EDITORIAL
Dear Readers,
Read insights on challenges in social enterprises and bio-based materials from Bio-Fashion Innovation Day at Avantex, or find reports on second-hand trends and AI in Europe.
This is the final opportunity to apply for our FABRIX second call if you are a T&C SME located in the Athens or Rotterdam areas seeking enhanced support on your sustainability journey.
If you haven’t shared your thoughts about the HEREWEAR HUB yet, the survey is still open: we believe this post-project resource is a helpful contribution to our community that seeks more sustainable solutions through bio-based, local and circular implementation, and it would be a kind gesture to provide feedback for a few minutes on this form.
Enjoy reading!
PROJECTS
OPEN CALL
FABRIX
The Fabrix Project has an open call for T&C SME’s in the pilot cities of Rotterdam (NL) and Athens (Greece). If you or someone you know is a business, artisan, designer-maker in fashion, textile and clothing, OR in a potentially complementary field from the point of view of circular economy, €5000 is up for grabs for 10 companies in each city! Find out more at fabrixproject.eu
THE POWER OF SOCIAL
TCBL
How can a social enterprise address local and global challenges? One approach was presented at Avantex in Paris last month by Elvys Sandu in a talk about “Social and local manufacturing ecosystems”. Read or watch on the TCBL website.
BIOTEXTILE POTENTIAL
HEREWEAR
At Avantex in Paris, HEREWEAR partner Centexbel’s Willem Uyttendaele spoke about “The Promising Outlook on Biobased Textiles” with a useful summary of the latest innovations in relation to EU textile strategy. Watch the video
ECOSYSTEM
TEX-DAN
Invited by Cedecs-TCBL as a partner of the TEX-Dan project, Ethereal exhibited its latest products at the Avantex ReSources podium, establishing connections with potential clients. Ethereal showcased skin-safe fabrics originally developed for infants, which now offer effective solutions for adults suffering from skin allergies—a concern increasingly linked to climate change. TEX-DAN aims to redevelop circularity and sustainability practices with companies and networks along the River Danube. Read more on the project here
SECOND-HAND?
SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS
According to a recent report from RI.SE, buying second-hand clothing is often not the most sustainable or affordable choice. The report suggests that it's important to look beyond the initial price and direct impact of individual garments, and instead consider the total lifetime impact—not just of single items, but of your entire wardrobe and the lifestyle it supports. RI.SE is involved in various EU projects (such as HEREWEAR) and co-organised the Ecosystex 2025 conference in Gothenburg. You can download the full report here
TCBL MEMBER NEWS
TCBL spotlights members
The ReSources podium in Avantex / Texworld Sourcing Apparel Paris gathers companies who are providing solutions to make the Textile and Clothing sector more sustainable, creative, responsible. In this third edition of the podium, Katty Fashion, Badiya Wool, Estorvin and Ethereal were invited to showcase their products and services. The TCBL Association spotlights three of its members in videos you can watch on YouTube
Are you a member of the TCBL Association yet? Members share knowledge and experience, network and develop new projects through services available to all paid, accredited members.
INSPIRATIONS (or not)
Public Response to Fast Fashion Partnerships. As of 7 October 2025, more than 70,000 petitioners and a broad range of leaders have voiced their opposition to the partnership between BHV and five Galeries Lafayette stores (SGM group) with Shein. Their concerns centre on the question of how a responsible CEO could consider ultra-fast fashion as a short-term opportunity, especially given the potential repercussions for the long-term reputation of these stores. The partnership is also seen as a factor in accelerating the closure of retailers and manufacturers within the textiles and clothing sector. For further discussion, watch the France24 interview, “La question qui fâche” here
Success Strategies in Sportswear. The sportswear sector is known for its high entry barriers and oligopolistic market structure. Despite these challenges, brands such as Hoka and On achieved remarkable growth, expanding by 39% last year compared to the sector average of 8%. The key to their success lies in maintaining a clear and specific mission, and ensuring that both product development and branding are closely aligned with this mission. For more details on On’s strategy for success, read on FastCompany
EESC Study on Generative AI. This new EU study on the use of Generative AI includes data on the uptake of AI tools by businesses in member states and policy recommendations to ensure that AI remains / becomes ethically and socially aligned with human needs, amongst other things. Full story here
SEO for AI = GEO. Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) is an AI-based approach that involves large language models (LLM) algorithms scraping content from various sources, including the web, social media, emails, videos, and user feedback. To stand out, it’s important for content to be contextualised and to foster specific conversations, as LLMs prioritise these attributes. Further information can be found in the FWN publication here
Social and Circular Enterprise: Autour du Tissu. Autour du Tissu, a social and circular enterprise launched in Strasbourg, France in 2024, is making an impact by collecting end of rolls, unsold garments, haberdashery, and second-hand sewing machines within a 30km radius. The organisation’s mission is to breathe new life into these useful resources, making them available for local users. To learn more or get in touch with Autour du Tissu, visit this link
AGENDA
Made in France
6-9 November 2025, Paris
Discover and buy thousands of products from all sectors including fashion, beauty, decoration and food among others. Find out more
International Textile Fair
18-21 November 2025, Lodz (PL)
Europe’s largest fair for wholesale clothing Find out more
Denim PV Milano
26-27 November 2025, Milano
The denim-specific edition of Premiere Vision. Find out more
A big thank you to our contributors of the month, Guy Buyle, Jean-François Vermont and to our editors, Alexandra, Frédérique, Jean-Renaud.
Do you have questions or comments about the topics in this newsletter, or ideas about the textile industry? Do not hesitate to contact us
TCBL@audasud.fr
Projects photos and TCBL Member News photos © TCBL Association
Online programing and copyright © 2025 Audasud
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