Hong Kong Intimate Apparel Industries' Association : The intimate apparel industry has been playing a significant role in the local clothing industry, which has gained for Hong Kong the reputation of being a leading production centre and an international sourcing hub for textiles and clothing.  Organized by the HKTDC and held at the HKCEC, the Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall /Winter offers buyers a fantastic spread of the very latest in garments and accessories from high-end fashion to mass merchandise. Highlights of the fair include "Garment Mart", "World of Fashion Accessories", "Fashion Gallery", "Brand Name Gallery" and "International Fashion Designers' Showcase" etc.

  Illinois Retail Merchants Association : State retail organization that represents more than 23,000 stores of all sizes and merchandise lines.   Members include the nations largest chains as well as independent stores in towns across Illinois.

  INDA (See association of the non-woven fabrics industry)

  Indian Textile Association : directory of textile associations and apparel associations in India.  The Indian Textile Association had been developed by the Apparel Search Company.

  International Alpaca Association (IAA) : based in Peru, Non-profit trade organization of companies and breeders, involved in the production, processing and trade of alpaca fiber. Extensive article on properties and uses.

  International Apparel Federation (IAF) : Provides the leadership to bring together important apparel industry associations, trade groups and companies to further

  International Association of Clothing Designers and Executives (IACDE) : Address: 34 Thornton Ferry Rd. #1, Amherst NH 03031, USA Phone: 603-672-4065 Fax: 603-672-4064 E-mail: dmschmida@aol.com  Contact: David M. Schmida, Exec. Director

  International Fabricare Institute : The association of Drycleaners, Wetcleaners and Launderers. 

  International Fabrics Association International (IFAI): The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) is a not-for-profit trade association with more than 2,000 member firms that represent the international technical fabrics marketplace. IFAI is the industry's largest, most comprehensive trade association, and provides a variety of products, services and programs.

  International Federation of Customs Brokers (IFCBA) : The International Federation of Customs Brokers Associations is building an infrastructure to raise international trade communication to new levels. This web service will embrace the new media to provide a bridge among member countries for information exchange, collaboration and interactivity.

  International Formalwear Association : Founded in 1973, the International Formalwear Association (formerly the American Formalwear Association) is the only alliance of all factors of the formalwear industry with formalwear specialists, wholesalers, and manufacturers from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Puerto Rico, England and Sweden, joined together to promote the use and acceptance of formalwear.

  The International Forum for Cotton Promotion (IFCP) is a non-governmental body composed of national and international cotton industry organizations. The mission of the IFCP is to encourage increased consumer demand for cotton through the implementation of national cotton demand enhancement programs. The Forum serves as a clearinghouse for information about proven techniques of cotton promotion, best practices in retail-level communication, and cost-effective measures of boosting consumer demand. e-mail: jeff@icac.org

• Textile Fiber Associations
• Cotton

  International Mass Retail Association : The International Mass Retail Association represents the mass retail industry--consumers' first choice for price, value and convenience.  Its membership includes the fastest growing retailers in the world--discount department stores, home centers, category dominant specialty discounters, catalogue showrooms, dollar stores, warehouse clubs, deep discount drugstores and off-price stores--and the suppliers who supply them with merchandise and services. IMRA retail members operate more than 106,000 American stores and employ millions of workers. One in every ten Americans works in the mass retail industry, and IMRA retail members represent over $411 billion in annual sales.

  International Quilt Association (USA): nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of the art of quilting, the attainment of public recognition for quilting as an art form, and the advancement of the state of the art throughout the world.

  International Rayon and Synthetic Fibres Committee (CIRFS) : based in Belgium, roof organization for the European man-made fiber industry. Classification and detailed descriptions for common fibers and their manufacturing processes. Business data. List of publications. Links to member sites.

  International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) : ITAA aims to advance excellence in scholarship and education in the textiles, apparel, and merchandising

  International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) :  is an international association for the world's textile industries.  They are dedicated to keeping its members continuously informed via surveys, studies and publications.  They also educate members through the organization of annual conferences, participating in the evolution of the industry's basic raw materials and their application, through specialised committees, with the overall objective of creating growth and prosperity in all aspects of the industry.  Director General, Dr. Herwig Strolz, can be e-mailed at the address herwig.strolz@itmf.org

  The Israel Textile & Fashion Association : For over 50 years, the Israel Textile & Fashion Association has been promoting the career developments of engineers, technologist, marketing and all other professionals within the Israeli Textile Industry. The Israeli affiliate of "The Textile Institute" and the Israeli chapter of the IFKT organization are integral parts of the Israel Textile & Fashion Association.

  Italian Association of Textile Producers (ACIMIT) [Italian Textile Machinery]

  IWA-Wool Bureau (NY) "The world of Wool" Association

  Japan Fashion Association (Japan) : their objective is to create a better life culture and to contribute to the development of life-style related industries overall.  In July 2006, Japan Fashion Color Association and Japan Fashion Association integrated and reborned as Incorporated Foundation Japan Fashion Association.   Address: Fukushima Bldg.6F, 1-5-3, Nihonbashi-Muromachi, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan 103-0022 Tel.: +81-3-3242-1677 Fax: +81-3-3242-1678

• Fashion Industry Association

  Japan Sewing Machinery Manufacturers Association (JASMA)

  Jute Manufactures Development Council (JMDC)   based in India. National agency for promotion and marketing of jute fiber products. Link to Indian Trade Classification Codes for jute products. Categorized product directories. Events calendar.

  Korea Federation of Textile Industries : KOFOTI was founded in 1967 to contribute to long-term development of the textile industry as well as advancement of the national economy. It has been performing a leading role in the development of the textile industry and the national economy for the last 30 years. The Korean textile industry has been faithfully fulfilling its roles as a key national industry, achieving considerable growth to account for 41% of total exports in 1971. The industry made a remarkable achievement in 1987 when it became the first in Korea to record exports of 10 billion dollars. However, the Korean textile industry has recently been experiencing much difficulty, owing to rapid advancement of developing countries and heightened competition in the global textile market, attributable to the end of a quota system.

  La Compagnie De Bali : Production Agency established in Asia Specialized in diversified manufacturing In the clothing industry.

  Licensing Industry Merchandiser's Association (LIMA) :  is a not-for-profit organization of licensors, manufacturers, retailers and other support organizations working for the advancement of professionalism in licensing.  LIMA membership provides access to a broad variety of activities, information sources and benefits. Through regional, national and international events, seminars, exhibits and publications, LIMA is the worldwide advocate for anyone interested in learning about and working in the licensing business.
(Have you seen the Apparel Search licensing page?)

  Lithuanian Apparel and Textile Industry Association : Lithuanian Apparel and Textile Industry Association (former the Association of Light Industry Enterprises of Lithuania) joints 170 textile and textile articles, wearing apparel, dressing, leather and leather products enterprises that produce 80 % of the total industrial output of the light industry. The Association was established in 1991. In the beginning of 2002 it was renamed. This is an independent union of light industry enterprises and associate trade, services organisations as well as education institutions. Lithuanian Apparel and Textile Industry Association observes the Republic of Lithuania Law on Associations, the Statute of Lithuanian Apparel and Textile Industry Association as well as other standard acts. The Board (general meeting) is the supreme governing body of the Association. The Association Presidium - collegial body is the leading structure ensuring more efficient settlement of various urgent issues defined in the Association Statute.

  Mohair Council of America : To promote the general welfare of the mohair industry in this country.

  National Academy of Needlearts : Devoted to the advancement of embroidery as an art form. Its goal is to uphold the highest standards in the needle-arts

  National Association of College Stores :  NACS is a nonprofit trade association serving college and university bookstores in the United States, Canada, and 15 other countries. NACS has been serving collegiate retailers since 1923. Our membership has grown from 20 founding member stores to more than 3,100 member stores, with an additional 1,200 associate members whose companies supply merchandise and services to the nation's college stores.

  National Association. of Display Industries (NADI) :  NADI, based in Hollywood, Fla., is an international, not-for-profit association representing the visual merchandising industry since 1942. The association's membership includes manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers involved in the visual merchandising industry.

  National Association of Retail Merchandising Services (NARMS) 

  National Association of Store Fixture Manufacturers (NASFM) :  Organized to raise the professional, educational, and ethical standards of the store fixture manufacturing industry, and to promote the value of members products and services to their customers.

  National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (Naumd)

  National Childrenswear Association : The National Childrenswear Association of Great Britain and Ireland was established 60 years ago.  It's prime purpose then was to promote the welfare of all those engaged in the British Childrenswear Industry.  Today it remains the only National Association solely dedicated to promoting the Industry, both in the UK and abroad.

  National Cleaners Association : The National Cleaners Association (NCA) is the premier professional trade association dedicated to the welfare of well-groomed consumers and the professional cleaners and suppliers who serve them.  For over 50 years, NCA has been at the vanguard of education, research, and information distribution concerning garment and household fabric care. Elected officials, government agencies, consumer groups, fashion designers and major media outlets have recognized and responded to NCA's activities, reports and tradition of excellence.Address: 252 W. 29th Street New York, NY 10001 phone: 212-967-3002 fax: 212-967-2240 email: NCAIclean@aol.com  or karla@nca-i.com  contact : Karla Clementson

  National Shoe Retailers of Associations (NSRA)

  The National Textile Center (NTC) : Is a research consortium of six universities:  Auburn University, Clemson University, Georgia Institute of Technology, North Carolina State University, UMass - Dartmouth and the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science.   The institutions share human resources, equipment and facilities.  Serving the USA Fiber/Textile/Fabricated Products/Retail Complex, the NTC vision, mission and goals are realized through innovate research and links to other institutions

  Oeko-Tex Association [Oeko-Tex 100 standard]: In the late eighties, the Austrian Textile Research Institute ÖTI (Österreichische Textil-Forschungsinstitut) in Vienna, developed a testing scheme for textiles relating to harmful substances, the "ÖTN 100". The Institute tested textiles, clothing and floor coverings to the testing criteria involved. By 1991, ten companies were already certified to this human ecological test system. Building on this wealth of knowledge and joining forces with a similar scheme; "Öko-Check", developed by the German textile institute; " Forschungsinstitut Hohenstein", the "Internationale Gemeinschaft für Forschung and Prufung auf dem Gebiet der Textilökologie"; or "OekoTex"; was developed in 1992. The first task for the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile Ecology was the elaboration of the "Öko-Tex Standard 100", to enable the testing of textiles and clothing for their human ecology properties. This standard contains analytical tests for specified harmful substances and gives limiting values based on scientific considerations. A manufacturer whose product meets the requirements set by the standard is licensed to use the registered mark or label "Tested for Harmful Substances according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100" on his product. At the beginning of 1993, further renowned textile institutes joined the International Association as members. All members tested textile products to the same Oeko-Tex standard 100 methods and accordingly used the registered label to certify these products - "Confidence in Textiles. Tested for Harmful Substances according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100." In 1995, the first edition of the Oeko-Tex Standard 1000 was issued. Here the requirements for environmentally friendly production were outlined. Manufacturing sites fulfilling a strict set of limiting value criteria, addressing areas such as banned chemicals and harmful manufacturing processes were licenced to carry the label; "Umweltfreundliche Betriebsstätte" (lit. Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing Site) and were able to then demonstrate an environmental management system. First organisations were subsequently audited in a pilot project. In 1999, the label "Oeko-Tex Standard 100 plus" was awarded for the first time. This related to a finished product, which fulfilled the requirements of the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and was also produced only on sites carrying the Oeko-Tex Standard 1000 licence. .

  Organic Fiber Council (OFC) : Advisory counsel of the Organic Trade Association, representing growers, brokers, designers, textile mills, manufacturers and retailers in the organic agricultural fiber industry.

  Organic Trade Association (OTA) : The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for the organic industry in North America.  OTA's mission is to encourage global sustainability through promoting and protecting the growth of diverse organic trade. This obviously includes organic fibers that can be used for fabric and clothing.

  PIA :(Printing Industries of America, Inc.)   Is in the business of promoting programs, services, and an environment that helps its members operate profitably. Many of PIA's members are commercial printers, allied graphic arts firms such as electronic imaging companies, equipment manufacturers, and suppliers.

  Plains Cotton Cooperative Association : the Plains Cotton Cooperative Associastion is a farmer-owned, cotton marketing and denim manufacturing cooperative headquartered in Lubbock, Texas. They are the world's largest producer and supplier of Texas-style cotton and their American Cotton Grower's (ACG) division is a major denim manufacturer renowned for innovative, high-fashion denim fabrics and customer service.   Since its creation in 1953, PCCA has grown to become one of the largest handlers of U.S. cotton, marketing millions of bales annually. In addition to cotton marketing based in Lubbock, Texas, PCCA also owns a denim mill in Littlefield, Texas and cotton warehouse operations in Altus, Oklahoma, Liberal, Kansas and Sweetwater, Texas.

  Professional Apparel Association : The Professional Apparel Association, founded in 1984, was organized as a result of a shared concern for the future of the professional apparel industry by both retailers and manufacturers.  The Association's membership is comprised solely of manufacturers of uniforms, shoes, and accessories.

  Quebec Clothing Contractors Association / English (Canada) :  Through a competent team, the Quebec Clothing Contractors Association fulfills the needs of its members, and gives shape to their projects. Well aware of their needs, AECQ has devised, through the years, a complete line of services and projects to meet their expectations.

  Screen Printing & Graphic Imaging Association International (SGIA) :  SGIA is the only international association for specialty imaging.  Their members are the printers, imagers and suppliers that serve this industry segment. Their goal is to provide this new generation of imaging professionals with the tools and information they need to make the best possible business decisions.  They are also associated with Digital Printing & Imaging Association (DPI)

  Seams Online : is comprised of manufacturing and contract manufacturing companies in the sewn products industry. Their supplier member companies provide valuable products and services to the sewn products industry.

  Sociedad Nacional de la Vicuua del Peru (SNV) : Vicuna association of Peru.

  Society of Dyers and Colourists :  In order to make every effort 'to advance the science of colour', the Society of Dyers and Colourists aims to disseminate information through the coloration industry and beyond.  This is done through the work done by the members of Council, the various committees and the membership worldwide.  The headquarters of the Society are based in Bradford, UK where the aim of the Society is embodied in: