Interviews

The Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles (SMART) Association works towards strengthening economic opportunities by promoting the interdependence of the for-profit textile recycling industry segments and provides a common forum for networking, education and advocacy. SMART President Brian London dwells at length on the second-hand clothing waste and global trade.

A major player in the Enabling Systemic Circularity in Fashion project of the Forum for the Future was leading apparel manufacturer, Crystal International Group. A spokesperson of the group talks about how brands and retailers can collaborate with their manufacturing partners in making the concept of circular fashion work in reality.

Taiwanese player Yee Chain International Ltd was a key participant in a project that sought to understand the systemic challenges that are stymieing the fashion industry’s efforts to go the whole hog. Chief Sustainability Officer, Martin Su, and Global Sustainability and Circularity Scaling Manager, Anett Soti, talk about ground truths in this engaging conversation.

The future of fashion isn’t synthetic. It’s natural. It’s regenerative. And The Sheep Inc brand embodies and symbolises ideas from a carbon-negative supply chain, premium merino wool garments and regenerative farms to that word which is at the core of many debates in the fashion world: transparency.

Uganda is the fifth largest importer of second-hand clothing in Africa, and the Owino Market in capital Kampala is key to the trade in the country. A recent report looked at Owino and its impact on business and livelihoods. Study author Jennifer Wang talks about the fine print in the report.

Earlier this month, an incisive study looked at prevalent circular fashion (CF) narratives, and contended that CF in its current form is built on unrealistic projections and industry rhetoric. The report has created a buzz, and lead author of the study, Talia Hussain, goes beyond the report in this free-wheeling discussion about the subject.

The Spring Edition of Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, one of the leading destinations for sourcing fabrics and accessories, gets under way today. As visitors start to throng the three-day event, Wendy Wen, Managing Director of fair organiser Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, talks about Shanghai and what to expect from the event.

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics is one of the leading destinations for sourcing fabrics and accessories. The Spring Edition, to be held from 11-13 March, will turn the spotlight on a diverse range of products and services. Wendy Wen, Managing Director of fair organiser Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, talks about trends in the business of fabrics.

Tersus Solutions, founded in 2009, supports a wide variety of needs by leveraging its proprietary CO2 platform that preserves water and electricity, sanitises or sterilises, captures contaminates and microfibres, and ultimately extends the life of textiles. Steve Madsen, Founder and CTO, and Peter Whitcomb, CEO, speak at length about how the future lies in technology.

Heimtextil is the industry's most important global event for interior textiles, interior design and interior trends, and it cannot get bigger than that. On 14 January next, the entire industry will converge in Munich for the four-day Heimtextil 2025. We speak to Olaf Schmidt, Vice-President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt Exhibition, organisers of the mega event.