Mills Update: European Makers on Their Tariff Response and Sustainable Fabrics
In a time of trade volatility, brands are shifting their sourcing strategies to guard against tariffs. Denim manufacturers are soldiering on, leaning on innovation and their internal capabilities to drive business while also keeping a watchful eye on the situation.
Carved in Blue is catching up with denim mills to discuss the sourcing landscape, their latest launches and where denim trends are headed for Fall/Winter 2026. Here, executives from Tejidos Royo and Textil Santanderina discuss trade policies’ impact and what the market is looking for in denim.
TEJIDOS ROYO
Jose Royo, president
Carved in Blue: Tariffs are top of mind right now for the industry. How are trade policies impacting your business—particularly in the U.S.?
Jose: Things are not easy. Tariffs are making business harder and less predictable. I still don’t understand the benefits of them for the U.S. economy. Creating tariffs all over the place will make America less competitive and create inflation. I don’t see the benefits at all.
Create tariffs where there is unfair business, especially in people, but not in everything. Spreading the sh** does not create a clean environment.
Carved in Blue: What do you expect consumers will be looking for in Fall/Winter 2026? How are you developing denim to meet their expected wants?
Jose: I don’t see a clear tendency. Maybe stretch is coming back, people are getting tired of so much cotton 100 percent, and commodity is real. Maybe they will live some time together. Sustainability is still the name of the game, and sooner or later, a lot of mills will have to change. The 2030 agenda is there, even if Trump does not like it.
Carved in Blue: Do any of your textiles incorporate TENCEL™ Lyocell and/or Modal?
Jose: Yes, our collection is full of blends with TENCEL™. As commodity is taking place, TENCEL™ must be there.
TEXTIL SANTANDERINA
Ramon Rios Quintana, fashion general manager
Carved in Blue: Tariffs are top of mind right now for the industry. How are trade policies impacting your business—particularly in the U.S.?
Ramon: The whole retail and branding is now shaking their buying sources, and this is a good opportunity to demonstrate that we can, and we are, doing right denim and prepared-for-garment-dye fabrics for the real sustainable fashion market, with an extreme fast to market service.
Carved in Blue: What do you expect consumers will be looking for in Fall/Winter 2026? How are you developing denim to meet their expected wants?
Ramon: Service on sustainable fabrics is the key. You have to have the right color and comfort denim fabrics, and durability is a must, as well as sustainable real root inside.