From the Sector

With its fifth participation at Pitti Uomo, CHINA WAVE once again underscored the dynamic rise of Chinese designer brands on the international stage. The showcased collections demonstrated how Chinese labels are increasingly defining themselves through distinctive design languages, technological innovation and cultural authenticity, attracting growing attention from the global fashion industry. 

As the flagship brand of the collective presentation, SEPTWOLVES impressed visitors with a collection combining functionality, sustainability and Chinese cultural heritage. Alongside its further enhanced Business Travel Jacket featuring advanced technical innovations, the Wulin World Heritage Collection and the sustainable polo line crafted from natural fibres attracted particular interest. International buyers praised SEPTWOLVES for translating traditional Chinese craftsmanship and intangible cultural heritage into a contemporary design language with global appeal. The collections led to intensive discussions with buyers and distributors from Europe, South America, the Middle East and Central Asia, reaffirming the brand's growing international potential. 

For SWOF CARE, the hat wear brand, direct engagement with the international market was the central focus. The new SUPER SWOF "SS Super Classic" collection and the handcrafted BLACK LABEL line successfully combined traditional Chinese millinery with a contemporary design aesthetic. Particularly valuable for the brand was the immediate feedback received from international buyers and industry professionals, providing important inspiration for future collection development. At the same time, numerous concrete business opportunities emerged, with buyers expressing interest in sourcing solutions, product customization, long-term distribution partnerships and agency collaborations. Establishing new partnerships to further accelerate the brand's international expansion also ranks among the lasting achievements of its participation. 

With its distinctive interpretation of contemporary Oriental aesthetics, ZIFEI WANG became one of the creative highlights of CHINA WAVE. Combining artistic expression with premium ready-to-wear fashion, the collection impressed international buyers as well as renowned showrooms and premium boutiques. Particular praise was given to its successful balance between avant-garde creativity and commercial relevance. The successful presentation in Florence further strengthened the brand's international positioning while paving the way for future presentations across Europe like the forthcoming Milan Fashion Week in September.  

SOARIN presented its unique design philosophy under the guiding concept "I Become." Through plant-based dyeing techniques, innovative material research and the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, the brand developed a distinctive creative signature. International buyers and industry professionals particularly appreciated its creative originality and innovative use of materials. Discussions during the fair generated promising prospects for future collaborations and international showcases. 

SOARIN WORLD, the pioneering Chinese label under the SOARIN brand, presented a collection rooted in an Eastern interpretation of beauty while embracing a forward-looking design philosophy. Drawing inspiration from ethnic cultures, nature and humanity, the brand reinterprets traditional Chinese aesthetics through a contemporary lens, creating garments that bridge heritage and modernity. International buyers and industry professionals praised the collection's distinctive cultural identity and sophisticated craftsmanship, recognising its strong potential for premium retail and concept stores. The presentation in Florence further strengthened SOARIN WORLD's international visibility and opened promising opportunities for future collaborations and market expansion. 

For KIMUSSO, Pitti Uomo represented far more than a platform for presenting a collection. The avant-garde womenswear label used the direct exchange with international buyers to further refine its positioning in the global market. Immediate feedback confirmed the brand's particular strength within the progressive concept store and curated premium boutique segment. The exhibition therefore marked an important milestone in reflecting on the brand's identity from an international perspective and further sharpening its future strategic direction. 

Under this year's theme, "The Pitti Pool," Pitti Uomo 110 once again proved to be a meeting point for the ideas, perspectives and partnerships shaping the future of the global fashion industry. Through its fifth participation, CHINA WAVE demonstrated how naturally Chinese designer brands have become part of this international creative ecosystem. From technological innovation and sustainable material concepts to a confident expression of cultural identity, the participating labels presented their own distinctive visions for the future of fashion, attracting significant interest from international buyers and key industry decision-makers. 

CHINA WAVE has long evolved into far more than a collective exhibition. The platform connects Chinese designer brands with international business partners, creates new market opportunities and fosters creative dialogue between East and West. The successful presentation in Florence clearly demonstrated that Chinese brands are increasingly recognised as drivers of innovation, design excellence and cross-cultural exchange. Following this milestone edition, attention is already turning to the next chapter: from January 12 to 15, 2027, CHINA WAVE will return to Pitti Uomo 111 in Florence, bringing a new wave of Chinese creativity to the international stage. 

EDANA, the voice of nonwovens, in partnership with the Business Coordination House (BCH), will welcome filtration professionals from across the world to FILTREX™ India 2026, taking place on 7–8 October 2026 at the Eros Hotel, New Delhi. 

Recognised as one of the leading meeting points for the filtration industry in the region, FILTREX™ India brings together decision-makers, technical experts, researchers and innovators from across the entire filtration value chain. The two-day conference and tabletop exhibition will provide a platform to explore technological advances, market developments and the evolving regulatory landscape shaping the future of filtration. 

Building on the success of previous editions, the 2026 conference will feature a comprehensive programme covering some of the industry's most pressing topics, including filtration standards and regulations in India, automotive filtration, industrial filtration, clean water and clean air. The event will also provide extensive networking opportunities, enabling participants to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships and discover new business opportunities. 

The programme includes keynote presentations and technical sessions delivered by internationally recognised experts from leading organisations, including MANN+HUMMEL, Ahlstrom, Camfil, Hollingsworth & Vose, UY Trienviro and Schlegel und Partner. Topics will range from next-generation filtration materials and air quality solutions to wastewater recycling technologies and the implications of evolving European chemical compliance requirements for international markets. 

"Launched in Europe in 2004, FILTREX™ has grown into a recognised international platform for knowledge exchange within the filtration industry," said Murat Dogru, General Manager at EDANA. "The Indian market continues to play an increasingly important role in the global filtration landscape, making FILTREX™ India an ideal forum for bringing together international expertise and local innovation to address shared challenges."

As global demand for effective filtration solutions continues to grow—driven by challenges related to air quality, water treatment, industrial processes and sustainable technologies—FILTREX™ India 2026 will offer participants valuable insights into the innovations and collaborations shaping the industry's future.

The first chapter of Catalyst Club debuted in Florence, bringing together creative directors, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, journalists and innovators from across the fashion and textile industry for an evening of dialogue, exchange and connection.

Hosted at the Soko Innovation Hub and developed in partnership with Pioneer Denim, the gathering took place around a single long table, bringing guests together in an informal and convivial setting designed to encourage open conversation and the sharing of ideas.

During his opening speech at the dinner, Matteo Urbini, MD of Soko Chimica, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative: "It’s a real pleasure to host an evening where we can finally move past virtual networking and connect in person. Getting together live is still the best way to build authentic relationships and make real things happen."

Set within a relaxed and convivial environment, free from presentations, panels and formal agendas, the evening encouraged guests to engage openly, allowing ideas, perspectives and future visions to flow naturally. Conversations touched on sustainability, creativity, manufacturing and innovation, generating valuable connections and opportunities for collaboration while introducing the purpose of Catalyst Club: a community designed to bring together the people shaping the future of fashion, denim and innovation through dialogue, exchange and shared inspiration.

The first chapter was realized with the support of Pioneer Denim, whose commitment to innovation and industry collaboration reflects the values at the heart of the initiative.

The Florence gathering represents the beginning of a journey that will continue through future chapters, expanding a network of professionals united by the belief that meaningful change starts with connection.

About Catalyst Club Catalyst Club is a curated community that brings together the people shaping the future of fashion, denim and innovation. Through intimate gatherings and meaningful conversations, it creates opportunities for ideas, perspectives and collaborations to emerge and evolve.

About Soko Soko is an innovation-driven chemical company serving the global fashion and textile industry. Through research, partnerships and its Soko Innovation Hub, the company promotes collaboration, sustainability and knowledge-sharing across the supply chain. Soko is the creator and organizer of Catalyst Club.

About Pioneer Denim Pioneer Denim is a leading denim manufacturer recognized for its commitment to innovation, quality and responsible production, supporting global brands through advanced technologies and sustainable practices.

The undersigned associations, representing several European industrial sectors, call on EU institutions to maintain the current legal text of the Single-Use Plastic Directive (SUPD), adopted in 2019. While the signatories recognise the importance of ensuring that the SUPD delivers measurable and meaningful environmental outcomes, reopening the Directive now will create legal uncertainty, add disproportionate burden for economic operators that are already navigating partial and often divergent national transpositions, and increase the risk of regulatory overlaps or contradictions with existing and upcoming legislation. Moreover, there is currently insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of the current SUPD to justify a revision, as described below: 

• Insufficient evidence to inform a revision of the SUPD. 
  An impact assessment of the SUPD cannot be carried out at a moment when several of its provisions are not yet in place. While a first report on the state of implementation of the SUPD was published in April 2026, it remains partial, and reporting is not harmonised, preventing meaningful comparison of data across countries. Taking the example of consumption reduction targets, Member States and other EEA countries only reported data on SUP products placed on the market in 2022 and, even for this report, did so using different indicators. Crucially, since the target on consumption reduction is set for 2026, no data are yet available on whether that target has been achieved. In summary, the partial application of the SUPD and the limited data available suggest that a revision of the SUPD would be premature at this time. 
• Preventing further fragmentation and gold-plating. 
  The transposition of the SUPD has produced significant regulatory fragmentation, uneven enforcement, and widespread instances of gold plating, creating persistent uncertainty for companies active across multiple Member States. The result is a patchwork of national rules that undermines the integrity of the Single Market, inflates compliance costs, and fails to deliver proportionate environmental benefits. These structural shortcomings must be fully recognised in the evaluation of the SUPD and effectively addressed prior to considering a reopening of the Directive. 
• Ensuring legal certainty for economic operators. 
  A revision of the SUPD would create legal uncertainty for companies and Member States that are still implementing several of its provisions. While the SUPD entered into force in mid-2021, the date of application for most of its provisions is at a later stage. Furthermore, the EU Commission has only recently adopted some of the implementing decisions and guidelines on the current SUPD. Any change to the SUPD at a moment when companies are still adapting to new obligations, and Member States are still in the process of implementing some key provisions, would create legal uncertainty for economic operators who do not know whether targets or the scope of the SUPD may change. Legal uncertainty carries significant economic costs for economic operators, notably in terms of investment delays likely to persist throughout the entire SUPD revision process (2–3 years). 
• Avoiding overlaps with other legislation. 
  Revising the SUPD while the Ecodesign and Packaging Regulations are still being implemented, and as negotiations on the Circular Economy Act (CEA) begin, increases the risk of regulatory overlaps and contradictions. These frameworks cover intersecting areas and a revision of the SUPD in parallel with the CEA would almost inevitably lead to duplicative or conflicting provisions. Even if the EU Commission ensured full coherence in its proposal, the co-legislators could still introduce provisions that diverge from or contradict the SUPD framework, further undermining legal certainty and the functioning of the Single Market. 

At a time when EU leaders have made regulatory simplifications and a fully integrated Single Market central to Europe’s competitiveness agenda, we urge EU policymakers to focus legislative efforts where they are most needed and avoid reopening a framework that has yet to deliver concrete results.