Sustainability, functionality, differentiation and personalisation are the “mega trends” that will drive the growth of the textile and clothing industry, according to a new report from Lux Research, a research and data company in New York.
As the report points out, human beings have been weaving cloth since the Paleolithic era, and "fabrics and textiles are rooted deep in human history". But the textile and clothing industries are at a crossroads, as brands and consumers seek out sustainable products with greater functionality and a cleaner manufacturing record.
This creates new opportunities for innovation, and sustainability must be a key driver – from upstream sourcing and manufacturing to downstream reclamation and recycling. The report highlights how this is being achieved by individual brands such as Adidas and Patagonia, as well as collective efforts such as The Fashion Pact, the UN's Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action and Greenpeace's Detox 2020.
Functionality will become increasingly important as consumers demand “improved product performance, novelty or a unique aesthetic”. Desirable features of a new breed of fabrics include stain prevention, odour blocking, increased durability or “smart" elements such as functional coatings, additives or sensors.
The report presents a timeline of how quickly innovative textile technologies are likely to be adopted on a commercial scale. Functional coatings and finishes will be the first to be widely incorporated, within one to two years, while wide-scale recycling of polyester and cellulose is expected within a three to five-year period. Water-free dyeing processes, fibre innovations and smart textiles are not expected to become commonplace for at least another five years.
Smart textiles, which integrate electronic capabilities into common fabrics and can interact with the environment and/or the user, have some way to go before they will become widespread. “Washability, durability, and manufacturability are major challenges – most devices have removable electronic clips that cannot be washed,” the report maintains.
Enhanced personalisation is also key to the future growth of the industry, meaning that brands will have to offer more customised products and experiences, whether through targeted promotions, personalised apps or engravings on products.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
About Tenderd
Started: May 2018
Founder: Arjun Mohan
Based: Dubai
Size: 23 employees
Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
FINAL RESULT
Sharjah Wanderers 20 Dubai Tigers 25 (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries: Gormley, Penalty
cons: Flaherty
Pens: Flaherty 2
Tigers
Tries: O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons: Caldwell 2
Pens: Caldwell, Cross
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Malcolm & Marie
Directed by: Sam Levinson
Starring: John David Washington and Zendaya
Three stars
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AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
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The specs: 2019 BMW X4
Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.0L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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