Sustainability will be the focus at the Denim Show’s first-ever event in Mumbai May 12-14 at the World Convention Centre (JWCC) in Bandra Kurla Complex.
The Denim Show brings together Indian denim mills and brands to view the latest developments in textile, garment machinery and screen printing with the goal of elevating India as a globally competitive textile and denim manufacturing hub. The event was previously been held in New Delhi. The Denim Show is jointly organized by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd and Mex Exhibitions Pvt Ltd under the umbrella of Gartex Texprocess India.
Recent Commerce Department Office of Textiles & Apparel (OTEXA) data shows that India is a rising star in denim exports. The country is a second-tier supplier of denim with a notable increase in the first 11 months of 2021 compared to the year prior.
The fashion industry is working together to elevate India’s offerings following the country’s prime minister’s “local to global” push to make the region a top destination for trade. In December, sustainable apparel giant Patagonia purchased 30,000 meters (approximately 32,000 yards) of khadi denim fabric through Indian denim mill Arvind. Khadi fabric is an ancient textile technique that features 100 percent cotton handspun single-ply yarn in warp, or in both warp and weft, in the 3×1 twill weave, resulting in a unique texture.
In July 2017, the mill reached an agreement with the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), an Indian government agency, to market khadi denim products around the world and create a steady stream of work for khadi artisans of India’s Gujarati region. The denim industry can expect to see more of the fabric as the world catches on to India’s unique offerings in the textile space.
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In anticipation of the Denim Show, organizers previewed some of the innovations attendees can expect at the in-person gathering.
Circularity will be a main focus of the event. Denim mill Raymond UCO will showcase its use of recycled polyester from ocean-bound plastics. It will also present fabrics made using its sustainable dyeing process, Blu 2.0, which reduces the freshwater consumption and effluent load by about 85 percent compared to conventional dyeing methods.
“These are small steps in the right direction towards creating more responsible denim fabrics that [reduce] the gap between fashion and sustainability,” said Sudhir Deorukhkar, Raymond UCO head of marketing. “These fabrics can be crafted into a luxurious and versatile garment collection for eco-conscious consumers.”
The event will also reflect the industry’s shift to more classic and authentic denim with a soft handfeel. Sustainably made soft denim fabrics will be on display from denim manufacturer LNJ Denim. Other supply chain partners in attendance will include Hyosung India, Jindal Worldwide, Arvind, Ginni International, Bhaskar Denim, Oswal Denims, KG Denim, Nandan Denim and Ashima Group.