The World's Top Clothing and Fabric Companies…. How many clothing and fabric companies can you name? There are thousands around the world, ranging from multinational corporations to mom-and-pop operations. Some of these clothing and fabric companies are publicly traded, while others are privately owned and operated; they each have their own way of doing business, but all strive to be at the top of their game when it comes to product quality, customer service, and market share. This list will introduce you to some of the biggest names in the industry, whether you’re in the market for new clothes or fabric materials for your sewing projects.
The 10 Largest Retailers
Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT) is a world leader in retailing, operating a chain of more than 10,000 discount stores and Supercenters in 16 countries. The company also operates Sam’s Club warehouse membership stores. In its most recent fiscal year, Wal-Mart generated nearly $500 billion in sales. Wal-Mart also topped Fortune magazine’s list of Most Admired Companies for six consecutive years.
Global fashion market - bright spots
If 2014 was a year of uncertainties, 2016 will be a year of opportunities for clothing and fabrics companies worldwide. With no signs that China’s demand for overseas fashion brands is slowing down, South America could prove to be one of 2016’s major emerging markets. But with fast-fashion chains like Zara inching towards mainstream status globally, where do independent designers fit into today’s apparel industry?
Global Fashion Market Scenario
The global fashion market is expected to reach $2.28 trillion by 2019. In 2016, it was worth $1.82 trillion, with a year-on-year growth of 3 percent. The world’s biggest fashion brands are Walmart ($19 billion), H&M ($15 billion), Zara ($13 billion) and Gap ($11 billion). China is currently Europe’s largest textile export destination, but Asia could overtake Europe as a sourcing region if demand continues to grow at its current rate.
Shopping malls emerge as global shopping destination
Shopping malls have emerged as a global shopping destination, with many in China, India, Japan and elsewhere now rivaling their U.S. counterparts in size and offerings. In comparison to single-brand shops, they also offer an overall better value for shoppers seeking high street brands at lower prices than they typically find in standalone stores—all under one roof.
Luxury brands made in India
India may be known as a worldwide apparel manufacturing powerhouse, but it’s also home to world-class designers and luxury brands. If you’re looking for high-quality clothing or fabrics, check out some of these leading businesses.
Pakistani fashion designer launches 'burkini' swimsuit for Muslim women
A Muslim fashion designer in Pakistan has created a burkini - a full-body swimsuit for women that covers everything except their hands, feet and face. Mariam Karim said she designed it to give women freedom while on holiday. It comes after France banned burkinis with controversial new laws that were backed by President Francois Hollande. Thousands of people protested against them at French beaches yesterday.
Apparel Sector - Opportunities for Investors
With strong emerging markets, an expanding middle class in many regions, and a booming Internet shopping market, there are more opportunities than ever for investors interested in apparel. With global GDP growth forecast to average 3.6% over 2013-2023, many firms will continue to seek expansion opportunities in these high-growth markets.
Source/Supplier for clothing and fashion brands_
2.(4).(1). Fashion and Apparel Sourcing Companies worldwide_
2.(4).(1).(1).Apparel Sourcing Group: The world’s largest textile purchasing group, ASG has more than 200 members around the globe. Founded in 1977, ASG is an active trading community for its members who buy about $22 billion worth of fabric a year. Members are supported by a team of industry professionals who provide sourcing services and business intelligence. The company also provides access to global markets that includes showrooms, offices and warehouses in North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific and China.
2.(4).(1).(2).HARRES APPAREL INC.: HARRES Apparel is based in New York City, USA. Established in 2009, it is a leading international manufacturer of fashion clothing for women, children and men. The company deals with retail stores all over Europe. In addition to that, Harres has three stand-alone retail stores of its own on Madison Avenue in New York City. HARRES Apparel’s collection is sold through more than 500 high-end retailers located in over 50 countries across six continents around the world.
2.(4).(1).(3).Sourcing Solutions: The Fashion For Development Foundation is a non-profit organization that seeks to empower women in developing countries through a sustainable supply chain. They’ve done impressive work building relationships with key stakeholders throughout fashion’s supply chain, including manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retail outlets. By creating these diverse networks of partners who share common goals of sustainability, growth, and development for both their employees and communities in which they operate – The Fashion For Development Foundation has become an indispensable resource for companies seeking to source responsibly.
2.(4).(1).(4).N.D.STANDARD INC.: Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan with a total of 1,600 employees worldwide (1,300 worldwide), N.D. Standard is a global provider of tailored clothing for large corporations. Revenue was over $200 billion USD in 2017.
2.(4).(1).(5).Rockapetta Limited: Established in 1982, Rockapetta Limited is a well-known business throughout many of Asia’s bustling cities. The company focuses on performance wear, including swimwear, dancewear, everyday clothing, sports attire—any type of active apparel you can think of. Their pieces are worn by dancers, marathon runners and even Olympic athletes around the world. It’s no wonder they’re one of China’s biggest sportswear suppliers!
2.(4).(1).(6).Sonic Trading Systems Inc.: Sonic Trading Systems is a global clothing company with offices located all over North America. The company focuses on selling in-demand clothing products to consumers across several different regions of Western Europe. Sonic Trading Systems imports its products from various factories located in Africa, Asia, and Oceania. This company has locations in multiple countries including Australia, New Zealand, China, United Kingdom, Japan, Brazil, France and India. Sonic Trading Industries operates as a privately held enterprise under its parent corporation Sonic Enterprises Ltd. based out of Hong Kong.
2.(4).(1).(7).The Gulati Group: Founded in New York in 1996, The Gulati Group has quickly expanded into a global textile business with offices across three continents. Their client list includes companies from around 40 countries, ranging from small shops to large corporations. They’ve been featured on QVC Network’s In-Studio with Shelagh Rogers Show as well as Canada AM for their handmade suits. To date, they’ve earned more than $50 million in sales of their products.
2.(4).(1).(8).Trade & Barter Worldwide Holdings: Trade & Barter is a global barter exchange founded in 2009 with offices in the United States, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, France, Spain and Austria. The company focuses on social trading by allowing members to trade without money. Trade & Barter has approximately 200 corporate members who exchange goods and services through their local Trade & Barter chapters. Their international headquarters are located in Astoria NY.
2.(4).(1).(9).SynergiesWorldwide: The largest textile business in North America is SynergiesWorldwide, which specializes in developing textile products for companies worldwide. In addition to providing a broad range of clothing and fabric options, SynergiesWorldwide also develops specific textiles that fit certain parameters customers need—for example, it developed a waterproof fabric for an underwater data center. SynergiesWorldwide’s experience makes it one of the best textile businesses worldwide.
2.(4).(1).(10).BURNAT LTD.: Burnat is an international brand specializing in clothing for individuals of all ages. They have been operating for over forty years and continue to grow as time goes on. Burnat has been named a top worldwide clothing company by many industry associations, as well as members of society in general. Whether you’re looking for clothes for yourself or your child, there’s no need to look any further than Burnat.
2.(4).(1).(11).Apparel sourcing New York City: Although it’s a big market, finding clothes manufacturers in New York City can be tricky. And if you’re not careful, you might end up making an expensive mistake. Here are ten of the best clothing-and-fabric businesses in NYC.
2.(4).(1).(12).Techno Apparel Buying: When it comes to specialty fabrics, such as technical fabrics or performance fabric, companies need help from expert professionals. Find a company that has had years of experience in technology clothing buying. They will be able to advise you on what fabrics best suit your needs as well as tell you who their trusted suppliers are. This is an essential service for any successful business selling specialty items.
2.(4).(1).(13).Uniway Sourcing: Whether you’re looking for reliable apparel suppliers or innovative textile manufacturers, Uniway can help. We work with clothing and fabrics companies worldwide—and we’ve been connecting businesses for more than 30 years. Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow with quality materials from our trusted, leading global partners. Uniway works with hundreds of suppliers all over Asia, so whatever type of materials you need to build a stunning new clothing line or manufacturing facility, get in touch today!
2.(4).(1).(14).SOAK: When you’re on a mission to save money or stay thrifty, you might think of buying used clothes as a way to save yourself some cash. But whether you’re shopping at thrift stores or through sites like eBay, it can be difficult to know what exactly you’re getting—especially when it comes to fabrics. That’s why we suggest trying something called SOAKing, which stands for Soaking Out Acetone.
2.(4).(1).(15).Pineapple Clothing: After taking a look at their website, it is clear that Pineapple Clothing specializes in comfortable clothing made with high-quality fabrics. Their designs are versatile; perfect for wear on a daily basis or to special events. The brand’s signature cuts are flattering on all body types, while still being trendy enough to wear with confidence. You will love how soft each garment feels on your skin, and you won’t have to worry about damaging or fading their fabric even after repeated washes.
2.(4).(1).(16).DMK Asia Ltd: One of India’s top apparel companies, DMK produces around 100 million meters of fabric every year for brands including Levi Strauss & Co., Walmart Inc. and H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB. It has six manufacturing facilities in India and Singapore, employs about 7,000 people, most of them women from rural areas with little to no education. Most are hired through a training program that ensures they stay on once they graduate from sewing machines to administrative work.
2.(4).(1).(17).Levant Knitting & Garments: Founded in 1937, Levant is one of Israel’s most prominent textile companies. The company produces a variety of fabrics ranging from wool to polyester.
2.(4).(1).(18).Good Clothing Company: Patagonia has been around since 1973, when it was founded by Yvon Chouinard. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that Patagonia is in its second generation of owners: It was passed from Chouinard to his daughter, Rose Marcario.
2.(4).(1).(19).Apparel Production Inc.: In addition to these locations, APi sells wholesale products to independent clothing and fabric companies worldwide. They represent a variety of apparel manufacturers. In 2015, they operated 63 production facilities around the world in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America/Caribbean and Middle East/Africa. Their largest facility is in Quebec City with its 1.7 million square feet space.
2.(4).(1).(20).Indie Source: To track down which companies are involved in what, we’ve consulted Indie Source, a source that collects information on various clothing and fabric companies worldwide. The site provides company names, links to corporate sites, addresses of factories (where applicable), contact information, links to websites that offer corporate profiles and general information about them (revenue figures, number of employees etc.), while also providing a link to Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Clothes that rates whether each company is sustainable or not.
2.(4).(1).(21).Portland Garment Factory:. Located in Portland, Oregon, Portland Garment Factory designs custom clothing for clothing brands worldwide. Its clients include Adidas, Nike, Dickies, Old Navy and many more. It’s one of several businesses which are helping to transform Oregon into a hub for American-made clothing; in addition to clothing companies like its own, there are also companies making shoes and leather goods. These new companies give Oregon an advantage over other states thanks to lower shipping costs—particularly given that Asian labor costs have risen sharply in recent years.
2.(4).(1).(22).Billoomi Fashion: Billoomi is one of most recognized clothing companies in the world. It has nearly 650 stores worldwide, employs over 11,000 people, ships to nearly 250 countries and generates more than $8 billion in revenue every year. It owns more than 500 clothing brands spanning multiple different product lines. Billoomi spends over $3 billion on marketing every year.
2.(4).(1).(23).FourSource: Founded in 2014, FourSource is a premier online business-to-business (B2B) platform that connects clothing and fabrics companies worldwide. All products are manufactured in China, specifically tailored to meet international clients’ order demands. With over 10 years of experience sourcing clothing & fabrics for domestic brands such as Walmart, eBay & T.J Maxx, our highly experienced sourcing team can match your requirements with a factory that makes your product fast, inexpensively & at high quality standards you demand.
2.(4).(1).(24).Dewhirst:Based in England, Dewhirst has been producing high-quality fabrics for more than three centuries. Its founder, John Dewhirst, was an immigrant from Yorkshire who arrived in London during 1698. Originally a tailor’s apprentice, he began selling and importing raw materials used to make woolen cloth—including wool yarn, cotton fabric and baleen (which is used to produce whalebone). Over time, his business grew into one of Britain’s largest textile merchants.
2.(4).(1).(25).Zega Apparel: United States-based Zega Apparel is one of a handful of companies that has ventured into space, as it were. The company began manufacturing its line of high-tech fabrics in outer space in 1999 and eventually began selling garments based on these ultra-lightweight materials, specifically suited for space travel. In 2003, NASA awarded Zega a contract to develop suits that astronauts could wear inside pressurized modules of aircrafts.
2.(4).(1).(26).Euphoric Colors: India-based fashion designer Rohit Bal is known for his impeccable eye for color. The designer’s use of bright hues, including sunny yellows, fuchsia, and fluorescent orange, has earned him a reputation as one of India’s top clothing manufacturers. But Bal hasn’t confined himself to clothing alone; his portfolio includes everything from perfumes to household wares.
2.(4).(1).(27).DSA Manufacturing: The largest textile companies in Europe are connected with a group called DSA Manufacturing, which has 12 member companies that produce textiles, clothing, footwear, and leather. The combined revenue of these businesses is $65 billion annually.
2.(4).(2). Custom clothing manufacturer visionary_
Japanese apparel giant Uniqlo continues to expand across Asia, has set its sights on a new continent. The company plans to open at least 20 Uniqlo stores in North America by 2015. They are also opening a new store in New York City soon. Some American retailers already have Uniqlo products available for sale, but these must be shipped from Japan or other parts of Asia because no U.S.-based facilities exist.
2.(4).(2).(1).Get Manufacturer to start with: The relationship between your clothing business and manufacturer goes beyond economics. What most people don’t realize is that you will have to rely on your manufacturer for non-economic things as well. You need someone who is reliable, honest, available when you need them, etc. That might sound crazy but I’ve seen it happen. If a relationship is established with trust then getting work done in a timely manner will be easier than if you didn’t build that trust at all.
2.(4).(2).(1).(1).Common Objective: To be one of The Worlds Most Powerful Brand which is a ranking developed by Millward Brown, based on their brand strength scores. Millward Brown has been publishing its league tables since 2000.
2.(4).(2).(1).(2).Forums: The user-driven community at Reddit is a great resource for buyers, with many threads ranking among the most popular on any given day. You can search for existing threads about specific brands or topics to tap into conversations other shoppers have already started—or you can start your own thread if no similar one exists.
2.(4).(2).(1).(3).Google: As of 2014, there are over 120 clothing brands headquartered in New York City. New York has quickly become a center for global fashion companies to expand their brand. One of these companies is Levi Strauss & Co., who was founded in 1853. Their headquarters is located in San Francisco, but they have offices worldwide including Tokyo, Beijing, Hong Kong, London and Frankfurt.
2.(4).(2).(1).(4).Maker's Row: Maker’s Row was created to serve as a virtual marketplace for independent makers. It connects companies who need manufactured goods with vetted, skilled artisans all over the United States. Makers are screened, rated, and reviewed on their quality of work, communication skills, professionalism and more.
2.(4).(2).(1).(5).Networking: Aside from an education in design, there are also thousands of small steps you can take to help strengthen your network. As you meet new people over time, always make sure to have business cards on hand. Whenever you meet someone new, ask for their contact information—including email address, phone number and social media profiles—and send them a brief message thanking them for meeting with you.
2.(4).(2).(1).(6).Sourcing At Magic: Magic, founded in 1998 by Andrew Martin, is an Italian manufacturer of luxury cashmere. Its products are sold in more than 200 stores worldwide. The label offers a wide range of colors with playful patterns in both knitwear and men’s wear. It also produces jumpers with or without peter pan collars as well as turtlenecks and tailored blazers that are unrivalled for style and quality of fabric.
2.(4).(2).(1).(7).Sqetch: Imagine a shirt that can clean itself after it’s been worn for several days. Sound like science fiction? Sqetch is a new fabric that can do just that. The textile uses an embedded surface of nanocapsules full of molecules called peptides. When in contact with sweat, these molecules break down and dissolve, allowing bacteria to be flushed away from both your skin and from your clothes without having to wash them.
2.(4).(2).(1).(8).Trade Shows And Online Databases: Trade shows are often one of, if not, a designer’s best ways to learn about new fabrics for his or her collection. Some designers even stay in town before or after these events to visit fabric houses in person. These companies may also have an online database that allows you to select from their fabrics. Knowing what type of material you want is important when designing your clothing line—you wouldn’t want to invest money in a line that involves animal furs, would you?
2.(4).(2).(2).Estoxconnect: The History of Estoxconnect is actually a pretty funny story. In 2003, Sarah (me) started out on a quest to meet other people who shared her passion for personal style. She ended up doing something entirely different - creating an online community where women could share their style and shopping tips with one another! Since then, I've had the pleasure of helping thousands of women just like you...Here at Estoxconnect we pride ourselves on our fashion sense.
2.(4).(2).(3).Kilt and Jacks, Inc.: Kilt and Jacks is a wholesaler specializing in clothing for large people. The company, which has an international presence, can be found on every continent except Antarctica. It was founded in 2008 by two brothers from Glasgow, Scotland; Peter Kilt (now CEO) and Steven Kilt (now COO). In early 2016, Kilt & Jacks announced it would build a new warehouse facility to handle its growing business.
2.(4).(2).(4).printful clothing: Printful is a custom apparel platform that makes it easy for designers to create, print, sell and ship their own branded apparel at scale. As of 2017, Printful has shipped over $90 million worth of clothes. Its secret: Printful offers unique products at low costs by cutting out unnecessary middlemen. While most brands rely on retailers like Zazzle or Cafepress to handle fulfilment, Printful handles every step in-house.
2.(4).(2).(5).Logo sportswear: If you’re looking for logo sportswear, it doesn’t get much better than Athletic Specialties, who has been in business since 1972. Their line of sweatshirts, pants, jackets, accessories, and more are all second to none; however, their quality is reflected in their pricing—you can expect to pay $50-100+ per shirt or pair of pants.
2.(4).(2).(6).Steve Apparel: Over twenty years ago, Steve Apparel began a clothing revolution that completely changed the way people dressed. It started by creating off-the-rack tuxedos and introducing them to a bridal store in Beverly Hills. The instant success of those tuxedos prompted them to expand their operation worldwide, with nearly all of their products now made in China. Their signature dress shirt offers men a great alternative to traditional dress shirts at an affordable price point.
2.(4).(2).(7).Pineapple clothing: This Asian clothing line is both eco-friendly and stylish. It’s main focus is comfort, so expect to find innovative clothing options that are easy to move in. For instance, they have clothing made of pineapple leaves (check out their camo and classic leaves lines). With prices ranging from $10-50 per item, you can easily afford a complete new wardrobe in a season or two.
2.(4).(2).(8).Contrado: Founded in 1994, Contrado is an international company specializing in commercializing brands of clothing and fabrics. The company is headquartered in New York City with a presence worldwide. They currently market to fashion enthusiasts from their website on multiple platforms like iOS, Android, Windows phones etc. As a team of experts having years of experience in consumer behavior, industry trends & technology - they bring about a highly interactive platform for brands which gives them a chance to reach out to millions of consumers across America’s most famous city.
2.(4).(2).(9).Uberprints: Headquartered in New York City, Uberprints is one of America’s fastest-growing printed t-shirt companies. Uberprints was recently named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s top 500 Fastest Growing Companies in North America.
2.(4).(2).(10).CustomCat: The successful company CustomCat offers first-class services in product development, production of special fabrics and clothing, packaging design or product labeling. With their international network, they support companies from all countries with their tasks in administration, sales management, production management and quality control. Their service range includes setting up your own business, finding suitable manufacturers for different materials or special clothing designs or taking care of your marketing efforts. However you choose to work with them: you can be sure that you will receive nothing but first-class treatment!
2.(4).(2).(11).Zega apparel: Zega is a clothing company based in Vietnam. Zega’s garments are made of cotton, silk, cashmere, wool and alpaca. The company offers many different styles, including t-shirts, shorts and other tops. Zega manufactures all its clothes in Vietnam, offering high quality products at affordable prices.
2.(4).(2).(12).Bryden: The Bryden Group is a company based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada. Since 1923, Bryden has been producing fabric and clothing for companies worldwide. With over 20 divisions focused on different products and services, The Bryden Group creates over 1 million garments every month. Internationally they produce brand names such as Gildan Apparel, Gold Toe Socks, Durango Boots and more.
2.(4).(2).(13).Printify custom: When it comes to your apparel printing needs, you want to find a company that can deliver quality service at an affordable price. Look no further than Printify, one of Europe’s premier custom apparel printers. For nearly 40 years, Printify has provided print solutions for millions of satisfied customers across Europe. Here are three quick reasons why you should use Printify
2.(4).(3). How to be a source/supplier_
Although knowing how to make garments is a must, there are several other skills you’ll need in order to become a clothing supplier. There are four factors to take into consideration when buying textiles: quality, price, quantity, and delivery. To succeed in today’s competitive textile market you have to excel at all of these things (and many more).
2.(4).(3).(1). Finalize a name & develop own brand: Once you’ve got a handle on what it is you want to do, then figure out how to differentiate yourself from your competition. This is not something that should be done in a rush – spend some time researching your industry, reading up on all of your competitors and brands; work out who is doing well where they are, who could do better.
2.(4).(3).(2).Budget Calculation: To be taken seriously, a fabric company must calculate exact costs for every project from start to finish. Let’s take, for example, a t-shirt with screen printing on it. The screen printing is $2 per shirt; 1000 shirts times $2 equals $2000 in costs per run. In order to cover your production costs, you can either sell every shirt at $10 each or 1000 shirts at $10 each.
2.(4).(3).(3).Choose the type of clothes for design: Designers decide what type of clothes they want to design. For example, a designer might choose to create designs for women or men. The designer would also decide whether he wants to specialize in one type of clothing, such as pants or shirts, or just work on all types of garments.
2.(4).(3).(4).Proper communication with Manufacturer: It is crucial to communicate in a timely manner when working with a manufacturer. If you aren’t able to make constant updates or keep up with their high demand, they will automatically assume that you don’t care about your business anymore. A good way to prevent any possible miscommunication is by having weekly calls or meetings. Make sure to pay attention to details as well because that is what makes these meetings so important.
2.(4).(3).(5).Sell through Amazon: Amazon is not only an e-commerce behemoth, but a one-stop shop for pretty much any type of product you can think of. You can even sell your own products through Amazon. To get started, all you need to do is create an account with Amazon and begin uploading images. Just note that if you're planning on selling apparel or another physical good, there are additional costs associated with it, such as packaging materials.
2.(4).(3).(6).Do your own marketing: Once you’ve put all your hard work into designing an incredible product, you need to let people know about it. Ask yourself: Who’s going to love my products? What websites do they frequent? Who do I know who could help me spread my message? Do whatever you can to get your brand in front of potential customers. If you have a brick-and-mortar shop, hold pop-up shops in trendy neighborhoods.
Say Alhamdulillah in start to in last......
Alhamdulillah is an Arabic phrase, used by Muslims to
express gratitude to Allah for all his blessings. In Islam, performing good
deeds is a means of developing love for Allah as well as expressing love in
return to him. The word Alhamdulillah means: praise belongs to Allah (swt).
Saying Alhamdulillah is mentioned in many verses of Qur’an