As an artist, Racso has tapped into his creativity in « Efforts to inspire eco-consciousness to consumers, » and a call to provide « sustainability and genuine care for the environment » without compromising the stylistic integrity of fashion or the needs of the future.

Working with zero waste by using materials deemed unsuitable for basket and furniture production, these collected pieces are crafted into something new and useable; maximizing the life of the raw material.

Growing up the youngest son of a jeweller in the Phillipines, Rasco saw the potential intricacies and nuances that rattan offered, and with his later schooling in design, got the idea to combine them. This eco-friendly bowtie is hand weaved using traditional techniques that draw parallels from Rasco’s own finely thread sculptors. Resulting in smoothly woven threads that provide structural integrity and a fresh look to a traditional concept. The item is completely new and is the first of its kind to reach the market and has already recieved praise from notable websites like Trendhunter.

With a core principle of the campaign being eco-friendly, the bowties also helps provide livelihood to local artisans out of cooperatives from provinces around Southeast Asia.

« We are currently working with a group of artisans from a co-op in Southeast Asia. Being able to work from their households, our expert artisans take about 15 to 20 minutes to carefully craft one bow tie. Giving them a source of income through these rattan bow ties is just a step in our mission to continue to empower the small farmer. »

Adding « We look forward to future partnerships with artisans around the world in creating ethical products and of course, making consumers look fantastic!« 

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Timeline of the process:

On 14 December 2016 the European Parliament during plenary in Strasbourg (France) by an overwhelming majority had given its consent to the legislative resolution to conclude the Protocol the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Uzbekistan and the EU amending the PCA in order to extend the provisions of the Agreement to bilateral trade in textiles, which was signed on 7 April 2011 (Textile Protocol).

During the event, the Standing rapporteur on Uzbekistan in the Committee on International Trade of the European Parliament Maria Arena noted that the approval of this document by the EP will positively affect the trade relations between the EU and Uzbekistan.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström noted that the endorsement of the Textile Protocol will facilitate the trade in textiles between the EU and Uzbekistan. « It is in the interest of the EU Member states to conclude such a protocol with Uzbekistan. The European Commission is ready to support Uzbekistan’s economic diversification efforts via EU development cooperation assistance programme to Uzbekistan, in which rural development is a focal sector. »

On 21 March 2017 the Council of the European Union based on the positive decision by Council’s Trade Policy Committee on Steel, Textiles and other Industrial Sectors (STIS) and the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU Member States to the European Union (COREPER II) without further discussion adopted the final decision on approval of the Textile Protocol.

On 31 March 2017 the General Secretariat of the EU Council officially notified the Uzbek side on the completion by the EU of the internal procedures necessary for the entry of the Protocol into force.

On 31 March 2017 the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis adopted the the law of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the ratification of the Protocol the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Uzbekistan and the EU amending the PCA in order to extend the provisions of the Agreement to bilateral trade in textiles (Tashkent, 7 April 2011).

On 1 June the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoev has signed the Law Ratifying the Textile Protocol which confirms final completion by the Uzbek side of the internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the specified document.

The entry into force of this document will increase the bilateral trade in textiles on the basis of:  

1. introduction the most favoured nation treatment on a reciprocal basis with regard to transit, commodity warehouses, customs duties, payments, taxes and other internal charges applicable to imported Uzbek textile products;
2. removal of quantitative restrictions with respect to the trade in textiles.

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On Thursday May 11^th, the Press Club in Brussels hosted an event under the topic The rebirth of Portuguese textile: Against all Odds, where guests talked about the renaissance and favorable times that the textile industry is experiencing these days in Portugal.

“In the textile industry, Portugal has the shortest lead time in the world. Between two and six weeks,” said Paulo Vaz, Director of ATP (Association for Textile and Fashion of Portugal).

Having such efficient production methods, being the number one in the world becomes even more remarkable coming from a country where tough, fiscal austerity measures affected the whole economy in 2011. Now things look much brighter with an industry that represents about 10% of national exports as well as 3% of GDP. All of this thanks to strategic investing, as well as support from EU funding programs. An this is a very positive outcome that permeates to other layers of the European economy.

“Inditex business model in Spain wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the cluster of textile industries in northern Portugal,” explained Teresa Presas, Senior Researcher within Magellan “It’s European synergy at play.” she concluded.

But what about China, is often the question in people’s minds.

“We’ve seen a lot of companies coming back to Portugal,” said Manuel Torres, commercial director at Impetus Group. “Some think they’ve made the wrong move. Why? Because in China it’s all mass production, and that’s not what customers want, especially in fashion.”

Portuguese textile industries are able to receive small orders from different fashion customers and deliver on time, faster than anybody. To be able do so, they have invested a lot on technology.

“There’s a very large entry cost,” said Mr. Torres. “That’s why countries like China can’t compete with us. At least not right now. We need to be ahead of them.”

And that’s the fight that the Portuguese have chosen to take on, differentiate themselves in value and design over cost.

“It’s a tough competition,” said Mr. Vaz. “These days even the luxury brands are using the business models of the fast fashion brands. The requirements to meet their needs are ever higher.”

But besides offering a successful case study in production efficiency, Portugal is at the forefront of innovation. Baby-grows that change color when a baby has fever, curtains that retain solar energy during the day and light up the living room at night, clothes to fight off the mosquito that carries Malaria, these are just some of the products that Portuguese designers and engineers have created to fulfill a need in the market. And opportunities seem to be lining up.

“Portuguese industries are not only manufacturing for others,” said Paulo Melo, President of ATP. “Noticing their expertise, their know-how, they have decided to launch their own brands. Brands you can now find in stores like Galeries Lafayette. And this is the kind of news we wanted to share with you here in Brussels.” he concluded.

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What do you think about textile industry in Europe? You might answer it is a fragile sector, as most of the clothes you are used to purchasing probably come from developing countries. Surprisingly, the European textile industry is not doing too bad today.

Portuguese état des lieux

Textile industry represents about 10% of national exports in Portugal, as well as 2% of the national GDP and 4% of the employees. It is then a significant sector in the Country. As some European countries, the Portuguese textile industry has a high added value and “Made in Portugal” refers to hugh-quality products.

Portugal is however not the only country in the EU with a strong textile and clothing (T&C) industry. It indeed only represents 4% of the EU T&C Industry, which means other EU countries are powerful. Italy, Germany and France for instance account for 35%, 14% and 10% of the EU turnover.

Although textile is not going bad, everything is of course not perfect. Domestic market is indeed very fragile and depressed and it therefore highly relies on exportations. Productivity is moreover still low in comparative terms (developing countries have cheaper workforce) and entrepreneurship is not that competitive and attractive, according to ATP. These issues are quite the same across the whole continent, as economy more and more relies on services, while industry is a major asset for developing countries.

The European textile industry, as well as the European industry, will face key challenges over the upcoming years and decades. It should manage the issue of reindustrialisation and specialisation as well as it needs to compete with the emerging countries in terms of productivity, innovation and education. It also should address energy targets and new consumption trends. ATP has then identified a list of 7 strategic priorities for the Portuguese textile industry, which can be applied to the whole European chain.

All these concerns, challenges and potential solutions will presented in two weeks during the 11 May conference. Brussels Express is glad to be the media partner and invites you to attend the discussion.

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