just-style authors and correspondents

Biography

Leonie Barrie joined just-style as managing editor 17 years ago, and during that time has been instrumental in steering the site's editorial content and direction. Under her leadership, just-style has raised its profile internationally, and today boasts a team of contributors around the world who provide a unique blend of up-to-the-minute news, research and analysis on the apparel and footwear industry and its supply chain.

An experienced business journalist with a background in fashion and textiles, Leonie has written extensively about global sourcing and production, technology, emerging markets, as well as retail, brand and marketing strategies. She has also interviewed industry leaders across the globe. As managing editor Leonie has travelled around the world to gain first-hand experience of the industry in various countries, and continues to deliver keynote speeches, chair roundtable and panel sessions at conferences, and write about the international apparel industry and the challenges and opportunities it faces. 

Columns by Leonie Barrie

Viewpoint

just-style editor Leonie Barrie shares her thoughts on some of the top stories in the news.

Articles by Leonie Barrie

Apparel production increasingly returning to Europe 16 October 2018

"Made in China" has been a label found sewn into many articles of clothing in the western world for many years – but that's about to change, new research suggests.

---

Productivity training to pilot in Pakistan garment sector 3 October 2018

A pilot project to improve the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has launched in Pakistan’s textile and clothing sectors.

---

US to allow more apparel imports under AGOA 3 October 2018

The US has set new annual limits on duty and quota-free imports of apparel articles assembled from regional and third-country fabric under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in the upcoming fiscal year.

---

10% of buyers take no notice of factory conditions 2 October 2018

Apparel suppliers continue to bear the brunt of poor purchasing practices, according to first findings from the next Better Buying report, with a majority of apparel buyers not paying for samples, and one in ten never broaching the issue of factory conditions.

---

How to move further and faster on closed loop clothing 1 October 2018

There’s a lot of talk about the potential benefits of developing a closed loop or circular economy as a long-term solution to the environmental impacts of the clothing industry and its supply chain – yet delivering real change is so far proving to be slow. An expert panel at the recent Innovation and Technology Symposium at the Fashion Summit (Hong Kong) 2018 discussed some of the challenges of closing the loop in the fashion industry, and potential solutions for moving from hype to action.

---

Why fashion must act now to secure a sustainable future 28 September 2018

The global fashion industry is on a trajectory set to stretch planetary resources beyond breaking point unless it finds better ways of producing, using and disposing apparel, according to the stark message for delegates at the recent Fashion Summit (Hong Kong) 2018.

---

Luen Thai expands with $28m Universal Elite buy 26 September 2018

Hong Kong based Luen Thai Holdings, one of the world’s largest apparel and accessories manufacturers, is expanding its business with the US$28m acquisition of Universal Elite Holdings.

---

Crystal International sets out new sustainability targets 20 September 2018

Hong Kong-based apparel manufacturing giant Crystal International has embarked on its third set of five-year sustainability targets, adding new social indicators to the goals it hopes to accomplish by 2022.

---

Montelle Intimates keeps competitive with software suite 20 September 2018

Montelle Intimates, a Montreal-based company designing basic and fashion intimates, is managing to keep competitive in a shifting market thanks to help from an omnichannel software suite.

---

Investors call for continuation of the Bangladesh Accord 17 September 2018

A group of 153 investors representing US$2.8 trillion in assets has warned against the premature termination of the Bangladesh Accord for Fire and Building Safety – saying that lingering risks in the country’s garment factories threaten workers, brands and investors.