adidas and Patrick Mahomes joined forces in Lubbock to announce the second class of Team Mahomes, an NIL cohort of Texas Tech student-athletes. The announcement comes in tandem with the on-field debut of Texas Tech’s “Too Cold” uniform, featuring Mahomes’ signature Gladiator logo.

As a proud Red Raider alum, Mahomes is using his eight-year relationship with adidas to turn a shared vision into reality: empowering the next generation of college athletes by elevating their performance on the field and creating game-changing opportunities off the field. Building on the momentum from Texas Tech’s inaugural year as an adidas school, Mahomes is bringing fresh energy to what’s already shaping up to be a landmark year for Texas Tech Athletics.

Adidas and Patrick Mahomes announced the second Team Mahomes NIL cohort of Texas Tech student-athletes in Lubbock, coinciding with the debut of the “Too Cold” uniform featuring Mahomes’ Gladiator logo.
The programme supports athlete development on and off the field, reinforcing Mahomes’ continued commitment to his alma mater and Adidas’ evolving role in athlete-brand partnerships.

“Texas Tech will always be home for me, so I’m proud to give back to the school and community who helped shape me on and off the field,” said Patrick Mahomes. “As the partnership with adidas continues to evolve and expand, we’re redefining not just the future of Red Raider sports, but college athletics more widely.”

The second Team Mahomes cohort features Red Raider athletes from many of the school’s top programs, including returning members NiJaree Canady (Softball) and Sam Courtwright (Soccer), alongside Behren Morton (Football), Christian Anderson (Men’s Basketball), and Malachi Snow (Track). The athletes met Mahomes earlier today and will be honored during the game.

“Team Mahomes is the result of a unique partnership between adidas and Patrick Mahomes that’s elevating Texas Tech athletics, shaping the future of college sports and building on a lasting legacy for Mahomes in Lubbock and beyond,” said Chris McGuire, Vice President of Sports Marketing, adidas North America. “NiJaree, Behren, Malachi, Christian, and Sam are some of the nation’s most impressive student-athletes, making them perfect additions to Team Mahomes and the adidas family.”

Adding to the magnitude of the day for the three-time Super Bowl champion, Mahomes’ second Gladiator uniform with Texas Tech will make its on-field debut as part of the stripe-out in The Jones. Still a rarity for an athlete’s brand to be used in on-field apparel, the “Too Cold” uniforms point to adidas’ commitment to driving the evolution of athlete-brand partnerships. In addition to it being worn on field in the season-shaping conference matchup, fans can buy the “Too Cold” uniform at adidas.com.

“Patrick Mahomes’ impact on Texas Tech has been immeasurable. His ongoing investment in our athletes, notably through Team Mahomes, showcases his and adidas’ belief in and commitment to the future of Texas Tech athletics,” said Kirby Hocutt, Texas Tech Athletics Director. “It’s always great to have Patrick on campus, and we look forward to continuing to work together in what’s a really unique and special relationship with adidas.”

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)

American luxury lifestyle brand Ralph Lauren Corporation has announced stronger-than-expected results for the second quarter (Q2) of fiscal 2026 (FY26) ended September 27, 2025, with revenue rising 17 per cent year-over-year (YoY) to $2 billion, or 14 per cent in constant currency. The company attributed the strong performance to broad-based growth across all regions, sustained demand in its direct-to-consumer (DTC) business, and disciplined brand elevation.

The gross profit of the company reached $1.37 billion, with gross margin expanding 100 basis points (bps) to 68 per cent, driven by higher average unit retail (AUR), favourable product mix, and lower cotton costs. These gains offset inflationary and tariff-related pressures.

Ralph Lauren Corporation has reported better-than-expected Q2 FY26 results, with revenue rising 17 per cent YoY to $2 billion, driven by double-digit growth across all regions and strong DTC demand.
Gross margin expanded 100 bps to 68 per cent, while adjusted operating margin rose 270 bps to 14.1 per cent.
EPS increased 49 per cent to $3.79.
The company raised its FY26 revenue and margin outlook.

The operating income rose to $246 million, translating to a 12.2 per cent operating margin on a reported basis. Adjusted operating income stood at $283 million, with a margin of 14.1 per cent, up 270 basis points from last year. Europe led margin improvement with a 360-basis-point increase, while North America and Asia improved by 290 and 230 basis points respectively, Ralph Lauren said in a press release.

The operating expenses totalled $1.1 billion, up 15 per cent YoY. The company maintained strong cost discipline, with adjusted operating expenses rising 13 per cent and the expense ratio improving to 53.9 per cent from 55.5 per cent.

The earnings per diluted share climbed 44 per cent to $3.32 on a reported basis and 49 per cent to $3.79 on an adjusted basis, excluding restructuring and other charges. This compares with $2.31 reported and $2.54 adjusted in Q2 FY25. Net income totalled $207 million, while adjusted net income reached $237 million.

The revenue in North America grew 13 per cent to $832 million. Comparable store sales rose 13 per cent, driven by a 12 per cent increase in physical retail and a 15 per cent surge in digital commerce. Wholesale revenue also improved by 13 per cent.

Revenue in Europe advanced 22 per cent to $688 million on a reported basis and 15 per cent in constant currency. Comparable store sales increased 10 per cent, including 8 per cent growth in physical stores and 17 per cent in online sales. Wholesale sales jumped 26 per cent.

Revenue in Asia climbed 17 per cent to $446 million, or 16 per cent in constant currency. Comparable store sales improved 16 per cent, with brick-and-mortar up 14 per cent and digital commerce soaring 36 per cent. China was a key growth driver, posting over 30 per cent revenue growth, maintaining the pace seen in the first quarter.

The company continued to strengthen its brand equity, adding 1.5 million new customers through its DTC channels and achieving high-single-digit growth in social media followers to 67 million globally.

The company’s ‘always-on’ marketing approach drove robust consumer engagement, with activations around key global events such as Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Ryder Cup. The brand also drew attention through the Spring 2026 Women’s Collection show in New York, an immersive Goodwood Revival experience in England, and prominent celebrity moments featuring Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and Selena Gomez, the release said.

Core categories such as Women’s Apparel, Outerwear, and Handbags grew at strong double-digit rates, outpacing total company growth. The company launched several high-impact initiatives, including the Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs collection in partnership with Morehouse and Spelman Colleges, the Ralph’s Club New York fragrance campaign featuring Usher, and an AI-powered styling tool ‘Ask Ralph’, showcasing its blend of heritage and innovation.

The brand furthered its ‘Win in Key Cities’ strategy by opening 38 new owned and partner-operated stores during the quarter, including new locations in Munich (Germany), Plano (Texas, US), Hangzhou (China), and Nagoya (Japan). It also completed the purchase of its Newbury Street store in Boston, reinforcing its long-term retail footprint.

Ralph Lauren ended the quarter with $1.6 billion in cash and short-term investments and $1.2 billion in total debt. Inventory stood at $1.3 billion, up 12 per cent YoY and aligned with demand trends. The company also retired $400 million in senior notes due in 2025 and repurchased $63 million of Class A common stock in Q2, totalling $313 million year-to-date (YTD).

So far in FY26, Ralph Lauren has returned approximately $420 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks.

“We are off to a strong start in the execution of our Next Great Chapter: Drive strategic plan introduced at our Investor Day in September, with second quarter performance outpacing our expectations across geographies, channels and consumer segments,” said Patrice Louvet, president and chief executive officer (CEO) at Ralph Lauren. “Our iconic brand and timeless products continue to resonate with consumers around the world, across generations and cultures, and we are reinforcing our inclusive luxury lifestyle position with disciplined investments to drive sustainable long-term growth and value creation well beyond this fiscal year.”

Ralph Lauren has raised its FY26 guidance, as the company now expects revenue growth of 5–7 per cent on a constant currency basis. The operating margin expansion of 60–80 basis points (bps), driven by cost efficiency and margin leverage. Foreign currency to provide a 30–50 bps tailwind to gross and operating margins.

For the third quarter, the company projects mid-single-digit revenue growth in constant currency, with operating margin expected to expand 60–80 basis points (bps).

“As we continue to navigate a highly dynamic global operating environment with agility, we are encouraged by our brand’s continued momentum through the start of the important Fall/Holiday season, enabling us to once again raise our fiscal 2026 outlook,” added Louvet.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)

Myanmar’s garment industry, once the beating heart of its export economy, is now reportedly reeling under the weight of US tariffs.

A steep 40 per cent tariff on Myanmar’s garment exports has made its products far less competitive than those from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, etc, triggering a sharp decline in US orders.
Beyond tariffs, Myanmar’s apparel sector also faces growing headwinds from political instability, sanctions, poor infrastructure, and global scrutiny over labour rights.

The 40 per cent tariff, slapped on Myanmar, marking a slight reduction from an earlier proposed 44 per cent, has made its products far less competitive, particularly in the face of rising competition from countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc, which enjoy lower—or in some cases, no—tariffs.

For an industry that has already been struggling to stay afloat due to various reasons, the new tariff has come as a hammer blow, compounding an already fragile situation, as per many within the industry.

It may be mentioned here that political instability, for long, remained a major concern area, with the military-led government facing growing international condemnation and sanctions.

The country also reportedly suffers from poor infrastructure, power outages, and limited access to financing, all of which make it a difficult place to do business. On top of that, questions around labour rights and corporate governance are also putting Myanmar’s garments on the radar of the increasingly discerning Western consumers.

In Europe, especially in markets like Germany and the UK, there is reportedly a growing movement to exclude Myanmar-made products due to concerns over labour practices and human rights, even as the International Labour Organization (ILO) also invoked Article 33—its most serious enforcement measure—for Myanmar’s alleged failure to comply with international labour standards.

And now there’s the additional 40 per cent tariffs imposed by the US. The result, as industry insiders claim, notable reduction in fresh orders, pushing factories to downsize, cut shifts, lay off workers, and factory closures in many cases.

In Yangon’s industrial zones, the slowdown is palpable. As per reports, at least six factories have shut down since August, while many others are operating at reduced capacity to survive the downturn.

The Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA) reportedly revealed that by August, 56 of its 589 member factories had suspended operations entirely, while the Federation of General Workers Myanmar (FGWM) has reportedly held the US tariff responsible for triggering the factory closures, pointing out that the increased costs have made it impossible for producers to remain viable.

The ripple effects are hitting the workforce hardest—particularly women, who make up the vast majority of the garment sector’s employees. For years, the industry has been one of the few reliable sources of income and empowerment for women in Myanmar. Now, thousands are reportedly finding themselves out of work as factories shutter or scale back, and those still employed are facing shorter working hours, slashed overtime, and shrinking wages.

So, even if the sector remains a vital part of the country’s economy, with every factory that shuts down and with every worker who loses their job, Myanmar’s path back to recovery seems increasingly difficult.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)