About the interview
The global textile and apparel industry is becoming increasingly complex, shaped not only by conventional economic factors like production costs but also by trade policy, geopolitical uncertainty, and rapidly evolving sustainability regulations. While much of our course has focused on the U.S. market and the perspective of U.S. brands and retailers, it is equally important to understand how these forces are unfolding in other regions of the world, particularly in Europe.
The EU plays a distinctive role in the global textile and apparel system. It is one of the world’s largest apparel consumer markets, home to many leading luxury fashion brands, and a global leader in setting sustainability and regulatory standards for textiles and apparel. Therefore, developments in the EU have far-reaching implications for textile and apparel production, sourcing, and trade patterns worldwide.
We are fortunate to have Dirk Vantyghem, Director General of the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX), join us for this interview. Dirk shared valuable insights into how the EU textile and apparel industry is navigating this rapidly changing landscape, including:
- The current state of the EU textile and apparel industry, its competitive strengths in innovation, sustainability, and high-end design, and the challenges posed by rising costs and shifting consumer demand
- Key sourcing and supply chain trends among EU fashion brands, including diversification, increased transparency, and nearshoring to neighboring regions
- The impacts of rising trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty on EU textile and apparel companies, and how these factors affect business strategies and consumer confidence
- The EU textile and apparel industry’s approach to trade policy, balancing open markets with “fair trade” through stronger sustainability and compliance requirements, and expanding trade partnerships globally
- The industry response and practical implications of the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, launched in 2022, and the prospects and opportunities of textile-to-textile recycling in Europe
- Potential areas for stronger U.S.-EU cooperation on textile and apparel trade, supply chains, and sustainability standards
About Dirk Vantyghem
Dirk Vantyghem is the Director General of the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX), representing the interests of the European textile and apparel companies. Appointed in 2019, he leads the organization’s engagement with European institutions, focusing on promoting a competitive, innovative, and sustainable textile and apparel industry. Mr. Vantyghem brings over 20 years of experience in European business representation and policy advocacy, having previously served as a director at the European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBRES) in Brussels. He has extensive expertise in international trade, SME development, EU programs, and economic diplomacy, and holds a master’s degree in economics from the College of Europe.
About Emilie Delaye (moderator)
Emilie Delaye is a master’s student & graduate instructor in Fashion and Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware, with a specific interest in supply chain, global sourcing, and sustainability. Emilie is also a member of the Fair Labor Association (FLA) 2025-2026 Student Committee and the University of Delaware President’s Student Advisory Council.
FASH455 Global Apparel & Textile Trade and Sourcing 
A strategy we discussed in class about how EU textile and apparel companies are restructuring is to improve the competitiveness of domestic production. Whether that competitiveness comes from targeting a niche market, focusing on sustainable practices, or working on supply chain management, this strategy is important for textile and apparel brands to survive in today’s uncertain climate. In the interview video, Dirk Vantyghem emphasizes that increasing nearshoring from countries like Morocco or Turkey is a current key supply chain strategy for the EU; this aligns with our class material that shifting supply chains will support the T&A industry in the EU. In pushing European brands to invest in nearshoring, environmental footprints are reduced and dependence on Asian sourcing countries, like Bangladesh or China, decreases and diversification is emphasized for EU businesses.
As we discussed in class, Europe has a lot of hardships and challenges to remain competitive in the textile and apparel market, especially when it comes to exporting to the United States. The intra-region trade is high in Europe, which allows for them to support one another
This concept supports what Dirk Vantyghem stated about the rising costs of compliance, paired with the U.S. imposing tariffs, might increase intra-region trade in Europe even more to support their local economies and diversify their suppliers. This connects to the concept we covered in class because it shows how political tensions across the world and certain regulations influence why intra-region trade is so prominent in Europe.
One viewpoint that I find interesting is the difference in perspective in the EU versus the US. I feel as though the EU have many more compliance standards, regulations, and sustainability measures than the US which further makes the costs higher for production. This is why the proximity of the EU can reduce shipping costs and allow for more cost-effective trade within Europe rather than into different continents.