Articles by Simone Preuss
Simone Preuss is a freelance journalist specialising in apparel production, sustainability and social responsibility. She has been working with FashionUnited since 2012, gaining valuable insights into an ever-changing industry.
US fashion industry poised for sourcing consolidation and AI integration, study finds
The US fashion industry is facing another year of uncertainty. From the IEEPA tariffs that were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court to the expiring Section 122 tariffs that took their place to the new 301 and 232 tariffs – tariffs remain a top concern for US fashion businesses from brands and retailers to importers. The United States...
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How the new ILO Convention 193 benefits digital platform workers within the fashion industry
Millions of workers worldwide are employed by the digital platform economy, that is economic and social activities conducted on online platforms that connect directly with consumers. According to research by the Harvard Kennedy School, this could be between 154 million and 435 million people, depending on how broadly gig work, ride-hailing,...
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What the proposed 50 percent tariff means for the Canadian garment & textile industry
The North American textile and garment ecosystem is reeling following Washington's announcement to invoke Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, slapping a maximum 50 percent ad valorem (according to value) duty on a vast array of Canadian imports effective 19th August 2026. While initial political headlines focused heavily on disputes involving...
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Majority of consumers trusts safety of cotton, survey finds
A majority (85 percent) of global consumers believes that cotton is safe for the environment according to a survey by US non-profit organisation Cotton Incorporated. This is the highest percentage of any natural fibre, closely followed by wool (81 percent), as well as silk (76 percent) and hemp (69 percent). Since 2017, the research company has...
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What the India-UK trade agreement means for the fashion industry
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) officially entered into force on 15th July 2026, marking a landmark moment for the textile and garment sectors of both nations. By eliminating import duties of up to 12 percent on Indian apparel and home textiles, the agreement provides Indian exporters with immediate, duty-free...
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Shipping giants carefully navigate Red Sea Route again
German and Danish shipping giants Hapag Lloyd and Maersk announced in a routing update yesterday that they would resume services through the Red Sea route, effective immediately. This affects specifically their SE3 service, which is the gateway to Europe from China via the Middle East. SE3 starts from Qingdao in China or Kwangyang in South Korea...
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How current tariffs are impacting garment manufacturing and employment in Bangladesh, Vietnam and India
A series of escalating tariff regimes—most notably a universal 10 to 15 percent tariff implemented by the US—is triggering a massive reshuffling of global apparel sourcing. In addition, the US Trade Representative (USTR) launched a sweeping Section 301 investigation into forced labour compliance, threatening an additional 10 to 12.5 percent...
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From UFLPA to DPP: The shift from cheap labour to complete transparency
In recent years, the global textile and apparel landscape has transformed from a race for the cheapest labour to a high-stakes battle over supply chain data. While the EU and its trade partners are readying themselves for the upcoming Digital Product Passport (DPP), not a few are wondering which impact it will have on global logistics....
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Fight against ultra-fast fashion gains momentum in EU
Led by Germany, France and the Netherlands, an increasing number of EU member states are calling for coordinated European action against fast fashion and ultra-fast fashion. The three member states raised the issue at the EU Environment Council in Luxembourg on Thursday. They appealed to the European Commission to make existing and planned EU...
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Reju opens first R&D centre in North America
Textile-to-textile materials regeneration company Reju announced today the opening of its first research and development (R&D) centre in North America. Its establishment means the company is a step closer to building a closed-loop recycling ecosystem that converts discarded fabric and textiles into quality products. The new facility is located...
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