Clothing Industry Research Articles

Core 2.0 Nebulization Technique - A Sustainable Denim Finishing Approach

Sustainability has emerged as a key concept in the modern techniques of washing and treating denim. The clothing industry, specifically the denim washing sector, confronts substantial sustainability issues due to its impact on water pollution and the generation of large quantities of chemical waste. This research aims to investigate the long-term sustainability of the nebulization process in the context of denim finishing. The goal is to assess the dependability of the technology as a feasible option by demonstrating its effectiveness using environmental impact measuring software. The environmental impact assessment assesses the ecological consequences of clothing across four fundamental areas: water usage, chemical utilisation, energy consumption in the production process, and labour implications. The aforementioned methods proved to have low energy and water demands, resulting in less waste and pollution. This study evaluated several aspects of nebulization on denim and concluded that nebulization is a beneficial method for applying eco-friendly finishing.

Fashion Recommendation System and Virtual Trial Room

The fashion industry has recently witnessed massive growth in the clothing and textile industries. In e-commerce marketplaces, where there are many options accessible, relevant product material or information can be filtered, arranged, and efficiently communicated to users. As the standard of living increased, people's attention began to shift towards fashion, which is considered to be a common form of aesthetic expression. The development of the fashion business over time has been influenced by this human tendency. The abundance of clothing alternatives on e-commerce sites, however, has made it more difficult for customers to select the ideal outfit. In this article, we describe a personalised fashion recommender system that generates suggestions for the user based on input. In order to enhance the consumer shopping experience, we developed a software application that combines a recommender system with the OpenCV and TensorFlow technologies. This will enable customers to virtually try on clothing without having to wait in a large queue. The application uses OpenCV to map the clothes onto the customer’s body, the customer can then have a look at it and decide whether to buy the clothes or not. According to the results, there is no need to visit trial rooms because the mapping is done precisely onto the user's body. Thus, our app offers a quick, simple, and accurate method of trying on clothing, and we think that will help shape the retail sector.

A comparative study of Indian and Chinese textile and clothing exports in post-MFA environment

Purpose This paper aims to examine and compare the export performance and competitiveness of Indian and Chinese textile and clothing industry in post-multifibre arrangement (MFA) era. Design/methodology/approach Balassa’s revealed comparative advantage Index is used to assess the competitiveness of Indian and Chinese textile and clothing exports. Findings The results indicate that China’s textiles and garments sector holds a greater proportion of the global market compared with India. India has a robust comparative advantage in silk, carpets and cotton post-MFA. Vegetable textile fibers, paper yarn and woven fabrics of paper yarn are also competitive. China had a strong comparative advantage in silk and fabrics; special woven fabrics, tafted textile fabrics, lace, tapestries, trimmings and embroidery in 2005. China also recorded comparative advantage in silk, man-made filaments: strip and the like of man-made textile materials, fabrics; special woven fabrics, tafted textile fabrics, lace, tapestries, trimmings and embroidery and fabrics; knitted or crocheted in 2021. Research limitations/implications This study’s results and recommendations could assist the Indian and Chinese Governments develop policies to upgrade their garment industries. Originality/value Though vast literature reviews are available for textile and apparel export performance in India and China separately, there are few studies on comparisons. This study is a significant attempt to evaluate India and China’s competitiveness in the global market.

A Study on Problems and Prospects in Garment Industry in MP

India has one of the greatest apparel industries in the world. The door to India's incredibly innovative textile and apparel business is opened by this incredibly well-run sector, which includes garment makers, exporters, suppliers, stockists, and wholesalers. India's ready-to-wear line is incredibly well-liked worldwide. In India, the clothing and textile industries play a special and significant role. The industry, which was among the first in the nation to emerge, is responsible for 14% of the nation's industrial production, almost 30% of its exports, and the creation of jobs, second only to agriculture. Indian clothing has becoming more popular internationally due to its high quality, longevity, and attractiveness.

Clothing industry in transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0

Industry 5.0 has recently been introduced as a new concept. Reviewing the literature shows that Industry 5.0 brings three kinds of values: bringing humans back to industries, making businesses more resilient, and reducing environmental damage. Based on the critical capabilities of Industry 5.0, this study aims to determine how Industry 5.0 transforms the clothing industry’s value chain. For this purpose, after identifying the Industry 5.0 technological capabilities through semi-structured interviews and an electronic brainstorming session, a questionnaire was sent to experts to determine how these capabilities bring the values of Industry 5.0 to the clothing industry. After three rounds of the Delphi study, the results declared 33 technological capabilities that affect the clothing industry’s value chain. Additionally, among 14 indicators for human-centricity, resilience, and environmental sustainability, Industry 5.0 technological capabilities have the most significant effect on improving business resilience, cost-effectiveness, and economic development in the clothing industry.

Impact of research and development expenses on the profitability of assets: The case of textile and clothing industry in Portugal

The study aims to examine the financial efficiency of the textile and clothing industries in Portugal using official statistical data. The main objective is to assess the relationship between spending on research and development and return on assets. The study analyzes the performance of various subsectors of the textile and clothing industries, presenting the relationship between investments in research and development and the operating return on assets over various economic periods. The study adopted data envelopment analysis, classifying decision-making units based on average efficiency levels. The results highlight sectors of manufacture of textiles for technical and industrial use, manufacture of other textiles, production of outerwear, and manufacture of workwear as the most efficient. In contrast, sectors of manufacture of clothing and accessories, manufacture of knitwear, and leather clothing show lower levels of efficiency. From 2003 to 2022, the textile industry exhibited the highest levels of financial efficiency, with an above-average ratio between spending on research and development and return on assets. However, sectors of knitwear manufacturing and textile finishing have maintained a more or less constant level of financial efficiency. The analysis highlights the need for targeted interventions to increase the financial efficiency of different subsectors within the textile and clothing industries. It is evident that there are varying levels of financial efficiency across these sectors, and the need for benchmarking periods can help identify areas for improvement and set achievable goals. AcknowledgmentThis article is financed by Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal [Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal].

Application of fuzzy failure mode and effect analysis to investigate lean wastes in the sewing section

PurposeThis study aims to quantify and prioritize the main causes of lean wastes and to apply reduction methods by employing better waste cause identification methodologies.Design/methodology/approachWe employed fuzzy techniques for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution (FTOPSIS), fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP), and failure mode effect analysis (FMEA) to determine the causes of defects. To determine the current defect cause identification procedures, time studies, checklists, and process flow charts were employed. The study focuses on the sewing department of a clothing industry in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.FindingsThese techniques outperform conventional techniques and offer a better solution for challenging decision-making situations. Each lean waste’s FMEA criteria, such as severity, occurrence, and detectability, were examined. A pairwise comparison revealed that defect has a larger effect than other lean wastes. Defects were mostly caused by inadequate operator training. To minimize lean waste, prioritizing their causes is crucial.Research limitations/implicationsThe research focuses on a case company and the result could not be generalized for the whole industry.Practical implicationsThe study used quantitative approaches to quantify and prioritize the causes of lean waste in the garment industry and provides insight for industrialists to focus on the waste causes to improve their quality performance.Originality/valueThe methodology of integrating FMEA with FAHP and FTOPSIS was the new contribution to have a better solution to decision variables by considering the severity, occurrence, and detectability of the causes of wastes. The data collection approach was based on experts’ focus group discussion to rate the main causes of defects which could provide optimal values of defect cause prioritization.

Two-Stage Method for Clothing Feature Detection

The rapid expansion of e-commerce, particularly in the clothing sector, has led to a significant demand for an effective clothing industry. This study presents a novel two-stage image recognition method. Our approach distinctively combines human keypoint detection, object detection, and classification methods into a two-stage structure. Initially, we utilize open-source libraries, namely OpenPose and Dlib, for accurate human keypoint detection, followed by a custom cropping logic for extracting body part boxes. In the second stage, we employ a blend of Harris Corner, Canny Edge, and skin pixel detection integrated with VGG16 and support vector machine (SVM) models. This configuration allows the bounding boxes to identify ten unique attributes, encompassing facial features and detailed aspects of clothing. Conclusively, the experiment yielded an overall recognition accuracy of 81.4% for tops and 85.72% for bottoms, highlighting the efficacy of the applied methodologies in garment categorization.

The End of Globalized Production? Supply-Chain Resilience, Technological Sovereignty, and Enduring Global Interdependencies in the Post-Pandemic Era

This article assesses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and geopolitics on geographies of production. Criticizing simplified perspectives on globalized versus intraregional production, we stress the multi-scalarity, the role of industrial policies and sector-specific path dependencies in shaping global production. Based on expert interviews and policy and industry documents, our analysis focuses on the automotive, clothing, and electronics industries. Although concerns for resilience increasingly shape lead firms’ strategies, increased regionalization of production through re- or near-shoring is only one of several strategies. Where it does occur, it has been driven by state policies that tackle certain strategically important products, not production networks as a whole. Hence, while recent events exposed the vulnerabilities of global production, we do not observe deglobalization in the sense of a comprehensive retreat from globalized in favor of intraregional production. Nonetheless, state interventions that are geopolitically motivated and affect firms’ investment decisions have intensified particularly in the United States and the European Union.

Characteristics and Quality of Flame-Retarded Ramie Fabrics for the Development of Functional Textiles.

Cellulose fabric testing for flame-retardant studies is frequently necessary in various textile applications. Natural cellulose material from ramie (Boehmeria nivea) is being promoted as an alternative raw material for the development of fire-resistant fabrics. This research aims to optimize the coating process of ramie fabric using a phosphorus-based flame retardant (FR) to enhance its flame-retardant characteristics. The FR treatment involves bleaching the fabric with H2O2; followed by fabric finishing using a formula comprising 3% (v/v) hydroxymethyl resin; phosphoric acid (2%); and two formulations of the flammable agent Flamatic DM-3072N: 40% (v/v) and 50% (v/v), applied using the pad-dry-cure method. The flame-retardant properties of the treated fabric are evaluated through flammability testing based on the ASTM D6413-08 standard, limiting oxygen index (LOI) analysis, and micrograph surface structure analysis with SEM. The results indicate that ramie fabric treated with the FR-50% material exhibits superior fire resistance, preventing fire spread on the fabric with a char length of 15-30 mm and a LOI value of 29. These findings highlight the potential of FR-treated ramie fabrics for various industries, including the automotive and protective clothing industries.

Revolutionizing the Textile and Clothing Industry: Pioneering Sustainability and Resilience in a Post-COVID Era

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, posing significant challenges to the textile and clothing industry. However, amidst these threats, there is a unique opportunity to rebuild a more sustainable and resilient fashion industry. This paper explores the shift from pre-COVID-19 business models and consumption values towards a renaissance characterized by real sustainability. By examining the transition from eco-efficiency to eco-effectiveness and from cradle-to-grave to cradle-to-cradle approaches, this study emphasizes the need for the active involvement of key stakeholders in co-creating value for all. Through a comprehensive analysis of the post-COVID era, this study aims to understand textile and clothing industry professionals’ perceptions and attitudes towards sustainable design practices and identify challenges in implementing such strategies. The findings contribute to the knowledge of sustainability in the post-COVID era and provide insights and strategies for textile and clothing industry players to thrive in a sustainable and transformed landscape.

Hydrophobic and antibacterial properties of textiles using nanocomposite chitosan and SiO2 from rice husk ash as-coating

This research aims to develop hydrophobic and antibacterial properties of textiles using chitosan and silica oxide (SiO2) nanocomposite coating. SiO2 was extracted from rice husk ash and chitosan from crustacean shells. SiO2 and chitosan powder were pulverized using High Energy Milling (HEM). The nanocomposite was synthesized using the sol-gel method with concentration variations of 0.2 %:0.4 %, 0.4 %:0.6 %, 0.6 %:0.8 %, and 0.8 %:1 %. Textile coating was carried out by dip coating method with variations of 1x, 2x, 3x, and 4x dyeing. The crystal structure and size of the nanocomposites were obtained using X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Surface morphology and particle size were obtained using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The contact angle was measured using the sessile drop method. The bacterial activity tests were conducted by measuring the surface temperature of textiles with a thermal camera after being irradiated with UV-C. The ability of textiles to inhibit bacterial growth was tested using Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The results showed that the smallest crystal size obtained was 30.21 nm. The amount of particle size and contact angle are significantly influenced by the quality of Citosan-SiO2 and coloring changes. The smallest particle size obtained is 32 nm. The highest value of contact angle obtained was 161° The average surface temperature of the textile after being irradiated with UV-C reached 40.7 °C. The highest zone of inhibition obtained was 17 mm and is in the strong category. This research shows that textiles coated with chitosan-SiO2 can inhibit bacterial growth and have potential applications in the clothing industry.

Research on the Value of Sustainable Fashion to the Status Quo of Clothing Brands

With the progress of society and the development of national economy, people gradually realize the importance of sustainable development, and also make this concept gradually penetrate into various industries. Based on this, the clothing industry has gradually set off the wave of sustainable fashion, which has a good guiding role for optimizing the construction of China's clothing brand and expanding the market share. This paper mainly analyzes the current situation of Chinese clothing brands and the value of sustainable fashion.

The Role of Uig Linkages in Improving Competitive Advantage: A Case of the Clothing, Textiles, Leather, and Footwear Industry of South Africa

The South African clothing, textiles, leather, and footwear (CTLF) sector has been under competitive attack, mainly from Asian countries. The many studies undertaken so far have not focused on the role of research and development linkages among university, industry, and government (UIG), and hence, this study was undertaken. This study uses mixed methods, interviews of managers and directors from UIG actors, and a survey of CTLF firms to understand the role of UIG linkages in improving competitive advantage. The data was thematically and descriptively analysed. The findings highlight that most CTLF firms were not involved in UIG research and development linkages. As a result, CTLF firms have not utilised researchers available in the universities nor research-related industry and government funding that supports innovation and technological improvements. For the CTLF to improve its competitive advantage, its development strategies must include being engaged in UIG research and development linkages. 
  
 Received: 28 September 2023 / Accepted: 3 February 2024 / Published: 5 March 2024

Sustainability Trends in Textile and Clothing Industry of Bangladesh Before and Post Pandemic Era

The textile and clothing industry of Bangladesh, a vital player in the global supply chain, has undergone a transformative phase accentuated by the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the industry adapts to the "new normal," sustainability has emerged as a central theme, reshaping the trajectory of business operations and strategies. This abstract explores key sustainability trends influencing the textile and clothing sector in Bangladesh amid the post-pandemic era. The analysis encompasses environmental, social, and economic dimensions, shedding light on the industry's commitment to responsible practices. The post-pandemic era has accentuated the significance of social responsibility and ethical labor practices within the textile and clothing industry. The disruptions caused by the pandemic have prompted a reevaluation of sustainable textile trends. It emphasizes the need for regulatory frameworks that incentivize sustainable practices, enforce environmental standards, and ensure fair labor conditions. The abstract highlights the collaboration between the government, industry stakeholders, international organizations to foster a conducive environment for sustainable growth. In this abstract a comprehensive overview of the sustainability trends shaping the textile and clothing industry in Bangladesh post-pandemic. It underscores the industry's commitment to responsible practices, outlines key areas of development, and proposes a roadmap for a more sustainable and resilient future. 

Smart Technology and Materials in the Clothing Industry

Smart Technology and Materials in the Clothing Industry

Characteristics of Postmodernism Reflected on Designs of ready-to-wear Children's Clothing Using their Artistic Drawings

This study aims to simplify the postmodernism's characteristics to create innovative fashion designs for children's ready-to-wear clothing. By incorporating children's artistic drawings, the study seeks to achieve the designs' functional, aesthetic, and productive aspects. The significance of this research lies in enriching the practices of the ready-to-wear children's clothing industry through the utilization of postmodernism characteristics. A descriptive analytical approach was employed to identify the relevant characteristics of the postmodernism and adapt them to the design process for children's clothing. Eight designs were created and evaluated by specialists using a study tool. The results revealed statistically significant differences in the evaluations of the designs across various aspects. The aesthetic aspect received the highest evaluation, followed by the production and, finally, the functional aspects. The study concluded that the design incorporating the attribute of ambiguity was the most highly rated among the designs, considering all aspects. Based on these findings, the study recommends further exploration of the postmodernism in fashion design and an in-depth study of international arts to foster creativity and diversity in children's clothing design.

ANALYSING THE EMERGING PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES IN CLOTHING INDUSTRY: PERCEPTION OF FASHION DESIGNERS WITHIN ADENTA MUNICIPALITY, GHANA.

This paper aims to investigate the emerging production technologies in clothing production in Ghana and the awareness and usage by fashion designers. The research was based on quantitative and studio-based approaches, which employed questionnaires and observation for data collection. The population comprises 120 fashion designers who have their workshops within Adenta. The results indicated that the emerging production technologies in the clothing industry were ranked, and Computer-aided design (CAD) represented first (1st), Automated inspection (AIN) ranked second (2nd) and Automated material handling devices (AMHD) ranked third (3rd). The study showed that 82.1 % of the respondents agreed that fashion designers' design activities involve the effective use of computers for drawing and designing products. Also, 86% agreed that fashion designers used automated inspection machines to perform inspections. However, 83.3% of the respondents disagreed that fashion designers use a reprogrammable, multifunctional manipulator designed for the automation of assembly lines for apparel making. The study concluded that to demonstrate creative and professional skills, fashion designers should be able to generate original designs from unique concepts and effectively manipulate most of the emerging production technologies in realising their concepts.

Deconstructing Customer Value Propositions for the Circular Product-as-a-Service Business Model: A Case Study from the Textile Industry

AbstractOffering products as a service is a way to implement circular economy principles in business models and promote sustainability. However, in many markets, the model is still in its infancy in terms of market maturity and lacks customer acceptance. More understanding is needed of how product-as-a-service companies can enhance and reconfigure their competitive position by proposing meaningful customer value. For this purpose, this study focuses on customer value propositions (CVPs) as a strategic management concept in the circular economy. The aim of the study is to outline a deconstruction framework for systematically identifying the strategically manageable components of CVPs in circular product-as-a-service business models. The framework establishes a link between the elements of circular product-as-a-service business models and competitive CVPs. The framework is developed and validated with seven product-as-a-service business cases in the textile and clothing industry context. The results of the study provide insights into how product-as-a-service companies in the textile field aim to differentiate, how they structure customer value by identifying customer benefits and sacrifices, and what kind of resources and capabilities are needed for competing in the circular economy context.

Women entrepreneurs and government neglect in the face of Covid-19: resilience of social cadets through online commercial innovation

One of the major social transformations brought about by Covid-19 in Cameroon with the internet tool is the development of e-shop commercial activities. At the center of this movement are women whose socio-economic profiles show that they are in a situation of financial vulnerability. The areas of commercial intervention of these women range from the clothing industry to the food industry, including cosmetics, catering and natural health products. If their motivations are part of a dynamic of personal development which is linked to their career paths, most of these women make digital platforms spaces of economic profitability to escape their precarious state. Relying on a network of wholesale suppliers based in China, Turkey or in large shopping centers in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala, the sellers participate in the dematerialization of sales spaces for their digitalization. This is explained by the numerous advantages offered by the phenomenon: the payment of rent which replaces payment of the internet package for various transactions. This form of utilitarian accumulation of digital capital provides information not only on the socio-economic transformation of Cameroon by social cadets but also on the meaning of the relationships between these online sellers, their customers and their suppliers and the patriarchal structure of the social system.  The aim of this work is to understand, beyond a precarious environment, the capacity of women entrepreneurs in the unstructured economy sector to overcome the changes brought about by Covid-19. To do this, the analytical approach is structuralist, it relies on a network of symbolic relationships which would make possible the political analysis of the position of women in Cameroon, the crisis situation and their empowerment.