According to the ATC, textile quotas were eliminated among WTO members at the first day of 2005. However, resistance to quota removal spread in the US and EU. Particularly in the US, China-specific safeguards on 10 categories of clothing items from China were invoked.
The China-US agreement, effective from January 2006, governs the exports of a total of 21 groups involving 34 categories of Chinese textiles and clothing products to the US during 2006-2008. The China-EU agreement provides for an annual growth of 8-12.5% in 10 categories of Chinese textiles and clothing exports to the EU during 2005-2007. In addition, both EU and US agreed to exercise restraint in invoking China-specific safeguard against Chinese textiles and clothing that are not covered in the agreements.
Product Trends
Formal Dressing: While casual wear accounts for the bulk of clothing sales, a general trend towards stricter corporate dress codes has led to a rising demand for formal dressing.
Teenager: One of the major driving forces of clothing market appears to be the teenagers in the coming years. The number of teenagers in the US expects to increase from 31.6 million in 2001 to 34.1 million in 2010.
Silver Market: Ageing population becomes a common phenomenon in many developed countries in Europe as well as Japan and the US. Elderly people constitute a major market segment called 'silver market'. Supported by savings, social security benefits and pensions, many elderly people have rather strong spending power. It is estimated that the age group of 65 year and above accounted for about 21% of Japan's consumption expenditure in 2000.
Plus-size Market: The plus-size market has been an area of growth for many years, and the trend is expected to continue in the coming future. It is estimated that 65 million women in the US wear size 14 or above. This group represents one-half of the US female population. It is reported that some renowned brands have already responded to the trend by offering merchandise of larger size; these companies include Liz Claiborne, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.
Easy-care Clothing: Clothing made of stain-resistant and wrinkle-free fabrics are well received in the market. It is estimated that about a quarter of clothing is now made of easy-care fabrics, and its popularity is expected to continue in the next few years. While major clothing brands like Dockers and Liz Claiborne have already marketed extensively easy-care clothing, major hypermarkets, like Wal-Mart, also offer more merchandise of such quality.
Textile And Clothing Industry
Rocawear Clothing founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke has become the premier Hip-Hop clothing line worldwide. It's an urban line that features many significant design first, and brought together by some incredible leaders in the Hip-Hop music industry. Shawn "Jay Z" Carter, Kareem "Biggs" Burke, and Damon Dash started the clothing line after the Roc-A-Fella Records producing company had established itself as the future of the recording industry. It was the hope and endeavor of the three partners to also establish the Rocawear Clothing line as the most sought and stylish clothing line for men.
Consumers will find a relaxed fit clothing design, intended for the off hours in an urban environment. This proves to be an incredible step forward for the Hip Hop evolution into a global lifestyle that touches lives in some of the most remote locations. The clothing provides the street savvy customer with incredible design, and detail that was previously unmatched by any clothing designer. This has facilitated the spread and popularity of the clothing line, front lined by its music mogul founders, Jay-Z, and his partners. Over the last 12 years Rocawear has become the standard of the urban apparel corner of the industry.
Some changes have come about since the 1995 inception of the hip hop clothing line. One of the most obvious changes is the expansion from the original customer target of the street savvy young man into children's wear, women's attire, shoes, loungewear, handbags, jewelry, outerwear, and more. The expansion of the urban clothing line continues to prove the trend setting standard of the urban apparel industry is still under their domination.
A more surprising change came earlier in 2007, when the most well known face associated with Rocawear and related musical endeavors, Jay-Z, sold the rights to the brand to a group called the Iconix Brand Group, for $204 Million. Jay-Z retains his share and stake in the company, as well as continues to manage the marketing, licensing and product development for the line. Thus much of the day to day has not changed since the sale. The sale came after the brand was hit with allegations about some of the items in their fur-lined clothing was raccoon fur. Having no previous knowledge of the type of fur used, they pulled the clothing from the department stores and addressed the issue with the clothing makers who put it together.
Even with some turbulence and change over the years, Rocawear continues to be a focal point of style, fashion and the urban lifestyle. It only further establishes that is a powerhouse in the clothing industry and a force to reckon with in the Hip-Hop world.
Both Dylan Sun & Yo Fujikawa are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dylan Sun has sinced written about articles on various topics from Astrology, Organizational and Gardening. , the leading B2B platform, combining vertical search engine with value added service portal. It has more than 430 000 China quality suppliers and p. Dylan Sun's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.
Yo Fujikawa has sinced written about articles on various topics from Jeans, Culture and Society and Online Security. Yo Fujikawa reviews the latest Hip-Hop fashions and apparel. For more information about Rocawear and Jay-Z try visiting . Yo Fujikawa's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.
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