What You Should Know about the Texas Fashion Industry Initiative
By SPESA
Backed by seven years of research and data, Texas now has a strong advocating organization for the fashion arts. Founded in 2018 and launched in January of 2019, the Texas Fashion Industry Initiative 501c3 is the state’s official non-profit dedicated to the positive growth of the Texas fashion industry through fashion career development or support for fashion entrepreneurs. TFII is also the founder of TEXAS FASHION WEEK™, the state’s first official fashion week in support of a stronger industry.
Texas houses world-class fashion talent, dedicated entrepreneurs, and fresh perspectives from newly graduated fashion students, and TFII creates a culture in which these talents can feel confident in headquartering in Texas, working globally, and contributing to the economic development of its area through the industry of fashion.
SPESA is thrilled to have the Texas Fashion Industry Initiative as a partner for our upcoming Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference in Austin. During the event, TFII will lead a panel discussion crafted to introduce (or reacquaint) our attendees to the state’s burgeoning industry. Touching on a wide range of issues from building successful supplier relationships to managing carbon footprints to inspiring emerging designers, the panel will kick off the conference with a discussion on the manufacturing opportunities available in Texas, and the challenges ahead. Click here to learn more about the event.
Ready to join us in Austin? Click here to register now!
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INDUSTRY NEWS | 3.19.25
Ethiopia’s Textile Boom: The Next Big Sourcing Opportunity?
Sourcing Journal | March 19, 2025
“Boasting strategic proximity to European markets, renewable energy, and a young, competitive workforce, Ethiopia presents a compelling opportunity for brands seeking sustainable and ethical production.” This opinion piece from Sourcing Journal examines whether the country is prepared to seize the opportunity it has been presented.
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Researchers Fabricate Better Wires for E-Textiles by Proofing Them Like Bread
Technology Networks | March 19, 2025
“A little kneading and proofing helps combat defects for high-performance carbon nanotubes.” Dr. Han Joong Tark's team at KERI's Nano Hybrid Technology Research Center has successfully fabricated functional wires, which are the foundation of wearable electronic devices, by directly applying the existing synthetic fiber processing methods.
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U.S. Denim Insiders Seek To Preserve American Heritage Looms​
SJ Denim, March 18, 2025
This article features Pete Roberts, founder and CEO of men’s apparel brand Origin USA, and the network of domestic designers, component manufacturers, and business owners that have a personal and business interest in the future of Vidalia Mills, the vertical denim mill that is scheduled to go up for auction in April.
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Turkish Textile Shift to Egypt Shakes Apparel Sector as Trade Surplus Turns to Deficit
Türkiye Today | March 18, 2025
Rising production costs have driven Turkish textile investments to Egypt, significantly altering the balance of trade between the two nations in apparel. While Türkiye enjoyed a trade surplus of over $100 million with Egypt before 2022, this shifted to a nearly $200 million trade deficit by 2024. Currently, more than 200 Turkish textile factories operate in Egypt, while approximately 1,700 Turkish companies have invested over $3 billion in the country, contributing to both local market growth and export capacity. Turkish firms account for nearly a third of Egypt’s textile and apparel exports.
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Welspun Boasts Comprehensive Utility Assortment in Better Sleep Lab
Home Textiles Today | March 18, 2025
With Welspun’s first state-of-the-art pillow manufacturing facility in Ohio already in full swing, the company said it is poised to expand with additional factories in the U.S. to service the North American market.
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Small Business Administration Launches ‘Made in America’ Manufacturing Effort
Manufacturing Dive | March 17, 2025
As part of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s recently announced Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, the agency is promising to cut $100 billion in regulation through the Office of Advocacy, and launch a Red Tape Hotline for small business owners and manufacturers to share feedback and call out what they believe to be unnecessary regulations. Additionally, the SBA is looking to expand financing options and make it easier for people to qualify for small business loans, including for real estate, construction, and equipment purchases.
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Style3D, Manchester Met Launch Garment Simulation Hub
Just Style | March 17, 2025
Digital fashion technology firm Style3D has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University to establish Styleverse, the company's first garment simulation hub in the UK.
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Furniture Manufacturer Shuts Down Canadian Operations, Moves Production to North Carolina
Furniture Today | March 17, 2025
Canadian ready-to-assemble furniture supplier Prepac has reportedly shut down its manufacturing operations in Delta, British Columbia, shifting all production to its facility in North Carolina instead. According to Unifor, the union that represents Prepac’s workers, tariffs are to blame. More than 170 workers will be laid off. (Interestingly, this move is in the opposite direction of what was predicted in the Fox Business article below.)
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Forever 21 Blames Latest Bankruptcy on Competition from Temu, Shein
Retail Dive | March 17, 2025
Citing inflation, consumer weakness, and competition from the likes of Temu and Shein, Forever 21’s operating business filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday and is winding down. The company said it’s trying to sell itself but has failed so far.
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Cathay Home Inc. Expands Industry Leadership with Strategic Acquisitions and New Manufacturing Facility
Press Release | March 16, 2025
Cathay Home Inc., a vertically integrated manufacturer and distributor of premium home textile products, continues to strengthen its position as a powerhouse in the home textiles industry following the strategic acquisitions of Sunham Home and Royal Heritage Home in 2024. The company is now making a significant investment in manufacturing with the launch of a state-of-the-art, vertically integrated facility in Nicaragua, set to open in 2025 with planned expansion in 2026. This facility will be the largest home textile manufacturing operation in the Americas.
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Why a Major Shift to U.S. Clothing Production Is Unlikely
Reuters | March 15, 2025
President Donald Trump's Made in America push is prompting some U.S. clothing retailers to expand domestic production of everything from T-shirts to coats and suits, several executives told Reuters. But limited capacity makes a large-scale shift to U.S. production unlikely, and American-made clothing comes at higher cost because of elevated labor expense and tariffs on materials, the executives said.
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Thread Manufacturer Coats Group Poised To Pass 50 Percent Sustainability Tipping Point
Press Release | March 13, 2025
Thread manufacturer Coats Group is poised to pass the tipping point of using 50% preferred raw (non-virgin oil-based) materials within its products. The company increased its use of eco-friendly recycled and bio-based raw materials to 46% in 2024, a rise from 31% in 2022. The rapid increase comes off the back of significant investment in innovation, and in response to heightened demand for sustainable products from global apparel and footwear brands.
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Fashion Industry ‘Nervous’ over Potential Vietnam Tariffs
Fashion Dive | March 13, 2025
Though the region isn’t as large of a sourcing hub as China, experts say duties on Vietnam would create headwinds for footwear and apparel companies.
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Chinese Company's $40mn RMG Project Breaks Ground in SCZone in Egypt
Fibre2Fashion | March 12, 2025
A groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of the Chinese company Di Seta’s ready-made garments and fashion project was held in the Qantara West Industrial Zone in Egypt, said the general authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone. The project’s first phase requires an investment of $40 million. Spanning 83,000 square meters across two phases, the project is set to create 1,200 direct job opportunities and is expected to begin operations in September.
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​​One in 4 U.S. and UK Retailers ‘Shrouded in Supply Chain Fog,’ Avery Dennison Reports
Sourcing Journal | March 12, 2025
A new report from Avery Dennison titled “Boosting Margins: The Power of Enhanced Fashion Supply Chain Visibility,” reveals what the digital identification provider deemed serious item-level visibility limitations. The findings are based on a survey of 250 supply chain leaders within the fashion retail sector throughout the United Kingdom and the United States. While half of those surveyed said their company has “visibility into most items,” a quarter reported “limited or no visibility” at the item level in factories and distribution centers. Furthermore, 30% of respondents view the supply chain as “highly problematic with regulator disruptions.”
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Textile-to-Textile Recyclers Form New Alliance
Innovation in Textiles | March 11, 2025
The new T2T Alliance brings together textile recyclers Circ, Circulose, Re&Up, and Syre to advocate for their sector within the EU policy framework and drive policy change to support a thriving and resilient textile industry.
Read More...
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Report: High-End Furnishing Best Positioned in Tough Macro, Unknown Tariff Terrain
Women’s Wear Daily | March 10, 2025
U.S.-based furniture firms are reportedly gearing up for a serious offensive strategy, amid an uncertain global economy and even more uncertain U.S. tariff policy. While tariffs could render U.S. manufacturers more competitive as the costs of imported products increase, U.S. manufacturers could lose market share in Canada. Either way, the outcome remains a bit of a mystery, according to five executives hosted by TD Cowen for a virtual panel on the high-end and luxury retail and manufacturing industry.
Read More...
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The Next Generation of Smart Clothing: New Fabric Allows Hands-Free Control of Devices, Even Underwater
The Debrief | March 10, 2025
An international team of scientists has created a new type of fabric that enables hands-free interactions and functions seamlessly even in humid and underwater environments. This innovation, detailed in a recent empirical study published in Communications Engineering, could represent a significant leap forward for interactive textiles, paving the way for advancements in virtual reality, safety gear, and everyday wearable electronics.
Read More...
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Circ Closes 25 Million Dollar Funding Round, Plots First Industrial-Scale Recycling Plant
Fashion United | March 10, 2025
Textile-to-textile recycler Circ has secured a $25 million funding round led by investment and asset management firm Taranis. The U.S.-based company said that the financing, as well as the expertise of its new partner, would help in its “transition from demonstration-scale to industrial-scale production.” This latest round also garnered support from existing strategic investors, including Avery Dennison and Inditex.
Read More...
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Cascale Unveils Updated Higg Index Tool
Fashion United | March 10, 2025
Cascale, formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, has introduced the latest iteration of the Higg Brand and Retail Module, reinforcing its commitment to refining sustainability assessment tools for the fashion industry. Part of the broader Higg Index suite, the Higg BRM is designed to help brands and retailers evaluate their Environmental, Social, and Governance performance across global value chains.
Read More...
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A Look at Some of the Creative Ways Companies Try To Dodge High Tariffs
NPR | March 7, 2025
As concerns swirl over the impacts of steep new tariffs on U.S. companies and consumers, so too does talk about how certain businesses try to avoid them. It’s always good to have a back-up plan.
Read More...
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Women Lead the Charge in Sri Lanka's Apparel Industry Transformation
Fibre2Fashion | March 7, 2025
“In the heart of Sri Lanka’s bustling apparel sector, where fabrics are woven into garments that travel the world, a quieter revolution is taking place. This revolution isn’t marked by grand speeches or flashy headlines. This transformation isn’t driven by grand speeches or flashy headlines. It unfolds quietly, one story at a time, as a group of determined individuals break barriers, challenge norms, and redefine success in an industry long shaped by tradition.” Meet the women who are not just shaping Sri Lanka’s apparel industry — they’re transforming it, stitch by stitch, with passion, vision, and unwavering determination.
Read More...
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Prada Group, UNFPA Double Down on Fashion Training Program in Mexico
Sourcing Journal | March 7, 2025
Ahead of International Women’s Day, Prada Group and UNFPA renewed their partnership for 2025, again focusing on Mexico. The program, “Fashion Expressions: The Stories She Wears” conceived to foster social change through fashion as a catalyst to promote women’s empowerment, sexual reproductive health, and contrast gender-based violence, is enrolling 46 women artisans in 2025.
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Hailing from the state of Querétaro, the group includes 26 artisans who completed the first training in last year’s program and 20 new women aged 25 to 28 with experience in craftsmanship and embroidery who were selected by the program veterans. The latter will take on mentorship roles in 2025 for a peer-to-peer learning approach.
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Germany Leads Nonwoven Fabric Exports; India, Israel Gain Ground
Fibre2Fashion | March 7, 2025
Fibre2Fashion breaks down the global trade of HS-560312 (nonwoven fabrics made from man-made filaments), noting that trade policies and logistics efficiency will shape future market dynamics.
Read More...
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Wrangler x Accelerating Circularity Jeans Launch at Walmart, Advancing Textile-to-Textile Recycling at Scale
Press Release | March 7, 2025
Following the successful launch of circular products at Target, another milestone in textile-to-textile recycling has landed in the market: the Wrangler x Accelerating Circularity jeans, now available at Walmart. This launch showcases the viability of integrating mechanically recycled post-consumer and post-industrial cotton into mainstream apparel.
Read More...
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Global Fashion Suppliers Reveal Five Biggest Sourcing Trends
Press Release | March 7, 2025
Global garment manufacturers reveal the main sourcing trends as well as the opportunities and challenges affecting the fashion industry and its wider supply chain.
This topic is also on the agenda for the upcoming SPESA Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference in Austin.
Read More...
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Indian Clothing Industry Optimistic as U.S. Retailers Diversify Sourcing
Fibre2Fashion | March 6, 2025
The Indian textile and apparel industry remains both cautious and optimistic regarding the reciprocal tariff campaign by the U.S. administration. Textile and apparel companies, along with industry organisations, expect minimal negative impact on India’s textile and apparel exports to the U.S., as there is little difference in the tariff rates imposed by both countries on each other’s products. Moreover, the Indian industry is hopeful for increased orders from U.S. retailers, who are looking to diversify their sourcing to mitigate the impact of higher tariffs on Chinese garments.
Read More...
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Trump Says New Tariffs Will Bring Furniture Making Back to the U.S.; Experts Are Skeptical
Fox Business | March 6, 2025
President Donald Trump recently promoted tariffs as a way to bring furniture-making manufacturing to North Carolina. However, in speaking with FOX Business, the CEO of the Home Furnishings Association, Shannon Williams, shared: "I’ve spoken with the CEOs of the largest furniture manufacturers supplying the U.S., and none of them have communicated intent or plans to bring manufacturing or assembly back to the U.S., due to tariffs on raw materials, components, high labor costs, and a lack of employable workers." According to Williams, some manufacturers are "planning on opening operations" in Canada to circumvent retaliatory tariffs and "serve the Canadian customers once served by U.S. operations," while others are looking into shifting tariff-driven costs to consumers. This article dives deeper into the “double-edged sword” for America’s furniture manufacturing industry.
Read More...
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A Thread of Impact: Nina Means Is Using Her COE Degree To Disrupt Systems from Education to Fashion for the Better
The University of Texas at Austin | March 3, 2025
“Growing up witnessing the impact that her family had on communities through medicine, Nina Means knew she wanted to lead a life with purpose and sought to find where she could find her footing and make her mark on the world.” This is a very interesting profile on Nina Means, Director of the technology-driven Austin Community College (ACC) Fashion Incubator, who we are excited to have join us at the upcoming SPESA Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference.
