Fashion
South East Asia year-end review 2025: Minnows under heat
In addition, strategic competition between the US and China adds complexity to the situation because many South East Asian garment factories depend on raw materials from China. Now they are under pressure to reduce this reliance while maintaining trade ties with both economic superpowers. The impact is felt most strongly by women in these countries. Around 70 per cent of garment workers are female, and the new tariffs threatened their already low income. Job losses directly affect the survival of their families.
Myanmar
Smaller garment-producing economies like Myanmar, Thailand and Laos came under intense pressure from steep US tariffs and shifting geopolitics.
Tariff hikes disrupted factory orders, accelerated closures, and threatened livelihoods.
Exporters were left to scramble for alternative markets, push trade negotiations, and rethink supply chains amid rising costs and dependence on China.
The 40-per cent tariffs on Myanmar exports took a heavy toll on the country’s garment industry, with foreseeable shut down of several factories. The tariff came into effect on August 1, and since then orders dropped sharply, leading to job losses, fewer overtime hours and eventual factory closures – at least four in the industrial zones of Yangon’s Hlaing Tharyar and Shwepyithar townships alone. The first to shut down was Twinkle (Myanmar), a factory that used to manufacture garments for US-based Callaway Golf and luggage maker Samsonite. Other closures included SDI Manufacture, Wan Xin Myanmar, and Eternal Fashion. In the past, factory closures used to be caused by electrical problems, raw material shortages or road closures but lately tariff became the major contributing factor. Over 700,000 workers are employed in Myanmar’s garment factories, with double that number in related industries. An estimated four times that number of family members depend on their wages, according to the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA).
To counter the effects of the tariffs, some factories that previously catered to the US market started seeking orders from Japan, South Korea, and the EU.
Alongside the high tariff, Myanmar also faced heat from the ILO (International Labour Organisation) over violations of agreements related to workers’ rights, such as freedom of association and the elimination of forced labour.
Thailand
Thailand’s tryst with US reciprocal tariff began with imposition of 36 per cent rate on April 2. However, after successful negotiations, the US reduced reciprocal tariff on Thai goods to 19 per cent starting August 1. In September, Thai garment exporters called on the new government to pause wage hikes and accelerate EU FTA talks, noting that garments remain a labour-intensive sector employing some 600,000- 800,000 workers. Rising wages to 400 baht per day would disproportionately affect new and unskilled workers whose productivity remains low, also increasing costs for employers. In Thailand, labour and raw material expenses make up 60-70 per cent of total production costs for garment manufacturers. Since the US accounts for approximately 40 per cent of Thailand’s garment exports, the increased US tariff, up from an average 10 per cent to 29 per cent, threatened this key market. On the other hand, Thai exporters face EU tariffs averaging 10-20 per cent depending on the garment type, so securing an FTA with the EU was seen as an opportunity to open up trade with 27 countries, which will help in offsetting potential losses in the US market.
Laos
Although the European Union, especially Germany, has been the main destination for Laotian textiles, the US has long been among the top five export markets. This is when Laos exports to US is relatively small comprising a small number of factories which supply the American market. Driven by US trade deficit of over $760 million with Laos, US administration imposed one of the highest tariff charges of 40 per cent on the small Asian nation. To complicate things further for Laos, its supply chains are closely tied to China. The high tariff is estimated to effect around 20,000 or more out of nearly 30,000 workers which the garment industry employs, while representing around 13 per cent of export earnings, excluding natural resources. This number rises in case of companies’ closure. If US customers pull back, an estimated 35 to 40 factories may face disruption.
Laos is a regional base for garment manufacturing that supplies to many western brands. Production of mattresses is among the various segments that are severely affected by the tariffs. In recent times, the country has benefitted with the success of the China–Laos Railway, which has transformed Laos from a landlocked state into a regional logistics hub, significantly reducing shipping times and costs.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SB)
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)
Kornit Digital Ltd. (NASDAQ: KRNT “Kornit Digital”, “Kornit”, or the “Company”), a global pioneer in sustainable, on-demand digital fashion and textile production, today announced more than 500 leaders from across the apparel ecosystem are gathering in Hollywood, Florida for Konnections 2026 – Powered by Kornit. With more than 20 sessions across three days, the event takes place at a pivotal moment as the industry explores how technology is enabling new levels of agility.
Kornit’s Konnections 2026 gathers 500+ global leaders to advance on-demand apparel production.
With Atlas MATRIX and PrintFactory, the company is building a digital infrastructure linking demand, production, and fulfilment.
The event underscores a shift towards agile, real-time manufacturing with reduced inventory risk and scalable global consistency.
Now in its third year, Konnections has become a central global platform where the industry aligns around what comes next. The event brings together leading sports and fashion brands, digital platforms, creators, designers, software partners, fulfillment providers, investors, analysts, and media, all focused on one clear direction: accelerating the move from forecast-driven production toward agile, on-demand manufacturing.
Critical inflection point
The apparel industry is undergoing a structural shift. Demand is faster, more fragmented, and increasingly shaped by digital platforms and creators. Brands are seeking to reduce risk, improve margins, and operate more sustainably while delivering higher quality at greater speed. These dynamics are accelerating the transition toward demand-driven production, enabled by technologies allowing companies to respond in real time to market needs. Konnections highlights this shift not as a future vision, but as a transformation already underway across the global apparel industry.
From technology to infrastructure
At Konnections 2026, Kornit will unveil Atlas MATRIX, a breakthrough system enabling true on-demand manufacturing across all major fabric types, including cotton, polyester, and blends, within a single platform. By enabling consistent retail-quality production across multiple fabrics, Atlas MATRIX removes one of the largest barriers preventing digital production at scale.
In parallel, Kornit is highlighting the strategic acquisition of PrintFactory, a cloud-native color and production platform enabling consistent output across digital and analog environments. PrintFactory expands Kornit’s ability to support large global producers transitioning from analog to digital production while enabling distributed production at scale. This acquisition strengthens Kornit’s infrastructure connecting demand generation with consistent global fulfillment and expands Kornit’s reach into the large global screen-printing market.
Together, these innovations reflect a clear strategic direction: building a fully digital infrastructure linking demand generation with production and fulfillment, supporting scalable on-demand manufacturing globally. This integrated approach enables brands and demand generators to scale on-demand production globally with consistent quality, supporting faster response to market trends while reducing inventory risk.
“We are witnessing the gradual decline of traditional production models and the emergence of a new era in apparel manufacturing,” said Ronen Samuel, Chief Executive Officer of Kornit Digital. “Production is increasingly moving closer to demand, enabled by digital infrastructure connecting demand generation, production, and fulfillment. Konnections unifies the leaders shaping this transformation.”
A global ecosystem connected
Konnections brings together the full value chain enabling this shift, including global brands, sportswear leaders, digital-native platforms, designers, and fulfillment providers. Participants represent a truly global ecosystem with attendees from the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Keynote speakers include Nick Beighton, former CEO of ASOS; Alex Saltonstall, CEO of the combined Printful and Printify platform; Daymond John, entrepreneur and Shark Tank investor; and senior leaders from global brands including Legends, Custom Ink, Redbubble, Zumiez, Life is Good, Nine Line, Grand Style, and additional industry innovators.
Innovation in action
A central component of the event is the Konnections Solutions Showcase, where Kornit will highlight Atlas MATRIX, Apollo, and Presto MAX PLUS for roll-to-roll and technical applications, alongside innovations in materials, automation, and integrated production solutions. A broad ecosystem of partners will present complementary technologies spanning software, robotics, blank goods, and production automation, demonstrating how connected solutions enable faster, more efficient, and more responsive production environments.
Mr. Samuel concluded, “Konnections 2026 represents a defining moment for an industry increasingly shaped by agility, real-time production, and minimal waste. Konnections unifies the global ecosystem enabling this transformation and demonstrates how the future of apparel production is becoming a reality.”
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 (MS)
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