Singapore apparel industry is a 2.5 billion mammoth with a projected cumulative annual growth rate of 2.9 %. Singapore is the fourth largest exporter of apparel and footwear in Southeast Asia, selling $1.7 billion in 2015. Based on 2014 estimates, the textile and garment industry in Singapore is made up of 4,212 wholesalers and retailers and 606 manufacturers. This number is likely to boom further given the industry’s growth rates and the emergence of new local players.

1. ART AND SCIENCE IN THE TEXTILE
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

2. Singapore apparel industry is a
2.5 billion mammoth with a
projected cumulative annual
growth rate of 2.9 %. Singapore
is the fourth largest exporter of
apparel and footwear in
Southeast Asia, selling $1.7
billion in 2015

3. Based on 2014 estimates, the textile and garment
industry in Singapore is made up of 4,212
wholesalers and retailers and 606 manufacturers. This
number is likely to boom further given the industry’s
growth rates and the emergence of new local players.

4. In recent years, a quick survey of major
industry players, or at least fashion
brands that dominate garment, textiles
trade exhibits, would suggest that the
Singapore apparel industry is dominated
by foreign players. Inditex, a leading
clothing retailer with global revenues of
$24 billion is Spanish.

5. Punto is a global enterprise owned is Belgian
and Uniqlo, manufacturer and retailer of
apparel with revenues in excess of $7 billion is
Japanese. But if more recent trends and textile
and garment trade show exhibitions are any
indication, there is reason to believe indigenous
industries are starting to make their presence
felt.

6. At least 3 major trends are worth
noting. The current boom in global
atheleisure has created a suddenly
vast market of consumers looking for
casual wears that can warp from
office to gym attire. In stores and
garment exhibits, it is no longer
uncommon to see lifestyle-oriented
niche sneakers or limited edition
home-grown sneakers being released
or displayed.

7. Local apparel brands like
Funfit which has a lien of sports,
recreation clothes and swimwear
with playful geometric patterns and
Ohsosom that specializes in funky
yoga apparel and accessories for
modern women that are beginning
to get attention in garment exhibits
and is commercially establishing
themselves as strong brands.

8. Another trend in Singapore garment and textile
industry is the growing popularity of eco-friendly
fashion, a broad term used to define garments and
clothing products that were manufactured under
environmental protection regulations and just labor
conditions which means the use of eco-friendly
materials like organically produced cotton and linen
and regulated use of environmentally harmful dyes
and bleaches that can damage bodies of water and
communities, appropriate waste management
systems, under fair labor wage and treatment policies.

9. From accessories to hats and apparel, competitive
local brands are beginning to be active in textile
shows in Singapore and are getting attention and
fair market shares. Etrican manufactures
sustainable fashion shorts and blouses with
watercolour prints and cute flare skirts and
embroidery detailing all made from organic cotton.
Heads of State Millinery have head-turning hats
handmade and crafted from sustainable materials
and inspired by nature and animals like the
jellyfish. Zhai manufactures classic, easy-to-wear
and versatile pieces garments and accessories
made of bamboo fibre.

10. Another lucrative segment of Singapore’s textile
industry is women’s wear with revenues at $1
billion, equivalent to 42.9% of the industry’s overall
value. In what used to the domain of European
brands, a number of local Singapore garment
manufacturers are now asserting their presence.
Local brands like Aijek, Beyond The Vines, Stolen,
Mae Pang Mash-Up, Ong Shunmugam, Collate The
Label, has had strong showings in both garment
trade shows and in sales increase in the last five
years.