SPESA Executive Conference 2025 To Focus on Resilience, Circularity
By Just Style
“The SPESA Executive Conference serves as a crucial educational and networking opportunity for members and stakeholders interested in the global sewn products industry's trends and challenges.” Thanks for giving the industry a sneak peek Just Style!
Click here to see the full agenda for the 2025 SPESA Executive Conference.
Click here to register for the 2025 SPESA Executive Conference.
INDUSTRY NEWS | 8.20.25
Episode 5 | Bobbin Around with Sarah Krasley
Interview (Video) | August 19, 2025
In Episode 5 of the Bobbin Around interview series, we get to know SPESA Board Member Sarah Krasley, Founder and CEO of Shimmy Technologies, Inc., a visionary and a pioneer in game-based learning.
Sarah shared her driving principals, how she came to create Shimmy, and what keeps her motivated in this tough industry, both personally and professionally. She is a serial strategist and expert problem-solver who has endured through multiple and consistent obstacles, which almost everyone working in textiles and sewn products can relate to. Sarah is also currently a Visiting Fellow at Cornell University, where she is researching what happens when automation and climate adaptation converge in the same labor market.
In addition to this interview, we are excited to have Sarah present at the 2025 SPESA Executive Conference on resiliency skills specific to our industry, and facilitate a business-building simulation workshop.
How One U.S. Suit Factory Still Makes the Cut Amid a Decades-Long Decline in Manufacturing
Marketplace | August 19, 2025
We love a good U.S. production profile!
“Running along the ceiling of the Joseph Abboud suit factory in New Bedford, Massachusetts, are what appear to be upside-down railroad tracks. The system shuttles fabric between workstations — from cutting to stitching to buttonholing — all on its own.” By utilizing automatic fabric transport, the company has been able to keep the plant’s labor costs in check enough to stay in business.
Shein Weighs Relocating to China To Ease Path for Hong Kong IPO
Bloomberg via Business of Fashion | August 19, 2025
Singapore-headquartered Shein Group Ltd. is considering moving its base back to China in the hopes that it would help sway Beijing authorities to sign off on the fast-fashion retailer’s plans to go public in Hong Kong, according to people familiar with the matter.
India Suspends Cotton Import Duty in Signal to U.S., Relief for Garment Industry
Reuters | August 19, 2025
India has suspended an 11% import duty on cotton until September 30th, in a move seen as a signal to Washington that New Delhi is willing to address U.S. concerns on agricultural tariffs, while also easing pressure on its garment industry. The temporary suspension could benefit U.S. cotton growers and provide relief to India's apparel sector, which faces tariffs of nearly 60% on shipments to the United States. (More on India and tariffs below.)
UNIFI® Launches A.M.Y.® Peppermint Built-in Odor Control and Expands Circular Offerings of REPREVE Takeback™ and ThermaLoop™ Insulation
Press Release via Textile World | August 19, 2025
The latest innovation within UNIFI®’s technology platform delivers built-in odor control using sustainably sourced peppermint oil, offering a botanical alternative to traditional antimicrobial treatments. UNIFI also announces the global introduction of REPREVE Takeback™ and ThermaLoop™ insulation, both made entirely from textile waste.
As Myanmar’s Military Junta Announces Elections, Garment Industry Gears Up for Growth
Sourcing Journal | August 18, 2025
Facing ethical dilemmas, an inability to monitor labor conditions, and mounting sustainability concerns, many brands and retailers have withdrawn from Myanmar since its military coup. However, the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA) has laid out an ambitious plan to more than triple industry value to $15 billion by 2034, while increasing employment from 500,000 to 1.2 million. Industry leaders believe that if political conditions stabilize, the industry could see sustained double-digit growth over the next decade.
Shein Shares Innovations To Boost Supplier Manufacturing Efficiency
Just Style | August 14, 2025
Shein exhibited more than 60 new sewing and garment production tools during the second edition of its Tools Day event. Among the showcased tools were the Beaded Embroidery Seam Presser Foot and the Bead Breaking Attachment.
Increased Production, Polyester Use Causing Fashion Industry’s Emissions To Rise: Report
Supply Chain Dive | August 14, 2025
Despite calls to make the fashion industry more sustainable, the apparel sector’s greenhouse gas emissions increased by 7.5% in 2023 compared to 2022, according to a recent report from global nonprofit Apparel Impact Institute. This marks the first year-on-year increase since Aii began tracking emissions in 2019.
Here’s How Alibaba’s New, AI-Based Sourcing Agent Works
Sourcing Journal | August 14, 2025
Alibaba International announced it has released an AI-powered sourcing agent called Accio Agent. The company joins the ranks of other organizations working to bring agentic AI (more info on the topic below) to their customers.
Canada’s Gildan Activewear Is Buying HanesBrands for $2.2 Billion
AP News | August 13, 2025
Gildan Activewear is buying the struggling HanesBrands for $2.2 billion in a deal that gives the basic apparel maker access to household name brands like Hanes and Maidenform. The companies put the transaction’s valued at about $4.4 billion when HanesBrands’ debt is included. The official press release from Gildan is available here.
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The High Cost of Staying American: Denim Brands Fight To Keep Production in the USA
SJ Denim | August 12, 2025
“Producing jeans domestically offers key advantages — such as speed-to-market, quality control, and the flexibility to adapt designs to shifting demand — but these benefits come at a growing cost, driven by limited manufacturing capacity and tariffs introduced during the Trump administration.”
This is a great read from SJ Denim; an in-depth profile on several U.S. denim manufacturers struggling to maintain production in the Americas. It also briefly notes the role suppliers play in supporting U.S. production, specifically mentioning SPESA members American & Efird and Carr Textile.
For those of you attending the upcoming SPESA Executive Conference, we will have the opportunity to discuss this same topic with Robert McMillan, Founder and CEO of Chicago-based Dearborn Denim & Apparel.
Why Agentic AI Is the Tech Trend To Watch for Fashion Execs
Just Style | August 12, 2025
In 2024, equity investment in AI reached $124.3bn with a 35% increase in job postings compared with a year earlier.
Agentic AI, an artificial intelligence system capable of independently planning and executing complex, multistep tasks, saw a $1.1bn equity investment and a 985% increase in job postings. Built on foundation models, these agents can autonomously perform actions, communicate with one another, and adapt to new information.
Speaking of AI, guess what’s on the agenda for the 2025 SPESA Executive Conference?
Softwear Automation Secures $20 Million in Series B1 Funding Round Led by Strategic Partnership with BESTSELLER
Press Release | August 11, 2025
Softwear Automation, a pioneer in autonomous sewing technology, announced the successful close of its $20 million Series B1 funding round, marking a major milestone in its mission to “revolutionize sewn goods manufacturing.” The round was led by a strategic investment from BESTSELLER, the Danish fashion company behind brands such as JACK & JONES, VERO MODA, and ONLY. The investment was made through Invest FWD, BESTSELLER's dedicated innovation and investment platform for advancing sustainability in the fashion industry.
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Where’s the New Opportunity in Footwear Production? Jack Erwin President Sounds Off
Footwear News | August 11, 2025
Jack Erwin and Ace Marks president Paul Farago sees a shoe production move from country concentration to a "network of regional specialization."
Southeast Asia Is Top for Global Manufacturing with Vietnam in Lead
Just Style | August 11, 2025
Research from global risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft suggests Southeast Asia is the leading region for manufacturing investment due to its competitive labor costs and human capital. Vietnam stands out within the region and ranks 13th globally. Its improvements in human capital factors contribute to its appeal as a hub for textiles, consumer goods, and electronics. Despite a 20% increase in average monthly wages over five years, the research explains the country maintains competitive wage levels.
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Recyclers Rejoice: AI Learns to See What’s Beneath the Seams
Sourcing Journal | August 11, 2025
Textile waste is often too complex to recycle — made with mixed material blends and full of components like zippers and buttons that existing systems can’t efficiently process just yet. A research team at Rochester Institute of Technology’s (RIT) Golisano Institute for Sustainability (GIS) has developed an innovative automated system to tackle this global issue. Using an automated system to detect and remove non-recyclable elements to enable higher-value material recovery, a new AI-and laser-powered prototype can identify, sort, and disassemble a used garment every 10 seconds.
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Trump Extends China Tariff Deadline by 90 Days
CNBC | August 11, 2025
In the ever-changing world of tariffs, this is already old news, but in case you missed it: President Trump signed an executive order August 11th preventing high U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods from snapping back into effect for another 90 days.
The extension is the “latest example of how Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs have shifted with little prior notice, a dynamic that has made U.S. trade policy unpredictable for many businesses.”
Additional industry coverage is available here.
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China Fallout Sees Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh Win on June U.S. Imports
Just Style | August 8, 2025
Imports from China, the largest apparel exporter to the U.S., declined by 26.9% during June, according to the U.S. Office of Textiles and Apparel. The data shows U.S. apparel brands and retailers are turning to wider Asia for their apparel sourcing needs, with surges in imports from Cambodia and other neighboring countries.
And who do we turn to analyze data? Dr. Sheng Lu, featured in this article, will also share insights with attendees at the upcoming SPESA Executive Conference in Chicago!
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Trump Tariffs Hit India's Garment Makers as U.S. Buyers Say Move Production
Reuters | August 7, 2025
“The tariff threat comes as India was emerging as a big alternative for U.S. garment buyers like Walmart, as Bangladesh faces a political crisis, and companies look to diversify supply chains beyond China.” This article highlights the impact of potential new tariffs on U.S. imports from India on industries like apparel.
Trump's initial tariff proposals in April — which were lower for India than for the rival Asian garment hubs of Bangladesh, Vietnam and China — had been seen as an opportunity for India to rapidly expand in the $16 billion apparel exports market.
But the tables have turned as relations between New Delhi and Washington have soured, with India now facing even higher tariffs than other countries.
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Trump’s Latest Tariffs Part of ‘New Normal’ for Retailers, Manufacturers
Supply Chain Dive | August 7, 2025
With country-specific tariffs taking hold for imports from numerous trading partners, many companies are considering price hikes and sourcing strategies that prioritize adaptability.
