Debra Malbin

In cross-border bridal sourcing, most “uncontrollable delays” are really visibility problems. When you break bridal gown delivery lead time into a critical path—spec lock, materials readiness, cutting, sewing start, in-line QC, final QC, documentation, shipment—you can manage risk early instead of reacting late. I shared a practical framework (with a milestone template buyers can copy/paste). What’s your biggest lead-time risk: materials, approvals, or transit/customs?

Health-first apparel is no longer a niche — it’s becoming the standard. Today’s consumers expect more than style: • Skin-safe fabrics • Responsible material choices • Comfort that supports hormones, movement, and confidence As manufacturers and sourcing partners, our role is to translate these values into scalable, compliant, and commercially viable garments — without compromising quality or ethics. The future of activewear and leisurewear belongs to brands that design with both performance and wellbeing in mind. #HealthFirstFashion #ActivewearInnovation #ResponsibleManufacturing #FutureOfApparel

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As Source Fashion prepares to open its doors at Olympia’s Grand Hall this July, the show continues to gain momentum as a leading platform for responsible sourcing in the fashion industry. Suzanne Ellingham, Sourcing Director at Source Fashion, discusses the show’s growth and the evolving priorities shaping global fashion supply chains. https://lnkd.in/ewPw7xc2 #fashiontradeshow #sustainability #sustainablefashion #circularfashion

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The 2024 merger of Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus Group was meant to provide scale and synergies by combining the forces of America’s three biggest luxury department store names. In a court filing Tuesday, Saks Global Chief Restructuring Officer Mark Weinsten acknowledged what several observers have noted for months, that the tie-up also came with an immediate problem: 40% of Saks and Neiman locations are quite close to each other, sometimes anchoring the same malls. “Given the breadth of luxury retail chains that make up the Global Debtors’ brand portfolio, their stores face competition not only from other luxury retailers and e-commerce experiences, but also, in certain markets, from one another,” he said. “Given this landscape, the Global Debtors and their advisors have critically assessed the financial and operational performance of their retail locations to identify the strongest stores within their portfolio.”

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Saks Global to close nine stores. Read more https://lnkd.in/equmTJWe The move follows the company’s announcement last month to shutter its off-price business, Saks OFF 5TH.

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Fabletics is officially entering the denim market for the first time, launching a highly anticipated collection on March 12, 2026, in response to direct requests from over one million VIP members. Developed in partnership with "denim whisperer" Benjamin TALLEY Smith, the 11-style line bridges the gap between performance activewear and "lifewear" with three distinct levels of stretch and individually tailored fits for every size. The collection features versatile staples for both men and women, ranging from high-rise straight jeans and baggy utility styles to classic trucker jackets. Priced at a premium value, the line starts at $79.95 for VIP members, while non-members can expect to pay up to $174.95 for these craft-focused pieces. To celebrate the launch, Fabletics will host exclusive events at its Century City and Flatiron flagship stores on March 14, featuring on-site embroidery and limited-edition swag. To see the full fit guide and compare the three levels of stretch technology before the March 12 launch, view the collection details here: https://lnkd.in/eKpCXC4A #FableticsDenim #BenjaminTalleySmith #Lifewear #DenimInnovation #FashionBusiness #RetailNews #FitFocus #VIPExclusive #NewLaunch #AthleisureEvolution

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Part 3…. Is 2025 a setback year for fashion, as sustainability is muted and trade distress overwhelms agendas to drive market or social value? Advocates for change may be dismayed yet also sense that system impasse opens mindsets to alternatives. A recent announcement arrived without trade fanfare and “pay for play” media. It originates from two backstage companies who serve fashion’s largest brands, retailers and creators. Their pairing is a serious counter to conventional sourcing that is long lead time, opaque and inflexible. MAS ACME USA and KORNIT align global garment manufacturing with hardware for automated production. Over-production is driven by retailers trapped in high markup and high markdown cycles of profitless volume. The antidote is on demand production at scale, meaning sell what you order. Kornit's analog-to-digital success in graphic printing and imaging is based on heritage from HP and electronics, the origin of the postponement revolution with Stanford University. Brad Ballentine (MAS) and Ronen Samuel (Kornit) have made an impressive commitment to fashion transformation. Their platform – and related AI analytics (Part 2) -- rewires the upstream supply chain for downstream impact. This collective capability arises from the factory floor and challenges merchant culture of the lowest ex-factory costs, high forecast error and excess inventory. Investors want leaner balance sheets, Gen Z wants transparency, and global competition demands response.  “Supply flexibility is by far the greatest opportunity in global apparel to increase market value.” (Warren H. Hausman, Stanford University, “Under the Banyan Tree: Buyers and Suppliers in Fashion”) Part 4 to follow…. https://lnkd.in/dTQiTiQR Brad Ballentine Ronen Samuel Scott Walton Matthias Knappe Matthijs Crietee Robert Skidmore Syrup Tech

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🚨 Heads-up. The latest Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) Quarterly Executive Sentiment Survey reveals that the footwear industry's outlook remains bleak in the short term. ⬆️ Rising costs and retail prices, driven by tariffs, are expected to hit hard in the second half of the year as both the economy and consumer spending weaken. ⬇️ More than 6 in 10 respondents report lower sales compared to 6 months ago, marking a record share. ⛈️ Respondents’ prospects for the economy are comparably pessimistic from the prior quarter, with 82% seeing the 6-month outlook weaker or very weak. Oh, also: A staggering 88% of respondents foresee a weaker shoe shopper over the next 6 months. As a result a near-record share anticipates lower sales over the next 6 months, while a record 49% fear lower comp sales over the next 6 months. Not a good look. Check out the entire survey results here - https://lnkd.in/et-nuBVj

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🇨🇳 China’s role in global apparel manufacturing is shifting,  and brands are feeling it. Recent reports show that China remains a leader in textile and garment exports, but its share of global supply chains is adjusting as competition grows and trade patterns evolve. Rather than dominating every category, the country’s strength is becoming more selective , especially in specialized segments like knitted apparel and advanced fabrics. (https://lnkd.in/eDU4pCrY) This matters for all of us in manufacturing because it reflects a bigger reality: Production is no longer about where you make, but how you make. Control, agility, and strategic partnerships are becoming more valuable than just low cost. Our takeaway at Innovtex? 👉 China will stay crucial in global supply chains 👉 But brands need to think beyond traditional sourcing models 👉 Diversifying partnerships and building resilience isn’t optional, it’s essential

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