Source: www.fibre2fashion.com

Techtextil is on the move – placing an even stronger focus on functional apparel. More than 1,500 exhibitors from 49 countries and over 120 new exhibitors make Frankfurt the central meeting point for your industry. Discover smart textiles, sustainable materials and functional solutions for workwear, protective clothing, outdoor, sportswear and fashion. The proximity to Texprocess also brings you directly into contact with key players in apparel processing.

In 2024, 72% of Techtextil visitors also attended Texprocess. In 2026, Techtextil brings you together with relevant partners along the textile value chain even more quickly. Here, textile pre-products meet processing and finishing technologies directly! Benefit from the proximity of Texprocess (Hall 8.0) to Performance Apparel Textiles (Hall 9.0) and Textile Production Technologies (Hall 12.0). In this way, material innovation, processing and production are directly linked – for more efficient days at the fair and targeted discussions with top decision-makers from the global apparel industry.

Strong textiles, strong growth: Performance Apparel Textiles

Whether protecting, regulating, insulating or cooling – textiles perform in extreme situations and open up new application fields for workwear, protective clothing, outdoor and sportswear. Demand rises rapidly: the Performance Apparel Textiles segment (Hall 9.0) doubles in size and features 130 exhibitors, including Carrington (RTS Textiles), Concordia Textiles, Getzner Textil, Kermel, Klopman International and YKK Europe. A highlight: the live presentation Performance Apparels on Stage brings innovative wearables and functional end products to the stage – demonstrating their performance in real apparel applications.
 

Source: www.fibre2fashion.com

Huaju Accessories Co Ltd of China has signed a $16.34 million land lease with BEPZA to set up an accessories manufacturing plant at the BEPZA Economic Zone in Mirsharai, Chattogram. The project will employ 1,395 Bangladeshis and produce a range of garment and luggage accessories with an annual capacity of 4 million kilograms, BEPZA said.

The factory will produce a wide range of accessories, including bra cups, bra wire, hook and eye, elastic, webbing tape, drawstrings, sliders, snap buttons, logos, and bag and luggage hardware, with an annual production target of 4 million kilograms, BEPZA said in a press release.

Welcoming the investor, Tanvir Hossain, the executive chairman of BEPZA, reaffirmed BEPZA’s commitment to providing seamless facilitation and a supportive, investor-friendly environment to ensure the success of industrial ventures.
 

Source: www.fibre2fashion.com

With 148 participating nations, rising global relevance and a marked increase in visitor quality, Heimtextil 2026 stood for stability and reliability in a volatile market environment. Once again, 3,000 exhibitors from across the globe placed their trust in the industry’s central platform in Frankfurt, presenting current collections, materials and textile solutions for holistic interior design to over 48,000 buyers. Under the motto “Lead the Change”, Heimtextil brought evolving market dynamics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and new business opportunities to life. The focus was on progressive design approaches, visionary talents, functional textiles and new hospitality concepts shaping the future of interior design. A tangible sense of confidence and a clear commitment to Heimtextil as a strong industry partner resonated throughout the exhibition halls.

From market shifts and new consumption patterns to concrete design and application contexts, Heimtextil 2026 translated key industry developments into new business opportunities. Through innovative exhibitor presentations, curated special showcases and an even more targeted content programme, the leading trade fair addressed the industry’s growing need for exchange, orientation and strategic insight. As a further market driver, Heimtextil consistently embedded AI into the trade fair experience, demonstrating under the umbrella “Texpertise Focus AI” how AI strengthens competitiveness in practical terms. “Artificial intelligence is already part of economic reality – as a creative partner for design concepts and material visualisations, and as an efficient tool for data migration, day-to-day workflows and personalised customer engagement. Our aim is to make these concrete applications tangible and actionable for the industry,” said Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies. In doing so, Heimtextil 2026 acted as a strong strategic partner for the industry, opening up new business perspectives and encouraging the global textile sector to jointly advance key future topics.
 

Source: www.fibre2fashion.com

Generative AI is reshaping the first steps of shopping experience before clicking buy, as per a new global study from the Institute for Business Value (IBM), in collaboration with the National Retail Federation (NRF). From hyper-personalised suggestions to curated inspiration, influence now begins long before a store visit or app tap, moving where brands and retailers compete to an entirely new level.

The study found that while nearly three-quarters of surveyed consumers (72 per cent) still shop in stores, almost half (45 per cent) turn to AI for help during their buying journeys. Shoppers still want to see and touch products, but today's savvy consumers increasingly arrive with a sense of what they're looking for and why. They are using AI to research products (41 per cent), interpret reviews (33 per cent), and hunt for deals (31 per cent).

Generative AI is reshaping early shopping decisions, with 45 per cent of consumers using AI for product research, reviews, and deal-hunting, as per an IBM–NRF study. While stores remain important, AI-driven discovery now guides choices before purchase. Brands must redesign journeys around AI moments, ensure data readiness, and invest in AI skills to stay competitive and build long-term trust.

As AI reshapes consumer decision-making, brands and retailers must redesign shopping journeys around future AI-driven moments, using agents to reduce uncertainty early through research, comparison, and personalised support. Strong data readiness and end-to-end testing are essential to overcome cross-channel challenges. Companies should leverage AI to scale relevance while preserving brand distinctiveness, and invest in AI skills and strategic partnerships to build expertise and deploy AI responsibly.

AI is reshaping where, when, and how decisions are made across every industry. In retail, understanding AI-influenced consumer behaviour will become a defining competitive advantage, separating brands and retailers that shape decisions from those that simply fulfill them.
 

Source: www.fibre2fashion.com

There is a clear cultural shift in how consumers use fashion to express identity, manage choice and engage with culture, according to Depop’s 2026 Trends Report, The Edited Self. Building on last year’s The New Fundamentals, the report finds that global pressures, digital overload and accelerated trend cycles are driving a move towards more deliberate and refined personal style.

Across the Depop community, people are choosing clarity over clutter. They are repeating silhouettes, refining core staples and curating wardrobes that reflect lived-in authenticity rather than fast-moving microtrends. At the same time, major global moments in 2026, including the World Cup and the US 250th, draw people back into public life and shape new reasons to gather, dress with presence and signal belonging.

In an environment shaped by decision fatigue, economic tension and constant digital noise, consumers are gravitating towards dependable silhouettes and repeatable staples. Neutral palettes, sharp tailoring, boxy knits and crisp button-downs anchor wardrobes with ease. Across Depop, search interest reflects this shift, with spikes in workwear jackets, peacoats and office shirts. Modern Uniforms is about dressing with conviction and signalling taste through repetition rather than reinvention.

Consumers are dressing with greater intention. Everyday activities are becoming opportunities for small rituals and self-expression, with tailored coats, draped skirts, metallic fabrics and bold accessories elevating even the simplest routines. Search behaviour on Depop shows strong growth across structured blazers, kitten heels and statement jewellery. Confidence and emotional comfort are central to this trend, with users dressing up as a way to feel more present in their day-to-day lives.

Sportswear continues to evolve beyond performance into a new form of playful, soft-edged athleticism. Tennis whites, vintage jerseys, bike shorts and ski layers are styled with silk, tailoring and ballet flats to create looks that balance comfort with aspiration. In a World Cup year, athletic references carry added cultural meaning. Depop data shows significant spikes in interest for vintage Lululemon, upcycled jerseys and ski-inspired pieces, signalling a sustained appetite for reworked and elevated sports staples.