Fashion news

• Asos' Latest Initiative? Platforming Emerging Designers

  13-08-2026 14:00 via fashionista.com
  For the last few years, it’s felt like fast-fashion retailers have been in image-repair mode. Zara, H&M, Shein and the like have noticeably been rolling out designer collections, elevated visuals, sustainability initiatives and strategic price increases that read more aspirational than economical. Another strategy these retailers are using in pursuit of more discerning customers? Promoting emerging talent.
  In 2024, Shein tasked six young designers to create repurposed garments as part
  
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• Vale, ABB expand AI and automation across Brazil iron ore plants

  18-08-2026 04:52 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  Vale will extend automation, artificial intelligence and digitalisation from its Conceição II Model Plant to other iron ore plants in Brazil.
  The ABB alliance targets safer operations, better performance and higher production quality, with Brucutu already in implementation.
  Vale said Conceição II has delivered 25 per cent higher productivity, 40 per cent more premium direct-reduction ore and 26.
  
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• How did Acushnet boost South Korea's Misto Holdings’ Q2 results?

  18-08-2026 04:52 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  Misto Holdings’ Q2 sales rose 16.6 per cent year on year, with operating profit up 62.3 per cent on Acushnet growth, cost efficiency and a tariff refund.Acushnet sales rose 21.7 per cent as golf balls, clubs and gear gained from launches, higher prices and optimised timing.Fila’s domestic shoes and clothing improved, overseas stores expanded in Malaysia, and JUUN.J opened stores in China.
  
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• Germany’s WACKER gains EU approval for amino acids in pet food

  18-08-2026 04:52 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  European Commission approval lets WACKER market L-cystine and L-cysteine as sensory additives for all animal species.
  The decision gives pet-food manufacturers a clearer European framework for FERMOPURE amino acid flavour solutions.
  WACKER says plant-based fermentation offers traceable, animal-free inputs as demand rises for functional and natural pet food.
  
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• China ready for econ partnership for shared development with Nigeria

  18-08-2026 04:52 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  Africa must use China’s zero-tariff policy to move from exporting raw materials to exporting value-added goods, the Nigerian government said. Nigeria should position itself as the continent’s manufacturing and investment hub, it noted.
  China is ready to finalise an agreement on economic partnership for shared development with Nigeria and support joint industrial parks, technology transfer and training.
  
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• Bangladesh to align textile institutes’ curricula with China's

  18-08-2026 04:52 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  Bangladesh will review the curricula of its textile institutes and align them with China's education system, according to Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir.Skill development opportunities would be created through training by experienced Chinese teachers and experts, as well as by sending faculty members from Bangladesh to China for advanced training, he said.
  
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• What is behind Japan's Asics’ record-breaking H1 performance?

  18-08-2026 04:52 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  Asics posted record Q2 FY26 results, with first-half net sales up 32.7 per cent to ¥534.4 billion (~$3.36 billion and operating profit up 48.5 per cent.
  SportStyle, Onitsuka Tiger and Performance Running drove growth, with sales and profit rising across all major regions.
  Margin gains, cost control and lower inventories helped offset tariffs and costs; Asics lifted FY26 sales and profit outlook.
  
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• UK's mid-sized firms face rising supply chain & energy costs

  18-08-2026 04:52 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  BDO says 46 per cent of UK mid-sized firms expect supply chain, fuel and energy costs to be their top challenge over the next six months.Manufacturing is among the most exposed sectors; 40 per cent are scaling back or pausing investment and 35 per cent may pass on costs.Cost-control moves include lower energy use, low-carbon technology investment, and more UK sourcing, onshoring and nearshoring.
  
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• Organic cotton prices could break range on supply or brand demand

  18-08-2026 04:52 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  India’s organic Shankar-6 held at INR 221/kg and pre-consumer recycled cotton at INR 146/kg throughout the week ended August 14, 2026.
  Pakistan’s KCA organic spot benchmark fell 0.78 per cent from PKR 667.2562/kg to PKR 662.0311/kg, then stayed unchanged.
  The India premium-fibre spread stayed at INR 75/kg, with recycled cotton at roughly 66 per cent of organic.
  
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• Is China POY rally just getting started as PTA, MEG hold up?

  18-08-2026 04:52 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  China POY prices edged higher in mid-August as autumn-winter restocking met firmer upstream costs; 100D/96F rose 1.08 per cent.
  PTA led gains, up 3.79 per cent on tight domestic supply and rising paraxylene costs, while MEG gained 1.47 per cent amid Strait of Hormuz shipping risk.
  POY 75D/96F eased 0.40 per cent, but cost pressure and seasonal offtake point to a firmer market into September.
  
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• Finland’s Outokumpu inaugurates $35.1 mn biocoke plant in Tornio

  18-08-2026 04:52 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  Outokumpu is inaugurating a €30 million (~$35 million) agglomeration plant for biocoke in Tornio, Finland, enabling biomass-based biocoke to replace fossil coke in ferrochrome production.
  At full capacity, the plant could cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 82,000 tonnes a year.
  The move supports its 42 per cent value-chain emissions reduction target by 2030.
  
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• UNDP-Sri Lanka MoU to boost technical capacity for industrial change

  16-08-2026 12:44 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  UNDP and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development have joined hands to enhance the latter’s capacity by setting up an expert support unit to accelerate industrial development, strengthen entrepreneurship and SME competitiveness, and advance policymaking.The areas include skills and industrial zone development; trade and policy; digital transformation; and data analytics.
  
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• India’s Logistics Data Bank tracks 1 bn containers since 2016 launch

  16-08-2026 12:44 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  India’s Logistics Data Bank has tracked 1 billion export-import containers since its launch in 2016, according to Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, who termed the achievement as ‘an important milestone’ in logistics journey.The platform offers visibility of movement of such containers across the country through RFID-based technology, covering 19 ports and 32 container terminals.
  
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• India Inc. starts FY27 on firmer footing than anticipated: ICRA

  16-08-2026 12:44 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  ICRA said the Indian corporate sector began FY27 on a firmer footing than anticipated, with aggregate revenues of its sample set of 838 listed firms growing by 22 per cent YoY in Q1.However, headline aggregate operating profit margin contracted by over 200 bps YoY in Q1 FY27 and net profits were flattish, mainly because of the oil-refining sector.
  Revenue growth lagged in export-focused textile firms.
  
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• Ghana Maritime Authority calls for maritime single window

  16-08-2026 12:44 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) recently called for implementing new measures to reduce vessel delays and improve efficiency at the Tema Port.At a recent workshop at the port, GMA deputy director general Mubarick Masawudu stressed on the need for a maritime single window to enable stakeholders to electronically process and exchange information through a unified platform.
  
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• What kept US producer prices flat in July 2026?

  16-08-2026 12:44 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  US final-demand producer prices were unchanged in July, while the unadjusted index rose 4.7 per cent over 12 months.Final-demand goods fell 0.7 per cent, led by energy, with thermoplastic resins and materials also lower.For textile and apparel supply chains, softer freight and resin signals contrasted with higher services and construction prices.
  
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• UK's clothing imports drop 3.5% YoY in June 2026

  16-08-2026 12:44 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  UK clothing imports declined 3.5 per cent year on year and 4.1 per cent month on month to £1.247 billion in June 2026.
  Textile fabric imports grew 6.75 per cent year on year to £474 million, while fibre imports were £34 million.
  In April-June 2026, clothing imports eased 3.67 per cent to £3.908 billion; fabric imports inched up 2.02 per cent to £1,409 million.
  
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• UK's clothing exports dip 9.8% in June 2026

  16-08-2026 12:44 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  United Kingdom clothing exports fell 9.84 per cent to £229 million (~$309.97 million) in June 2026, and eased 12.59 per cent from May.Textile fabric exports fell 2.66 per cent to £219 million; fibre exports were £48 million, compared with £43 million a year earlier.In Q2 2026, clothing exports eased 1.93 per cent to £711 million, while fabric exports fell 7.56 per cent to £648 million.
  
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• Tariff refunds: Bangladesh garment makers face a new hurdle

  16-08-2026 12:44 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  Bangladesh garment exporters reportedly cut prices or offered discounts to retain US orders after the tariff shock, absorbing part of buyers’ higher import costs.US importers of record, not Bangladeshi suppliers, are in line for refunds on invalidated IEEPA duties, leaving factories reliant on negotiations.Relief is expected via future price hikes, larger orders or freight-cost concessions.
  
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• Is Vietnam’s apparel growth story running into a labour crunch?

  16-08-2026 12:44 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  Vietnam’s textile and garment exports rose to an estimated $4.672 billion in July 2026, with seven-month shipments at $27.02 billion.Labour shortages are emerging as 130,000-150,000 Vietnamese reportedly take overseas jobs each year, while electronics and machinery firms compete for workers.Garment factories may struggle to meet order deadlines or secure new contracts if manpower gaps persist.
  
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• Bangladesh, Kosovo discuss initiating process for planned FTA

  16-08-2026 12:44 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  Kosovo and Bangladesh recently discussed in Pristina initiating a process for a planned FTA alongside leveraging European trade frameworks to expand bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation.The latter urged the former to import more Bangladesh products, including, RMG, jute and jute goods, while inviting investors from Kosovo to explore opportunities in Bangladesh's SEZs.
  
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• ICYMI: Copenhagen Fashion Week's Top Spring 2027 Trends, Saucony Is StockX's Fastest-Growing Sneaker Brand & Asos Is Platforming Emerging Designers

  15-08-2026 14:00 via fashionista.com
  In case you missed them, we’ve rounded up our most popular stories of the week to help you stay in the loop. No need to thank us — just toast a caramel cold brew in our honor when you’re discussing who did what over your scrambled eggs.
  Related: 6 Standout Trends From Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring 2027
  Related: Saucony Is the Fastest-Growing Sneaker Brand on StockX
  Related: Asos’ Latest Initiative? Platforming Emerging Designers
  Related: The Tradwife Aesthetic Has Reache
  
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• Must Read: Why Emerging Fashion Brands Are Betting on L.A. Manufacturing, JW Anderson Denies Zara Collaboration Rumor

  14-08-2026 18:00 via fashionista.com
  These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Friday.
  Why Emerging Fashion Brands Are Betting on L.A. Manufacturing
  California is the leading U.S. state for apparel manufacturing, and L.A. remains its main hub as it accounts for roughly 23% of national apparel-manufacturing employment. Anna Esposito, account director at L.A. manufacturer Lefty Production Co., said that the company is seeing more emerging brands interested in producing locally because they can review samples in person as w
  
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• US cotton export sales surge as new crop bookings accelerate: USDA

  14-08-2026 17:21 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  US Upland cotton net sales for 2026-27 totalled 905,000 RB, led by Vietnam, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mexico and India.Upland shipments reached 140,500 RB in the opening days of the new marketing year, with Vietnam the largest destination.Pima net sales stood at 50,600 RB, led by India, while USDA data signalled firm new-season demand and early-season shipments.
  
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• Off-price retailers gain power over apparel margins in Q4 2026

  14-08-2026 17:21 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  Four major publicly traded US off-price apparel retailers report accelerating comparable-store sales, their strongest coordinated showing in years.
  Ross Stores posts 17 per cent Q1 growth, Citi Trends pre-announces 10.5 per cent for Q2, while TJX and Burlington Stores post 6 per cent.
  Surplus apparel is moving into value channels, raising off-price influence over pricing and inventory flows.
  
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• Indonesia now faces 10% US reciprocal tariff: Trade Minister Santoso

  14-08-2026 17:21 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  US reciprocal tariff on Indonesia is 10 per cent now, the latter’s Trade Minister Budi Santoso said.The tariff followed a US Section 301 probe into the use of forced labour.After the apex US court annulled the 18-per cent reciprocal tariff initially imposed on Indonesia, a 10-per cent rate was applied to all countries for 150 days, which ended on July 24.Indonesia will continue to seek a lower rate.
  
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• India's WPI inflation eases to 9.78% in July 2026

  14-08-2026 17:21 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  India’s WPI inflation eased to 9.78 per cent YoY in July 2026 from 9.87 per cent in June, while the all-commodities index slipped to 110.0.Manufactured products inflation rose to 8.29 per cent from 7.48 per cent, with its index reaching 108.4. Primary articles inflation increased to 8.52 per cent, while fuel and power inflation moderated sharply to 20.05 per cent.
  
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• China's central bank conducts $147.9 bn reverse repo operation

  14-08-2026 17:21 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  China’s central bank conducted a 1 trillion yuan (~$147.9 billion) six-month outright reverse repo operation on Friday to maintain ample banking-system liquidity.The 185-day operation, maturing on February 15, 2027, will fully roll over an equal amount of repos due in August.The PBOC introduced the monthly operations in October 2024 to strengthen its monetary policy toolkit.
  
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• Cambodia moves into the next tier of global apparel sourcing

  14-08-2026 17:21 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  US apparel imports from Cambodia rose 15.4 per cent to $1.84 billion in the first five months of 2026.
  US footwear imports from Cambodia surged 56.9 per cent to $768 million, while India’s apparel imports fell 26.0 per cent and footwear 18.5 per cent.
  Cambodia has a lower US forced-labour tariff than Vietnam, comparable garment wages and no country-specific forced-labour list overhang.
  
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• Bangladesh takes Denim’s lead as global sourcing shifts east

  14-08-2026 17:21 via fibre2fashion.com
  
  Bangladesh is now the single largest supplier of denim jeans to both the United States and European Union, a first for the category.
  It accounted for about 26 per cent of US denim jean imports in 2025 and about 30 per cent of EU denim jean imports.
  China’s US share fell from 20.3 per cent in 2019 to 6.3 per cent in 2025, reflecting structural repricing in a roughly $90 billion global.
  
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