#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2020-05-07

VF Corporation Brands donate nearly USD 55,000 to Outdoor Industry Association

VF Corporation, one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies, today announced that some of its brands, including The North Face®, Timberland®, Icebreaker®, Smartwool®, Eagle Creek®, and Altra® will donate 15 percent of their Outdoor Retailer Summer Market refund to Outdoor Industry Association (OIA). The funds will directly support OIA’s small business members by providing the necessary tools, resources, and advocacy to help them get through the COVID-19 crisis, as well as help sustain OIA’s core mission-driven work.

The North Face®, Timberland®, Icebreaker®, Smartwool®, Eagle Creek® and Altra® Donate Portions of Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Refund to Outdoor Industry Association

“While no company is immune to the impacts of COVID-19, we recognize there are disproportionate impacts on non-profit organizations like OIA,” said Jen McLaren, Brand President, Smartwool®. “OIA is important to our industry and the work they do directly supports small businesses. We believe it’s important to support those who support our industry, and we want to make sure OIA can continue doing great work.”

Due to the ongoing safety concerns over the COVID-19 virus, the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market tradeshow was canceled, creating a critical funding gap in OIA’s traditional revenue stream. As a result of the cancellation, hundreds of would-be exhibitors received refunds, including several of VF’s Outdoor brands.

“We are extremely grateful that VF is stepping up to support the important work OIA does by providing a voice for the industry, resources, tools and guidance that help our 1,300 member companies, including many small businesses that depend on us for support,” Lise Aangeenbrug, OIA Executive Director. “VF and its brands are true pillars of purpose-led leadership in our industry. We hope other brands will follow their lead and support us as we continue serving the outdoor industry.”

Exhibitors who would like to donate a portion of their booth costs or refunds to OIA can do so by contacting Jennifer Pringle at jpringle@outdoorindustry.org.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Messe Frankfurt commits further to East Africa: three textiles trade fairs during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week from 2027

Messe Frankfurt and its Texpertise Network continue their steady, successful trajectory in the region. As Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) opened today, Member of the Executive Board Detlef Braun announced that Messe Frankfurt is licencing its three leading international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya for the first time in 2027. From now on, they will take place annually as part of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) Nairobi.

“We Believe in the Value of Textiles”: Successful Opening of the KARL MAYER TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER

KARL MAYER inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) with a four-day opening week from April 21 to 24. The highlight of the week was the grand opening on Thursday, which drew a strong turnout from the international textile industry: around 220 customers, brands, and partners from across the textile value chain came to the company’s headquarters in Obertshausen for a first-hand look at the new high-tech development environment and lively exchange with industry peers.

Texhibition Istanbul signals stability and global connectivity

From 4 to 6 March 2026, Texhibition Istanbul once again brought together the international textile industry at the Istanbul Expo Center. Organized by İTKİB Fuarcılık A.Ş. in cooperation with the Istanbul Textile Exporters Association (İTHİB), the fair confirmed its role as one of the most important international sourcing platforms for fabrics and textile innovation. With 500+ exhibitors across 5 halls on 42,850 sqm, the trade fair attracted 19,325 visitors. Among them, 5.565 international visitors represented Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, North America, and other regions, underlining the show’s expanding global reach.

STFI highlights textile circular economy and alternative fibres at INDEX™ 2026

From 19 to 22 May 2026, INDEX will invite visitors to Lake Geneva for the world's leading nonwovens trade fair. The Centre of Excellence in Nonwovens at the Sächsisches Textilforschung- sinstitut e.V. (STFI) will be in attendance to present the latest developments in nonwovens research. In the field of the textile circular economy, the STFI will present acoustically effective nonwovens made from chemical recycling residues. The range also includes innovations aimed at replacing conventional raw materials, such as the biobased and biodegradable polymer polybutylene succinate (PBS) and Kendyr as an alternative to cotton.

FET’s revolutionary gel spinning system wins Techtextil Innovation Award

FET has received the prestigious Techtextil Innovation Award 2026 in the New Production Technology category. The Techtextil Innovation Award honours outstanding ideas in textile technology, sustainability, AI and the creation of technical textiles, selected by an international jury of experts. Ranging from new materials to new production technologies, this award recognises progressive ideas that are driving forces for numerous industries, such as automotive, medical and construction.