Fashion
Bangladesh aims to make it easier to form trade unions within companies
Published
December 3, 2025
A government decree seeks to lower the number of signatories required to establish a trade union within a Bangladeshi company. The move has unsettled the textile industry, which fears fresh waves of industrial action.
Under the proposal, establishing a trade union in Bangladesh would now require 20 signatories for companies with fewer than 300 employees, 40 for those with 301 to 500, and 100 for firms with 501 to 1,500 workers. For larger companies with 1,501 to 3,000 employees, the threshold would be set at 300, and at 400 for companies with more than 3,000 employees.
The textile sector was quick to respond, arguing that the measure goes well beyond what was agreed during the most recent tripartite negotiations, which brought together representatives of the government, workers and employers. Businesses now hope to temper the scope of the text through intervention by Bangladeshi MPs.
“We want only those who have been actively defending workers’ rights for a long time to join these unions,” Mahmud Hasan, president of BGMEA, the garment manufacturers’ federation, told the local press a few days ago.
“We don’t want the owners of jute companies (a related segment of the textile industry, editor’s note) or landlords, who rent housing to workers, to influence the formation of unions.”
These discussions come amid persistent social tensions. Bangladesh remains scarred by the massive protests of summer 2024, which led to the flight of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The BGMEA, for its part, underwent a form of government oversight following disputed internal elections, while a further increase in minimum wages was decided in December.
Any labour unrest in Bangladesh is closely watched by the West, for which the country has become one of the leading suppliers of clothing. Bangladesh is the third-largest supplier of clothing to the United States ($7.5 billion in 2024) and the second-largest to the European Union (€4.3 billion).
This position has been secured by low wages, while its main competitor, China, raised its minimum wage in the early 2010s. Yet it leaves Bangladesh heavily dependent on its textile sector, which generates 80% of its exports and 20% of its GDP—not to mention four million direct jobs.
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On a preliminary and unaudited basis, its US retail segment delivered high single-digit growth in the quarter, with comparable sales rising in the mid-single-digits, driven mainly by strong demand through its e-commerce channel. Brick-and-mortar stores also recorded positive comparable sales, while average unit retail pricing increased in the mid-single-digits as Carter’s reduced promotional activity.
Carter’s posted high single-digit Q4 FY25 sales growth and low single-digit full-year gains, supported by strong US e-commerce demand and higher average unit retail pricing.
US Retail and International segments grew, while Wholesale was mixed.
CEO Douglas Palladini highlighted improved pricing discipline and consumer response.
The extra trading week added about $33 million.
The US wholesale segment posted low single-digit growth during the quarter, while the international business achieved high single-digit growth compared with the same period a year earlier, Carter’s said in a press release.
For the full FY25, consolidated net sales increased in the low single-digits year on year. US retail sales grew in the low single-digits, supported by continued online momentum, while store-based comparable sales were broadly flat. Average unit retail pricing was broadly unchanged from the previous year. In contrast, US wholesale revenue declined in the low single-digits, while international sales advanced in the mid-single-digits.
“As we consistently focus on business stabilisation and returning to growth, I am pleased to see the impact our many actions are having, especially considering the highly competitive holiday sales period,” said Douglas C Palladini, chief executive officer (CEO) and president at Carter’s. “Fourth quarter comparable retail sales grew for the third consecutive quarter, reflecting strong consumer response to product and marketing initiatives, both in store and online. We also continue to grow average unit retail pricing as we price up, including less promotional activity, an important element of ongoing efforts to offset the impact of higher tariffs and improve profitability.”
Carter’s noted that fiscal 2025 included an extra trading week, which it estimates added around $33 million to consolidated net sales.
The company also announced the appointment of David B Tichiaz as chief brand officer, reporting to Palladini Tichiaz will lead Carter’s product design and merchandising teams and brings nearly two decades of global lifestyle brand experience.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Published
January 18, 2026
In a busy, but chilly 24 hours, Milano Moda Uomo ranged from the mountain party animal style at Dsquared2 or fisherman’s inspired moods at Setchu, to Paul Smith’s archive revival and Corneliani’s AI-influenced display.
Dsquared2: Rocky Mountain ravers
Dsquared2’s invitation this season was a ski pass, though one imagined that it mainly gained guests entry into an après-ski bar or an after-hours club and not an actual mountain slope.
The backdrop was a wild snow-capped Canadian Rockies, the show’s star was “Heated Rivalry” star Hudson Williams, pouting as he walked down the snow-white runway in a denim jacket with frayed seams, black faded jeans and the first of a great series of new futuristic cowboy boots finished with ski bindings.
Designers Dean and Dan Caten blended slopes and sex with high-shine latex bodystockings worn with faux-fur trapper coats or studded corsets. In a cunning love, the Dsquared2 duo frosted denim jeans, loon pants, jackets or huge Klondike coats. Along with a great series of humungous glistening puffers – ideal to wear for a party to celebrate a gold medal winner in next month’s Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
No wonder they entitled this fall 2026 collection, “Game On”.
Many models donning retro-futurist goggles and winter shades in a collab’ with Carrera, often completed with a Dsquared2 x Carrera elastic band.
Despite the chilly theme, the model sizzled – especially two young shirtless beef cakes with pneumatic drill tummies, who were later called on to carry Dean and Dan on their shoulders as they took their ovation at the noisy finale. The Canadian twins looked like they were in heaven.
Setchu: From Greenland to Normandy
One of the most fertile designers in fashion today is Satoshi Kuwata, whose staged his third-ever runway show in his new home, a revamped atelier on Via Privata Rezia, in northwest Milan.
For next season, Kuwata again sought inspiration in his favorite hobby – fishing. For the uninitiated, he’s maintaining a rich tradition among distinguished designers – seeing as Oscar de la Renta and John Rocha share a similar rod casting obsession.
And, thanks to winning the 2023 LVMH Prize, this Japan-born and Milan-based designer was able to indulge a life-long dream – flying to Greenland to fish the world’s best cod fish.
“I know Greenland is very in the news now, but I went there before this current trendy boom began,” he cautioned in a pre-show briefing
Noted for his fabric innovations, Satoshi dreamed up a remarkable silk and wool jacquard that looked uncannily like sealskin. Seen on a fall-away blouse and skirt in this co-ed show.
Blending east and west, he also played on traditional hooded top from icy northern Japan, and woven reed shoes from the sunnier south.
Blending East-meets-West with samurai-style duffle coats or ruched bankers suits – Tokyo financier-meets-Oxford rockstar.
Paul Smith: Archival energy
Sir Paul Smith’s love affair with Milan continues, as he enjoyed greeting fresh eyes to witness this latest archive-inspired collection.
An indie Anglo-classic-with-a-twist collection by the designer, who personally opened the show with a witty monologue, talking into the microphone from the top floor of the thee-floor showroom.
“Fashion is getting more and more mass produced. Can you believe it, hmmmm,” lamented Sir Paul, in opening megaphone-like remarks, noting that his design team was inspired by his company archive of over 6,000 looks. Their ideas, in turn, inspire him.
Twisting classics so much so that several blazers were made literally inside out, showing exposed stitching and shoulder pads. A collection whose tailoring was very much in sync with the wider silhouettes that are dominating the current season. Cutting jackets so they hung away from the body and trousers flat front and very wide.
Plus, in a season of iridescence, the cast donned shiny trousers and corporal’s military shirts made in active sport nylon. However, when the wind blows down from the Alps as it did today, the cast could wrap up in the fabric of the season Donegal tweed-style flecked woollens – made into flap pocket weekend jackets and soft-collared coats. Several models matching mini tricorne hats.
Backed up by Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “Riot in Lagos”, it made for a jolly moment. Winning Sir Paul an extended applause as he descended two floors in a long tour of the twisting catwalk.
Corneliani: AI meets Milan
Using AI, Corneliani’s creative director Stefano Gaudioso Tramonte commissioned a novel film that played on iconic cinematic moments. Its title: “The Gentleman“.
Presented inside a Renaissance courtyard, it made for a great backdrop to his latest collection for the house – a neat blend of debonair with practical style. Presented on a dozen models, before a select group of editors, sat on 1930s cinema seats.
Amid all the drizzle of chilly Saturday, the windowpane, patch pocket trench coats looked ideal, as did the mohair-mix overcoats with peak collars.
Made in a color mix of mauve, mud, pale gray, chocolate and more mauve.
“We have staged our last shows with music and with dance in the past two seasons. This season, we used AI to express those magic moment in cinema, and fashion’s special relationship with the silver screen,” he explained.
Inside the palazzo, one was also impressed by a very now sheepskin matelassé jerking, worn with a high roll neck merino wool sweater. Or a precise brushed suede mud-hued blazer worn with a Nehru-collar shirt in faded bronze.
But in the end, the heart of Corneliani will always be its classy suiting. Made more attractive by Stefano’s relaxed interpretation of masculine style. Call it ‘Modern Gentleman’.
Copyright © 2026 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
Published
January 17, 2026
Dolce & Gabbana entitled their latest menswear collection “The Portrait of Man”. Maybe they should have named it portraits of many, many men so wide-ranging and rambling was the result.
Presented on Saturday in their show space on Viale Piave in Milan, the collection certainly had plenty of great clothes. What it lacked was focus.
Even down to the order of show, where models suddenly leapt up from the audience, wandered about the set before finally cruising down the catwalk. Made of mock marble Formica even the runway jarred visually.
It didn’t help that the mood entering was sullen, as the thousands of fans that often crowd the sidewalks outside Dolce & Gabbana shows were absent due to the leaden sky and steady rain.
All that said, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana remain great tailors, and there were some sensational sartorial statements. Above all in the fabric of the moment, speckled Donegal tweed, made of blends of wool and cashmere. An opening pale stony gray suit with gangster silhouette jacket done with wickedly large lapels and wide pants was perfect. As was a three piece version, where the jacket was replaced by a black mohair sweater.
But then, just when we were in the middle of daywear, an oily haired lothario model beside me hopped onto the runway – attired in matelassé black smoking jacket paired with pajama pants and slippers. Shifting the portraits from gentlemanly chic to patrician dandy.
For colder nights, Domenico and Stefano whipped up all sorts of dramatic shearling coats for posh hippie dudes. While at home, the duo want guys to wear faux leopard skin dressing gowns – just perfect for the Mediterranean sensualist.
Add in military great coats, piped velvet jackets and the coolest of hussar’ jacket and there was something for everyone in this collection. Even a sporting moment – football jerseys reading Soccer Club or 84, the year the boys opened their brand.
“Each man is seen as self-contained universe of a passions, memories and inattentions. The runway becomes a contemporary gallery of a living portraits, where every look functions as a psychological and sartorial self-portrait,” intoned a British-accented announcer pre-show as a video showed scores of models in their looks.
It certainly made for a commercial collection, but perhaps not a great show. One could not help thinking of fellow Sicilian Luigi Pirandello’s classic play “Six Characters in Search of an Author”. This show felt likes scores of models in search of a common.
Copyright © 2026 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
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