Fashion
Europe growth to stay steady amid investment push in 2026: Natixis
Industrial production accelerated in the second half of 2025, contributing to the creation of 1.12 million jobs and pushing unemployment down to 6.2 per cent. Record disbursements from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility, which reached €86 billion (~$101.48 billion) by end-2025, also supported investment and labour market strength, Natixis said in a press release.
Trade dynamics remain mixed. While EU goods exports rose 3.5 per cent, the increase was largely influenced by Ireland, with exports excluding Ireland declining 5 per cent. Exports to China continued to contract, reflecting structural market share erosion. Nevertheless, new trade agreements with Mercosur and India and expanding intra-EU trade are expected to partly offset external headwinds.
Natixis expects Europe to record moderate but resilient growth in 2026, supported by public investment, industrial recovery and stable inflation.
EU exports show mixed trends, while quarterly growth is forecast at 0.3-0.4 per cent.
Germany and Iberia are set to outperform, Italy may lag, and Central Europe remains resilient.
UK growth is projected to soften as inflation moves towards target.
Natixis forecasts quarterly EU growth of 0.3-0.4 per cent throughout 2026, underpinned by strong labour markets, higher industrial production and supportive monetary conditions following European Central Bank (ECB) rate cuts. However, fiscal expansion aimed at defence, green energy and digital infrastructure is placing pressure on public finances, with debt ratios projected to reach 119 per cent in France, 132 per cent in Italy and 110 per cent in Belgium by 2027, while Germany and the Netherlands retain greater fiscal flexibility.
Inflation across the euro area is expected to remain near target at around 1.9 per cent in 2026, rising slightly to 2 per cent in 2027, allowing the ECB to maintain rates with a dovish bias. Natixis indicated that a stronger euro, particularly above 1.25 against the US dollar, could prompt rate cuts to preserve competitiveness.
Country-level outlooks point to divergent performance. Germany is positioned for stronger growth following a major fiscal package, supported by rising manufacturing orders and wage increases that should bolster consumption. France is expected to see growth improve to 1.1 per cent in 2026 after political uncertainty weighed on performance, though US tariffs have affected key export sectors such as wine and cosmetics.
Southern Europe shows a two-speed pattern, with Spain and Portugal projected to expand above 2 per cent, supported by robust labour markets, low inflation and effective use of EU funds. Italy is forecast to grow 0.9 per cent, constrained by weak domestic demand and high interest costs. Debt reduction progress is most notable in Portugal and Spain, while Italy faces persistent structural challenges.
Central Europe is emerging as another area of resilience. Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary are benefiting from strong domestic demand and real wage growth of 7-11 per cent, driven partly by Recovery and Resilience Plan investments. Poland is expected to grow 3.5 per cent in 2026, while Hungary’s growth could accelerate if political developments unlock suspended EU funds.
In the UK, growth is projected to ease from 1.3 per cent in 2025 to 1.1 per cent in 2026 amid softer trade and labour market conditions. Inflation is expected to return to the 2 per cent target by spring 2026, supporting expectations of at least two Bank of England rate cuts during the year.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Switzerland’s apparel imports rose 11.7 per cent year on year (YoY) to $1.523 billion in January–February 2026, signalling steady demand.
Growth builds on 2025 momentum, led by knitwear and comfort-led segments.
China, Bangladesh and Italy remain key suppliers.
Strong purchasing power and stable retail trends continue to support consistent sourcing activity.
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Chairman’s Collection reflects Raymond’s seamless transition from a heritage textile pioneer to a modern luxury menswear destination, now stepping into a more rarefied, couture-led space. One of the most ambitious expressions of luxury menswear retail, this new retail store is a sartorial experience for globally aware Indian consumers. Drawing from Renaissance and Baroque influences, layered with a contemporary European sensibility, the space is rooted in Indian craftsmanship while reflecting a distinctly global identity of the new-age India.
Raymond has unveiled its Chairman’s collection flagship in Bandra, marking its evolution into luxury menswear.
The 11,000 sq ft, two-level space offers couture fashion, fine jewellery, fragrances, and bespoke services.
Blending Indian craftsmanship with global design, it delivers an immersive, appointment-led experience with curated art, collectibles, and personalised styling.
THE COLLECTION: THREE DISTINCT WORLDS
Modern Opulence – Casual Couture
Elevated casualwear, reimagined through the grandeur of Renaissance motifs and the ornate richness of Baroque detailing on printed silk shirts, embroidered denim, and statement separates, offers a refreshing take on couture sensibility in the art of dressing.
Power Dressing – Contemporary Heirlooms
Power Dressing, elevated to an art form. Each suit is crafted in exquisite fabrics from across the world, offering impeccable fit and finished with the artisanal depth that is uniquely and unmistakably Indian.
Embellished jackets. Indo-Western silhouettes. Velvets, silks, and jewel tones that speak before you do. Every piece in the Chairman’s Collection reflects power dressing and is an act of self-expression, conceptualized for moments that demand presence, individuality, and the kind of authority that needs no introduction.
Art, Heritage & Experimentation – Indian Renaissance
A deeply artisanal expression combining Renaissance-inspired prints with traditional Indian techniques such as zardozi and hand embroidery, creating garments that transcend fashion to become collectible pieces.
BEYOND FASHION: A COMPLETE LUXURY EXPERIENCE
The Chairman’s Collection extends gracefully beyond apparel, embracing a far more holistic vision of modern luxury. Fine jewellery for men, lab-grown diamond pieces of exceptional provenance, and a curated edit of the world’s most coveted fragrance and watch brands – each chosen with the same discernment that defines every corner of this space.
A natural evolution of Raymond’s legacy, this launch marks a thoughtful foray into new luxury categories where style meets substance, and each coveted offering is a reflection of a life lived with intention. The store operates on an appointment-led model, ensuring a personalised experience from concept to execution. Be it bespoke tailoring or personalised styling, each element is designed to offer exclusivity.
A SPATIAL EXPERIENCE DESIGNED LIKE A JOURNEY
Spanning across two levels, the store unfolds through carefully designed environments:
- A lounge-inspired setting with leather armchairs and bespoke trunks, evoking exclusivity
- Gallery-style displays, where apparel and finest fabrics are presented as collectible pieces
- A refined tailoring zone, celebrating Raymond’s legacy in craftsmanship
- Curated display zones, where collectibles and design products add depth and narrative
Every detail of the space reflects a shift in luxury retail from transactional to experiential, immersive, and deeply personal.
WHERE FASHION MEETS ART & COLLECTIBLES
Woven seamlessly into the store are museum-worthy displays of rare collectibles, from Formula 1-inspired models to precision-crafted masterpieces that are a true reflection of the Chairman’s lifelong devotion to the art of the automobile, both vintage and contemporary. Impossible to overlook, the curated Art Deco-inspired pieces and handpicked artworks that grace the space have each been chosen with extraordinary intentionality, with every element in coherence with the store’s design language.
This layered, considered approach transforms the Chairman’s Collection into something far greater than a fashion destination, unraveling a world unto itself. Every corner, every curation, every carefully chosen object speaks to a man’s taste, his sensibility, and the life he has chosen to lead. The effect is singular and unmistakable – a space that does not merely dress a man, but defines him. Not just a philosophy of style, but a complete philosophy of living.
A NEW CHAPTER FOR RAYMOND
Speaking on the occasion, Satyaki Ghosh, CEO, Raymond Lifestyle Limited, said; “Chairman’s Collection reflects the pride of creating international-quality luxury, made in India, for the modern Indian man. Raymond being the pioneers in menswear, this is a logical brand evolution towards launching a first of its kind couture experience in India. Consumer centricity is at the core of Raymond and this latest endeavour is an affirmative step in the same direction.”
With Chairman’s Collection, moves forward not as a heritage brand resting on its century-old legacy, but as India’s homegrown brand paying homage to luxury that understands the new Indian identity, which is making its formidable presence being felt in the world.
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)
ASEAN+3 comprises the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, South Korea and Japan.
Macroeconomic stabilisation in the ASEAN+3 nations has progressed while navigating the new energy shock triggered by the Middle East conflict.
Structural adjustments continue, according to the latest ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook.
While vulnerabilities remain, the pace and direction of policy adjustment have improved significantly in the region.
In Singapore and Malaysia, strong institutional credibility, financial stability and well-developed investment frameworks support relatively stable economic management.
In Vietnam and Cambodia, manufacturing and services continue to underpin economic activity despite external headwinds.
Adjustment is also visible in economies that have faced more acute macroeconomic pressures, where policy measures to stabilise exchange rates, recalibrate fiscal policy and strengthen debt management have contributed to a marked improvement in macroeconomic conditions compared with earlier periods of stress, the report released by the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) said.
While vulnerabilities remain, the pace and direction of policy adjustment have improved significantly, it noted.
Taken together, these experiences suggest that economic management in the region has evolved around a pragmatic combination of policy approaches rather than a single doctrinal model, the report remarked.
Regional economies are placing greater emphasis on strengthening flexibility and resilience in trade, foreign direct investment and financial flows.
At the same time, many economies across the region are investing in digitalisation, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.
Rather than narrow sectoral targeting, industrial strategies often emphasise foundational capabilities—human capital development, digital infrastructure and technological capacity. These efforts support adaptation to shifting global conditions while maintaining long-term competitiveness, it added.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Asian stocks today: Markets inch higher on US-Iran peace hopes; Nikkei jumps 2%, HSI adds 360 points – The Times of India
Switzerland’s apparel imports grow double-digit in Jan–Feb 2026
No vote after NCAA urges further study of age eligibility changes to college sports
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