INSIDER OPINION

INSIDER OPINION – HAMIT YENICI WE LET DOWN OUR PLANET

When we ask Hamit Yenici, co-founder of HICH Solutions, to talk about his past – as the CEO of two major denim manufacturers who has had a huge influence on the development of the industry – he emphasises that the past is over and that what really counts is tomorrow. With HICH Solutions, a visionary company dedicated to finding the best solutions by working at the interface of brands, retailers and textile producers worldwide, he sources innovative trends, materials and technologies to build impactful, creative, sustainable collections and business platforms. An interview about change, evolution and recycling.

INTERVIEW CHERYLL MÜHLEN

With almost three decades in the top league of the denim business, what motivated you to start HICH solutions?

There are certain times and decisions where you just go for your dreams and plans, as I have. Just three years ago I decided to establish a new business model with my partners Kerem, Emrah and Banu. I’ve been observing lot of changes over the last five years. Since the global boost in textile investments, overcapacity has become a chronic problem for our industry. Not to mention a tense economic situation, climate change, consolidation in brands, retailers, shifting new customer profiles (millennials and generation X) and changing buyer behaviours etc. All these macro trends are disrupting and changing the fashion industry. More than ever, companies now need to be agile, think digital-first and achieve ever-faster speed to market. Equally, they need to take an active stance on social issues, deliver on consumer demands for transparency and sustainability, and have the courage to re-think their own identity. All of this has affected our visions and encouraged us to create HICH solutions, which aims to support the textile industry. We use speed-to-market as a differentiator, are genuinely creative, innovative and sustainable and respect people and Mother Earth. We collaborate and generate profitable solutions and rely on business ethics.

Like you said, the denim industry has changed and is still changing – mostly for the better. What do you consider to be the most exciting developments? And why?

Developing a new product, a factory, a collection, material or machinery is part and parcel of our day-to-day business but now is the time to foresee changes and develop our reflex for adaptation. We’ve all been witnessing exponential growth and evolving technologies in the textile industry for decades. Innovations are achieved in every single area, from raw materials to garment facilities. The ones who foresaw all these changes are Hamit Yenici, co-founder of the leaders now. But admittedly, all we HICH Solutions were focused on was success and we let down our planet until climate change started to affect us. Humanity’s egocentric approach needs to change now as we are all realising that our time is running out. Everyone has started introducing circular and sustainable methods, so circularity and sustainability are at the focus. No doubt the best development is one that hasn’t been discovered yet… but who knows? Maybe we’ll see it soon.

What are the main criteria for how you choose the clients you work with?

We look for visionary minds and companies. Capacity and size cannot create a brand if you’re not good at innovation and creativity. We respect creativity in all areas. Our clients all have their own strengths and we take these differences into account, developing marketing and sales strategies in the industry. All partners are experienced in their areas and have the potential to create solutions. They all share a talent for finding business-driven solutions worldwide. Each of our clients are in different continents and serve different garment operations territories. We believe that local garment operations are always the better way so all the mills we work with serve different customer profiles and product segments, tastes etc. Positive collaborations are the most powerful assets for future-oriented sustainable businesses. It’s only by coming together that we can create significant results and a better future.

Let’s talk about the future: is there anything else you would like to do? Inside or even outside the industry?

Inside the industry and as a father of two sons, I am taking on the responsibility of driving the industry to seek out better approaches for our planet and future generations. We are the generation that can prevent irreparable damage to our planet – for our children. In my opinion, recycling is a product innovator. Recycling is a good place to start to clean up the impact of landfills. So my aim is to innovate recycling products that will be welcomed by consumers and sold across the world to help offset the global effects. And it’s not just about recycling: I’m willing to work on anything that helps.

FALL WINTER 2021

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