India has emerged as a compelling alternative to China as the global manufacturing landscape shifts amidst ongoing tariff wars and rising geopolitical tensions. This vibrant, diverse, and industrious nation boasts a deep history in textile and apparel production, coupled with a fast-evolving, modern infrastructure ready to meet global demand.
A Rich History Meets a Modern Landscape
India’s roots in textile manufacturing stretch back millennia, blending 5,000 years of heritage with 21st-century innovation. From iconic madras plaids to intricate silks that once captivated global traders, India’s legacy continues to inspire the fashion world.
Today, the country is a global hub for cotton-based textiles, supported by a robust agricultural foundation. Thanks to government incentives from the current administration, there’s been a notable surge in synthetic and performance fabric production, positioning India as a rising leader in this segment as well. Larger mills and garment factories are scaling their synthetic capabilities is promising even greater capacity in the years ahead.
This tradition now powers a $152 billion industry, where artisanal craftsmanship meets AI-driven efficiency.
Key Strengths:
- Advanced finishing techniques for softness, performance, and fashion-forward appeal
- Vertical capabilities from spinning to finishing for speed and quality control
- Emphasis on sustainable, organic, and eco-friendly fabrics
Workforce Advantage & Factory Excellence
India is home to the world’s largest workforce, which is increasingly well-educated and digitally fluent. This talent base fuels a production ecosystem that is both scalable and quality-driven.
While factory quality varies worldwide, India boasts hundreds of world-class facilities, many equipped with:
- State-of-the-art sewing and assembly lines
- International compliance certifications
- Proven capabilities in complex styles and high-volume orders
India’s demographic edge adds to its manufacturing appeal:
- 65% of the population is under 35
- 90% of export-oriented factories operate with English fluency
- 60% of significant units use real-time quality control tech
Women Empowerment in Apparel
India’s apparel sector is not just a production powerhouse—it’s also a driver of women’s economic empowerment:
- Over 7 million women are employed in the industry, making it the largest female workforce in India’s organized sector.
- Programs like Stitch & Skill train over 50,000 women in advanced garment technology annually, helping bridge the gender pay gap by up to 18% in certified factories.
- Women lead across the value chain, from grassroots weavers to factory managers, powering 34% of India’s textile exports and a $6 billion ‘Made by Women’ economy.
- Women now hold 42% of supervisory roles in compliant factories—a number that continues to grow.
Commitment to Social Compliance
India’s manufacturing sector is increasingly aligned with ethical and responsible production. A growing number of factories are certified by standards like WRAP, SA8000, BSCI, and SEDEX, focusing on:
- Worker health, safety, and well-being
- On-site healthcare, childcare, and skill development programs
- Zero-discharge dyeing innovations (e.g., Arvind Ltd.’s waterless denim)
- Transparent wage structures and community upliftment
This people-first approach is resonating with brands seeking value-driven sourcing partners.
Stars Design Group India Offices
With over 25 years of experience in India, Stars Trading Company has developed deep roots and trusted relationships in the region. With two fully staffed offices and a highly skilled team with textile education and hands-on experience, Stars India offers partners:
- Broad product capabilities
- Flexible MOQs and timelines
- End-to-end sourcing support with consistent quality assurance
Fascinating Facts About India
- Civilizational Heritage: Home to the world’s oldest continuous civilization—the Indus Valley
- Postal Powerhouse: Operates the largest postal system globally with over 150,000 post offices
- Spiritual Diversity: Hosts more than 300,000 active mosques—more than any other country
- STEM Superpower: Second-largest pool of engineers and scientists worldwide
- Textile Giants: Among the world’s leading producers of cotton, silk, and jute
Final Thoughts
India’s rich cultural legacy, tech-forward mindset, and people-centered approach to manufacturing position it as a strategic and sustainable alternative to China. For brands seeking cost-effective, ethical, and innovative partners, India offers both scale and soul.
About Stars Design Group: Founded by industry experts, Stars Design Group global fashion design and production house that helps clients bring their apparel to market. We consult, design, and facilitate production and delivery.
Understanding that the apparel industry is about evolution and not revolution, we continue to refine the way the industry does business. Embracing the latest 3D design and development software, we help to refine the design and approval process in a digital landscape, paving the way for rapid decisions and execution of programs while reducing mistakes, improving fit, minimizing returns, and increasing profit margins.
With a network of 67 factories in 14 countries worldwide, our relationships are generations deep. Being diverse in our manufacturing locations, we are nimble in an ever-evolving landscape and provide ethically manufactured apparel and accessories.