August 12, 2024
Texworld Los Angeles, Apparel Sourcing Los Angeles and Printsource return tomorrow to the California Market Center.
After a successful debut last summer, the co-located shows are once again bringing a slate of sourcing and educational resources to the West Coast. Texworld Los Angeles promises textiles ranging from sustainable materials to functional fabrics as well as lace, findings and trims from a wide variety of international suppliers. Apparel Sourcing Los Angeles will offer finished apparel, contract manufacturing, and private-label development across ready-to-wear for men, women, children and accessories. Finally, Printsource will feature a unique range of surface and textile design. The combination provides a comprehensive, one-stop shop for designers, product developers and manufacturers—all in your own backyard.
Both days will feature a full roster of Textile Talks, with panels and presentations diving into topics like trend forecasts, material innovation and sourcing. Sharon Perez, Senior Business Development Manager for Lenzing, will lead a discussion about athleisure, specifically the material design, construction and manufacturing processes that enhance value. Edward Hertzman, Founder of Hertzman Global, will moderate a panel on the practical aspects of nearshoring, focusing on the raw materials, labor, trade deals and innovation that make Mexico a promising production destination. Kate Nishimura, Senior News & Features Editor for Sourcing Journal, will anchor a talk about the potential impact of proposed and pending legislation aimed at creating a more responsible apparel industry. Click here to see the full schedule of talks.
The Next-Gen Innovation Hub comes to Los Angeles, bringing suppliers advancing material innovation in the name of sustainability and functionality. Buyers will find resources from the U.S., Israel, the Netherlands, Germany and Turkiye. To gain more information on these products, don’t miss the Next-Gen Innovation Hub Explore the Floor Tour led by Thomasine Dolan Dow, Materials Innovation & Design Director for the Material Innovation Initiative. The tour immediately follows the Bio-based Materials panel, featuring Kintra Fibers, Ettitude, Rheom Materials, and more!
Texworld is putting a spotlight on sustainable exhibitors with its Texpertise Econogy certification. This tool allows buyers to shop products across wovens, knits, leather, functional fabrics, and more that have been independently verified to meet their sustainability claims.
Register to attend Texworld Los Angeles, Apparel Sourcing Los Angeles and Printsource here.
Texworld NYC Summer 2024 Delivered on Sustainability & Innovation
The summer edition of Texworld NYC, Apparel Sourcing NYC and Home Textiles Sourcing just wrapped up after three full days jammed packed with education, exploration and networking. The co-located shows were held July 16 - 18 at the Javits Center in Manhattan. More than 24 countries were represented on the show floor, plus the event featured fashion textiles, apparel and home textiles in country pavilions from Vietnam, Korea, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Pakistan, and India.
Buyers looking ahead to Fall/Winter 2025-2026 found plenty of inspiration both on the show floor and through the educational seminar series. Peclers Paris’ presentation showcased timeless elegance with contemporary flair, while Doneger | TOBE provided insight into a range of trending stories from industrial Brutalism to a folkloric vibe in Fusionism. Post presentation, Doneger | TOBE director Kai Chow led buyers on an “Explore the Floor” tour to help them identify the resources that would best help them bring these trend concepts to life.
Attendees then were given the option to utilize the new Trend+ feature, which enabled them to research product details and order samples right from the show floor. This feature, which launched in collaboration with Material Exchange, bridged the in-person and digital shopping experience. If you missed the show or want to continue exploring the options, you can access the Trend+ showroom here. Frank, Material Exchange’s new AI sourcing assistant, which was on hand at the show, is always standing by to help you quickly and efficiently identify the best options for your collections. Click here to get started.
Texworld and Apparel Sourcing’s commitment to supporting brands and retailers on their sustainability journey was evident at the show. Buyers were able to easily identify deadstock offerings as well as those exhibitors that earned the Texpertise Econogy certification, indicating that all of their sustainability claims are verified by a third-party committee of experts.
Additionally, the Next-Gen Innovation Hub showcased the latest in material innovations. Attendees wanting a deep dive on the topic attended the Material Innovation Initiative seminar “Exploring Innovation and Sustainable Next-Gen Materials” and then toured the hub together to learn about innovations related to digital fabrication, recycling and renewable energy integration.
Mark your calendars for the Winter 2025 Edition of Texworld NYC and Apparel Sourcing NYC, January 21 - 23. We look forward to seeing you there.
What We’re Reading
Bangladesh in Turmoil. What Comes Next for Apparel Production?
For an industry looking for stability, the recent unrest in Bangladesh, the second largest apparel production country behind China, has supply chain executives taking a wait-and-see approach, according to Sourcing Journal. Insiders say the prime minister’s ouster and the five-day curfew that had factories shuttered are just the first steps toward overcoming the corruption of the previous administration and reestablishing faith that the region can once again become a trusted partner. Read the article to learn how currency devaluation and other factors are also playing into sourcing decision-making.
Fashion Brands Face New Skepticism on Green Claims
Lululemon, H&M and Nike are among an increasing number of fashion firms being called out for questionable sustainability claims. The Wall Street Journal reports both consumers and investors are taking a deeper dive into the data and comparing progress to promises. An update to the Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides and upcoming ESG legislation will likely put more restrictions around when missed goals constitute greenwashing. Read the article to learn how companies are adjusting how—and if—they discuss their sustainability efforts.
H&M’s ‘green’ financing tool supports supplier sustainability
Fast fashion firm H&M extends collaborative financing program, Future Supplier Initiative, as a way to help manufacturers implement sustainable practices like electrification and renewables. By collaborating with other brands like Gap and Mango, the initiative helps accelerate GHG reduction and make it scalable, two important factors as the industry faces increasing regulation, according to Supply Chain Dive. Read the article to learn which suppliers are eligible for green loans and about additional programs other brands and retailers have put in place.