In the constantly evolving world of fashion, choosing the right manufacturing destination is key to creating stunning collections that captivate audiences worldwide. Look no further than the top five countries setting the stage for fashion excellence in this blog with Inflow.
Top 1: China
Not surprisingly, China remains one of the countries with the best fashion manufacturers, hence the name: Worldwide Manufacturing Powerhouse. In 2022, China accounted for over 43.6 percent of the world textile exports. In the previous year, China manufactured roughly 2.77 billion meters of clothing fabric. Over the course of the year, the average monthly textile production was about 2.72 billion meters.
China remains one of the biggest fashion producing countries in the world.
Overall, China boasts close to 44,000 businesses engaged in textile manufacturing, apparel production, accessories, leather goods, and footwear. Of these, approximately 21,000 companies specialize in textile manufacturing, 15,000 concentrate on apparel and accessories, and 8,000 are involved in leather goods and footwear production (source: Fashion Statistics China).
Top 2: Bangladesh
Coming in hot at No. 2, Bangladesh is another manufacturing destination for fashion brands. According to Statista, in 2022, Bangladesh was in the top 3 ranked global clothing exporters with a share of approximately 7.9%. The most profitable segment within Bangladesh's textile industry is ready-to-wear clothing. Ready-made garment exports make up more than 80% of the nation's total export revenue (source: Bangladesh Clothing Industry | Advantages, Challenges & Examples | Study.com.).
The country is preferred due to its low labor costs and large workforce, making production more economical. Additionally, the country offers favorable trade agreements, efficient supply chains, and a well-established garment industry infrastructure, allowing brands to meet consumer demand while maximizing profits.
Top 3: Vietnam
The third country that made it on this list is Vietnam. In recent years, you can see that clothing tags with the label “Made In Vietnam” increasingly makes its appearance in the fashion market, and why is that? Well, apart from familiar reasons such as its relatively low labor cost and skilled workforce, Vietnam is also known for its commitment to social responsibility, especially ethical and sustainable production. It employs efficient, transparent, and cost-effective digital sourcing processes, enhancing collaboration and promoting sustainability. Through real-time data and analytics, stakeholders ensure adherence to ethical and environmental standards, mitigating risks and fostering innovation. This industry embraces agility, swiftly responding to market changes and consumer demands while prioritizing fair labor practices and worker welfare. Hence, making Vietnam the top manufacturing destination for big fashion brands like Uniqlo, Nike etc. (source: Sustainable Clothing Sourcing and Manufacturing in Vietnam // How to find Ethical and Eco-friendly Garment Manufacturers).
Vietnam is a rising production house as many big fashion brands are trusting this country as their manufacturing destination.
In 2020, Vietnam's textile and apparel manufacturing sector, comprising over 6000 businesses, generated export earnings of around $39 billion, constituting over 15% of the nation's total export revenue (source: Vietnam Clothing Manufacturers).
More insights about Vietnam’s garment production from Inflow:
Behind The Fashion Supply Chain: The Sustainability Story
Unblocking The Potential Of Vietnam Garment Production
Top 4: India
India proudly holds its place among the top four countries known for their exceptional fashion manufacturing. With a rich history in textile craftsmanship, India boasts skilled artisans who infuse passion into every garment they create. Combining traditional techniques with modern technology, India produces high-quality clothing using a variety of materials, from luxurious silks to eco-friendly fabrics.
With its population, India offers a large workforce for the fashion manufacturing industry.
Its welcoming atmosphere and strategic location make it an attractive destination for fashion businesses worldwide. As a result, international brands flock to India for stylish, well-crafted fashion that reflects both tradition and innovation.
Top 5: Italy
Italy stands tall as one of the top five countries renowned for its exceptional fashion manufacturing prowess. Renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, Italy has earned a global reputation for producing luxurious garments that exude elegance and sophistication. Iconic fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton and Prada call Italy home, further cementing its status as a powerhouse in the fashion industry. Some of the major sectors in fashion production includes: apparel, footwear and leather goods (source: Fashion, Luxury, and Lifestyle | Italy is simply extraordinary: BeIT).
Italy is the hand behind the magic of many luxury fashion brands.
Our opinions on which country fashion brands should choose
All the countries we mentioned are amazing for fashion manufacturing, but choosing Vietnam would be the wisest choice of all, let us tell you why!
When fashion brands manufacture their garments in Vietnam, they don’t have to go through a lot of legal formalities, lengthy sourcing processes, language and time barriers, as they have Inflow! Inflow is an on-demand B2B fashion manufacturing and supply chain platform that works to simplify brands’ complete production process, from sourcing for materials and suppliers, to producing textiles, to delivering them. Fashion brands just need to hop on Inflow’s platform and make their orders, they can manage the rest of the supply chain process on the platform itself, saving time and effort.
To further understand how Inflow works, check out the following articles: Inflow's One-Stop Fashion Manufacturing Platform: A-Z Sourcing Services.
At the end of the day, it’s your choice to choose which country to produce your garment from, each country has its own advantages that can make your business thrive. But if you choose Vietnam, you know who to call. Collaborate with Inflow today!