In the printwear industry, companies are now quick to point out their ethical and environmental credentials and 'sweatshop-free' labour (or something to that effect) is very much the phrase on everyone's lips.

The focus on ethical issues has also had an impact on another important area of our market - schoolwear. The Schoolwear Association could not have timed better its official launch in July. It coincided to the day with a front page Guardian article claiming a major retailer used sweatshop labour to produce its clothes, including the nonspecific school uniform – the very thing the Association is against. See page 10 for more information about the launch.

Schoolwear has also been in the news lately for a very different reason, with a company offering to line blazers and school jumpers with the kniferesistant fabric Kevlar as parents become increasingly concerned for the safety of their children while at school. Although at the moment only a handful of parents are said to have called the company asking for this modification, it will be interesting to see whether demand for this fabric grows and whether, indeed, we will be writing about it in a few year's time as one of the new trends in schoolwear?

But back to the present… This month (and not a moment too soon after the appalling summer we've had) the magazine brings you all the latest technological developments, trends and fabrics in the jackets sector (see page 40). As well as jackets, this month's focus features include Christmas promotional products, with an article on page 62 from the BPMA looking at trends in promotional gifts and how to ensure they are memorable. Our embroidery feature looks not only at some of the latest machinery and equipment on the market, but also some of the issues affecting it. In contrast to garment production, which is increasingly going offshore, it appears that the UK embroidery industry is thriving. On page 71, Ayub Mahomed of Ashfield UK gives his views on how offshore and onshore can work together in harmony, while on page 80 Tony Whitmore from Your Embroidery Services warns against complacency now that the industry is doing so well. Now that the August 'lull' is over, the industry is gearing up for a busy few months, starting with a series of shows, including PSI Paris, Trade Only, the National Incentive Show and Brand Licensing Europe, details of which can all be found inside.

Well that's about all for now.

Enjoy the issue!

Rebecca Green

rgreen@datateam.co.uk

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