Cassy Bhairo
Lauren Peacher
Samantha Mariko
Martine Falk Andersen
Luci Matheus
According to statistics from Customs, textile and garment export in May hit record of 2010, which increased by over 30% comparing to the same time last year. The import of textile and garment in May was almost the same as that in April. The trade surplus in May was 14.74 billion US dollars, which accounted 75% of the total trade surplus.
In the second quarter of 2010, export of textile and garment improved. The export value in May reached 16.4 billion US dollars, which was the highest in 2010.Export value from January to May amounted 70 billion US dollars.
Export to ASEAN up
The export to EU increased 21.3% in May. Exports of textile and garment raised 50% and 13.3% respectively. Export to USA mounted 37.2% with textile export up 51% and garment export up 32.3%. Export to Japan recovered with a growth of 15.8%.
Since the implementing of zero- tariff policy between China and ASEAN, ASEAN became an increasingly important trade partner for China. ASEAN replaced Japan as the third trade partner for China in May. The yarn export to ASEAN increased 52% in May.
Designers of French haute couture are finding the tastes and pocketbooks of emerging market clients have been a boost for dwindling sales as they spread their commercial nets beyond wealthy Westerners.
Slight alterations to classic designs, a nod to regional tastes and the exclusive allure of the traditional French atelier is proving a useful pattern for today's couturiers looking to stay afloat in a tougher financial climate.
Designers justify the price of haute couture -- a dress can cost $100,000 or more -- by saying it is art, pure and simple. They set the tone and the clients, hopefully, follow with their pocketbooks.
This year's catwalk shows appear to be bearing in mind the old adages that fashionistas from conservative Gulf states favor long dresses, Chinese clients like to see a hint of red and black, the Lebanese like bright colors and sparkle, while Russians look to body conscious clothes.
"In Moscow you can wear a very short skirt. Show your breasts and legs forever. You can wear the most beautiful jewels and it is not vulgar. Try that here in Paris," said Anna Sherbinina, a Russian actress after the Elie Saab haute couture show on Wednesday.
At the haute couture shows in Paris this week, sparkle, sequins and metallic's were in abundance, reflecting Russian and Arab tastes. Even Chanel, the powerhouse of French couture, made brightly colored cocktail dresses that were a far cry from the sober black dresses of the house's founder.
Armani paired skin tight trousers with enormous handbags that seemed to draw the attention of Arab clients and Stephane Rolland presented sculpted dresses from thick taffeta and leather that flatter the rounder figures not normally associated with the rake-thin Western acolytes of haute couture.
Some observers note that haute couture, which is expensive to produce and has only a few hundred clients worldwide, is better served by practical designers chasing new money.
Last year Christian Lacroix, who created extravagant and some say unwearable dresses, closed his doors because he could no longer sustain the cost of designing dresses by hand.
But others say that if designers cast their nets too wide they risk their unique identity and exclusive status. Chanel remains a powerhouse because most of Karl Lagerfeld's shows still hint at the designs of Coco Chanel from the 1930s.
"On one hand you have to think about your clients, your girls. But once you start following them, servicing (just) them, you are finished..." said Aliona Doletskaya, Editor-in-chief of Russian Vogue.
There is also allure in the singular dress from Paris that reflects European tastes and comes from the kind of designer one can only find in the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
"They want to go to a real French atelier. There is no real difference in tastes," said designer Stephane Rolland after his couture show on Tuesday.
Some designers are eschewing the wider nets strategy to hone in on the clients who are loyal to them. Elie Saab has an enthusiastic following of Arab women, many of whom clapped appreciatively throughout his haute couture show on Wednesday.
His dresses which played on nude and earth tones were long and flattering, with full skirts and voluptuous fabrics.
A grey and gold wedding dress modeled at the end of Saab's show was so ornate and full the model struggled to walk down the catwalk, while peering out from behind her gilded veil.
"You must respect every woman and what she likes. We must respect her opinion," said Saab after the show.
The 2010 A/W Collection Show of Marisfrolg launched in Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center on 7th, July. This show consists of four parts with the theme of "Into the Glow".
Outcomers arrive at the desert with their mysterious veils. Creations presented at this part are featured with dark colors such as black and gray. Well-cut overcoats and dresses with delicate laces and furs are simple but attractive.
Travelers are looking forward to oasis in desert. Blue rippled dresses, flowery dresses, overcoats of alpaca and their perfect matches, chaparajos all indicate a wonderful journey.
When it is dark in the desert, needfire is a must. Travelers dance around the needfire. Red and diamond blue evening dresses with laces and shining Swarovski crystals dazzle at dark.
Leading fashion designer Sue Wong announced the launch of "Eat Pray Love by Sue Wong," a luxurious ready-to-wear collection inspired by the highly anticipated film Eat Pray Love, in theaters nationwide on August 13, 2010. The line will launch nationally in August 2010 as a special limited edition collection for fall 2010, available in fine department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom's, Lord and Taylor and Dillard's.
"Eat Pray Love by Sue Wong" will feature pieces influenced and inspired by the story's focus on the beauty and exotic essence of India and Indonesia, specifically, rich colors and textures, exotic flair, and intricate embellishments. Known for creating gowns with exquisite details and superior handcraftsmanship, the limited edition "Eat Pray Love by Sue Wong" collection will mark the first-ever separates collection created by Sue Wong. Sue Wong's goal in creating the line, which closely mirrors her own personal style, was to design chic-yet-comfortable pieces that could be worn on a wide range of occasions.
"When I read Eat Pray Love, I immediately identified with the story, as many aspects of Elizabeth Gilbert's journey were synchronous with my own personal odyssey," said designer Sue Wong. "Because of the immediate connection I felt to the story, as well as its emphasis on the culture, philosophy, and, in particular, alluring mystique of the East, I was able to create a collection that was striking, exotic, and timeless, and organic to the journey in the book and forthcoming film."
Liz Gilbert is a modern woman on a quest to marvel at and travel the world while rediscovering and reconnecting with her true inner-self in Eat Pray Love. At a crossroads after a divorce, Gilbert takes a year-long sabbatical from her job and steps uncharacteristically out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life. In her wondrous and exotic travels, she experiences the simple pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of love in Bali. Based on an inspiring true story, Eat Pray Love proves that there really is more than one way to let yourself go and see the world.
The film is directed by Ryan Murphy and produced by Dede Gardner. The screenplay is by Ryan Murphy & Jennifer Salt, based on the book by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Sue Wong lives for one thing: To spread glamour and beauty! Alluring and evocative, a Sue Wong design often echoes period style while remaining modern and utterly of the moment. Whether suffused with the sensuous Hollywood glamour of her muses Garbo, Dietrich, Lombard or steeped in the mystery of a Moroccan seraglio, her creations teem with romance and a restrained opulence. Capturing that spirit with accessible designs of exceptional glamour and beauty, Sue Wong has found a calling she revels in, as couturier to everywoman. Her collection enchantsas it empowers, leaving a trail of speechless romantics in its wake.
Paspaley, the acclaimed Australian pearling pioneer and distinguished jewellery house, proposes the amazing South Sea pearl earrings in 18k yellow and white gold.
These detachable oval pearl drops range in size from 11-13mm. The paved earrings are adorned with 76 white diamonds, weighing approximately 0.629cts. These fashionable accessories can be teamed with any dress. They are delicate, utterly feminine and designed to highlight the radiance of its stylish wearer. Be treated like a celebrity and own one of these most popular Paspaley designs which are perfect to wear on everyday basis or to an all important meeting. The earrings will be an instant hit with a myriad of Paspaley’s important clients.
The elegant aura of this collection suggests the brand’s desire to nurture its relationship with its customers. Paspaley highlights the emotions associated with these beautiful jewels and the style of the women who wear these earrings. The jewels announce the confidence of its wearer without sacrificing their elegance and sophistication and have pushed the boundaries of convention through the use of high quality diamonds with impeccable South Sea pearls, cultured as only Paspaley knows how in the pristine waters of the remote coastline along North Western Australia.
For this line of creations, Paspaley’s designers drew their inspiration from the mystery and romance of nature and combined it with superior workmanship to produce pieces of timeless quality. Thus the line exudes subtle excitement and brings out the natural beauty of an accomplished woman who is graceful, has a unique taste and likes to display her own distinct style. The line evokes a spontaneous desire to follow the spirited optimism of our times.
Paspaley’s unique pearl collection is now available at its exclusive boutiques in Mall of the Emirates, Saks Fifth Avenue - BurJuman Centre, Dubai Mall, The Atlantis, The Palm Jumeirah and Abu Dhabi Mall.
Apparel exports from Nepal, seem to be on its last legs. As for the month of June, the volume of garment exported from Nepal to US, a leading consumer of Nepali apparels, literally came down to zero.
According to the Garment Association Nepal (GAN), inadequate export assistance, continued labour strife and political flux are the main factors that have lead the Nepal’s Readymade Garment industry to a point where its overall apparel exports to US for the month of June came down to zero.
Uday Raj Pandey, first Vice President of GAN on this occasion said that, the Nepali clothing industry tracks, which its foundation for over 100 years back in history, is now on the verge of collapse.
He mentioned that, as there were no orders from US for the month of June, there was no production and similar is case for the months of July and August too. Also that, now it is only in September to October that they could get fresh orders.
At present, even if they receive orders, it is no way possible for them to fulfil the same, as most of the apparel firms are now functioning only partly, slogging for survival. Political instability and labour unrest have badly hit these industries, leaving them in a crippled stage.
The government, in order to rejuvenate the industry, needs to come out with an export promoting budget involving long-term and short-term business schemes, he said.
Nonetheless, exports to European countries still goes unaffected, as the apparel industry in Nepal enjoys a duty-free access to the markets there. But this too is short lived, as this free access too, sees its end in December. Efforts towards renewal of the same are underway, averred Pandey.
At present, around 70 percent of the apparels are being exported to India, whereas the remaining lot is being exported to Europe.
There were around 350 industries functional in 2004, but as the quota regime ended, this number fell drastically, with only a few of them continuing now.
Industrialists believe that, this is not actually attributable to the MFA phase-out, but to the political instability and labour strife.
Clothing industries, largely being labour intensive, were recognized for their ability to provide employment to a huge chunk of people. But now, with a dip in the exports, not only the industrialists but even the labourers are facing adversities.
Readymade apparel exports through 2002, has plunged by almost three times. Clothing exports during financial year 2002-03 stood at Rs 11.5 billion and the same plunged and was recorded at Rs 4.5 billion during 2008-09.
The industry, which at a point of time was a source of employment for around 50,000 people, now hardly employs a few thousands of them.
Models present creations by Marcel Ostertag at the Berlin Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011 in Berlin, July 7, 2010.
Stylesight, the leading global provider of trend content, tools and technology for the fashion and style industries, announces Cem-Sel Tekstil as its exclusive channel partner in Turkey. Stylesight and Cem-Sel Tekstil will work together to offer a full suite of Turkish language products, beginning with the launch of Stylesight.com.
"We are proud to partner with Cem-Sel Tekstil, one of the finest textile and retail organizations in Turkey. Since its founding in 1991, Cem-Sel Tekstil has become one of the leading buying and exporting organizations within the apparel sector," says Frank Bober, Founder and CEO of Stylesight. "As our channel partner in Turkey, Cem-Sel Tekstil will help Stylesight break new ground in providing fashion information, technology and expertise for the Turkish manufacturer and retailer. The best part is that the entire Stylesight offering will be available in the Turkish language. This is just the beginning of the services we will provide together."
"We are very proud to partner with Stylesight; our foremost goal is to broaden the vision of Turkish textile manufacturers and retailers through offering Stylesight's advanced content and technology," says Yasar Esgin, CEO of Cem-Sel Tekstil. "In recent years, Turkish manufacturers have been making a serious effort in branding as well as offering design services to international companies, ensuring that Turkey is not just a nation of manufacture, but one that can also design our own brands and increase our export volume. I trust that the launch of Stylesight.com in Turkish will be groundbreaking, and we will grow hand in hand with the Turkish manufacturer."
Cem-Sel Tekstil and Stylesight will collaborate to provide a dynamic local experience for Stylesight's rapidly growing list of Turkish subscribers. Cem-Sel Tekstil will regionalize Stylesight's brand message and unrivaled trend content for the market, serving as point-of- contact and further establishing and promoting Stylesight's leading image in Turkey. Cem-Sel Tekstil will also provide local customer support and training on Stylesight's state-of-the-art technical tools and services, as well as conduct trend seminars and presentations at regional trade shows and educational institutions.
Stylesight.com is the premier provider of trend content and Software-as-Service (SaaS) designer tools, and the only online service available in Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, English and now, Turkish translation. Stylesight offers its global subscribers the unrivaled ability to intercept, interpret and transmit the impulses of the style industry through its timely, relevant trend content and state-of-the-art technology. Affiliating with a prestigious brand like Cem-Sel Tekstil to offer Stylesight.com in Turkish completes the all-inclusive "in language" experience, further exemplifying Stylesight's position as the industry's most responsive and innovative trend information service.
In order to exempt anti-dumping tariff against China imported shoes in EU, over 90% shoes enterprises in Wenzhou started to use PU instead of leather to make shoes.
It is known that enterprises like Aokan, Jindi and Juyi have already used none leather materials such as cloth and PU so as to exempt the 16.5% anti-dumping tariff against China imported shoes.
Since EU levies anti-dumping tariff only on leather shoes, the change of materials helps to exclude them from the anti-dumping imports range.
What's more, some enterprises begin to explore ASEAN market. Because of the great advantage of zero- tariff between China and ASEAN countries, Chinese products are more competitive in ASEAN market.
More than 1,700 exhibitors are taking part in the 17th Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2010 and the seventh Summer Sourcing Show for Gifts, Houseware & Toys, which opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
The concurrent shows, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), have also attracted some 142 buying missions representing more than 5,500 buyers from 70 countries and regions.
Spring/Summer Outlook
Hong Kong Fashion Week features close to 1,300 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions and four group pavilions – from India, Macau, Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. The mainland pavilion features group exhibitions from Hangzhou, Jiaxing, Ningbo, Shaoxing and Wenzhou.
"For decades, the Hong Kong Garment and textile industry has attracted buyers from all over the world because of its outstanding manufacturing craftsmanship and flexible trade and sales services.” said Vincent Fang, Chairman of the HKTDC’s garment advisory committee.” Hong Kong fashion designers are trendsetters who understand the market,” he added.
"The ultimate advantage of Hong Kong is its ability to reach the massive market on the Chinese mainland," said Mr Fang, noting that the fair is an outstanding sourcing and marketing platform for local companies. Mr Fang also predicted that Hong Kong Fashion Week will help exhibitors reach out to global buyers to win more orders.
Fashion Zones
With exhibits organised into categorised sections, sourcing at the fair has been made easy. Brand Name Gallery and Intimate Wear Zone, introduced last year, are back by popular demand. The International Fashion Designers' Showcase returns to showcase trendy styles from cutting-edge talent. More than 80 designers, including more than 40 from Indonesia, are displaying collections.
Other zones include Infant & Children's Wear, Bridal & Evening Wear, Fabrics & Yarn, the Fashion Gallery, Sewing Supplies, World of Fashion Accessories and Garment Mart.
Catwalk Creations, Fashion Seminars
Fashion Week also includes such catwalk events as “Hong Kong Fashion: On Parade,” featuring distinctive shows under a carnival theme in the Hall 1D Concourse. Models will display the work of some 40 local fashion designers, including Ice Lam, Ika and Jaeger Ng.
The Brand Collections’ Show features Australian designer Cristina Nitopi, American designer Carol Reyes and Indonesian exhibitor PT Sinar Mutiara Cemerlang.
Student design is on display at shows staged by The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.
Market trends and intelligence are in the spotlight at four seminars presented by internationally known trend forecasters, including WGSN and Carlin International of France, and Fashion Snoops and Stylesight from the United States.
