Indian textile industry seems to have done fairly well in 2005, according to newly released numbers. In the first year after the abolishing of the quota regime, Indian manufactures have seen their business grow dramatically at the expense of several smaller players. Overall, India was surpassed only by China in growth as the source of textile garments for the western garment companies. Overall growth in India’s textile and apparel exports to the EU grew by 30% last year while those to the USA soared by 34%. Here is a breakdown of the exports growth seen between US and EU markets:

Cotton skirts - EU + 304%, USA + 239%

Women’s and girls’ cotton blouses - EU + 56%, US +103%

Men’s and boys’ knitted cotton shirts - EU + 54%, US

Women’s and Girls’ man-made fibre blouses - EU + 52%, US +69%

Men’s and boys’ cotton trousers - EU + 50%, US - +50%

Read more in this news report from our friends at just-style.com

Well, the Danes sure seem to believe so! Just after the completion of the Copenhagen Fashion Show, the survey done by Danish Fashion Institute and the Danish Commerce and Service seemed to suggest that the fashion industry participants in the show believe that Copenhagen is on its way to becoming the fifth fashion capital after Paris, New York, Milan and London.

Come on, now. We know that Danes are a beautiful bunch, and they do know their designs (or atleast IKEA does), but fashion? Well…..

But, you can read more about it here.

Magic, the largest garments and textiles show on the planet is about to kickoff in Las Vegas. More than 3000 manufactures will be there, and over 100,000 will go through the show in three days! If you haven’t been to Magic, you absolutely have to go. Its is major event. For more information click here

This year, Magic has moved into the new larger Las Vegas convention center and is a much more expanded show than before. Unfortunately, we will miss this Magic show due to some other engagements. But if you go, please drop us a line and let us know how things went. We are always curious to know if the business was good or not. That said, JD Corp is planning to be at the August show, so if you miss us there this time, don’t worry. We will see you for sure in August.

Olympus Fashion Week is gearing for a kickoff on Feb 3rd with a bevy of designers showing their Fall designs/collections. The Friday Feb 3rd schedule includes the likes of Kenneth Cole, John Bartlette, and Akiko Ogawa.

The week long fashion extravaganza will be held at Bryant Park with events held at various locations. To learn more about the event, and to find out how to attend the fashin shows, Click Here

Since last wednesday Dock workers all over Europe have been striking to protest the new proposed legislation that would open up port activities to competition. On Wednesday, in a march in Strasbourg, the port workers smashed windows and clashed with Police. Such violent protest is not unknown as Europe is known to be more sympathetic to small family oriented business than lets say USA, where efficiency and competition rules.

However, it is likely that the proposal will be defeated in the upcoming vote as European legislators do not have stomach for a long, extended fight on this issue. Read more here

Meanwhile, expect delays if you are in Europe and expecting cargo from us. Or if you are in a country where the cargo goes via one of the European ports.

The ASAP Global Sourcing Show for garments, will be held from February 20 - 23, 2006, at Sands Expo Convention Center Hall A, Las Vegas, NV .

The show apparantly is held in Las Vegas twice a year - February and August, and touts itself as a the authority in global sourcing by the apparel industry. Does any one have any idea how good this show is? We have never exhibited at this show, and would not do so unless some one vouches for its strengths.

Being held so close to the Magic, I wonder if it is worth participating in this show. But, if you are interested in participating, here is the link to their website.

The 2006 Winter Market, which will take place in Salt Lake City from January 28-31, 2006, will feature over 670 exhibiting companies across a 277,500 square feet of floor space.ce

With close to 20 new exhibitors, Winter Market is completely sold out for the first time in its 17-year history and has grown from 400 to 2,810 booths since its premier in 1990.

But it may be too late to exhibit at this show, as we hear that the show is completely sold out. May be you can go as an attendee instead!

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC), World Boutique, Hong Kong will be staged at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from January 17 - 20, 2006. This is the fourth time that the show is being hosted.

Here is a link to the webcast from 2005 trade show.

Here is the link to the 2006 Hong Kong Fashion Week Show.

Looks like the 2005 Holiday season was a big success for clothing eTailers like Gap, Eddie Bauer, Walmart. A eSpending report has come out which suggests that people are getting comfortable with buying garments online!

A Goldman, Sachs & Co, Nielsen/NetRatings and Harris Interactive for the Holiday eSpending Report indicates that clothing topped the online buyers choice while clubbing computers and consumer electronics together, ensured the latter two to top and corner 28 percent of the online spend at $3.75 billion and $3.67 billion, respectively.

The study was conducted covering 1000 adults and was restricted to US buying alone.