Portugal Footwear, CLO launches ZFAB, Chanel Sued

Portugal Eyes Next-Gen Footwear Markets

Portugal’s footwear sector is investing €140 million through a public-private initiative to expand into high-growth segments like sports, luxury, and orthopedic shoes. By focusing on R&D, automation, sustainability, and design, the country aims to shed its low-cost image and compete on innovation and quality.

Why it matters: As brands seek resilient, nearshore partners, Portugal is positioning itself as a tech-savvy manufacturing hub ready to serve the next generation of footwear demands.

Footwear: Portugal bets on innovation to gain foothold in new segments

Already recognized worldwide for the quality of its products, especially its leather goods, the Portuguese footwear cluster is now looking to segments such as technical and professional footwear to expand.

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CLO launches ZFAB Kit to streamline fabric digitization with AI

CLO has unveiled the ZFAB Kit, an AI-powered system designed to make fabric digitization faster, easier, and more scalable for 3D design workflows. The kit uses a plug-and-play scanner and intelligent software to generate photorealistic digital fabrics - no specialized skills or manual editing required.

Why it matters: By lowering the barrier to high-quality digital material creation, CLO is helping brands accelerate 3D adoption and close the gap between physical and digital sampling.

CLO Unveils the zFab Kit: a Revolutionary AI-Powered Fabric Digitization System

/PRNewswire/ -- CLO Virtual Fashion, an industry leader in 3D garment visualization and design technology, announced the launch of the all-new CLO zFab Kit, a…

PR Newswire UKCLO Virtual Fashion

Chanel sued over makeup try-on tech amid rising retail AI tensions

Chanel is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit in Illinois over its virtual makeup try-on tool, accused of collecting and storing users’ biometric data without proper consent. The case highlights growing legal scrutiny around retail tech that uses facial recognition or scans, particularly in states with strict privacy laws like Illinois.

Why it matters: As beauty and fashion brands race to adopt AI-powered experiences, data privacy is becoming a battleground - underscoring the need for tech compliance to evolve alongside innovation.

Chanel Sued Over Makeup Try-On Tool as Tech Battles Grow

As virtual try-on tool tech becomes increasingly common in e-commerce, lawsuits are plaguing some of retail’s biggest names.

The Fashion LawTFL