs approximately 500 pounds and can produce enough fabric for about 1,217 men’s T-shirts. While the ‘stock to use’ level is predicted to grow for the four