Some events are so boring they leave attendees fighting off pins and needles. The leading US knitting event, [Vogue Knitting LIVE!, makes its debut in the Seattle area April 5 through 7 and proves that knitters can be a wild and wooly bunch. More than 3,000 Seattle-area handcrafters are expected to fill the Meydenbauer Convention Center and Hyatt Regency Bellevue to take classes (from beginner to advanced), view fashion shows, shop for unique new fibers, view one-of-a-kind knitted art, and ne

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released estimates on cotton planting intention of US farmers in 2013. Cotton growers intend to plant 10.0 million acres in 2013, down 19 percent from last year. Upland area is expected to total 9.82 million acres, down 19 percent from 2012. American Pima area is expected to total 206,000 acres, down 14 percent from 2012. If realized, planted area in Arkansa

The year of Beyoncé continues as she teams up with Swedish mega-brand H&M in a summer campaign called “Beyoncé as Mrs. Carter in H&M” that will be released in early May. Beyoncé helped with the designs of the summer collection that will include the “perfect” bodycon dress, sundresses, and even a fringed bikini. The campaign shot in Nassau, Bahamas will also feature a new song by Queen Bey called “Standing on the Sun” in the commercial (which we cannot wait to listen to. On repeat.)

Zero-rated apparel textile sector doubts whether Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) consulted with the Ministry of Textile Industry, Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Industries on the two percent sales tax imposition. Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) dispatched letters to the Ministry of Textile Industry, Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Industries, showing wonder at whether the FBR has consulted with these ministries on the relevant SRO. The association said

Head of the Economics Department, Embassy of France in Pakistan, Marc Murcia visited All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Punjab on Wednesday. Chairman APTMA Punjab Shahzad Ali Khan welcomed him at the APTMA Punjab office while Senior Vice Chairman APTMA Punjab Mian Mahmood Ahsan, S M Imran and other Executive Committee members were also present on the occasion. Chairman APTMA Punjab said the APTMA members travel to Europe frequently. He urged the French envoy to ensure easier v

India yesterday announced that it would raise the quota on apparel exports from Sri Lanka under duty free concessions from five million pieces to eight million, while textile exports to India would be slapped a lower 5 percent duty from the earlier 11 percent. India also doubled the validity period for sanitary import permits for processed meat products from 6 months to one year. "During the visit of Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce, Industry & Textiles, Government of India to Sri Lanka

The ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh continues to upset the country's garment sector as buyers are now arranging to meet apparel makers in India or China, to avoid the turbulences in Dhaka. Many buyers have already suspended trips to Bangladesh, and some have even expressed their intention to purchase garments from other countries at higher prices due to the uncertainties in Bangladesh. If the situation worsens further, it will be difficult to achieve the export target of US $21.53 bln a

Chinese fashion label Exception is leading an unexpected surge in interest in domestic fashion brands after Peng Liyuan was spotted wearing the label during a four-nation state visit with President Xi Jinping, also her husband. Footage of Peng stepping off a plane wearing a double-breasted black coat and carrying a leather handbag quickly went viral online, with Peng winning praise for her elegance and fashion sense. "Her handbag will become a hot item!" said "shishangbozhu-YY" on Sina Wei

China, the world's top cotton consumer, will increase sales from state reserves of the fibre from April, in a bid to boost dwindling domestic supply, a government official said in a speech published Wednesday. To help meet demand from textile mills, Beijing will step up sales from its bulging reserves, particularly of high-quality cotton, beginning in April, Li Yan of the country's top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, told a meeting on Tuesday, but gave no furth

Textil Only Star SAC, which has recently added a major dyeshop to its production line, has now invested in a Monforts Toptex 8000 Twin Shrink as the company becomes a vertical producer. Textil Only Star, one of Peru's top knitting producers and which has this year added a major dyeshop, has newly installed a Monforts Toptex 8000 Twin Shrink at its factory in Lima as part of a strategy to turn the company into a vertically integrated producer. The Toptex was ordered through Monforts' Peruvian