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.
Cotton Heritage Teams Up With Tukatech for 3D Digital Design
In May, Los Angeles–headquartered fashion-technology firm Tukatech Inc. introduced its latest version of the TUKA3D Designer Edition. Tukatech recently announced that the premium-blanks company Cotton Heritage, headquartered in Commerce, Calif., was working with the 3D visualizer.
Acquiring Custom Gateway, Kornit Digital Expands Its Cloud-Software Reach
Digital-printing technology provider Kornit Digital announced that it has acquired the United Kingdom–based cloud-software workflow-solutions company Custom Gateway.
Almost The Show Wants To Put Human Touch In Virtual Trade Show
A number of established, high-profile trade shows took the unprecedented step of canceling in-person events this summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, they rallied with announcements of producing virtual trade shows to serve as substitutes.
Saks Fifth Avenue to Use NuOrder Tech
Luxury department store Saks Fifth Avenue recently announced that it will employ technology produced by NuOrder, a Los Angeles-headquartered business-to-business e-commerce platform.
ADNAS Commits to Developing Authentication for PPE
To combat counterfeiting in the apparel industry—most notably within the luxury-goods segment—Applied DNA Sciences has been known for its technology that uses DNA-specific markers to identify authentic goods.
Informa to Ramp Up Virtual Trade Show With NuOrder
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, trade shows have been postponing physical events, but that has presented opportunities for business in a virtual-trade-show setting.
Target Corp. Joins Instagram’s Checkout Shopping App
Facebook Inc. introduced a shopping feature for Instagram last week.
BioCellection Helps Close Loop on Plastics Pollution by Creating New Materials
Through its efforts to close the loop on plastics pollution, BioCellection has advanced its program from recycling this type of waste by expanding into creating performance materials that could be utilized by the apparel industry.
Apparel-Technology Companies Make Connections to Support PPE Production
As clothing manufacturers, brands and designers create personal protective equipment for medical workers during the continued global efforts to combat COVID-19, apparel-technology firms are facilitating production of masks, gloves, gowns and footwear covers.
Faves Aims To Help Retailers Make Sense of Budgets and Buys
Retailers can expect to meet scores—even hundreds—of people when they attend big trade shows and other buying trips. The experience can become a blur when a buyer tries to recall the styles he or she saw during shows, said Ulla Hald of the retail-technology company Faves Solutions, Inc., maker of the Faves Pro app for buyers.
Tukatech Offers Complimentary Cloud License to Current CAD Users to Work Remotely
While the COVID-19 panedemic led some to make early attempts to capitalize on this tragic time, others have recognized an opportunity to become part of the solution.
Priorities in 3-D and Sustainability at PI Apparel Los Angeles
In the region where the United States film industry reigns, MarketKey hosted its Los Angeles edition of PI Apparel Feb. 19–20 at the L.A. Grand Hotel Downtown.
The Tipping Point for On-Demand Fashion
On-demand fashion continues to grow as consumers increasingly look for personalized and customizable products. In fact, indications show that this is less of a trend than it is a tectonic shift in the way the fashion industry does business, from marketing and design to product development, manufacturing and logistics.
Oonana To Develop New E-Platform for DTLA Manufacturers
Amazon.com has made billions of dollars in revenue by offering a direct-to-consumer marketplace for vendors and manufacturers.
Small-Business App Introduced by OneWest Bank as Company Invests in Entrepreneurs
For regional Southern California financial institution OneWest Bank, small business has inspired great investment. The retail-bank division of Pasadena, Calif.’s CIT Bank, N.A., announced last week that it had launched a small-business mobile application.
