Posts

March 11th, 2026

  After over a year of uncertainty, Montreal-based SRTX has been sold. SRTX has been a fast-growing startup/disruptor in the textile space.  Between 2019 and 2025, SRTX raised roughly $255 million USD in equity and debt to fund expansion and manufacturing integration.   A $37.5M equity recapitalization in March 2025 proved insufficient, and continued operational challenges led to a formal strategic review launched in October 2025.  In addition to ongoing challenges, the firm was unable to manage tariff changes instituted by …

March 11th, 2026

The Canadian government, through Global Affairs Canada, provides funding for export market development through the CanExport SME program.  Companies have until May 29, 2026 at 12:00 PM (ET) to apply for this funding. CanExport offers financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they explore and expand into new international markets. Especially if you are new to the program, you may want to: View the recording of the Canadian Apparel Federation’s recent webinar on CanExport SME. Download the slides …

February 25th, 2026

    In the fallout from the February 20 U.S. Supreme Court decision, which overturned many tariff actions instituted by the Trump administration, some Canadian exporters had hoped that the ruling might restore the de minimis customs exemption. Following the decision, President Trump issued an Executive Order:   CONTINUING THE SUSPENSION OF DUTY-FREE DE MINIMIS TREATMENT FOR ALL COUNTRIES That Executive Order makes clear that de minimis remains suspended.  There is little or no support in Congress for any change. The …

February 2nd, 2026

The Canadian-produced Crave Series Heated Rivalry, a hit queer hockey romance that premiered to an extraordinary response after being turned down by US networks, has cemented a particular place in the cultural zeitgeist. The centrepiece of all the fashion buzz surrounding the show is a deceptively simple piece of outerwear: the Heated Rivalry fleece. Costume designer Hanna Puley from Canadian streetwear brand Kuwalla Tee and made her own set of modifications. Her stated intention was to make the garment feel …

January 30th, 2026

The Toronto Fashion Incubator has announced that it will close immediately.  Their announcement appears below:   Dear friends, colleagues, TFI members, and members of the Canadian fashion community,   It is with profound sadness and heartbreak that we share this news: after almost 39 years, Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI), the world’s first fashion incubator, is closing—effective immediately. This is not an announcement we ever imagined making, and we are devastated to do so. We know how deeply TFI is woven …

January 26th, 2026

  Bill 90 (the Textile Waste Act, 2025) is legislation currently in the Ontario legislature.  If passed, it would put Ontario on course to apply Extended Producer Responsibility requirements to apparel and textiles. This bill would amend the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act (RRCEA) 2016 by requiring the Minister of Environment, within three months of the bill coming into force, to commence a review to determine how to include textiles as a designated class of material — meaning clothing …

December 23rd, 2025

In November 2025, EPA released a proposed rule that would significantly revise reporting obligations under Section 8(a)(7) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), otherwise known as the U.S. federal “PFAS Reporting Rule.”  Finalized in 2023, the original version of the rule required domestic manufacturers of PFAS chemicals and importers of PFAS or PFAS-containing articles to submit a one-time report on all PFAS manufactured or imported from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2022.  However, EPA is now proposing a series …

December 11th, 2025

It is with deep sadness that MMODE the Montreal fashion cluster announced the passing of the founding manager of mmode, Debbie Zakaib.Her exceptional commitment, vision, and energy profoundly impacted our ecosystem. Debbie dedicated over six years of her career to promoting the fashion industry and supporting those who work within it. She was passionate about, and indeed an outstanding ambassador for, Montreal and Quebec fashion.The numerous initiatives led by Debbie and the mmode team have helped to reaffirm the global …

November 28th, 2025

Health Canada is notifying interested parties that an updated version of the Guidelines for the flammability requirements of the Children's Sleepwear Regulations – Canada.ca under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) is now available online. The Guidelines have been modified to: update references to the most recent versions of documents and standards modernize the general format and style, and update images and drawings. Where to find the Guidelines online: You can find the Guidelines on the Industry and health professionals web page.

November 28th, 2025

As fashion executives look to 2026, they are contending with a fundamentally new reality. US tariffs have redrawn trade maps and forced brands and their suppliers to rapidly adjust. Consumers continue to rethink their spending, seeking value and devoting more of their budgets to achieve other goals, including their own well-being and longevity. The swift onset of AI, meanwhile, means fashion businesses find themselves in a rapidly changing technological landscape. While the ongoing disruptions may feel daunting, they are in fact …