Textile industry: “Given enthusiasm for textiles, it’s time to work differently”

JI’m used to saying that our choice as a consumer is our second vote, it can affect mobility, create jobs, reduce environmental impact. Given the enthusiasm for the Shein clothing brand, it seems that all these arguments are psychiatric in the face of the reality of price, a raging race of consumption that has little effect on the environment, society.

Who should we blame? A consumer whose faith is quickly faltering in the face of harsh economic realities, or who is ill-informed? A state government that, at best, abandons the pure liberalism in which we all function, at worst welcomes the brand’s entry into our territory?

Although it is unacceptable that some of our politicians support this type of initiative, how should we fight to fight more effectively and convince consumers to consume differently?

Many of us are excited about this “fast fashion” development that is killing our jobs and our planet, but how many have accepted and decided to work differently, to sit down with all the players in the value chain, to review their ratios. , to enable our producers to generate sufficient margins to invest more, create wealth and above all jobs, all while helping to reduce environmental impact?

No miracle recipes

It is time to act, to open the dialogue more transparently, because we have learned nothing from our more or less recent experiences and traumas. The wonderful post-Covid momentum is waning as intercontinental shipping returns to affordable prices, Asia shifts prices downwards to restart the car, and purchasing power in our country and the wider Old Continent has never been more damaged.

There is no miracle recipe, but let’s try to propose changes in economic models, challenges for our value chains, new ways of seeing the relationship with brands, retail chains and players on the website.

The key is for us as manufacturers to make the investment commitment that will allow us to compete globally, offering products in the largest quantities at affordable prices.