Industry Insights & Opinion
THE STATE OF FASHION REPORT 2025: KEY TRENDS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF FASHION IN THE YEAR AHEAD
“KEY TAKEAWAYS: The fashion industry is set to diversify sourcing, with a renewed interest in nearshoring. AI-powered curation will redefine product discovery and search, leading to hyper-personalised shopping experiences. Value-driven consumer behaviour will fuel growth in segments like resale and off-price retailers. Brands are falling behind in their sustainability commitments, necessitating a focus on cost-effective decarbonisation efforts and collaborations with sustainable-material innovators. Brands that can navigate these shifts and adapt accordingly will be positioned at the forefront of the industry transformation.” Texintel Editorial Team
NOTES FROM THE USA : STILL WONDERING ABOUT THE EPSON / FIERY ACQUISITION - LETS DIVE DEEPER
“Epson is a formidable competitor as a printer manufacturer. They have also leveraged their technology across a range of industries, including textiles, and plan to increase that diversification even more. The acquisition of Fiery can’t help but accelerate this process, as they, hopefully, bring Fiery’s OEM partners into their network. ” Writes Cary Sherburne - WhatTheyThink
CASE STUDY: DRIVING ON-DEMAND PRINTED TEXTILE PRODUCTION WITH PRINFAB FOUNDERS HARRY AND OLIVER MUSTOE-PLAYFAIR
“Prinfab’s success rests on its technology-forward strategy. Oliver regards the company as much a technology entity as a textile firm. "We don’t look back. We're always looking forward," he says, indicating their focus on minimising waste and reducing print failures through their ongoing investment in Epson’s latest most sustainable digital textile print machinery and software. “ Debbie McKeegan - FESPA Textile Ambassador“ Debbie McKeegan - FESPA Textile Ambassador
CAN DESIGN ADDRESS SOME OF THE PRESSING ECO-PROBLEMS OF OUR PLANET? YES - MEET THE GREEN GRADS
“It’s an overwhelming “yes” from the 24 Green Grads who will shortly parade their brilliant ideas for the future at Yorkton Workshops, the East London gallery of design agency Pearson Lloyd who are sponsoring the show. Diary dates are the weekend of November 16/17. The Green Grads are recent graduates from UK Universities, linked by a common concern for the environment. Given that up to 80% of a product’s environmental impact is determined at the design stage (according to the Design Council) this is a crucial show, revealing the potential of the responsible designers of the future.. ” Texintel Editorial Team
NOTES FROM THE USA : WILL A NEW CALIFORNIA LAW MAKE A DENT IN TEXTILE WASTE?
“Under the new law, companies that make clothing and other textiles sold in California will be required to create a new non-profit organization by 2026 that would set up hundreds of collection sites at thrift stores, begin mail-back programs, and take other steps in all of California’s 58 counties to take back and recycle their products by 2030.” - Writes Cary Sherburne - WhatTheyThink
DRIVING INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY - KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE FASHION NETWORK ECOMMERCE SUMMIT 2024
“The Fashion Ecommerce Summit 2024 MCR was an insightful event that offered deep dives into current and future trends impacting the industry. From tackling return rates to leveraging technology for supply chain efficiency, the conference underscored the importance of innovation in staying competitive. Attendees left with actionable insights and strategies geared towards sustainability, ethical practices, and agility in a rapidly evolving market.” Texintel Editorial Team
HOW TO DISRUPT THE PROMOTIONAL PRODUCT SECTOR : INTERVIEW WITH JEREMY PARKER, FOUNDER OF OF SWAG.COM
“Parker's future outlook for the industry strongly indicates that innovation, collaboration, and technological adaptability will continue to shape the promotional product industry. Despite his preference for founding companies over being a CEO, his focus on creating value and solving problems reflects a deep passion for entrepreneurship. His plans for the future of Swag Space and the continued innovation in the industry signal a steadfast commitment to driving success through collaborative technology.“ Debbie McKeegan - FESPA Textile Ambassador
THE FUTURE OF PRINTING: A CONVERSATION WITH FORD BOWERS, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE PRINTING UNITED ALLIANCE
“Leaders in any industry know that progress never sleeps. As technological advancements redefine the status quo, it becomes essential for enterprises to not just adapt but anticipate the changes on the horizon. Ford Bowers, President and CEO of the Printing United Alliance, underscored this in a recent interview at Print United in Vegas. He highlighted the exciting transformations within the global printing industry and the necessary steps for steady growth and sustainability. ” Texintel Editorial Team
TECH HIGHLIGHT: THE "MAGNIFICENT SEVEN" - MEMORABLE TECH TAKEAWAYS FROM PRINTING UNITED, VEGAS 2024
“Las Vegas this year was host to the Printing United Exhibition which abounded with product launches and technological highlights. The three-day Expo, held September 10-12, attracted 24,969 registered attendees, 800 exhibitors, and industry thought leaders from 115 countries. With more square feet of technology being shown than in 2023, encompassing 385,600 square feet, the Expo delivered an substantial showcase for exhibitors and attendees alike at this year’s event. The show was reported to be a great success for exhibitors who utilised the Expo’s all-compassing umbrella to showcase their newest and latest technology. ” Texintel Editorial Team
UNLEASHING THE POTENTIAL OF FABRIC DESIGN THROUGH ADVANCED DYE SUBLIMATION INNOVATION – MEET COLOURAMA
“Colourama, a Polish textile printing firm has become a "Powerhouse of Print" in Eastern Europe, boasting impressive daily production capacities. The business now hosts a production volume of 12,000 to 15,000 linear metres of printed textile daily. Its diversified operations span an in-house design studio creating exclusive design collections for global distribution.”” Debbie McKeegan, CEO - Texintel
TECH HIGHLIGHT: NINE DIGITAL TEXTILE PRINTING WORKFLOW SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS FOR ACCURACY, EFFICIENCY, SPEED AND PROFITABILITY
“The dynamics of ecommerce pose new challenges for the digital textile print industry. Performance is crucial for success in this realm, and new software developments enable printers and manufacturers to meet these demands. From web-order capture to final delivery, the right digital textile printing workflow software can significantly enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and profitability of your print operation. These nine software solutions cater to the needs of digital textile print providers of all sizes, delivering tailored solutions to boost productivity, streamline workflows and elevate profitability.” Texintel Editorial Team
SIX SUPPLIERS OF ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE FABRICS FOR DIGITAL TEXTILE PRINTING
“Digital printing is an industry in rapid evolution, forced to adapt and innovate in the face of changing technologies, market sectors, and an ever-increasing emphasis on sustainability. The onus on the digital print industry to adopt and promote sustainable practices has never been more pressing. As it becomes a necessity rather than an option, the sourcing of certified, eco-friendly fabrics becomes both an obligation to meet environmental standards and a competitive edge in the market. “ Debbie McKeegan - FESPA Textile Ambassador
THE EVOLUTION OF TEXTILE PRINTING - A JOURNEY FROM SCREEN TO DIGITAL INKJET WITH STEAD MCALPIN OF CARLISLE
”The story of Ben Soper and Stead McAlpin is an inspiring testament to the transformation of the textile industry and the need to evolve print process to meet market shifts without losing the essence of tradition. Their journey underscores the importance of innovation and commitment to quality in industrial textile printing. With their focus on digital technologies and customer-centric services, the company looks set to carve out a critical place in the future of the textile industry.” Debbie McKeegan - FESPA Textile Ambassador
GET READY FOR ESPR: TIME IS TICKING - A MUST READ FOR ALL TEXTILE BRANDS AND SUPPLIERS | Marwa Zamaray | European Climate Pact Ambassador
“Imagine having transparency over your entire supply chain and providing your customers with access to the full history of the product they purchased—where it came from, what it’s made of, and its entire journey. That’s traceability in action. And the tool? DPP. With a DPP, you’re instantly providing the transparency customers crave. Transparency equals trust—simple math.” Marwa Zamaray | European Climate Pact Ambassador
THE MARKET SHIFTS AND TECHNOLOGIES DRIVING PRINT WORKFLOW AUTOMATION – IN CONVERSATION WITH INDUSTRY EXPERTS AT FESPA
”This final fireside chat at the Fespa PMW live smart factory offers a deep dive into the knowledge transfer required between technology and production. Without acute control - chaos reigns supreme in the manufacturing workflow. In conversation, speakers examined key topics such as collaboration, standardisation, and the integration of technology to improve production quality. They addressed important issues including colour management, workflow automation, and the influence of AI on creativity and intellectual property.” Debbie McKeegan - FESPA Textile Ambassador
NOTES FROM THE USA : THE SLOW FASHION CAUCUS AND THE LANDMARK RECYCLING BILL : SOME PROGRESS UNDERWAY, BUT WE DESPERATELY NEED MORE >>
“We’ve been talking a great deal about the deleterious effects of Fast Fashion on our planet. Now we have a counterpoint to discuss—an effort in Congress to rein in fast fashion with the launch of the Slow Fashion Caucus. Plus, California is putting even more teeth into its recycling efforts with a proposed bill that establishes an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for recycling clothing and textile fibers. And France is proposing a Fast Fashion Tax and an EU ban on exporting used clothing.” - Writes Cary Sherburne - WhatTheyThink
INNOVATION SPOTLIGHT: DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY UNVEILS SCALABLE TEXTILE INNOVATIONS TO ENABLE CIRCULARITY
“Researchers and academics from Textile Engineering and Materials Research Group (TEAM) of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) were part of the Expo’s innovation zone, featuring collaborations which could pave the way for alternative materials and solutions that could reduce the environmental impact of textile production and support the textile industry transition to circularity”.
INDUSTRY INSIGHT: WHAT DID WE LEARN AT THE FUTURE OF ON-DEMAND PRINTED TEXTILE PRODUCTION WORKSHOP
“This roundtable discussion is a treasure trove of insights into the future of on-demand textile production. The discussion unravels the complex interplay between market shifts towards sustainability, fabric innovations, colour management, and the role of technology in scaling production. Emphasising on the importance of collaboration, efficiency, and continuous adaptation, the conversation reveals the textile industry as an ever-evolving landscape, ready to embrace change and strive for innovation”.
HOW SMART MANUFACTURING WILL CHANGE FASHION, THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY AND THE FUTURE OF RETAIL
“If we look to Apparel - a complex sector where in order to reap the environmental and commercial benefits - technology must be implemented at scale. In reality the digitisation of this vast, complicated industry and the entire textile industry will take many years. Rewiring the entire apparel supply chain is underway but progress is slow and painfully incremental – and must accelerate if the industry is to make positive environmental change.” Debbie McKeegan for PIXEL to PARCEL
EVERY PATTERN TELLS A STORY - SAY THE UK's NEW TEXTILE DESIGN GRADUATES - with GREEN GRADS
Print collections as seen largely at New Designers, London today are likely to be the personal expression of their designer, telling a very particular story. Take for example Laura Wigham who calls her collection "The Wild North" - with punchy patterns inspired by "wild uninhabited places" such as the Scottish Highlands and Borders and Northumberland - "ancient, dramatic and remote." Barbara Chandler - co-founder Green Grads