Le Verophonna, a women's brand developed by Sunwell (headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka), is increasing its use of domestically produced fabrics for its fall/winter collection. All but three styles in this collection use domestically produced fabrics. This is due to rising raw material prices and labor costs in China, which means that manufacturing costs are no longer significantly affected even when using domestically produced fabrics.

This trend is accelerating throughout the industry, with other companies also increasing their use of domestically sewn products. This is largely due to rising labor costs at Chinese factories.

In terms of items, we expect the popularity of printed blouses, which were popular this spring/summer, to weaken. Furthermore, we expect colored items to remain popular in fall/winter, following spring/summer, although colors will deepen slightly. Patterned pants will remain popular, but there will likely be a shift toward more solid-colored patterns.

Meanwhile, basic V-neck cardigans and sweaters are doing well at fall/winter order meetings, with strong demand for off-white and ecru items and colors like blue, pink, and orange. Among the patterned items, camouflage knitwear has a nice feel.

The popularity of basic V-neck cardigans and sweaters is likely due in part to the influence of the trend of draping sweaters over the shoulders that has emerged this spring and summer. The temperature starts to drop significantly around November each year, and until then, the style of draping sweaters over the shoulders, as in spring and summer, is likely to continue.

The brand's specialty, the camel-colored three-quarter sleeve wool coat, is also still going strong this winter. As it remains a staple every year, this winter's collection features an updated version with fur added to the collar and cuffs.