Louis Vuitton, the French fashion boutique company, has been named as the world’s most valuable fashion brand by Interbrand in its annual ‘Best Global Brands’ ranking report. Interbrand is a global brand agency that also publishes annual reports of the highly influential brands.
Louis Vuitton was the first fashion brand named on the list, placed at No. 19 with a value of US $ 23,998 million. H&M was next at 20th position with US $ 22,681. Nike made it to the list at 18th position, with net worth of US $ 25,034 million, while ZARA made its appearance on the 27th position, valued at US $ 16,766 million.
The study ranks brands according to their financial performance, the price they command, company earnings and influence levels on customers. It highlights the next generation of world-changing brands – the start-ups, upstarts, challengers, problem solvers, innovators, and category creators. It is designed to be both a cross-section of future growth in the brand space and a curated collection of the most exciting new brands from around the globe.
The latest version of Modaris® V8 launched by Lectra, the world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using fabrics, leather, technical textiles, and more, will facilitate collaboration during the fashion industry’s product development process.
Modaris is one of the widely used 2D/3D patternmaking and grading solutions worldwide, adopted by well-known brands in fashion and apparel. The solution handles complexities such as extended product development processes along with the constant pressure for new, high-quality products to reach the market quickly.
Modaris V8 ensures the smooth exchange of quality data throughout the supply chain. In today’s fashion industry, close co-ordination is required to respect tight delays and to rapidly get high-quality products to market. Improving product approval processes and digital file exchange, Modaris V8 speeds up creation, accelerates sampling, and facilitates teamwork – all of which are required by widely spread product development teams these days.
Céline Choussy Bedouet, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Lectra avers, “Modaris has been a flagship solution in the fashion industry for decades. With this newest version our customers, across the entire product development ecosystem, will benefit from the ability to drive a state-of-the-art collaborative process, ensuring data consistency, end-product quality and finally faster time to market.”
Benefits of the latest version of Modaris V8 include the ability to create and fine-tune products more easily for faster approval in the pre-production process, to industrialize patterns faster for a smoother assembly process, and to position and grade logos and graphics in 2D and 3D simultaneously.
Lancaster, a French company known for crafted luxury leather handbags and accessories, has chosen Centric 8 PLM, a leading PLM solution for fashion, retail, luxury and consumer goods companies, to help revitalize its processes and support growth opportunities in new markets. The company chose Centric 8 PLM on the strength of its flexibility, functionality, and ease of use.
“Our objective is to achieve exponential growth, particularly in Asia and the USA, and we needed to simplify our processes in line with best practices, improve supply chain collaboration, and find opportunities to synergize sourcing between the Sequoia and Lancaster brands,” explains Tony Jean Rose, PLM Project Manager adding, “In parallel with implementing the Centric 8 PLM platform, we now intend to re-organize our processes to take advantage of their teams’ expertise.”
In another development, Lancaster will empower its designers and developers with key applications from Centric’s mobile suite, such as Capture It, Material Sample and Product Notes on Android, enabling users to quickly create a collaborative and contemporaneous source of images and other product data. Lancaster currently enjoys a global presence in 60 countries through 1,000 stores and produces 1.5 million luxury leather handbags and accessories.
Commenting on the collaboration, Chris Groves, CEO, Centric Software said, “Lancaster will be able to secure its reputation for affordable luxury through proven practices, as well as laying the technological foundations for growth without compromise. PLM involves more than just reducing defects, slimming cycle times and establishing leaner processes.”
Lectra, the world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using fabrics, leather, technical textiles and composite materials, has announced that US-based global performance brand Under Armour has chosen ‘Lectra’ as an official partner for the UA Lighthouse, the manufacturing and design centre of Under Armour.
The 35,000 sq. ft. UA Lighthouse will serve as an incubator for creating state-of-the-art product with efficient manufacturing methods by employing Lectra’s advanced cutting-room solutions, in particular, the Brio fabric spreader and the Vector® fabric-cutting machine. Vector is empowered by Lectra’s innovative Smart Services, which provides enhanced visibility to the production processes through remote monitoring as well as optimizing machine up-time and production.
Hopeful of long and fruitful collaboration, Jason Adams, President, Lectra North America states, “Our technology is very much in line with where Under Armour wants to take manufacturing. As a company striving to push the boundaries of innovation, we are honoured to be involved in the launch of such an ambitious project.”
It may be noted that Under Armour, the originator of performance footwear, apparel and equipment, revolutionized how athletes across the world dress. Designed to make all athletes better, the brand’s innovative apparel and footwear products are sold worldwide to athletes at all levels.
Lectra, the world leaders in integrated technology solutions for fabrics, leather, technical textiles and composite materials using industries, has announced the implementation of laser airbag cutting solution, FocusQuantum® OPW by the Japanese side-curtain airbag cushions supplier Sumisho Airbag Systems.
The company will implement Lectra’s FocusQuantum, a comprehensive solution including an airbag laser cutter, a pre-production software suite and collaboration in project mode with Lectra consultants to ensure proper production, minimize risks and meet further demand for volume increase.
Sumisho Airbag Systems is the only Japan-based manufacturer of one-piece woven (OPW) airbag cushions. It weaves and cuts technical textiles for airbags that are produced for global automobile brands based in the US, Germany, Japan among others.
“Airbag manufacturers today are grappling with complex new business challenges. Now, more than ever, they need to ensure that quality remains at the heart of the road safety value chain while minimizing overall cost per bag. FocusQuantum OPW is a compact solution enabling significantly greater productivity per square meter of manufacturing footprint, while at the same time ensuring the highest possible level of quality through advanced software and laser cutting technology,” says Daniel Harari, Lectra CEO.
One of the decisive factors in Sumisho Airbag Systems’ decision was Lectra’s strong presence in Japan with a full support structure to guarantee responsive turnaround times and prompt delivery of parts.
Kering, the French holding Group of labels like Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni, Gucci, Puma, Volcom, Saint Laurent Paris, and other luxury, sport & lifestyle brands, has announced its financial results for the first six months of the current fiscal year.
In the period under review, the company noted an increase in net income to € 465 million as compared to € 423 million in the previous year, while adjusted for non-recurring items net of tax, net income surged by 6.5 per cent to € 521 million. The gross margin of the company rose by 6 per cent to € 3,602 million in the reporting period.
According to Kering, Western Europe, Japan and other emerging markets resulted in solid revenue growth in the reporting period despite the negative impact of exchange rate fluctuations on revenue. Revenue generated outside the Euro zone signified 78 per cent of the consolidated total revenue in the first six months of 2016. Consolidated revenue in the first half of the year reached € 5,693 million, up 3.3 per cent Y-O-Y on a reported basis and 5.5 per cent on constant currency basis.
Also, recurring operating income increased by 4.9 per cent in the review period. EBITDA reached € 1,011 million, up 4 per cent year-over-year.
French luxury leather goods brand Longchamp is mulling over expanding its reach in India by opening of six stores in the coming 3-4 years in the country.
“We arrived late in India as it took us time to find the right partner and also it was difficult to find good store locations since the options were limited. In future we may look at more stores in Mumbai, Chennai or Bengaluru,” Jean Cassegrain, CEO, Longchamp told a leading Indian daily, adding, “We have kept the price points in India competitive to markets like Singapore and Dubai, that will be 20 per cent higher than in Europe, reasonable looking at the duties.”
The luxury brand, famous for its signature leather handbags, luggage, shoes and other accessories, owns more than 300 exclusive stores globally and retails from 1,500 different points of sale supported by a workforce of around 3,000. The company reported that its revenue grew 15 per cent in Asia while, Asian market contributed 25 per cent to overall sales last year.
Chanel, the French luxury goods maker, has created a silk production unit by investing in high-end specialists.
The company acquired four long-standing silk-producing companies, located in the Loire region, to strengthen its supply chain. Out of these four companies (whose names are yet to be disclosed by Chanel), three of them carry the Government-sponsored label ‘Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant’, reserved for companies that deliver traditional and high-end artisan work.
Bruno Pavlovsky, President of Chanel Fashion said in a statement, “Through these investments, Chanel is reaffirming its commitment to the long-term sustainability of a high-quality segment and to ensuring the longevity of the silk weaving industry in France and boost their productivity capacity.”
Apart from these deals, Chanel has also acquired specialists such as feather providers, milliners and boot-makers and made significant investments in cashmere production and leather goods manufacturing over the years. Last week only, the company took a majority stake in the family-run Richard Tannery, a provider of lambskins for the brand’s small leather goods. Prior to that in April, the company bought a minority stake in 129-year-old tulle and lace supplier Sophie Hallette near Calais, France’s lace capital.
Denim Première Vision, a trade show that has been bringing global denim specialists together since 2007, is all set to make a comeback in Paris. Being held at Barcelona’s Fira Montjuic for two and a half years, Paris is now the official host for the next edition of the event scheduled to be held from November 2-3, 2016 at a new place, located in La Villette.
“Paris being the fashion capital of the world, comes with cultural and inspirational influences for exhibitors and the brands visiting the trade show,” explains Chantal Malingrey, Director of the show, adding, “It’s an easy hub to access from other major cities in world and is able to host a large number of visitors.”
Denim Première Vision Paris is also changing its dates in line with the Spring/Summer 2018 collections. “The growth of mid-season collections and the increase of seasonal development ranges around brands’ main collections have changed the timing of design and product development becoming more sophisticated leading to requirement of an earlier start to the creative process. These earlier dates correspond to an adjustment in relation to the market’s realities,” elaborates Chantal.
After the 2016 edition, another two will take place from April 25-26, and November 8-9 next year.
Asahi KASEI, a Japanese manufacturer of fibres and chemicals, is set to exhibit its premium innovations at the 2016 edition of Première Vision Paris, scheduled to be held from September 13-15. The manufacturer will also present the latest ‘Trend Book’ featuring new fabrics for the modern wardrobe.
At the show, the company will exhibit Cupro, which it claims is an eco-friendly fibre made from nature-based waste cotton linters, designed to give an exquisite- and silk-like touch with great moisture control ability. New innovations in the Cupro fabric gallery at Première Vision Paris will include the latest hi-tech double-face structures and textures from Viscotex, Nuovatess’s opalescent jerseys with an original and unique washed silk effect, as well as Brunello and Pastorelli’s unique range of fancy linings created using dyed Cupro yarn.
Also on display will be ROICA – a premium stretch yarn with excellent stretch and recovery properties. The company claims that it is a progressed spandex with superior functionality that provides the right response to diverse customer needs. At the fair, the manufacturer will present the two stretch options: ROICA Colour Perfect – an innovative fully dyeable premium stretch that allows the creation of articles with great colours and an imperceptible dull aspect; it can be used tone on tone even in dark shades with excellent colour fastness in blends with all major fibres (cellulose, nylon, wool and silk), the company claims; and GRS certified (Global Recycling Standard by Textile Exchange) ROICA Eco-Smart – designed to meet the requirements for high performance stretch in sportwear, intimates, etc.
Interfilière Lyon 2016 – the lingerie and swimwear trade show, has concluded with around 10,000 visitors making it to the show. European visitors were good in numbers, particularly those from France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Romania and Albania.
New exhibitors also seemed content with their first participation at the show. One of the exhibitors at the show, French button and accessories manufacturer, Brochot averred, “We are very satisfied with our first participation. We’re happy with the overall visitor profile. Our verdict is entirely positive: clients showed a good level of curiosity and interest.”
Another exhibitor Liberty, a British firm famed for its prints, was also satisfied with the exhibition. The company exhibited its intimates, sleepwear and sports collections during the show and has plans to continue the development of its intimates’ collection to display it at the upcoming January 2017 edition of Interfilière in Paris.
Alongside the event, three forums – General Forum (Intimates, Loungewear, and Sleepwear), Momenti di Passione (Beachwear and Sport), and Innovation Forum (Activewear) organised in association with the Fédération de la Maille et de la Lingerie also attracted many visitors.
Paris edition of big leagues in textile and apparel trade shows – Apparel Sourcing, Texworld and Avantex will take place from 12th to 15th September this year. Organised by Messe Frankfurt, leaders in trade fair organising, the 4-day event will be a flurry of exhibitions, seminars, conferences and fashion shows, while providing a platform for business interactions.
Adding more flavour, Texworld Paris 2016 – a global platform for purchasing materials, fabrics and supplies – is introducing a new segment, ELITE which will display a collection of fabrics for the more ‘refined’ markets, while continuing its much appreciated ‘Small Quantities’ section – catering to the growing demand of smaller order quantities; and ‘My Sustainable Sourcing’ – with a focus on sustainable sourcing ways. Also, for the first time being South Korea will display latest innovations in modern and technical fabrics at the fair.
Keeping up with the needs emerging in the markets world over, the third edition of Avantex Paris will display technological innovations in ready-to-wear apparel and fashion accessories sectors. The show will be a goldmine of B2B interactions between high-tech textile companies, designers and product managers from the leading fashion brands across the globe. In addition, the 2016 edition will demonstrate the expertise with which haute-couture and lingerie sectors are incorporating technical textiles in their products, and their offerings of cutting edge selection of functional and innovative textiles. A special conference dedicated to instrumented textiles, connected apparel, flexible & highly functional composite materials and challenges that the fashion world faces in incorporating technology in everyday apparel, will also be held alongside the exhibition.
Another key apparel sourcing fair – Apparel Sourcing Paris, which is into its 11th edition, is expecting a 40 per cent surge in the number of exhibitors. Focused on global apparel sourcing strategies, the show has major exhibitors from its previous editions, like China, which is the number one apparel supplier of the European Union; India, which will take part at the fair with 20 per cent more exhibitors; Vietnam, where exhibitors feel that just one trade show is enough to provide them with business for the whole year; and Hong Kong. Besides this, a growing trend in the market – made-to-measure tailoring will also have exhibitors in attendance.
Alongside these three key shows, Shawls & Scarves will also be held, displaying fashion accessories such as bonnets, suspenders, headscarves, caps, belts, hats, socks, neckties, stoles, scarves, gloves and more in a wide variety of materials including cashmere, wool, silk, cotton, linen, etc. New products such as umbrellas, leather bags and bow ties will also be up on display, adding more variety to a wide range of product categories.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
