#Associations

2020-10-15

Digital Pre-Convention Event to the 36th IAF World Fashion Convention

Coming November 10 and 11, the International Apparel Federation (IAF) will digitally host a ‘Pre-convention Event’ to its 36th World Fashion Convention due to take place in Antwerp June 7 – 9, 2021. We cannot meet physically in Antwerp now in 2020, but at the same time we cannot wait to discuss the topics that shape our industry’s future. Therefore, we are starting the discussions around the theme of the IAF’s 36th World Fashion Convention, “Transition in the Global Fashion System” already now, in November 2020, on www.iafconventionantwerp.com.

The digital pre-convention event will consist of two components. Firstly, on November 10 at 9 am CET, IAF will place online 5- minute movie clips by 7 prominent IAF members. Together these speakers will provide a unique global and cross-industry collection of visionary statements on the industry’s future. Second, on November 10 and on November 11, IAF will present a series of four different types online sessions, each tackling a major issue for the global apparel industry, bringing together relevant players in the fashion ecosystem.

The flagship session of these four will be an IAF-MOTIF webinar titled “Shared Risk and Reward in the Fashion Supply Chain”. Our three speakers will be: John Thorbeck, CEO of Chainge Capital and global expert in the field of fashion business transformation; Liz Simon, Chief Sustainable Transformation Officer at Fashion3, the fashion arm of AFM, the large family holding containing also Decathlon and Auchan and Anne Patricia Sutanto, Vice President at PT Pan Brothers, Indonesia’s largest apparel manufacturer. This webinar will answer the fundamental industry question whether the balancing of risk ánd reward is one of the keys to unlocking a better overall performance of the supply chain.

In the second session, IAF will connect its members and relations to the Fashion Technology Alliance project, a major global project bringing together educators, large and small brands and fashion technology providers. Some of the participants are London College of Fashion, Decathlon and PVH. The session will shed an interesting light on some of the new job descriptions and requirements required by the apparel industry because of the 3D digital design. The third session will discuss industry standards for digitization of product design and development, particularly the communication on digital fabric characteristics. A lot of work on standardization has been done by several brands and in this session the worlds of large brands and retailers and the rest of the industry are brought together. Finally, the fourth session tackles the long existing and prominent problem of audit and standard fatigue. IAF and ITMF have teamed up with the ITC (International Trade Centre) and will explain their progress in this project.

Industry business model transformation, the role of education and standardization are all topics driving our industry’s transition. IAF invites the industry to the conversations that really matter. Registrations for all sessions can be done through http://www.iafconventionantwerp.com.

Attendance is free and on a first come first serve basis.

IAF Position on tariffs

The International Apparel Federation (IAF) represents the apparel manufacturing community across more than 40 countries—a global industry comprising hundreds of thousands of companies and millions of employees. Apparel and textiles are among the most globalized industries, historically foundational to industrial development around the world.

IAF and ITMF unite global fashion and textile leaders

The joint ITMF Annual Conference and IAF World Fashion Convention was held on September 8-10 in the historic city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This year’s convention, co-organized by the International Apparel Federation (IAF) and the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), and hosted by Uztextileprom, the Uzbekistan Textile and Garment Industry Association, and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Uzbekistan highlighted the crucial interdependence of our sectors.

Partnership ITC and IAF: Full supply chain profitability

The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) announce a partnership to stimulate innovation towards “full supply chain profitability” for apparel manufacturers and brands. The first phase of collaboration is research to be previewed at the 38th IAF World Fashion Convention, Philadelphia, October 23-24. Applying learning in autos and electronics, a joint study articulates how material suppliers and garment manufacturers create ‘smart flexibility’ by postponing production commitments closer to actual demand, unlocking capital from unneeded inventory and excess production. Smart Flexibility is a new approach that uses a mix of process and data tools enabling suppliers to create additional value for brands and manufacturers alike that supersedes the benefits of lowest cost global sourcing.

Engineering depth and diversity for composites

Airbond is the latest member of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) to receive recognition for contributions to the composites industry. The engineering firm based in Pontypool, South Wales, has just received the Make UK Energy and Sustainability Award for its Lattice 3D Printing project.

FITA, ABIT and EURATEX underline strategic importance of Mercosur – EU Partnership Agreement for the textile and apparel industry

The Argentine Textile Industry Federation (FITA), the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (ABIT), and the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX) continue to monitor the process of internalizing the Mercosur-European Union Partnership Agreement. This agreement is essential for the competitiveness of our industries, on both sides of the Atlantic.

Testing and research laboratory ensures safe and more sustainable products worldwide

For 80 years, Hohenstein has stood for independent testing, scientific expertise and practical solutions. Today, the testing and research service provider supports manufacturers and brands worldwide in making textiles, hardlines and medical devices safe, more sustainable and market-ready – thereby building trust among consumers. With an international presence and interdisciplinary expertise, Hohenstein supports its customers from production through to market launch, helping them navigate an environment of growing regulatory and societal demands.

Perfect quality through collaboration: Machinery from Trützschler, Toyota and Murata at Zirve Tekstil

In today’s textile industry, excellence is not achieved by chance – it’s the result of deliberate decisions, technical expertise, and the courage to go beyond conventional paths. The Turkish company Zirve Tekstil has done just that: by combining the best technologies from Trützschler, Toyota and Murata, they’ve created a production setup that delivers outstanding yarn quality – recognized worldwide.

Award-winning research for sustainable carbon fibre cycles

Sustainable recycling of carbon fibres is possible through targeted electrochemical surface modification, which makes the sizing of carbon fibres resistant to solvolysis. ITA PhD student Sabina Dann was awarded the MSW Award from RWTH Aachen University for her master's thesis on this development. The award ceremony took place on 12 November 2025 in Aachen.