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The +J summer collection, created with established fashion designer Ms. Jil Sander, will be launching in selected UNIQLO UK stores on Thursday 31 March. This limited edition collection will be available from 1am online and from 10am at UNIQLO 311 Oxford Street and Westfield London.
Since its initial launch in October 2009, the +J collection has been highly acclaimed throughout the world, gaining global esteem and recognition with each collection and most recently winning the prestigious 2011 Brit Insurance Fashion Award at the 2011 Brit Insurance Design Awards.
'As a collection, +J is still in its infancy. We feel all the more encouraged to be deemed relevant as a project which wishes to make the world a better place'. Ms. Jil Sander, upon receiving the 2011 Brit Insurance Fashion Award.
'We are absolutely delighted to receive the 2011 Brit Insurance Fashion Award for the +J collection. To be up against the likes of some of the most influential and established designers in the industry, and to win, is a great honour. UNIQLO and Ms. Jil Sander has proved to be a unique partnership over the last two years and this award only serves to reaffirm this'. Simon Coble, UNIQLO UK CEO.
The summer 2011 +J collection emphasises the colour blocking trend this season; featuring bold colour contrasts of fiery red and cobalt blue, matched with chalky whites and pillar of stone taupe. Weightless pieces include delicately pleated dresses, form fitting jackets and tailored shorts in techno-taffeta and lightweight cotton twill.
In order to cash in on the strong sales of its "Vortex" spinning machines and to expand the same, Murata Machinery Ltd is launching a permanent outlet for the brand in Shanghai in May 2011. This would be the first ever exclusive "Vortex" outlet across the globe.
More and more companies prefer to install Vortex machines, due to its aptness to spin rayon yarns which are reasonably smooth with great anti-pilling traits.
Several spinners in China and Southeast Asia have already installed Murata machines, while the company is stressing on bringing the advantages of "Vortex" yarn to the notice of apparel producers.
A leading Bangladeshi firm has also installed "Vortex", and owing to the same, there has been a rush in inquiries from the firms from competing as well as other countries like Indonesia, India, Turkey, China and Vietnam which have shown great interest in introducing the machines in their firms.
Moreover, Murata is also hopeful about new inquiries coming in from Pakistan, as a leading Pakistani firm has decided to install the company's machinery.
Hong Kong-based consumer goods sourcing and logistics company Li & Fung has predicted beginning of a new era of rising purchase prices.
The company said that the cost of raw materials as well as labor have increased significantly in China. In this situation, manufacturing enterprises have been left with no other option, but to pass on price rise to customers.
Li & Fung is one of the biggest suppliers to Wal-Mart and GAP in the United States. It is on the supplier list of the Debenhams and other companies in the United Kingdom too. The company registered profit rise of 27 percent in 2010. Its profit in 2010 was HK $4.28 billion (US $550 million).
President Bruce Rockowitz told that though the industry is in dilemma about the price rise, it had really become a foregone conclusion. He added that retailers were not sure what can be passed on to consumers and what can’t be.
Managing Director of Li & Fung Group William Fung said that increased competition in China's labor sector had led to wage increases by about 20 percent this year. Due to rising labor cost, China is on the verge of losing the edge in the world economy, he added.
China's rising labor costs has prompted Li & Fung to shift its production of clothing and other labor-intensive goods to countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam and Indonesia where cheap labor is available.
Due to a series of acquisitions last year, China's share in Li & Fung's total supply increased from 54 percent in 2009 to 57 percent in 2010.
Organized by the Institute of Textiles and Clothing (ITC) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the Fourth International Symposium of Intimate Apparel was held on March 29 at the PolyU campus to promote the exchange of the latest knowledge and development of intimate apparel among academics and industrialists. The event was supported by the world's leading lingerie and beachwear trade show organizer Eurovet as well as the Hong Kong Intimate Apparel Industries' Association Ltd.
The theme of this year's Symposium was "Modern Shapewear" and it has brought together some 220 local and overseas lingerie experts to share their insights and experiences. It was kicked off by Professor Tao Xiao-ming, Head and Chair Professor of ITC, and Mr Kenneth Wong, Chairman of Hong Kong Intimate Apparel Industries' Association and Director – Sales & Marketing of Top Form Brassiere Mfg Co. Ltd.
Research and development on glamorous and functional shapewear has become the current focus of the intimate apparel industry. It brings about a reform in intimate apparel with advanced textile technologies and new designs. This symposium discussed the latest technology and development as well as the global market of modern shapewear. It sharpened the industry's competitive edge on product design and innovation in the global market.
Distinguished speakers were invited to share their ideas and experience. Professor Fan Jin-tu, Associate Head of ITC, spoke on "Perception of Beauty"; Mr Hiroshi Imai, President and Representative Director, Wacoal (Shanghai) R&D Co., Ltd., talked about "Body Image and Body Shape"; Ms Michelle Rice, Global Director, Intimate Apparel & Swimwear, Invista (HK) Ltd., spoke on "Global Markets of Shapewear"; and Ms Niki McMorrough, CEO & Creative Director, Made by Niki Lingerie, delivered a talk on "Luxury Shapewear Design".
Established with strong industrial support in 2005, the Ace Style Institute of Intimate Apparel of ITC is the first lingerie institute in the Asia Pacific. Over the years, the Institute's research has reaped fruitful results and gained international reputation. Its graduates from the BA (Hons) programme in Intimate Apparel are well sought after by the industry. Starting from 2008/09 academic year, the programme has been converted to a government-funded articulation programme. This milestone not only signifies the quality of the programme, but also charts a new chapter in the development of local tertiary education in lingerie.
Innovations in shapewear and the application of 3D consumer shape data to swim and sportswear design, development and fit is the key to customer satisfaction, increased sales and diminished returns. This was the advice given to nearly 100 delegates at the ASBCI’s recent swim and sportswear seminar, held in Hinckley Island Hotel, Hinckley, Leicestershire, on March 9th 2011, run in association with Lingerie Buyer magazine.
Ten eminent speakers from the swimwear, sports clothing, shapewear, trend forecasting, textile development and testing sectors took to the podium to share their expertise at the seminar entitled: ‘Look good, feel good, smell good - Industry countdown to 2012’.
Speakers advised that in the run up to the Olympics 2012 the distinction between sports and leisure wear will continue to merge while advances in moisture management, anti-microbial finishes and lightweight laminate structures are revolutionising the design and performance of active sports apparel.
Visual 2000 International Inc. continues its rapid global expansion with the opening of a satellite office in Shanghai, China.
The new facility is currently staffed with software development and quality control teams that will also provide support and localization for the company's End-2-End fashion software solutions in the Asia Pacific region. The company plans to expand the operation to include local sales representation, implementation and training services over the coming months.
"Adding this operation in China will help us sustain our fast growth in Asia and around the globe", stated Vice President of Research and Development Charles Benoualid. "The added resources will ensure our ability to quickly develop new features and options for our solutions and allow us to maintain quick response to growing customer demand for our out-of-the-box solutions and rapid implementation schedules."
Working under the direction of the lead research and development unit in Montreal, the Chinese staff significantly expands the company's bench of Microsoft .NET programmers and provides localization support for the Visual 2000 enterprise resource planning (ERP), product lifecycle management (PLM), business intelligence (BI), and other business software solutions.
"We are pleased with the skill levels and commitment to quality of our new Shanghai team", added Benoualid. "With the guidance and oversight of our existing staff, we believe this office will quickly and positively impact the development of our current and future products."
Visual 2000 International Inc. develops and markets End-2-End software solutions for the Apparel, Footwear and Accessories (AFA) industry; including Visual PLM.net product lifecycle management (PLM), Visual ERP.net enterprise resource planning (ERP), Visual SCM.net supply chain management (SCM), Visual WMS.net warehouse management system (WMS), Visual BI.net business intelligence (BI), Visual EDI.net electronic data interchange (EDI), and Visual SFA.net sales force automation software (SFA) solutions.
The very first Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles Spring Edition will open for business at INTEX Shanghai and ShanghaiMart next weekend. The new three-day fair held from 2 – 4 April 2011 features 216 suppliers from Austria, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and the USA.
These manufacturers, on more than 25,400 sqm, will present an impressive range of household linens, wall and window decorations, upholstery fabrics, textiles for contract market, interior design and textile handicrafts and accessories, together with other home textile related products and services.
Tailored to meet the requirements of the domestic market, the Haining Home Textile Association and the Yuhang Home Textile Association have organised pavilions that occupy more than half of the exhibition area. In these areas, buyers can find an extensive assortment of decorative fabrics from renowned brands such as Haining Jinbaili, Hangzhou Kelida and Zhejiang Maya Fabric.
Fair participants also have the opportunity to see and source the latest fibrefill technology from Invista and cellulosic fibre technology from Lenzing.
Buyers have the chance to get tomorrow's inspirations from top Japanese design studios. Atelier Mineeda Co Ltd, Cosmo Kumagai and Nix Co Ltd will showcase a remarkable array of home textile concepts at the fair.
Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles Spring Edition is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT and the China Home Textile Association (CHTA).
The internationally renowned Intertextile Beijing Apparel Fabrics, will take place for three days from 30 March 2011 at the China International Exhibition Centre. Nearly 1,200 suppliers from around the world are confirmed to participate, an increase of 6 percent from the previous show. Originating from 16 countries and regions, exhibitors will showcase a variety of products suitable for menswear, ladieswear, casualwear, functional / sportswear and denim on 50,000 sqm of exhibition space.
"Intertextile Beijing Apparel Fabrics has yet to reach its fullest potential," stated Ms Wendy Wen, Director, Trade Fairs for Messe Frankfurt HK Ltd. "Each season, our show grows in scope, from expanding our product sectors to finding new suppliers, we are committed to help drive the textile market sector in China forward."
She added, "A clear indication of our team's dedication is the growing number of top retailers who are attending, such as Burberry, Mango, Newtimes, Polo Ralph Lauren and TAL who will participate in our exclusive Business Matching Programme. We are confident that attendees will not only see the difference but feel it as well."
A focal point at this year's spring fair is the new SalonEurope (Hall 3), which groups some suppliers into pavilions from Germany and Italy; as well as individual suppliers from Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK. Visitors can expect to find accessories, cotton blends, wovens and silks, plus many other luxurious materials including super fine wools, mohair and cashmere in the SalonEurope.
Aside from European made products, a collection of items made by reputable and established Asian manufacturers will be on-site. These include a Japan zone (Hall 4) as well as country / region pavilions from Korea (Hall 2), Pakistan (Hall 4) and Taiwan (Hall 4). An assortment of denim, cotton, functional and eco textiles are offered in these special areas.
Additional country / region representation includes: Austria, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Thailand and the US. Another key component of the product groups offered at the show is the expanded Accessories area, occupying the entire hall 9 and a portion of hall 7.
Meanwhile, some 900 suppliers from China offer competitively priced products and are organised into product end use (Halls 1, 5 - 9) including shirtings, ladieswear, casualwear, functional wear/sportswear, shirtings, denim and accessories.
One of the fair favourites, the Intertextile Directions trend forum (Hall 2) incorporates references on specific colour ranges, directions on fabrics, prints and garments, delivering an energetic insight for the SS12. This season, forecasters from Doneger Creative Services – New York, the US are in-charge of the entire conceptual on-site design.
Also ideal for inspiration are the two Fabrics China trend forums offering a glimpse into what fabrics, colours and textures will be in style for both menwsear (Hall 1A1) and ladieswear (Hall 8A) for the following SS12 season.
Hong Kong-based multinational Li & Fung Limited announced strong core operating profit growth of 42% in 2010, reflecting solid organic growth and significant margin expansion from onshore businesses. It also announced the details of its new Three-Year Plan for 2011-2013, which include reaching core operating profit of US$1.5 billion by 2013.
For the year ended 31 December 2010, the Group's turnover grew 19% over the year before to HK$124.1 billion (US$15,912 million), reflecting improving consumer sentiment. Core operating profit increased to HK$5,656 million (US$725 million) as a result of further margin improvement from the higher-margin onshore businesses of the United States and Europe.
Profit attributable to shareholders reached HK$4,278 million (US$548 million), an increase of 27% compared to 2009. Basic earnings per share were 111.9 HK cents, an increase of 23% compared to 91 HK cents in 2009.
The Board of Directors ("Directors") has proposed a final dividend of 52 HK cents per share (2009: 49 HK cents).
The Directors of the Group propose that each of the existing issued and unissued shares of par value of 2.5 HK cents each in the share capital of the Group be subdivided into two shares of par value of 1.25 HK cents each in order to improve market circulation of the shares.
Mr. William K Fung, Group Managing Director of Li & Fung Limited, said, "This marks the end of our Three-Year Plan 2008-2010, which finished with a robust performance that underscores the dynamics of our businesses and the operational excellence we achieved despite the financial crisis and recession. We also concluded the year by making major progress on shaping the future of our business and laying a solid foundation for our new Three-Year Plan."
"Now, with the acquisition of Integrated Distribution Services Group Limited ("IDS"), we are able to offer the most comprehensive supply chain solutions to our customers. It has also expanded our geographical coverage for future growth, while at the same time strengthening our distribution network to capitalize on growing opportunities in emerging markets."
Today the Group also announced the details of its new Three-Year Plan 2011-2013. The Group has set a target of reaching US$1.5 billion in core operating profit by 2013, with trading, logistics and onshore expected to contribute US$700 million, US$100 million and US$700 million respectively.
Mr. Bruce Rockowitz, President of Li & Fung (Trading) Limited, said, "This new Three-Year Plan marks the beginning of a new era at Li & Fung, one in which higher prices have brought the industry status quo to an end. We have grown from one global network to three – trading, logistics and onshore – but the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts. While the Three-Year Plan targets are once again ambitious, we are confident about us achieving them because the Group now covers the entire supply chain end-to-end and is well positioned to grow across these three distinct yet interconnected networks.
"We will also continue to pursue our two-pronged strategy of pursuing acquisitions to complement our organic business growth, while maintaining our solid balance sheet and financial strengths," Mr. Rockowitz concluded.
Li & Fung Limited, the Hong Kong-headquartered multinational group, is recognized as the world's leader in consumer goods design, development, sourcing and distribution.
The 15th International Exhibition on Textile Industry (ShanghaiTex 2011) will be held at Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Pudong, Shanghai during June 14 – 17, 2011. With 3 months ahead, China and overseas exhibitors are busy preparing their exhibition items and highlights. Several exhibitors have previewed their new machines and technology for a glance.
Grand Showcase of Chinese Exhibitors
Benefited from new policy of the textile industry in China and global integration of market demand, organizers unveiled that more than 60% exhibitors of ShanghaiTex 2011 are from Chinese mainland and they aim to promote their export business by displaying their latest machines with new function and environmental-friendly, technological innovative equipment. This injects momentum and perspective to ShanghaiTex.
Switzerland's Santex is a textile machinery manufacturer, which specialized in investigation and knitted fabric finishing. Their products are awarded as top quality standard. In recent years, they have launched many high-efficiency and environmental friendly textile products that are welcomed by local and overseas customers. By taking part in W4 (Printing, Dyeing & Finishing Machinery & Textile Chemicals Zone), Santex will display Santastretch Plus, Santaspread, Santacompact CK, Santashrink Progress, Santabrush, SM6, Plurima, etc.
Italy's BTSR, setting up booth in W1 (Knitting & Hosiery Machinery Zone), proves itself to be one of the leading companies in yarn control solution design and development. BTSR will demonstrate Rolling Feeder at Shanghaitex 2011. ROLLING FEEDER is the ultimate BTSR innovation in bare elastomers feeding control, which is devised to impact seamless and knitting sectors habits and trends tied to bare elastomers applications.
Besides W1, W3 and W4, "Spinning, Nonwoven & Techtextile Machinery Zone" and "Spare Parts & Accessories Zone", are full and more exhibitors in these zones will be previewed soon. More than 1,000 local and overseas exhibitors will participate at ShanghaiTex and total exhibition area is expected to reach 92,000 sqm.
Active Support from Industry Associations
Being the long-standing textile machinery exhibition in the industry, ShanghaiTex's strong authority and the influential effect have been widely recognized and supported by many local and overseas industry associations. ShanghaiTex 2011 has gained the active support from numerous textile and garment associations from China and in the globe, such as China's Shenzhen, Foshan ChangCha, Shantou, Lishui, Nanhai, Pujiang etc. while buyer delegations from India, Vietnam, Korea, etc are being organized to visit the show.
Sponsored by Shanghai Textile Holding (Group) Corporation, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanghai Sub-council and China Chamber of International Commerce Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, ShanghaiTex is organized by Shanghai International Exhibition Co Ltd., Shanghai Textile Technology Service & Exhibition Centre and Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd.
