Amsterdam gets a circular textile factory, visits Rotterdam retailers and Modefabriek exhibitors happy with CIFF participation
At the beginning of 2023, the first circular raw materials factory for the fashion industry will open in Amsterdam. The new minister Micky Adriaansens of Economic Affairs devoted her first working visit to a visit to retailers in Rotterdam. And the delegation of Modefabriek exhibitors at CIFF looks back with satisfaction on their participation in the fair. That and more in the news overview of Tuesday 8 February 2022.
Amsterdam will have a circular textile factory in 2023
Brightfiber Textiles will open the first 100% circular raw materials factory for the fashion industry in Amsterdam at the beginning of 2023. This factory turns old sweaters and garments into high-quality and yarns. Brightfiber textile is a spin-off of Brightloops and the Loop.a life brand, which five years ago was the first brand in the Netherlands to start developing a completely new textile collection from local residual flows. 100% circular knitwear is made from old clothing. The Brightfiber factory uses sustainable raw materials in the same way and is produced on an industrial scale. At the moment, only 1% of all collections in the Netherlands consists of recycled material. Largely industrial waste, originating from spinning mills and knitting factories. Only 25% of this recycled clothing is made from consumer waste that largely consists of PET bottles and does not come from old clothes. Brightfiber wants to change that with the new factory. Brightfiber has received part of the financing for the new factory from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
Minister expresses support for shopkeepers during working visit to Rotterdam
On Monday 7 February, the new Minister of Economic Affairs Micky Adriaansens made her first working visit to retailers in Rotterdam. There they presented a report on the Social Added Value of Retail, which was written by Hogenboom and Griffioen at the invitation of Inretail. Researcher Jeanne Hogenboom has won by joining forces with shoe retailer Anke Griffioen from Caland/Schoen in Rotterdam. “The minister was very pleased with our integrated approach, the preparation for broad cooperation, our out-of-the-box approach and the proactive attitude we have adopted,” say the authors of the report. During the same working visit, the minister announced that retailers are in danger of going under but do not come in the form of cases for corona support packages, they may still receive help from the able. “I’m on top of the really distressing cases,” Retailtrends quotes her. “If someone thinks: ‘I belong there’, report to the RVO (Netherlands Enterprise Agency). It’s not possible for everyone, but we’re trying to get them under an arrangement.”
A video has been made to illustrate the report.
Manufy sees an increase in applications for sustainable production
manufy, a platform for sustainable fashion production, has received its thousandth production request. Manufy responsible brands with sustainable in the hoop to contribute to a greener future for clothing. The start-up, which was launched in December 2020, has seen a sharp increase in production requests in recent months. With trade fairs becoming burdened due to covid, many old and brands are looking for new ways to do business. “We have connected many users to Manufy who previously worked mainly in the traditional way,” says co-founder Michiel Dicker. “Some didn’t have a website, so our platform helps them get visible online.” The production tasks placed on the platform cover a wide variety of garments. Hoodies and t-shirts are popular, but the Manufy team also sees many requests for shoes, caps, bags, dresses, swimwear and lingerie. In addition to finding new applications to meet production requests, the team has worked on a large number of new functionalities based on user input. This results in a new version of the platform. At present, the platform has more than 3000 active brands and 1200 active active ones.
Dutch Modefabriek exhibitors happy with CIFF participation
From February 2 to 4, 2022 fashion factory a selection of Dutch brands (all Modefabriek exhibitors) will perform at the Danish fashion fair CIFF in Copenhagen. It concerned Aaiko, Summum, LaSalle, Juffrouw Jansen, Beaumont, Juul & Belle, Est’seven and Maluo. “We are delighted to be working with a trade show like CIFF, which has like-minded ideas and a team that we identify with. Marinke Fleddérus, Modefabriek sales back. The exhibitors are also looking back with satisfaction, according to the reactions that Modefabriek has shared. “Finally another fair where everyone is happy to look at labels and get inspiration. New acquisitions and existing retailers from various European countries were again very welcome at our stand,” says Lars Gelling of Summum. Very nice that the fair was possible again. For Beaumont, the Ciff was a huge success!” said Esther Damave of Beaumont. Ana Nikovska of LaSalle also thought it was a godsend. “Thank you for the great opportunity to be with CIFF this season, we’ve been talking about it for many seasons and so when the invite came we started right away. Although the fair was smaller than usual, we are pleased with the prospects we have met and the contacts we have made. I am looking forward to the next season.” The exchange will immediately be continued this summer: CIFF will then present Danish brands at Modefabriek, which can hopefully take place on 10 and 11 July 2022 in the RAI.
C&A says goodbye to Dutch director after 30 years
Martijn van der Zee is stepping down as chief merchandise and sourcing officer of C&A with immediate effect. That reports Retail trends. He joined the retailer in 1992 and was, among other things, head of marketing for the Dutch division and chief merchandise and sourcing officer at the European headquarters in Düsseldorf. C&A made no further announcements in a brief statement as to why he is leaving. According to Retailtrend, his striking appearance is, he wants to expand his range of tasks last December. In addition to his purchasing role, he became co-responsible for sustainability and joined the board of directors