With its biodegradable jute tote bags, diecast toy Land Rovers and wooden train whistles, it might seem to be the ultimate online shop for a certain breed of middle-class parents.
The Bucklebury Gift and Farm Shop, set deep in the Berkshire countryside, certainly has impeccable credentials.
Based on a stone’s throw from the Princess of Wales’ family home in Berkshire village, the mail order business is the latest venture for Kate’s younger sister, Pippa Middleton, who bought the 77-acre site with husband James Matthews in 2020 and hopes to turn it around into thriving commercial enterprise.
She has not had…
MAGIC Brings Back the Big, the Bold and Westernwear
Kelli Freeman, Contributing Writer | Thursday, March 7, 2024
The influence of westernwear was making a comeback, partly due to fashion icon Beyoncé. Fringe and patchwork were seen throughout the aisles at MAGIC Las Vegas, held Feb. 13–15 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where 700 brands launched their Fall/Winter ’24 collections.
Trends on display range from cosmic glam, with metallic finishes and glittering details, to hyper-feminine, powerful-women vibes, including patchwork and denim in earthy hues taking center stage.
Hot items at Los Angeles–based En Saisan were a double-faced, double-breasted suede trench with whipstitch priced at $80 and a matching…
UK opens electronic travel authorization scheme
The UK’s electronic travel authorization (ETA) scheme has officially opened for Qatari nationals who, from today, need one to travel to the UK.
This landmark opening demonstrates the UK government’s delivery in transforming and digitizing the UK border, enabling an increasingly seamless customer experience in the future for the millions of legitimate visitors who come to the UK.
Qataris have been able to apply for their ETA since 25 October 2023, with most doing so using the mobile app, which allows for a simple and fast application.
Last year, the UK welcomed almost 800,000 visitors from the Gulf, 45,000 of…
Bangladesh apparel exporters face soaring air-freight costs: Reports
Air-freight charges for haulage from Dhaka to European destinations have escalated, attributing to increased pressure and capacity constraints amid continued insecurity in seaborne trade.
Media reports maintained this citing the relevant sources while adding exporters are facing the brunt of rising export costs this March, grappling with additional hurdles of trucking cargoes up to New Delhi for air-shipment amid congestion at Dhaka airport.
Freight-forwarders revealed airlines operating from Dhaka to various European destinations were levying between $4.0 and $4.80 per kilogram of goods, an increase from $3.5 in February and $2.0 in January. Rates for transported export goods to the…
Textile Shows Draw Quality-Minded Attendees for SS2025
Downtown Los Angeles’ textile-event roster is expanding from more-than-30-year veterans LA Textiles at the California Market Center to additional productions—The Textile Show at the Cooper Design Space, The Fabric Show Los Angeles at The New Mart and A Fabric Affair at 212 E. 8th St. The Spring/Summer 2025 shows, which were held Feb. 27–March 1, were conveniently hosted within less than a quarter of a mile from one another in the city’s fashion district.
LA Textile promotes collaboration
During its Feb. 28–March 1 run, LA Textile welcomed attendees to the CMC for sourcing, networking and educational seminars. At the Nelly…
Saudi consumers open to new forms of online shopping
DUBAI: The strength and influence of Saudi Arabia’s economy in the world marketplace has grown exponentially during the past few decades.
82 percent of consumers in Saudi Arabia think that more brands and businesses from Saudi Arabia are becoming well known around the world, according to “Emerging Trends: The Forces Shaping the Future Today,” a 14-market study conducted by Ipsos and Facebook IQ – the company’s insights division – focusing on consumer trends and habits in emerging markets.
67 percent of Saudi consumers also said that the Kingdom is now more connected to the rest of the world than ever…
Walmart, unspun partner on 3D fabric weaving technology
Walmart is kicking off a pilot project with unspun, a fashion tech company using the world’s first 3D weaving technology. If successful, the collaboration could help reduce the environmental impact of garment production, offer a more sustainable process to meet apparel demand and support the companies’ shared commitment to shift more textile manufacturing back to the United States. Out of its micro factory in Oakland, Calif., unspun claims its technology is designed to more quickly and efficiently transform yarn into garments.
The pilot project directly addresses concerns about waste in the apparel industry—a significant global challenge—driven primarily by fabric loss…
Canada’s Lululemon Athletica’s revenue jumps 19% in FY23
Lululemon Athletica, a Canadian athletic apparel company, has reported a net revenue increase of 19 per cent in fiscal 2023 (FY23), reaching $9.6 billion, with a noteworthy 20 per cent rise on a constant currency basis. This growth was driven by a substantial 54 per cent increase in international net revenue, or 58 per cent on a constant dollar basis, alongside a solid 12 per cent rise in the Americas.
Comparable sales across the board rose by 13 per cent, or 14 per cent when adjusted for constant dollar terms, indicating strong consumer loyalty and new customer acquisition. Notably, international…