INDUSTRY ISSUES
The Desktop Revolution: How xTool is Democratizing Industrial-Grade Apparel Printing
| May 1, 2026
In the traditional apparel manufacturing landscape, the bridge between a creative concept and a finished garment has long been guarded by high entry barriers, complex industrial workflows, and prohibitive costs. However, a seismic shift is occurring. xTool, which has rapidly ascended to become the world’s second-largest DTF (Direct-to-Film) brand by GMV, is dismantling these barriers.
Departed: Edgy and Elegant Menswear
Departed is bringing a sexy sophistication to menswear—with an edge.
Keeping It Local: JS Apparel Has Weathered Foreign Competition and Now Tackles California’s Rising Minimum Wage
For years, JS Apparel was known primarily for its knit T-shirts, which currently wholesale for $9 to $15. It was the go-to factory for American Apparel when the T-shirt giant was swamped with orders. But the factory, located in Carson, Calif., south of Los Angeles, has decided it can’t survive on T-shirts alone.
American Rootswear: Tapping Into the Made-in-America Movement
Although Ben Waxman grew up in a family involved in New England’s woolen fabric business, he never figured on making a living in textiles. But after a career in politics and working with labor unions, that is exactly what he is doing in his hometown of Portland, Maine.
Sensoria: Fitness Tracking Meets Smart Garments
The founders of Sensoria Inc. believe that clothing can be the next wave of “ultra-personal computing” and have created a collection of apparel featuring embedded sensors that connect to an app that tracks data such as activity type, heart rate, gait and in-footwear pressure to the user.
Raffi: Art Meets Tee
Most buyers know Raffi Mauleon from his 15 years as vice president of sales and merchandising for Los Angeles collection Citron, but the designer’s career has also included working with West Coast labels Sue Wong, L. Bates and Product by Elaine Kim.
On and Off the Court With P.E Nation
Australian-born activewear brand P.E Nation was conceived as a performance line that can translate into any lifestyle. The athleisure line launched in March in Australia and recently made its U.S. debut with its third collection, titled “All Sports.”
Jeanologia Touts ‘One Glass, One Garment’ at Sourcing at MAGIC
At the Aug. 14–17 run of Sourcing at MAGIC, Spanish laser-finishing company Jeanologia discusses sustainable solutions for denim makers, including the “one glass, one garment” process.
Jimtex and Denim North America Team Up to Launch Sustainable Denim Using Recycled Cotton
Denim North America and Jimtex Yarns, a division of Martex Fiber Southern Corp., have teamed up to launch a new sustainable denim collection called R3 Denim.
Goldschmied to Discuss Denim Innovation at Project
Denim designer Adriano Goldschmied is discussing the “past, present and future of denim” at an event titled “Adriano Goldschmied Unthreaded” during the Aug. 15–17 run of the Project trade show at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Long-Time LA Garment Manufacturer Charged With Hiding Income at Israeli Banks to Avoid Paying Taxes
Masud Sarshar, known for taking an ordinary workwear brand and converting it into a colorful array of pants called Dickies Girl, has been charged by the federal government with hiding more than $21 million in income in Israeli banks and avoiding U.S. taxes on it.
Terrot’s New Corizon Machine Combines Spinning and Knitting to Save Time, Money and Energy
Members of the U.S. apparel industry turned out recently at a demonstration of a new machine that combines the functions of a spinning machine and a knitting machine.
Cotton Prices Rising as India Overtakes China as Largest Cotton Producer
Cotton prices are on the rise after holding steady for the last few years.
Levi Strauss Awards Fellowships to 10 Textiles-Industry Entrepreneurs to Further Their Approach to Sustainability
Blue-jeans maker Levi Strauss & Co. is putting its pocketbook behind an effort to make fabric and apparel production more environmentally friendly and socially aware.
Lucy Introduces Extended Size Range
Lucy, the Alameda, Calif.–based activewear brand, is launching a new extended-size range.
Football Pro Terrell Owens Launched Prototype 81
Former NFL player Terrell Owens launched a new luxury activewear collection during the recent run of the MRket trade show at the Javits Center in New York.
