INDUSTRY ISSUES
Growing Out of Uncertainty - How the sewn products industry adapts and grows in the face of uncertainty
By Michael McDonald, SPESA President | March 6, 2026
Each year SPESA releases what we call our “State of the Industry.” Often it’s timed around the U.S. State of the Union and serves as an opportunity for our team to reflect back on the year prior and look ahead to the new year we’re in.
Tukatech and FABFAD Announce Collaboration
Fashion-technology provider Tukatech, and FABFAD, the Los Angeles-based digital and full-service microfactory, have announced a collaboration that connects TUKA3D Designer Edition to more than 100,00 unique fabric prints designed and sourced by FABFAD.
Amazon and Affirm Announce Partnership for Pay-Over-Time Option
Payment network Affirm announced a partnership with Amazon that will allow Amazon.com customers to choose from more-flexible payment options during checkout.
Using AI, Taelor Affords a Perfectly Fit Fashion-Rental Experience to Its Customers
Looking around the fashion-rental space, Anya Cheng noticed a heavy focus on women’s apparel. With a career that includes working in social-media commerce for platforms on Facebook and Instagram, in addition to a position with Target, during which Cheng led the retailer’s digital transformation through development of its mobile-tablet application, she used these experiences to develop Taelor.
Gap Acquires Drapr for 3D-Fitting Technology
Gap Inc., which includes a collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands, has acquired Drapr, the e-commerce startup and online application, which aids customers and retailers during the process of searching for clothes that fit.
CaaStle, Dress The Population Give Customers a New Way to Rent Formalwear
CaaStle is giving customers access to Dress The Population’s formalwear collection by partnering with the e-commerce website and launching Borrow.
Poshmark Announces Continued Expansion With India Presence and New Leaders
Poshmark, Inc. will soon be available to consumers in India as the leading social marketplace continues to expand throughout the world.
Indochino’s Klarna Partnership Paves the Way for Younger Demographic
Indochino has released a case study showing that Klarna’s Pay in 4 option has been a success for the global leader in custom apparel.
Square to Acquire Afterpay, Accelerate Growth With BNPL and Other Channels
Square, Inc., and Afterpay Limited recently announced that Square would acquire Afterpay through a scheme implementation deed.
Ambercycle and Avery Dennison Work Together to Close the Supply-Chain Loop
The end of life for clothing often leads to the landfill, creating an enormous fashion-waste problem for the industry.
Express Introduces Community Commerce Program for Style Experts
Express Community Commerce is a first-of-its-kind social commerce experience for fashion enthusiasts to style, inspire and earn commission.
Klarna Acquires APPRL, Expands Reach to Global Consumers
Klarna, a leading global retail bank, payments and shopping service, has announced the acquisition of APPRL, a SaaS platform that allows content creators and retailers to work together frictionlessly to bring immersive and informative shoppable content to global consumers.
Fashion Tech Works Launches With Resources for Apparel Businesses
In the heart of the downtown Los Angeles Fashion District, at the New Mart building, Fashion Tech Works affords a new space for cultivating creativity blended with innovation. The fashion-focused space serves as a digital design center, content studio, event space and coworking site for designers and brands large and small.
Lenzing Makes Strides in Fiber Identification Within Its E-Branding Service
Known for its commitment to sustainable-fiber cultivation, Lenzing has announced the expansion of its identification capabilities within the company’s E-Branding Service.
Archive Resale Uses a Brand-Centered Approach to Redefine Digital Resale
While sites that cater to consumers who want to bid adieu to their old clothing in exchange for a bit of cash have dominated the online resale space, Archive Resale has introduced a model that benefits both brands and sellers. Founded in 2020 by vintage-clothing enthusiast, Google alum and now Archive Resale Chief Executive Officer Emily Gittins and Ryan Rowe, the company’s chief technology officer who is a design, data and user-experience expert, the platform is quickly gaining traction to fill a void in the market.
LG, thredUP Give Clothes a ‘Second Life’ in new Partnership
Resale-as-a-Service platform thredUP Inc. and LG Electronics USA have partnered to help give clothes a second chance and reduce consumers’ fashion footprint.
