VietNamNet Bridge – The International Association of Clothing Designers and Executives began its two-day annual convention in HCM City on Friday, the first time it is being hosted by Viet Nam.

What's Next? Men's Tailoring in Times of Turbulence is the theme of this year's event, and it has attracted more than 100 designers, tailors, and materials and accessories suppliers.

Apart from workshops on topics such as design, production, and sourcing in Asia and sustainable sourcing, local fit for global brands, interlining technology for advancing men's tailoring, and attracting and developing talent in design, there will also be study tours to Nha Be and Woo Yang garment factories in HCM City.

Dr Heino Freudenberg, IACDE chairman, said Viet Nam was a rising star in the world of men's tailoring thanks to its impressive growth in garment manufacturing and quality improvement.

It had a skilled workforce at a reasonable cost.

"Garment factories in Viet Nam are competing with those in China, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh as well as Turkey and Mexico," he told reporters.

If Viet Nam controlled costs and improved efficiency, it would be able to pay more to workers and create a better working environment.

Improving know-how used in the garment industry for design would also help.

He promised to help connect Viet Nam with IADCE's member companies and garment manufacturers, adding that holding the convention here was one way of supporting the country.

IADEC has more than 200 members from US, Canada, Germany, India, China, Japan and other countries.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News