The topic of his talk was Denim in 2030, and some of its major highlights are mentioned below:

• In 2030 garments might look the same, but when looking closer, a lot will have changed.
• To understand what will change, we have to understand trends because changes are based on trends. The societal trends impacting our industry are Sustainability, Transparency & Traceability, and Customization.

Sustainability: The denim industry’s principal sustainability concerns comprise microfiber pollution, CO2 emissions, circularity, and chemistry. Given that CO2 can remain in the atmosphere for approximately one millennium, any reduction in emissions would still result in its accumulation. Similarly, non-biodegradable sources of microfiber pollution exacerbate the issue, with approximately 500,000 tons of microfiber from textiles released into the environment annually. Timely and decisive measures are imperative to mitigate this challenge, particularly in light of the microfiber’s shape, which exacerbates its impact compared to microplastic pollution. Thus, it is crucial to prioritize preventive measures early in the textile life cycle to achieve effective pollution mitigation in a cost-efficient manner. To this end, the EU is developing regulations to control microfiber pollution, and CO2 regulations are also gaining traction. Notably, a new law proposal currently under discussion in the U.S. would require public companies based in the U.S. and foreign firms listed on U.S. stock exchanges to report on scope 3 emissions, thereby necessitating data on their suppliers.In the context of circularity, regulatory scrutiny intensifies, with the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles emerging as a critical driver. The commission is poised to establish obligatory eco-design requirements that are product-specific and aimed at enhancing textile performance by prioritizing durability, reusability, repairability, fiber-to-fiber recyclability, and compulsory recycled fiber content. These measures are slated to take effect by 2030.

Regarding the chemical aspect, there are currently limited regulatory developments, but a global convergence or consolidation of diverse standards on the MRSL (Manufacturing Restricted Substances List) and RSL (Restricted Substances List) fronts is anticipated. Multiple brands have distinct RSL requirements that vary by jurisdiction, be it in the U.S. or for shipping to Europe, thereby complicating matters for suppliers and brands. The existence of multiple standards is unwarranted, and consolidation would likely be advantageous.

Transparency and Traceability: Consumers demanding transparency, combined with the sustainability goals of brands and increasing regulatory requirements, indicates that traceability solutions will become increasingly prevalent in our value chains. A few years ago, these solutions were still in the Proof of Concept stage, but they are now scaling up to become large-scale programs. Regulations pertaining to transparency and traceability are either in effect or on the horizon. For instance, the U.S. Forced Labor Prevention Act, which requires U.S. companies to disclose their product’s origin, became effective on December 21. France implemented a due diligence law in 2017, and the EU proposed a similar law in 2022. Additionally, the Norwegian transparency act will take effect this year, and the EU proposed a digital product passport in March 2022. Traceability and transparency must be ensured across all tiers, from raw materials to end-of-life. This enables us to trace the material source and manufacturers involved all the way back to the cotton field. When products are recycled, traceability enables the fiber recycling or sorting company to scan information about the product. Several innovative firms are developing traceability solutions using various technologies, such as impregnating fibers. In general, traceability solutions can be categorized as physical tracing providers and platform services that enable digital tracing verification. Some companies offer both.

Customization is another prominent trend with a broader definition that includes personalized shopping experiences and customized garments. Deloitte’s 2020 report estimates that fully customizable apparel could claim a market share of 10% to 30% by 2030. Although the exact market share is uncertain, this trend is worth monitoring. In this space, developments to be observed closely are micro-factories, automation that allows for smaller size runs and faster production, brands that sell on-demand, like Asphalt, virtual try-on technology like magic mirrors, body scanning solutions, and personalized shopping solutions. Ultimately, customization in all its forms allows for a higher degree of control and satisfaction for the consumer, leading to a stronger emotional connection to the brand and product.

Technology

Let’s quickly look at the rapid technological advancements enabling all the changes:

• Computing/ quantum computers – e.g., for forecasting and enabling faster renders. Google plans to make quantum computers commercially available by 2027.
• Biotechnology*^{powered by AI}      –  for new fibers, and new finishes.
• Robotics/Automation – progress in garment finishing machine connectivity. Whilst the development is not rapid at the moment, we can expect some more significant inroads to be made by 2030.
• AI – for forecasting, fiber development, spinning, weaving, sewing, and creative processes. Applications exist already, and with greater capability in increased interest and funding, the use of AI will be widespread.

Currently, AI is trained on one billion parameters. That’s not one billion data points, but it means that each data point has one trillion parameters. Just a few years back, it was 100 million parameters, and then a few years back of that, it was a million. This is exponential growth.

Figure 1: The exponential rise of AI

Now let’s finally jump to the year 2030, and let me introduce Tom, the consumer.

In 2030, Tom’s year has been going well so far, but upon stumbling upon a picture of an Indian celebrity on Instagram, he realizes it is time to update his look. He likes the denim jacket that the celebrity wears and sends it to his shopping assistant app, which promptly suggests three options tailored to his preferences, appearance, past shopping experience, and likes on various platforms. Tom previews himself or his avatar wearing the jacket and walking down a virtual Fifth Avenue. As a sustainable shopper, Tom checks out the mill and recognizes the name from a tweet by Rihanna. He takes a virtual tour of the mill and reviews its social and ecological performance. Satisfied, he adds the mill to his list of preferred suppliers so that the app prioritizes products made with fabric from that mill the next time he shops. Despite the made-to-order jacket taking five weeks to arrive, Tom purchases it. The app provides him with the correct size based on his most recent body scan from a physical store, which is a quick and standard procedure.

The Brand in 2030

The purchasing methods of the Brand have undergone significant changes since the inventory shocks of the early 2020s and subsequent legislation in the EU and US prohibiting the destruction of unsold stock. While the Brand still predominantly produces garments upfront, the use of predictive AI has greatly improved demand forecast. Furthermore, new styles are now tested on the market before mass production, either through launches in the metaverse or small production runs in onshore micro-factories. A growing proportion of styles are produced on demand, as technological advancements have led to speed increases. Concurrently, an increasing number of customers are willing to wait for their orders.

The Brand’s designers use AI to analyse trends and sales performance to develop styles and collections aligned with the brand’s identity. The digital product design process has replaced tech packs, allowing for modifications to be made from any end. For instance, a text-based request to increase sustainability may prompt AI to suggest a different wash process, which is visually represented in 3D and technically modified in a revised laundry recipe. Adjusting the 3D garment leads to a revised pattern, marker, and costing. Recyclability is another crucial parameter that changes based on design input. Crucial, since in 2030, the apparel industry will have regulations similar to those in the electronics industry, requiring retailers to take back garments for recycling purposes.

CO2 emissions are now monitored on a style-by-style basis.

With the advancements in AI freeing up resources in design, product development, and merchandising, these resources are now directed towards branding and sustainability efforts, as well as keeping up with the accelerating technology and other forward-thinking brands that pose a threat to the Brand’s business.

With upcoming regulatory pressure, sustainability Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will become an integral part of the process. Sustainability now being an essential component of the KPIs of all stakeholders, including designers, buyers, sourcing teams, and leadership, leads finally to significant changes towards sustainable practices in the industry.

Figure 2: The central role of the virtual garment and DPC (digital product creation) in 2030

The Manufacturer in 2030

The manufacturer has undergone significant changes, driven by increased transparency and advancements in technology. The integration of AI technologies into operations has resulted in increased efficiency and a shift in employee roles towards technical and administrative positions. In the mid-2020s, many suppliers faced challenges with increased transparency; however, new regulations and industry efforts have led to the standardization of protocols related to chemical use, carbon emissions, and social requirements. This has made it easier to deal with customers and jurisdictions of different shipping destinations. The increased traceability and visibility in the supply chain have led to garment makers, mills, and companies further upstream becoming brands in the eyes of consumers. A new generation of shoppers now selects clothing based less on the apparel brand and more on the companies involved in making them. With this increased visibility and reputation, garment makers increasingly engage in direct-to-consumer business using the onshore micro-factories initially set up to serve apparel brands. This allows for made-to-order products at a competitive price and speed. As a result, good manufacturers now often rate higher in public trust than the average apparel brand, shifting the power balance between apparel brands and manufacturers. However, not only manufacturers are now in the public eye. Mills, cotton farmers, fiber suppliers, and trim suppliers, as well as any company upstream, are now also subject to public scrutiny, for better or worse.

In summary: The Jeans in 2030

Will be made from different materials:

• Only biodegradable fibers
• Minimum of 98% cellulose-based fibers
• At least 50% recycled content
• No leather
• Dissolvable threads

There will be full traceability:

• For all material
• Blockchain-enabled
• Visible to the consumer

Every jeans will have a digital twin:

• The one version of the truth
• Used for brand purposes, manufacturing, and by consumer

The jeans will be wanted:

• Produced with a more accurate forecast
• A more personal connection to the consumer

For more information, you can contact Mr. Florian at florian@email.de.

TCE is well known as one of the first denim mills in Asia – leading and inspiring the industry in this part of the world . Can you share some important milestones in the growth of the company?

TCE has grown to become one of the leading denim mills in Asia. Established in 1956, in South Korea and started Vietnam production in 2013 vertically operating from Denim fabric to Garment manufacturing. TCE is committed to continuously produce high quality products that meet market needs, and their commitment has resulted in the company’s successful growth and expansion over the years.

• The first milestone of our growth is to adopt “One Stop Shopping” in ONE place by vertically integrated full package service for our customers while reducing transit time and relevant cost significantly under volatile global SCM. In addition, we continue to invest in full sustainability from innovative materials to production facilities without compromising fashion and trend.

• The second milestone was the company’s adoption of a fully sustainable model. The current wastewater treatment is different from others. We treat wastewater as A grade quality followed by local government regulation. However, we feel that this process is not enough till zero discharge is achieved considering the well being of current and future generations. After treatment, the A grade water goes through carbon sand tank filtration, and then through Ultra filtration one more time. Finally Reverse Osmosis Membrane filtration process is done. The result is drinking level quality water.

Then we prepare for sustainable collections from eco-friendly materials and communicate with valuable customers every single year. In addition, we constantly investigate and upgrade our facilities for medium and long term eco sustainability.

The themes for 2022 and 2023 are Saving Earth Denim and Denim X Nature respectively.

The installation of the denim mill and denim garment manufacturing unit in Vietnam were perhaps the biggest steps taken by your company in recent years. How has the integrated operation been successful in providing a package offer to the brands?

The Simple is the Best, Through TCE’s well-organized vertical operation from fabric to garment.

Affordable fast fashion with effective production based on consumer needs in one location and streamlined procedures.

It is transitioning from an annual focus on fabric and garments just to a full package trend and swift client response. Several FTA benefits, including those made in Vietnam (EU-VIETNAM FTA, EU-JAPAN FTA, CPTTP), boost cost competitive advantage and expansion to the countries.

Your collections are well appreciated by the customers. What specific products or collections would you be focusing on during the Denimsandjeans Event in Vietnam in March?

Sustainability is not an option, but an essential thing. TCE wants to introduce two themes, “Denim by Nature” and “Saving Earth Denim” as new innovative materials focusing on sustainability.

With Denim x Nature , we believe everyone recognizes cotton is highly water and chemical intensive crop. TCE strives to study and develop many natural fibers can be alternative cotton as much as we can such as Soy, Sisal, Kapok, Abaca and Pineapple, Banana thru Tropical trees in East Asia.

Our goal is to present the audience with stylish apparel pieces that are not only attractive but also functional in nature. We believe that our collections will impress the customers at Denimsandjeans event owing to their innovative use of fabric technologies.

With Saving Earth Denim, Saving planet for next generation, TCE produces many products using recycled resources from wasted ocean fish net, pet bottle, agricultural wastes and biodegradable products such as Fish Net Denim, Mermaid Denim, Bioplastic Denim, Pre/Post consumer waste cotton, and so on.

How do you see Vietnam evolving and providing more value to global customers ?

Vietnam is garnering more attention as it develops into an Asian manufacturing hub with numerous FTA benefits and more stringent China C/O restrictions.

Next to sustainability, transparency and traceability are becoming the norm and of utmost importance. TCE is ready to offer all pertinent documentation to customers worldwide.

2022 has been a tough year for all. How do you see 2023?

• Given the potential for a slowing global economy and sluggish consumer demand, 2023 is likely to be another year with significant prospects and challenges.
• Consumer demand plummeted due to lingering global pandemic effects, causing companies and brands to re-evaluate their operations. To stay afloat, many firms are continuing to diversify their sourcing strategies and strengthening relationships with key vendors in response to the volatile market environment as well as keep sourcing sustainability and transparent supply chain.
• In addition, we are trying to provide more valuable products to buyers as the demand for jeans continues even in the event of an economic crisis .

I think this is our own challenge regardless of the change in the external environment.

Visit our website for Denimsandjeans Vietnam to register and visit the show. To read about our other exhibitions, check here

For more information , you can contact Alex at alex@tcedenim.com

This milestone marks the company’s first attendance at the Denimsandjeans event. The two-day event promises to offer insight into new trends, best practices, and Xdd’s commitment towards developing technologies that promote sustainability. We spoke to the Director of XDD Vietnam Mr Man Ng to know more about the company’s operations and vision .

XDD textiles has recently set up a denim mill in Vietnam . Our readers would like to know more about XDD and its background, growth etc.

XDD TEXTILE is a spinning and denim mill based in Vietnam. Also, all of our cotton is purchase from U.S. with different certifications. Eg; Cotton Trust Protocol. Sustainability is one of our strength, because of our RO system’s potential to achieve 50%, we have an overall water recycling rate of 80% this year, and we expect to reach 100% by 2025. Our fabric quality may give you a simple solution to get the vintage or marble look, coming with a great colors cast, which is our key competitive advantage over other mills. The foreword states that we work closely with Lenzing and combine different types of materials to make better products, such as blending or adding recycled cotton, employing PCW materials, such as EcoVero.

With the denim mill in Vietnam , how is the company able to serve its global customer base? Why do you think Vietnam is becoming increasingly important?

With the denim mill in Vietnam, the company is better placed to serve its global base of customers due to the recently concluded European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. This agreement is a new generation FTA between Viet Nam and 28 European Union member states, providing a wide range of opportunities for companies from both sides.

• Eliminating 99% of all tariffs
• Reducing regulatory barriers and overlapping red tape
• Ensuring protection of geographical indications
• Opening up services and public procurement markets
• Making sure the agreed rules are enforceable

The agreement removes tariffs and other barriers that have hindered trade in the past, making it easier for companies to do business in either region. This agreement also includes improved access for service providers and investors as well as provisions on intellectual property rights, which makes it easier for innovative companies to protect their inventions.

Vietnam is becoming increasingly important due to its strategic geographic location and its rapidly developing economy. With the EU-Vietnam FTA in place, it makes sense for companies to set up production plants there due to cheaper labor costs and access to a wider consumer base. The country has also become an attractive destination for foreign investors due to its low taxes, relaxed regulations.

What key products and collections you would be showcasing to visiting buyers during the Denimsandjeans Vietnam event on March 1-2?

Denimsandjeans Vietnam show is a well-known event for showcasing key products and collections. We are glad to announce that during this event, we will be placing the spotlight on these categories and providing our visitors with a huge variety of options to choose from. In our efforts to promote sustainability and eco-friendly products, we will be displaying eco-friendly collections made exclusively for women alongside other unique vintage products. Furthermore, our “Green Denim” collection will give buyers access to an interesting array of denim consists of Closed loop collection and Ecology Denim. We hope that these collections will capture the attention of visitors and give them an opportunity to select the best among what is on offer.

Authentic

• Vintage Friendly Collection

Exclusive Women’s E Collections:

• One Size Fit
• One Size Fit– 2 nd Skin

Green Denim

• Closed Loop Collection
• Ecology Denim

More Options

• Black Denim
• Naturals
• Core Items

Vietnam already has stringent laws related to sustainable processes. Has XDD gone further to use technologies which helps to become a preferred partner of the brands?

XDD REUSE TAKES ON COTTON TRAGEABILITY IN DENIM PRODUCTION
Although circularity has gained popularity in the denim industry recently, traceability is crucial for identifying and addressing the underlying environmental issues that manufacturing might cause. Cotton is the primary raw material used to create the well-known fabric in the denim industry, and it is the subject of all discussion. When XDD Textile introduced its XDD REUSE tracing system, it sought to address a significant concern in the denim industry: how might traceability be enhanced in the cotton production and recycling processes?

Pre-consumer trash is gathered from the mill’s affiliated clothing manufacturer by XDD Textile, which then regenerates and spins it into cotton that is as good as new. This recycled cotton may be traced because it comes from the cuttable waste from XDD’s own fabric. In this “Cut Waste Reuse” technique, XDD can recycle cotton from the garment manufacturing process using 10 to 15 percent of the cut waste. The recent development of such percentages to 20 percent and beyond illustrate the industry’s appetite for additional recycled cotton, even if several firms have already used 5 percent recycled cotton to continue with sustainable fabric production activities. Recycled cotton provides significant benefits, in that it can prevent additional textile waste and require far fewer resources than conventional or organic cotton.

The waste is often classified into 2 categories:

• Pre-consumer waste, which includes scraps created by yarn and fabric byproducts
• Post-consumer waste, which also includes garments from previously recycled finished goods.

The raw material for the XDD REUSE collection , which is made from pre-consumer waste, comes from the partner garment factory of DD, which regularly uses fabrics from the manufacturer In addition to using trash to make fresh fabric, XDD REUSE also makes use of the company’s Closed Loop System to further confirm the quality of the denim and make it possible to track the origin of the cotton. The textile mill can collect and regenerate the cotton using XDD’s circular Closed Loop System, which also increases the plant’s capacity to produce 100 tones of recycled cotton each month. As Vietnam bans the import of garbage, the system is driven by the XDD wastewater recycling process to reuse and recycle waste.

XDD Textile itself operates as a vertical enterprise, starting from the purchase of cotton, all the way through the yarn spinning and denim production and recycling processes. The company attributes this vertical model to its ability to offer a traceable cotton supply. XDD has built a recycling process designed to divert more products from landfills, which would help alleviate the estimated 25 billion pounds in annual textile waste produced, according to the Council for Textile Recycling.

The company’s established tracing process for the XDD REUSE collection can be
viewed here:

With the above process in place, XDD aims to guarantee and ensure that all denim production at its factories remain of the highest quality. XDD says it is the first mill in Vietnam that has started to use cuttable fabric waste for recycled cotton, which is now certified by Control Union, Recycled
Claim Standard (RCS) and Global Recycle Standard (GRS).

Visit our website for Denimsandjeans Vietnam to register to visit the show and check out the collection of XDD !.

For more information , you can contact XDD Team man@xdddenim.com

So a very exciting time for denim connoisseurs to be in Japan and especially after a break of 2 years! And a very positive time to be in Japan as the country opens up and is now open to international visitors. Make sure to go through through all the grounds on why you must not miss the Denimsandjeans Japan Show on November 1-2.

1.First Denim Supply Chain- Denimsandjeans | Nov 1-2

The first denim supply chain show in Japan which brings over 10 Japanese companies and about 40 other global denim , non-denim , knit etc. companies on Nov 1-2 , 2022. The Denimsandjeans show , which initially scheduled in 2020 was postponed due to Covid 19 and had been rescheduled. We now eagerly look forward to getting the Japanese and Overseas denim community together at the show !

2.WALLS BY JAPANESE DENIM BRANDS

There are some very cool denim brands in Japan and we are happy to bring displays by some of these at our show.

Studio D’Artisan

STUDIO D’ARTISAN & SA established in 1979 by a designer who learned it in France. It was very successful to reproduce and to take over the history of “real Jeans” made by old looms found in Okayama . This  is like a symbol of opportunity that Japanese denim became famous in the world in 1990’s when vintage replica boom begin with new value of “Vintage” “Selvedge”. SDA brings some exclusive products in a wall at our show !

Samurai Jeans

Samurai Jeans was established in Osaka in 1998 based on the concept that jeans ultimately have no value unless the creator and wearer are united in their commitment. In recent years, they have been tackling the enormous challenge of reviving and growing an ancient strain of cotton in Sasayama city, Hyogo prefecture, with the aim of producing high-quality clothing that is “100% Made in Japan” from seed to fabric to finished garment. With the generous help of the local community, this dream is becoming a reality, and since 2020 they have been releasing denim and cut-and-sew items that contain a percentage of our own hand-harvested, local organic cotton .

Yen Jeans

YEN is a denim brand by Michiko Koshino. Born in 1943, she is a fashion designer and has high-end stores in Japan and a restaurant in London. Michiko Koshino was born in Osaka, Japan to Ayako Koshino and has some cool vision for her brand YEN JEANS and you will find a great display by her on the show.

Dr Denim

Dr Yuji Honzawa is a denim connoisseur who has created a number of Japanese denim brands and was also responsible for setting up the denim business of Uniqlo. He brings some cool garments from his collection at our show.

3.JEANOLOGIA WALL & DENIM ART WALL

Jeanologia brings their Tech Artisan wall showcasing how the industry can move towards the “Mission Zero” .
Denim Art Wall by Juan Manuel Gomez from Officina showing special denim paintings using chemicals .There is a constant act of repetition as automatic drawing or pictorial act in the processes of the textile industry; taking this as a visual referent, his artworks are produced as if it were cloth or a garment.

4.EXCLUSIVE TREND AREA

Exclusive Trend Area showcasing global garments with latest Eco friendly and other technologies and styles. The trend wall will have some latest products under the categories –

a) Environmentally Right: Under various sub categories defining different elements of sustainability.

b) Designed Innovation: Showcase of products which have incorporated innovative technologies, materials and procedures to manufacture.

c) Selvedges : When in Japan – don’t forget selvedges . We bring out some of the best ones in this category.

d) Japanese Style Collections representing Japanese Culture, Fashion and Style

5.JAPAN DENIM DAYS: Oct 29-30

JAPAN DENIM DAYS (JDD) is an event sponsored by the local city authorities to promote denim manufacturing at Okayama prefecture. We have tied up with the JDD so that the visit of few selected visitors ( from brands ) from Tokyo to Kojima (including 1 night stay) would be sponsored by the JDD . Those interested may immediately contact us . More details are given here .

6.DENIM BIZ MEETING IN FUKUYAMA CASTLE NOV 5

Fukuyama is another area with a great denim concentration and they are celebrating the 400th year of their city council (a beautiful old castle) where they will bring some of the companies in this region . More details are given here.

7.INTERACTIVE SEMINARS

Seminars by renowned Japanese denim experts and also international presenters . The presenters’ names and the subjects on which they will be expressing their opinions are listed below.

• Stefano Aldighieri (President Another Studio) – “A Blue Journey from the past to the future through US , Europe and Japan”
• Yuji Honzawa (Founder Dr. Denim) & Kawai Shinji (President Nihon Menpu) – “Vintage-Today & Tomorrow”
• Moto Suzuki (CEO Hap co, ltd Japan, Coveross Oy Finland) – “Next generation sustainable and personalized denim technology”
• Juan Manuel Gomez (Officina Creative Leader) – ” Art & Denim As A Process Of Repetition “
• Akhiko Kashino (Jeanologia) – “Simplify The Excellence”

8.DENIM SHOPPING

A great time to go for shopping with YEN at historic low. Probably you will get your favourite denim pair at amazing conversion rates ! Own the Japanese jeans which you found too expensive to wear before .

“Io elasticizzo anche la mi’ mamma” meaning “I elasticize even my mommy” . As Elasten brings their special yarns to Japan at Denimsandjeans Japan show, we had a chat with Giovanni Benelli – Commercial and Technical director at Elasten.

Italy that has a long history in yarns and textiles. Can you give the background of Elasten in this regard.

Yes , Italy has an ancient history in the textile world and especially our city, PRATO which boasts at least 800 years of history in the production of yarns and fabrics. The best known product is certainly the CARDATO di PRATO.

As the name says élin® by elasten® is the line of innovative yarns and fabrics made by company elasten® that wants to maintain that close link to its land and its history but with a super modern interpretation. Attentive to the environment by producing less and better. The products that come out of élin® by elasten® are of a high standard and made to last. They combine the natural materials par excellence with the most innovative fibers. Gives new aspects to classic yarns and fabrics (BFlex® patented technology) It boasts numerous international patents on both yarns and fabrics . My family has been in the textile industry since the early 1900s. the story of Elasten began 33 years ago, it was a forerunner of yarns and consequently of stretch fabrics in the world, which is why innovation is so important to us.

What are the most important characteristics of your yarns which keeps you apart from competition in Europe and Asia

We believe that our quality can find great interest in the Asian market and especially in the high segment. Our products are aimed at brands that want to diversify from the crowd and ride the values ​​of the past, craftsmanship in a modern key.

The yarns we offer are unique and the fabrics we show are produced by the best Italian and non-Italian textile manufacturers who recognize in élin® by elasten® a point of reference when they want to raise the level of their collections

What sustainable characteristics can you give to fabrics and garments through your production processes

Our processing is nothing more than a coupling of fibers together thought out in an ingenious way. We prefer strong and resistant fibers such as linen or hemp which are, moreover, the most environmentally friendly. If we talk about transforming these fibers into stretch versions, surely the green key is the durability of the garment over time which will keep its parameters unchanged. Abrasion resistance and elasticity considering that we use the best elastic fibers on the market never compromising for price reasons. The meaning of our work is to ensure that a person can buy a timeless garment that lasts for years if not decades. This for us is the idea of ​​true sustainability.

Do you also produce Natural elastane which can help in total compostability of the garment

We have collaborated on the first compostable stretch fabric in the world with the most honorable denim manufacturer, and recently we have developed a new international patent to create a yarn that gives a stretch comfort effect without using elastomeric fibers and I must say that it is raising great interest in the weaving and knitting market. Depending on the use it gives elasticity or completely innovative hand feel effects and the nice thing is that it can be developed on any material through our BFlex® collection.

How do you see the Japan market and what are your expectations from participating in the Denimsandjeans Japan show?

The Japanese market but also the Korean one have always had taste and appreciate the details, the particular hands, given by the innovative fibers or by the treatments on natural fibers. In the Denim world, Japanese fabric is a fabulous icon. The aesthetic result of a Selvedge Denim produced by inserting our patented stretch yarns in Linen fiber of European origin, wet spun in Europe, brings a technical and aesthetic enrichment that intrigues. In our collection we show fabrics that in appearance are very reminiscent of Japanese Selvedge Denim fabrics but which have the Linen component that gives an authentic appearance and allows breathability and thermoregulation enormously superior to cotton, giving a feeling of freshness for days without having to resort to frequent washing and the stretch component which on high fabric weights gives a fantastic comfort effect.

For more details , contact Giovanni @ giovannibenelli@elasten.it

All the major retailers and brands including H&M, Marks & Spencer, VF Corporation ,Kontoor Brands , Mufti, Landmark Group , Future Group , Future Retails , El Corte , Li Fung , GAP Inc ,  Fifth Avenue, Bhartiya Fashion, Tesco , Pepe Jeans , Poeticgem UK , Spykar , Benetton , Celio Sourcing, Shopper Stop , Reliance Trends , Myntra/Jabong , Flipkart, ITC Limited , Amazon, VOI Jeans, Saint Blue ,Levis, C&A ,PVH, Being Human, Blackberry, Aditya Birla Fashions , FFI, Ajio, Westside, Asmara India , Asmara Bangladesh , Bestseller , Inmark Retail, Impulse, Arvind Brands, Raymonds Apparels, Synergies Sourcing , Newtimes, etc  visited the show.  Some of the most reputed factories and exporters including  Shahi, Garden City Fashion, Trigger Apparels, Prateek Apparels, Classic Polo Fashion, VD Fashions, Shivassa Apparels, Aquarelle Clothing and Hasbro Clothing also visited with their teams.

The theme of the show was coined as ‘GREENABLE’ – focusing on denim as a GREEN and COMFORTABLE product post COVID. The keynote address was given by Dr. Naresh Tyagi – Chief Sustainability Officer, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail. His presence and words of wisdom surely helped commence the 4th edition with enthusiasm. See Full video here.

TREND AREA

The Trend Area at the 4th edition of Denimsandjeans India showcased the GREENABLE theme with a background view of a garden against the latest creativities of the denim industry . SS23 and AW23 collection were on display in majorly 5 categories as – COMFY FASHION , WATER AND CHEMICAL THRIFT , FASHIONABLES , GREEN FIBERS and RECYCLE THE PAST.

ACTIVITIES and FUN

Reinforcing the need to make our earth more green, Denimsandjeans introduced a bare tree to which the leaves were put up by the visitors in the show with their messages and quotes. Many inspiring as well as motivational thoughts were shared through this medium. Along with this , a Denimandjeans magazine photo booth attracted a large number of audience and were shared on instagram handles. But the most interesting part can be said to be the DENIMSANDJEANS PARTY in the evening , where the exhibitors let their hair down and enjoyed the music and networking .

Denimsandjeans Instagram handle

There were many seminars including a panel discussion by renowned denim heads on very interesting topics during the show.

Raw Material Volatility – Effect On The Supply Chain

A panel discussion moderated by Mr. Stefano Aldighieri ( President , Another Design Studio ) with Panel members –

Mr. Subir Mukherjee ( Business Head , Bhaskar Industries Pvt Ltd )
Mr. Fabrizio Maggi ( Apparel Commercial director South Asia and EMEA distribution )
Mr. Avinash Mane ( Commercial Director (South Asia, Middle East, Thailand), Lenzing Fibers. )
Mr. Bharat Desai ( President – Raw material Procurement, Alok Industries Ltd. (An integrated textile mill) )
Mr. Sartaj singh Mehta ( Product Director Pepe Jeans London )

Escaping Fashion’s Death Valley – How AI can remove uncertainty and waste

A Presentation by Mr. Ganesh Subramanian Founder and CEO, Stylumia

STORY TELLING: Never Mind The Medium: Only Content Matter

Presentation by Mr. Sundeep Ramudamu Experienced Apparel Design Lead/ Video Content creator/ Story Teller Creative cheat sheet and Mr. Stefano Aldighieri President , Another Design Studio

How Denim Brands Are Adapting To Conscious Customers

Seminar by Dr. Dilek Erik Global Marketing Manager, Sharabati denim

Sustainable Denim Spray Dyeing And Finishing Technology

A seminar by Mr. Jayanta Sanyal , Head Of Technical Sales & Processes , RotaSpray

From Fast Fashion To Accurate Fashion

A seminar by Mr. Manuj Kanchan , Division Director-CEA , Jeanologia

Trend Presentation AW 23-24

Presentation by Ms. Neha Celly From Denim design and research house Bluehemia and denim couture brand nece gene.

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Also, you can download some of the presentations from our speakers from THIS LINK ..

Denimsandjeans Initiatives

Complying with the GREENABLE theme , Denimsandjeans took up various initiatives during the show to promote the reduction in wastage by taking some small steps. . Saving over 2000 plastic bottles , the team encouraged the use of metallic bottles and some other ways to provide clean water without using bottles. . Moreover, a large number of plastic covers, papers were replaced by the handbands made from recycled fabrics . It was fun to do this while making our small contribution to the cause.

We enjoyed the show thoroughly and we again THANK OUR EXHIBITORS AND VISITORS who kept faith in us after the difficult covid period !

Do not miss to join us for our JAPAN SHOW on Nov 1-2

Fashinza is a B2B manufacturing marketplace that solves apparel/fashion supply chain challenges by connecting fashion brands to experienced manufacturers.

Yes, Our recent funding announcement of $100Mn created a buzz in the media across the globe.

Fashinza is an AI-driven B2B marketplace that seeks to fix manufacturing for fashion brands and retailers. We are creating a 21st-century supply chain for fashion that is fast, transparent, and sustainable — all through a single-stop technology-powered platform. 

Global brands can find vetted cloud-connected manufacturers, browse exclusive designs, place bulk orders online, monitor daily production status, and chat with manufacturers directly through our platform. Our FactoryOS powers assembly lines in small to mid-sized factories with a powerful mobile-driven AI platform that completely digitizes the shop floor and helps them tremendously improve efficiency, quality, and speed. Fashinza allows brands to cover as low as 50 pcs with turnaround times as fast as 45 days.

What weaknesses do you see in the current sourcing model which necessitate bringing an alternative one?

The current sourcing model is not designed for scale without human intervention. A typical sourcing cycle involves numerous calls, e-mails, visits, and multiple back & fourth process to arrive at closure. All of this creates a lot of unnecessary redundancy and dependency. This is further compounded by the fact that inventory is still not “just-in-time” and a lot of brands have to deal with shortages or excess inventory at the end of the season. That is where we come into the picture, our control and predictability over the production process help brands plan better, keep a  tab on red flags, and reduce wastage.

How has been your client experience at the platform till now and how do you want to improve it further 

We’ve had success in getting brands to use our platform to place and manage orders. At the same time, our supplier also likes the fact that there is a single platform to deal with all the ongoing queries and order management. From here on, we are looking to double down our efforts towards a mobile-first approach to entire order management along with deep tech integration like RFID scanning, and line planning to improve the predictability for our customers.

With a huge series B funding of $100 million  recently and perhaps many more to come, how do you Fashinza’s growth in the coming 1 year 

Yes, We will invest our series B funding in two primary areas: supply chain technology and expanding our base globally. This means that we aim to:

• Create a sustainable (i.e., net positive) supply chain by 2030 that doesn’t cost extra
• Invest in deep supply chain technology, IoT, and Industry 4.0 solutions for SMB manufacturers
• Expand our presence in the US
• Expand the supply chain in India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Turkey, Central America, and hopefully the US

You are participating in our Denimsandjeans India show in Bangalore. What would be your main focus during the show and what do you expect during the same. 

Our main focus is to collaborate with relevant brands to understand the current challenges & pain points of their supply chain & sourcing issues. Also, it will help us to exchange ideas and innovations happening in the industry.

How can Fashinza help the denim industry become more efficient?

Yes, We are helping brands from denim category to be more efficient on

1. Pricing: we can bring technical know-how of what is happening in the supply chain from across the world (China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, etc.) – which will reduce costs for suppliers and eventually, to the end buyer.

2. Production Time(TAT): We are giving the entire design to delivery solutions for buyers with our catalogue launch, on ready fabrics – which eventually reduces TAT for any delivery. 

3. Low Quantity (MOQ) – we have capability to do low MOQs – which reduces a brand’s working capital requirements

Can you delve more into the AI behind the Fashinza platform and how specifically it works to help address supply chain issues in the fashion industry?

Manufacturing is a very data-intensive process. In absence of data, people rely on their intuition to make decisions and more often than not end up with suboptimal outcomes. With our FactoryOS, Fashinza’s AI technology, we are bringing data-driven decision-making and projections to SMB fashion manufacturers. We use data to optimize quality checking, assembly line planning, throughput projections, and matching the right suppliers based on 80 different parameters. The result is that Fashinza FactoryOS-powered factories have very low quality-related wastage, higher throughput, and higher profitability while being faster, reliable, and automated.

To know more about Fashiza and to meet them at Denimsandjeans Show in Bangalore on June 8-9, 2022 ,

contact them by clicking here

Hi Subrata , pl tell me about your latest collection of Aw 22-23

In the present market scenario, main challenge is business sustainability in denim supply chain. Garment MRP is not changing in the same speed of all fabric raw materials. So pressure is on denim mills. So In AW 22-23 collection our first focus is Value engineering of fabrics keeping  color, optics and feel as per trends.

As fashion is cyclical, we are getting Ring optics back in fashion. In high end brands woven knits still getting more popularity. Though frankly there is no off take of Sustainable denim in Indian market, we are presenting our full range of real sustainable denim.     

What is Nandan’s basic philosophy towards sustainability.

Till today, Sustainable denim means, GOTS, BCI certified denim.  But in true sense,  GOTS  and BCI  certified denim are very small component of sustainability. Real focus should be denim  from PCW, re-cycled poly and process re-engineering that save water and energy . Green fibres, alternates of cotton, are also very important.     

Not many companies are going for 100% recycled products . Are you working on such fabrics?

As we all know, it is very very difficult to make fashion denim from 100% re-cycle raw materials.  But we at Nandan denim ltd, are keeping it our goal and developed few articles also with 100% re-cycle materials as well.

What would be your focus products at Denimsandjeans Show in Bangalore?

Focus at Denimandjeans show are, value engineered products, “Best out of waste” means Sustainable collections other than regular AW 22-23 collection. We have to gain confidence of brands that Value engineered products are also fashionable, so keeping them side by side.

How do you see the denim industry changing post covid?

Covid has become past now, at least we should think in that direction. New challenge is handling “White Gold” i.e. Cotton price. It may be the  after effect of Covid also, we do not know the real reason.  But yes, post Covid, business opportunity has increased from export markets and there is good demand from all countries.  For fabric suppliers, there are change of customer profile . Eg Online brands became very active immediately after covid though we see see instore brands back in action now .

For more details on Nandan’s products and to fix any appointments at the show, contact at sghosh@chiripalgroup.com

Traceability is the buzz word in the fashion industry today as it grapples to find ways to provide more transparent information on their sustainability efforts to their customers. Most of the large retailers and brands have announced goals to achieve certain standards in the materials and other inputs that they use in their products. However, even with the best of intentions, they cannot be 100% sure of what their supply chain is doing and here comes the role of Traceability solutions. These solutions can provide the lens through which the brands can show their sustainability efforts to their customers with least distortions.

Haelixa , a Swiss company, has developed an innovative technology based on DNA that allows to physically mark, trace and authenticate products. A unique marker is developed to be able to identify a specific brand, supplier, or even production lot. The marker is applied to the product and stays safely embedded in the product during the entire textile processing. The verification test can be done with the final garment or any intermediate product such as yarn. The Haelixa marker is harmless for humans and the environment, GMO-free, vegan, Oekotex 100 compliant, and GOTS certified, yet strong enough to withstand all textile processing such as bleaching or dyeing. It helps to substantiate claims by the supply chain to their brands on the one hand and by brands to the consumers on the other. So for example, being able to prove and substantiate claims that the final garment is indeed made with organic cotton from a specific country or that the garment contains recycled fibre becomes more and more important.

Soorty is one of the most important denim fabric and apparel exporters in Pakistan and is known globally for their high quality products supplied to some of the most reputed brands. Soorty recently tied up with Haelixa to use their technology to mark the recycled fiber used in their fabrics. The idea is for Soorty to enable their customers (brands and retailers) to physically verify their recycled fibers used .

Haelixa has developed a unique DNA marker to be able to identify Soorty’s recycled cotton. The marker is solved in liquid and then applied to textile post-consumer waste before mechanical recycling takes place in the spinning mill in Pakistan. Spot checks are done with the intermediate products as well as tests with the final garment to prove that the product indeed contains the recycled cotton. The test is based on highly scalable PCR technology that is 100% reliable and has forensic validity as per Haelixa. Being able to prove its claims is crucial for Soorty as the company has a strong focus on sustainability, and recycling is a major pillar of its sustainability strategy with a current recycling proportion of around 23%. The new waste segregation system is expected to further improve the recycling proportion by another 10% yearly.

Haelixa will also offer Soorty’s clients the use of its label “Marked & Traced by Haelixa” for garments. So Soorty customers can inform the end consumer about their supply chain transparency efforts using a solid technological traceability solution. The label can be complemented with a QR code linking to a dedicated landing page, where the brands can bring their product story to life and enable customers to access supply chain and product verification data.

Tanja Schlager, VP Marketing at Haelixa , was very confident about industry’s awareness of the traceability solutions .

“We see an increasing demand for traceability coming from brands and manufacturers as greenwashing becomes a major issue in the textile industry. Transparency and reliable data are the two parameters that prevent greenwashing accusations from coming up in the first place. Manufacturers see added value in traceability as it re-assures their customers, creates trust, and provides a competitive edge being able to offer traceable products that minimize the supply chain risks of their customers.”

We thought a topic as important as traceability and how the supply chain is working on it deserved a live webinar where attendees can delve deeper into the same and also get their queries clarified . Do join us for a talk with Mansoor Bilal – VP Marketing Soorty Enterprises and Tanja Schlager – VP Mktg Haelixa and moderated by Sandeep Agarwal from Denimsandjeans .
Do register for the webinar which will happen on 29th March at 1.30pm Central Europe Time . Registration link . You can also pre share your questions or any queries to be taken up during the discussion by emailing Tanja Schlager at t.schlager@haelixa.com

WIth GREENABLE as the theme of the show, there is a focus on the fact that in last 3 years , there has been a paradigm  shift in the way the brands look at the sourcing and offerings. In response to covid , many global brands have incorporated green inputs into their products and have been raising the bar for sustainable productions in their supply chain. A similar move seems to be taken by Indian brands in an increasing way making it important for the supply chain to change accordingly.  Besides, another aspect of coivd has been the restriction on movements of people pushing them towards more sedentary lifestyles. This change in lifestyle also reflected in consumer purchases making them look  for more comfort in the apparel they bought. This necessitated changes at fiber , weaving , sewing and washing levels to reduce the wear stress on the body. 

Both these important elements – GREEN AND COMFORTABLE – combine to form our new theme for the show GREENABLE.  The entire show will be designed around this theme and an exciting trend area will reflect these and others important fashion aspects of denim today. 

It would be exciting to meet our exhibitors physically after a long time and we welcome the supply chain – mills, garment producers, wash houses, chemical and fiber companies, technology companies and more. Some  of them include Arvind, Bhaskar, LNJ, Ginni, Hyosung, Nandan, Jeanologia (Spain) , Global Wash House , VAV, KG Denim, Spectrum , Lenzing, Oswal Denim, Jindal, Raymonds, SF Dyes , Blu Connection, Siyaram, Anubha, WEKO (Germany) , Ultra, Deridesen(Turkey) , Nandan, Kemin and many others under waiting list. 

The list is long and ever increasing . Our third edition had a great presence of Indian and global companies and most of the major apparel retailers and brands from India . 

An important aspect of the Indian market post covid has been the shift from unorganized towards the organized retail market. The impact of covid, taxation changes and consumer behavior have resulted in an ongoing shift towards the organized retail – which used to be less than 20% of the whole till recently. Most denim brands and retailers that we speak to have increased their volumes by large percentages in 2021 and this has resulted in most Indian garment producers expanding their productions both for local and international markets.

Post covid there  has also been a change in marketing strategies of international retailers. They seem to be spreading their risk basket and especially after Bangladesh and Pakistan exporters being booked for long periods due to shifting orders from China , they are looking towards sourcing denim and other apparel from India. This will help Indian producers to export more  to US and EU brands and also has encouraged these brands to visit India and also our show in June !

We look forward to an exciting community get together at Denimsandjeans India and hope that covid years can be left behind and we can look at  a more stable, progressive and exciting future. 

Links : Denimsandjeans India website
          Post show report of 3rd edition
 
Contact for more info : mktg3@denimsandjeans.com