Just Style spoke to international manufacturers at Source Fashion on the latest opportunities for sourcing in the ever-changing fashion industry.

The fashion industry today faces global issues that pose a threat to its growth. However, Just Style found many positive trends within the manufacturing sector, that if properly explored could generate big opportunities. Manufacturing companies that attended the Source Fashion London event discussed trade deals, overseas expansion, diversifying markets, sustainable fashion and alternative materials.

1. New sustainable materials

Midushi Kachhar, creative director of Hasiroo, India

“We have a first-mover advantage because our product is something new and different. Our material is sourced from the leaf of an Areca palm tree. More conscious people and businesses are gravitating towards more sustainable products. It’s a good thing that we are already in that space, and we don’t have to shift our entire product to make it sustainable.”

Saurav Bharat, director of Can Designs, India

“We’re using recycled cotton and there’s a lot of handwork involved which makes us stand out. Tie dye and quilting and splash printing as well as spray painting and hand-woven materials.” 

Farrah Borio-Shaikh, product development account manager of V. Fraas, Germany

“There are exciting trends in sustainability, and with our century-long track record of sustainability, we are reintroducing that to consumers. People are buying better, and supply chains are clearer. Our 2025 target is to make all cash mink recyclable.”

Jacky Tao, manager of Welfull Group, China

“We are now focused more on quality and sustainability so we’re trying to find customers that want the same as us.”

Candy lamb, manager at Hiap Shing Lingerie Company, China

“There are new innovations, for example, we’re using sustainable fabrics in our lingerie and it’s the future. Sustainable mesh, microfibre and lace are all popular.”

2. Certification

Valeria Bouroncle, chief executive officer of Vap Retail, Peru

“We have double UCA International certification, which is a workplace conditions assessment and global security verification. There are Asian factories that have certification, but sadly they are all focused on the fabrics but not on the workers. The UCA certification that we have is focused on our workers in the factory and the green initiatives we have.”

“We’re based in South America, Peru. It is quite a poor country and what can be quite difficult is many people there don’t aspire or have goals in life because there’s no access to good education. Through the certification, we can grow with them to improve their quality of life. You face a reality that it is very hard but with a lot of effort we can improve that.”

Jack Lee, merchandising manager at Shanghai Paradise Bird Textile Co Ltd, China

“We’ve been in the industry for almost 30 years, and we have a product that’s more sustainable and we have the Global Recycled Standard and responsible wool standard certificates to show that we’re cruelty-free and sustainable.”

3. Moving beyond Covid

Lucy Sawyer, design director of Trends Global, UK

“There is a real entrepreneurial spirit in the air. People have rethought things since Covid. So many big corporate brands have gone, and people have reflected on how they want to be working for big brands. Lots of people are looking to do things more independently.

“It’s a significant gear change to what the industry was and what it’s going to become. A few years ago, people were set in their ways and now they think we must do things in more conventional methods. Are we looking for something different?”

Trends Global, sales director, Dawn Hunt

“Working from home has been positive. From the show, we’ve met quite a lot of independents and we know that they like our product, and we feel it’s an opportunity for us to start a trading company where we can facilitate independence rather than them buying small and importing themselves.”

Wen Zeng, manager of Xiamen Defo Garment Company Ltd, China

“We manufacture in China and two months ago we were very afraid of Covid infections but now our country has opened up things are getting back to normal again – after three years in lockdown people are hungry now and there are a lot of Chinese exhibitors abroad now.” 

“We’re still developing our fabrics and styles and I believe we have a strong supply chain now that China has opened up – we’re no longer facing lockdowns without notice so it’s much better.”

Janet Hu, general manager of Nanjing Jed Spy Imports and exports. Co Ltd, China

“The end of Covid is a good opportunity for us. Our Chinese suppliers can go to Europe and the US now and talk to them. Covid has lasted three years so it has had an impact on the economy. We must work in both the domestic and global market and ensure both thrive together.” 

4. Thriving slow and luxury fashion

Samantha Collantes, commercial manager of Lives, Peru

“The good thing is clothes are something that will always be around, people will always buy them, and we are not in the fast fashion business. Right now, fast fashion is struggling because people are looking for more sustainable garments.”

Paolo Forghieri, chief executive officer at Filietessuti, Italy

“There are more requests for luxury products, which allows for slower-paced production. The luxury market is relatively secure and growing while fast fashion is slowing down.”

5. Targeting markets that aren’t high fashion

Navroop Kaur of Prime Casual, UK

“More independent brands want to connect now so we don’t just have to rely on bigger names as a manufacturer.”

Rena Chauhan, director of Sublimation Print, UK

“We’re seeing opportunities to target different markets that aren’t high street fashion brands. We’ve also invested in a new DTF (direct to film) printing machine which helps with lower quantities.”

6. Trade shows are back in full force

Jack Lee, merchandising manager at Shanghai Paradise Bird Textile Co Ltd, China

“It’s positive that we can leave China and come to trade shows and talk to our customers now. It means we can get the information from them first-hand, so we know their requirements, which makes the process faster and more direct.”

7. Trading with India

Saurav Bharat, director of Can Designs, India

“We’re hoping there’s a trade deal between India and the UK. Once the trade deal gets signed that will be a great opportunity for us.”

Shiv Gulati, director of SKC International Ltd, UK

“The items are made in India so if the trade deal comes out – it will help us to widen our footprint in the UK even further.”

8. Overseas expansion

Tommy Sheng – merchandiser manager at Wuhan Kingsrich International Trading Co Ltd, China

“Some factories are struggling but we’re paying for new factories so there’s an opportunity there to increase our business. We’re building new factories in China and East Asia such as Cambodia and Myanmar – we still see an opportunity in Myanmar.” 

Uvaraj Adinarayayanan, chief executive officer at Stanfab Apparels Pvt Ltd, India

“The US market is providing us with a better opportunity than Europe at the moment, but we’re hopeful that Europe will be stronger in a few months’ time.”

Zhiyuan Xu, manager at Shanghai Bixuan International Trading Co. Ltd, China

“Made in Japan with the ‘re-board’ and ‘re-cotton’ technology we’re using. We’ve met around 50 buyers over the two days of this show so far and 20% are interested. Japan is a good sourcing opportunity for start-up brands as the factories are smaller so they can remove their minimum quantities. Plus, Japan uses technology in the supply chain to speed it up and the manufacturing process means the water usage is only 10% so it’s more sustainable. Rwanda also offers opportunities as there are no tariffs between Rwanda and the UK so it’s cheaper. Rwanda factories start from 5,000 pieces so not every customer can afford it but it’s a good opportunity.”

9. Peru’s Pima cotton

Paul Aray the general manager of Intrasesa, Peru

“UK and Europe visitors at the show don’t seem to know about Pima cotton – why Peru is the only place to get it in the world as we have the right weather and soil for it. Peru is also well known for its workmanship and materials and our quality and details – perfection is key for us. Our premium sourcing factories are a point of difference as is the Pima cotton. We’ve realised we need to tell the story around Pima cotton to these markets. Our natural market is North America, and the next step is Europe such as Paris and London. We’re trying to get into the UK market – it’s important for us to know the market and be more focused on Europe and the UK. Our first impression is that Peru is more well-known on the wool side and not the knit side. At this show, we’ve had visits from influencers, and they have huge potential – we could make a strategy for getting these kinds of clients in future.”

10. China opens its borders

King Fang the general manager of Qingdao Bloomtex Garment Co Ltd, China

“China has reopened its border so there’s more chance to get to the local market and see what products people want to design – it means brands and manufacturers can talk to one another again. The consumption in China has grown so we’re seeing a shift to manufacturing for our domestic market.”

Janet Hu, general manager of Nanjing Jed Spy Imports and Exports Co Ltd, China

“Fashion manufacturers can’t leave China so they’re looking for good partners in China. This is a great opportunity for us. If we improve our professionalism, we can give customers more ideas on what we can deliver. Faster delivery and quantity are small, but retailers need to test the market to see what works and what doesn’t – we can try this with our partners first to test the market and see what the need is and then do the bigger quantities. China’s domestic market is a growing opportunity for us.” 

By Just Style