From the Sector

Oritain announced the expansion of its services into leather. This development will enable the fashion, luxury fashion and automotive industries to meet the rising demand for traceability, sustainability, and regulatory compliance.

Oritain’s proprietary methodology already trusted across apparel, food and agriculture, can now verify the geographic origin of leather from key producing countries across Europe, Africa and South America.1 This capability is increasingly vital as regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) are enforced and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) mandates a Digital Product Passport. Such regulations require companies to disclose traceability information that proves their supply chains are transparent and ethically sourced.

The global leather goods market is projected to grow from $493 billion in 2025 to $904 billion in 2035, according to Future Market Insights (FMI, 2025). Meanwhile, the luxury leather goods segment alone is expected to generate over $66 billion in revenue in 2025, as reported by Statista (2025). These growth figures underscore the growing pressure on brands to demonstrate responsible sourcing.

“Leather sourcing is facing heightened scrutiny for its environmental and human rights impacts” said Alyn Franklin, CEO of Oritain. “Our origin verification programs give brands and tanneries the insights they need to make meaningful changes in their supply chain, meet regulatory obligations and build lasting trust with their customers.”

Traceability is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s a strategic imperative. Regulatory frameworks are tightening, and consumer expectations are shifting towards transparency, sustainability, and ethical practices. Brands that fail to meet these standards risk reputational damage, legal consequences, and loss of consumer trust.

Oritain’s extensive origin database and forensic expertise provide a unique solution for brands navigating increasingly complex supply chains. The service is designed to verify sourcing claims made by intermediaries and tanneries, enabling brands to identify deforestation and labour risks, supporting end-to-end supply chain mapping. Whether it’s bespoke handbags, premium footwear, or high-end automotive interiors, Oritain’s product origin verification is tailored to meet the unique needs of the fashion and automotive sectors, offering both precision and adaptability.

This launch follows Oritain’s recent expansion into the timber industry, another commodity highly relevant to concerns surrounding deforestation and subject to scrutiny by regulators. This broader business expansion into new sectors reflects Oritain’s commitment to innovation, and its role in helping clients set new standards for transparency and accountability.

“Our customers are looking for ways to get visibility into their supply chains. Extending our service to leather means we can stand alongside them and have a positive impact on the wider industry, delivering on our vision of being the source of truth in global supply chains” said Paul Bentham, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Oritain.
 
1 Argentina, Nigeria, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Turkey, Albania, France, Netherlands, UK, Germany.

On the occasion of New York Climate Week, Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) has launched the Fashion CEO Agenda 2025, a strategic resource for leaders of fashion brands and retailers, designed to guide immediate action to future-proof businesses while advancing towards a net-positive fashion industry by 2050.

Published at a pivotal mid-decade reflection point - with less than five years remaining to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals and scientists warning of only three years left to alter the trajectory of global warming - the report comes as the industry faces turbulence, from economic volatility and deregulation to escalating climate and social crises.

The updated agenda urges executives to take action according to its long-standing five-priority sustainability framework - Respectful and Secure Work Environments, Better Wage Systems, Resource Stewardship, Smart Material Choices, and Circular Systems. For the first time, the 2025 edition introduces Priority Accelerators: Innovation, Capital, Courage, Incentives, and Regulation. These build on the themes discussed at Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition this year, positioned as critical levers that cut across all five priorities, enabling systemic change at speed and scale.

The Fashion CEO Agenda 2025 is structured in two clear parts: Part one presents overarching ambitions for the fashion sector that demand collective action across stakeholders, while part two outlines the immediate, short-term, practical steps brands and retailers can take today to advance those ambitions.

The 2025 edition builds upon the ambitions first presented in the 2023 Fashion CEO Agenda which were developed through years of stakeholder engagement and validated by GFA and the UN Environment Programme’s global Fashion Industry Target Consultation. Two years on, these ambitions remain central to industry-wide progress. For 2025, they’ve been re-evaluated in consultation with leading multi-stakeholder initiatives and experts to ensure continued ambition, impact, and relevance. The scope now expands to further urgent priorities such as fair and ethical treatment of migrant workers and empowering workers through inclusive automation and reskilling, with a firm focus on the need for transformation that benefits both the planet and its communities.

To support implementation, GFA has also released new complementary materials including a practical toolkit guiding companies to credible existing industry tools, guidelines, and programmes, as well as a presentation deck that fashion leaders can adapt internally to educate teams. These resources are designed to help leaders embed the Fashion CEO Agenda into company strategies and communicate it effectively throughout their organisations.

Federica Marchionni, CEO of Global Fashion Agenda, said: “Climate change is the defining certainty in an uncertain global world, impacting all lives and communities. The investments needed to future-proof businesses will keep increasing and the cost of inaction will inevitably become greater than the investments needed to address it. This year’s Fashion CEO Agenda provides leaders with a clear path to embed sustainability at the heart of corporate strategy, supported by enabling conditions that make bold action both possible and necessary.”

As technical apparel hits the streets, the mountain-focused Swiss brand Mammut is making a statement: mountain wear is for the peaks, not for the pavements! The twist? How they’re backing it up. 

Responding to the trend of overusing shell jackets, puffers, and other outdoor-engineered clothing as fashion or statement pieces, Mammut’s Fall/Winter 25/26 campaign is set to provoke debate, with ad spots already calling out “mountainwear misuse” on the streets of London. The response? The community both loves and hates it, filling comment threads with discussion over just where technical mountainwear truly belongs. 

But the campaign has only just begun. After releasing the Mission Impossible-style edit shot in London, the Mountainwear Misuse Advisory Panel (aka Mammut´s Marketing Department) returned to Switzerland to create a mockumentary skit series featuring Canadian comedian and influencer Katie Burrell as both talent and director.  

The creative was shot at Mammut Headquarters in Seon and in downtown Zürich. Joining Katie were renowned Mammut athletes Jakob Schubert and Lindsey Hamm, along with influencers Jannick Apitz and Tegan Phillips. 
It’s the lead-up to the final act: making it real. Mammut is pleased to add real-world mountain enthusiasts Cara Nemelka and Marius Isman to the Mountainwear Misuse Ranger team.   

The rangers will make it real by taking the newly formed team to Munich’s Oktoberfest, where puffy jackets and shells are sure to adorn the shoulders of revelers who are definitely not headed to the mountains. 

Of course, the mission to curb Mountainwear Misuse comes straight from the top — Mammut CEO Heiko Schäfer has weighed in on the topic:

“After years of exile on city sidewalks, Mammut’s mountaineering apparel is finally being liberated. Thanks to Mountainwear Rescue, down jackets and hardshells are being returned to where they truly belong: glaciers, granite, and into occasional snowstorms. Let’s face it – a hardshell jacket doesn’t dream of espresso foam; it dreams of powder snow, and Gore-Tex wasn’t invented to protect you from latte spills!” 

A joint declaration presented at the Première Vision trade fair: On the occasion of the Première Vision trade fair in Villepinte, the leading European textile and clothing federations issued a solemn call for urgent action against the rapid rise of ultra fast fashion.

This model, driven by major non-European e-commerce platforms, already accounted for 4.5 billion imported parcels in the European Union in 2024—representing 5% of clothing sales (20% online)—and continues to grow at a staggering pace.

The signatories warn of the severe consequences of this phenomenon:

• Explosion of textile waste due to the overproduction of items with a very short lifespan.
• Unbearable pressure on European SMEs, committed to strict social and environmental standards.
• A direct threat to local retailers, accelerating the decline of city centers.
• Practices in breach of European rules, such as VAT fraud, counterfeiting, and unfair competition.

Key demands
The federations call on the European institutions and Member States to act without delay to:

• Enforce the reform of the European Customs Code adopted on 27 June 2025.
• Strengthen controls and sanctions through the DSA and DMA.
• Require e-commerce platforms to appoint legally authorized representatives, so they can be held accountable.
• Introduce taxation on small parcels and abolish the customs duty exemption below €150.
• Ensure VAT collection on these massive flows.
• Engage in dialogue with the Chinese authorities to regulate the practices of their platforms.

European consumers are also invited to choose durable products and support companies investing in quality and innovation.

An unprecedented and united European mobilization
The joint declaration was co-signed by Euratex – The European Apparel and Textile Confederation, UFIMH - Union française des Industries de la mode et de l’Habillement, UIT - Union des Industries Textiles, Confindustria Moda - Federazione Tessile e Moda (Italy), Fedustria (Belgium), Atok (Czech Republic), DM&T - Danish Fashion & Textile (Denmark), Finnish Textile & Fashion (Finland), Textil+Mode (Germany), SEPEE - Hellenic Fashion Industry Association (Greece), LATIA - Lituanian Apparel & Textile Industry Association (Lithuania), Modint (The Netherlands), ATP - Associação Textil e Vestuario de Portugal (Portugal), Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (Serbia), Consejo Intertextil Espanol (Spain), Swiss Textiles (Swiss), WKO - Fachverband der Textil-, Bekleidungs-, Schuh- und Lederindustrie (Austria), Anivec Apiv (Portugal), TEKO - Sveriges Textil- & Modeföretag (Sweden), Creamoda - Belgian Fashion (Belgium), Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp (european alliance of flax and hemp), PIOT - Federation of Apparel & Textiles Industry Employers (Poland).

A call to action
“Ultra fast fashion cannot become the norm. The European Union has both the means and the duty to act immediately to protect its businesses, its workers, and the environment.” – Declaration of the European textile and clothing federations

Tonello, a global leader in garment finishing solutions, presents THE Laser 2.0: a breakthrough that sets a new benchmark for speed, quality, and retrofittability in denim and garment processing.

THE Laser 2.0 is exceptionally fast. Its next-generation fully digital laser source combined with high-performance electronic boards, delivers exceptional marking speeds while preserving the highest standards of quality. With the new Turbo and Hyper modes, processing times can be cut by up to 40%, unlocking productivity without compromising results.

THE Laser 2.0 was designed for pure accuracy, reproducing even the finest details with clarity and consistency. Thanks to its dynamic focusing system, it ensures uniform marking across the entire work area, guaranteeing flawless execution on every garment.

The laser is fully retrofittable, making it easy to integrate into existing production lines. Installation is quick, and its compatibility with Tonello’s Climate technology secures optimal performance even in the most demanding environments.

At the heart of the system is CREA, Tonello’s proprietary software developed with laser designers and technicians worldwide. CREA translates creativity directly into production, offering intuitive tools, automated optimization, and a wide range of working modes to balance maximum quality with maximum speed.

Moda x Pure made a dynamic debut on opening day at Autumn Fair, drawing fashion buyers from across the UK and beyond to the NEC Birmingham. The destination offered an inspiring showcase of womenswear, accessories, footwear, and lifestyle collections, blending returning favourites with exciting new brands, alongside opportunities for inspiration, learning and connection. The buzz on the show floor reflected confident buying decisions, fresh industry connections, and a strong start to the autumn fashion season.

Building on the momentum from its successful Spring Fair launch, Moda x Pure returns with an expanded line-up and a sharpened focus on the evolving needs of independent fashion retailers. This season’s offering features a carefully curated mix of trend-led and ethically minded brands, appealing to a wide range of retailers, from established independents to emerging boutiques, who are seeking season-ready stock, sustainable innovations, and brands aligned with today’s conscious consumer. Among those spotted on the show floor were Wilkies, Bradbeers, WM Nicholls & Co, Just Lily, Rutherford & Co, Oberon, Sister, Shirley Allum, Lilac Rose, Accessorised By Elite, Leaf Clothing, Alligator Pear and Justina.

The positive atmosphere on the Moda x Pure show floor was echoed by both exhibitors and buyers, who shared their excitement about new discoveries, strong orders, and the invaluable opportunity to connect face-to-face. 

Visitors embraced the show’s curated content programme, with the new Retail Corner styled as a British independent shopfront, delivering daily seminars on trends, merchandising, and industry insights to inspire and support retailers beyond the four days of the show. Alex Schlagman, Founder of SaveTheHighStreet.org, took to the stage to give visitors an exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into The Retail Makeover Mission. This inspiring session highlighted how competition winners, OSO Fashion Boutique and Taba Naba, have transformed their businesses with the support of the expert Task Team. Drawing on guidance in branding, visual merchandising, PR, and retail strategy, the session demonstrated how tailored expertise can unlock growth and resilience for independent retailers. Samantha Gibbs, Founder of Nest and Task Team expert advised, “Become an expert of trade shows. If you are a bricks & mortar retailer you are the customer here, and you are a version of your customer back at the shop. So, it's your opportunity to taste, touch and feel the collections.”

Both winners spoke passionately about building community, embracing courage, and setting clear long-term visions, underlining the vital role independents play in the future of the UK high street. Katie Gibbs, Owner of OSO Fashion Boutique shared, “This competition literally spoke to me. I am at the point now where I need to understand the three or four things that I need to focus on as a business to enable me to transform.” Gibbs continued, “Part of it is sustaining what it already is, which is more than just a place you buy clothes, it’s a community hub. I want to retain that, but I also want it to become a powerhouse for profit. I want to build OSO Boutique as a bigger brand, both online and in-store.” More than just success stories, the session highlighted how passion, support, and expert guidance are empowering independents to thrive in today’s competitive market.

Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director of Autumn Fair, said, “Moda x Pure continues to grow as a vibrant hub for independent fashion retailers seeking fresh, ethically minded collections and genuine connections. The energy on opening day is a clear sign that the sector is buzzing with optimism and opportunity. We’re proud to support this community with an inspiring showcase, expert content, and invaluable networking that will help retailers thrive this season and beyond. Moda x Pure is about creating an experience where retailers can source, learn, and connect in one vibrant destination.”

A result of Eastman’s recently announced strategic partnership with Huafon Chemical, the new filament yarn features even higher tenacity, making it the perfect solution for premium lightweight fabrics. 

On August 13, Eastman and Huafon Chemical jointly announced a formal strategic partnership to establish a joint facility to produce cellulose acetate yarn. The facility will be dedicated to localized production and product innovation of Eastman Naia™ cellulose acetate filament yarns in China. This collaboration demonstrates Eastman’s long-term commitment to the Chinese market and further deepens its market presence in China by enabling a more agile supply chain response to meet the market demand for high-quality, innovative, and sustainable textile materials in the region.

With the vision to make sustainable textiles accessible to all, the Eastman Naia™ portfolio offers responsibly sourced, biobased cellulosic fibers and yarns. These eco-friendly options empower mills, designers, and brands to create textiles that do not compromise on comfort, quality, or appearance. 

Naia™ acetate filament yarn is widely recognized and used by both high-end luxury and high-street fashion brands in China and around the world. It is favored for ready-to-wear fashion and linings because of its luxurious silky hand feel, beautiful drape, and rich luster. Beyond aesthetics, Naia™ delivers superior comfort, durability, and ease of care. 

Eastman has developed a robust network of mills and fabric trading partners in China, collaboratively driving innovation to develop some of the most advanced acetate-based fabrics in the global textile market today.