About the interview
When studying global textile and apparel sourcing, our students often focus on fashion brands and retailers—but what happens on the manufacturing side is equally critical. From tariffs and trade policies to sustainability requirements, geopolitical tensions, and technological disruption, manufacturers face complex challenges that shape the global textile and apparel supply chain.
We are fortunate to have Dr. Christian Schindler, Director General of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), join us for this interview. He shared invaluable insights into how manufacturers are navigating today’s dynamic environment, including:
- How rising tariffs and trade policy uncertainty are affecting textile and apparel manufacturers
- China’s evolving role in the textile and apparel trade, and the implications for other critical textile and apparel supplying countries
- The impact of geopolitical tensions on textile and apparel production, trade patterns, and manufacturers’ risk management strategies
- Near-shoring: its prospects, limitations, and the factors influencing regional textile and apparel manufacturing shifts
- Sustainability, recycling, and circularity: whether textile and apparel manufacturers see these trends as compliance, opportunity, or burden
- How purchasing practices by fashion brands influence labor standards, compliance, and responsible sourcing at the factory level
- The growing role of AI and digitalization in textile and apparel production, and the potential impacts on workers and supply chain efficiency
About Dr. Christian Schindler
Dr. Christian P. Schindler serves as Director General of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), the global federation representing the full textile value chain from fibres to finished apparel and home textiles. He leads ITMF’s strategy, research publications, industry conferences, and global dialogues on trade, sustainability, and technological change in textiles.
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 