Source: www.fibre2fashion.com

The Australian Fashion Council has officially banned the use of fur, wild-animal skins, and wild feathers from Australian Fashion Week (AFW) catwalks. Effective immediately, the new policy ensures that the 2025 edition of AFW will be entirely free from wildlife exploitation.

The policy is developed in collaboration with Collective Fashion Justice and World Animal Protection. With this policy, crocodiles, foxes, and exotic birds will be protected, ensuring they are no longer used in fashion displays at this event.

This decision reflects the growing public demand for ethical and sustainable fashion. It is a victory driven by thousands of compassionate Australians who believe fashion should never come at the cost of animal lives, according to World Animal Protection. 
This move builds on similar wildlife-free commitments achieved at Melbourne Fashion Week, Melbourne Fashion Festival, and international runways in Berlin and Copenhagen.

“This latest announcement is a reminder that the fashion industry can be a positive force or wildlife, and change the lives of crocodiles, ostriches, minks and more. We are seeing a domino effect of fashion events around Australia and the world rejecting exotic skins, feathers and fur. With this new wildlife friendly policy, Australian Fashion Week have joined the growing list of runways that are embracing innovative alternatives to cruelty,” said Suzanne Milthorpe, head of campaigns at World Animal Protection Australia.

Animal rights organisations, including PETA, have long campaigned for this change.

This autumn, the zone will offer designers and studios from across the globe unparalleled access to apparel manufacturers and emerging brands eager to source innovative prints.
 

Source: www.fibre2fashion.com

The textile industry is navigating a constantly evolving business landscape, facing various challenges. However, this dynamic environment also presents significant opportunities, fuelled by rising demand from emerging markets, advancements in technology, and shifts in consumer preferences. To help the industry adapt swiftly and identify pathways for growth, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition will open its doors from 2 – 4 September 2025 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). After strong domestic and international visitor increases at recent editions, the fair is on track to cement its role as one of the industry’s leading hubs for textile trade and innovation exchange.

A legacy of excellence: building the fourth decade of Intertextile Apparel

The 2024 Autumn Edition marked the show’s 30th anniversary by drawing nearly 4,000 exhibitors from 26 countries and regions, and welcoming over 100,000 visitors, with international visitors up 29%. This momentum carried into 2025’s Spring Edition, hosting nearly 95,000 visitors from 131 countries and regions, a 17% rise

As one of the industry’s largest sourcing platforms, Intertextile Apparel continues to anchor global trends through its diverse zones, including Accessories Vision, Beyond Denim, Functional Lab, and SalonEurope. The 2024 edition also debuted Econogy Hub, dedicated to sustainable solutions, and the Digital Solutions Zone, in response to rapid advancements in AI, blockchain, and IoT redefining supply chains – enhancing traceability, slashing waste through 3D virtual sampling, and optimising logistics via predictive analytics.

China’s ascent as a global leader in custom clothing production has fuelled demand for luxury fabrics, with individuals and brands increasingly prioritising unique, tailored garments that reflect personal style and craftsmanship. Capitalising on this trend, the previous Autumn Edition’s Premium Wool Zone – synonymous with heritage and excellence – and the Milano Unica Pavilion hosted 50 premium wool exhibitors within SalonEurope, including iconic names such as Abraham Moon & Sons (UK), Albini (Italy), Cavallo 1886 (Italy), and Scabal NV/SA (UK), showcasing their top-quality European cloth to meet the soaring demand from Chinese buyers.

This autumn, the zone will offer designers and studios from across the globe unparalleled access to apparel manufacturers and emerging brands eager to source innovative prints.
 

Source: www.fibre2fashion.com

Denim is timeless. From casual Fridays to nights out, from factory floors to fashion runways - jeans have become an essential part of modern life. But there's one thing even the most loyal denim lovers can't deny: on warm days, they can make you sweat. Outlast Technologies GmbH is changing that - by making denim that helps you sweat less and feel more comfortable throughout the day.

The innovation lies in embedding natural wax directly into the fibers before the denim is woven - creating intelligent fabrics that interact with your body. When it’s warm, these fibers absorb excess body heat and store it, helping to reduce sweating and keep you feeling comfortably balanced. As temperatures cool or your activity level decreases, the stored warmth is gradually released - helping to prevent chills. The result? Jeans that intuitively adapt to your body’s needs, so you stay comfortable, whatever the day brings.

Achieving this level of functionality, however, was no easy task. The challenge was to ensure that the temperature-regulating effect could withstand the intense wash and finish treatments typical in denim production - all while preserving the look, feel, and durability expected of high-quality jeans.

Equally appealing to end users is the lasting performance of the innovation: the natural wax is embedded inside the fiber itself. This means the temperature-regulating function does not wash out or diminish over time. Unlike surface treatments, the technology remains effective throughout the entire life cycle of the garment.
 

Source: www.fibre2fashion.com

Following the success of the 2024 edition, which welcomed nearly 20,000 visitors from 45 countries and regions, Intertextile Shenzhen will return from 11 – 13 June 2025 at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center (Futian). Including several distinct product categories, and with the establishment of two new zones – Fashion Gallery and The Closet – the fair will offer abundant opportunities for industry players from across the value chain to elevate their brands within South China’s ever-evolving fashion landscape.

Shenzhen is strategically situated at the crossroads of textile design, production, and sourcing. Home to over 2,500 fashion brands, including leading ladieswear companies Eeka, Ellassay, Marisfrolg, Yinger and more, the city is energised by emerging designers and renowned events such as Shenzhen Fashion Week. Well-connected through various ports and stations, and with key products including ladieswear, casual wear, and functional sportswear, Intertextile Shenzhen 2025 is positioned as an ideal sourcing platform for trend-focused buyers from across China, ASEAN, and beyond.

Complementing Fashion Gallery, The Closet will be a unique space for fashion designers and garment manufacturers, fostering collaboration and networking while showcasing cutting-edge creations. This hub aims to nurture creativity and innovation within the fashion industry by providing emerging designers with the resources, support, and visibility they need to thrive.

Set to further enhance the show’s dynamic business environment, the Chinese government has recently extended its visa-free policy to include over 28 countries, including Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland.

Intertextile Shenzhen serves as an exceptional platform for promoting the emergence of new trends, industries, innovative models, and dynamic driving forces. By showcasing a collection of pioneering case studies and comprehensive solutions for industry enhancement, the show facilitates the replication of successful new models and technologies through engaging displays, seminars, and themed forums.
 

Source: www.fibre2fashion.com

Three-quarters (76 per cent) of consumers say online shopping lacks excitement, and 29 per cent describe it as a ‘chore’, according to a new survey from Paris-based commerce media company Criteo.

More than half (61 per cent) of shoppers say they turn to online shopping purely for convenience, while a third (36 per cent) lament the loss of ‘unexpected finds’ online, which is a key driver of retail joy, the survey revealed.

Criteo partnered with Harvard PR and market research specialist Vitreous World to poll 6,000 consumers and 600 brand leaders across the US, UK, German, French, Japanese and South Korean markets.

Seventy-nine per cent of consumers feel online shopping is ‘lonely’, and 78 per cent say they are overwhelmed by too many product choices. Only 50 per cent find online shopping relaxing or enjoyable.Customers want to be understood by brands also, as 43 per cent of online shoppers expect brands to use their data to create personalised experiences.Fifty-five per cent of brand leaders believe influencers drive traffic, but only 29 per cent of consumers say influencer content makes them feel positively towards a brand. Nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of consumers say visiting a brand’s website contributes to their excitement.

Almost all brand leaders (98 per cent) believe their discovery strategies are effective, and 80 per cent stating their approach contributes to brand growth, the Criteo survey found.

While 79 per cent of brands acknowledge that data privacy concerns hinder their ability to refine discovery strategies, almost half (43 per cent) of online shoppers are open to brands using their data when it leads to better, more personalised experiences, provided it’s done transparently and with trust.

More than four-in-five (83 per cent) brands say they are set to lean on AI tools to improve user experience.