Cortex is a clothing manufacturer and textile supplier whose history began 27 years ago. What once started as a pure fabric provider has developed into a full-service producer. The company opened its first factory in China in 2011, followed by another production facility in Vietnam in 2022.
Cortex as a production partner
Cortex specializes in washed textiles made from soft woven fabrics – including casual tops, trousers, dresses and lightweight jackets for men and women. The two plants have a monthly capacity of around 140,000 units; By expanding the location in Vietnam, this is expected to increase to around 200,000 units by the end of 2026. Both fully air-conditioned production sites function as full-service providers: from the procurement of fabrics and ingredients to design labs, sample production, testing and quality assurance through to merchandising services. The factories hold BSCI, WRAP and SLCP certifications, underlining the company’s commitment to fair and responsible manufacturing.
But Cortex sees its role as going beyond mere manufacturing. Rather, the focus is on designing a company that balances growth with responsibility. All aspects of this alignment, from corporate philosophy and values to how we treat employees, care for the planet and support of communities, are linked by a central principle: “Achieving impact beyond compliance.”
‘Love the People & the Planet’
Cortex’s philosophy is clear: Love the People & the Planet. For the company, compliance is just the starting point; the true measure lies in the impact created by concrete, sustainable initiatives. That’s his Impact agenda an internal commitment framework based on two pillars: sustainability and humanity. These principles shape Cortex’s daily operations.
In the area of sustainability, the focus is on reducing the carbon footprint through awareness raising, use of biodegradable materials, green energy, water conservation, tree planting and elimination of single-use plastic. In the area of humanity, Cortex invests in holistic employee programs such as yoga, dance, fitness and consulting services. Wellness events also take place every year that promote fitness and community in a playful way – under the motto “Better than Yesterday”.
Production employees are encouraged to express their creativity. For this purpose, the company organizes annual fashion shows where employees can present models they have designed themselves and win prizes. In addition, an internal talent show takes place every year to which all employees are invited. Under the motto “Cortex’s Got Talent” they can present their skills on stage here.
Drawing on years of practical experience, founder and CEO Dheeraj Luthra has developed Bite-Sized Knowledge Bombs – short, inspiring bursts of knowledge that transform complex industry experiences into easy-to-understand, applicable learning moments.
Education is a central theme at Cortex. The company supports single parents in educating their children and finances the NGO Voice of Slum in India. This teaches children from urban slums and gives them access to regular schools and universities. As part of the CARE initiative, Cortex collects and distributes surplus food from five-star hotels to underprivileged children at an orphanage in Da Nang, Vietnam.
In order to provide inspiring impulses, Cortex has been opening its doors to schoolchildren and students every year since 2023 as part of the “Journey of Fashion” program. The aim is to give them a practical insight into sustainable and ethical fashion production. Due to its great success – there was even coverage on Vietnamese state television – the company is currently developing “Blossom 360°”, a two-week intensive program that gives fashion students practical insights into the production side of the industry.
Long term vision
The company vision is based on the values of transparency, responsibility and integrity and strives for sustainable and meaningful growth. Compliance is the foundation, not the goal. Real impact comes from concrete actions that create measurable change and benefit both people and the planet. In the long term, Cortex is aiming for a model modeled on a B Corporation, in which employees should participate in the company’s success. From 2024, a core team is initially planned for profit sharing. This sense of participation and responsibility should then be extended step by step to all employees.
As Cortex expands into Europe, it seeks like-minded partners who believe that business can be both profitable and deeply responsible, and that true progress begins beyond compliance.
About the founder and CEO
From founding his first denim brand in India to leading a global manufacturing group, Dheeraj Luthra has worked at the intersection of creativity, commerce and responsibility in the fashion industry for over three decades. As Cortex founder and CEO, he expanded a small textile trading company into an internationally recognized brand for holistic clothing production. Today it works with leading international fashion brands in state-of-the-art production facilities.
His career began in 1992 with an internship at Benetton, where he first got to know the 360-degree world “from fiber to fashion”. The insights he gained into design, manufacturing and retail sparked his passion for fashion and gave him the belief that great clothes are made not just in factories, but through relationships, innovation and empathy. Cortex continues to pursue this vision today with the same energy and determination – combining craftsmanship with conscience, speed with sustainability and growth with human values. Luthra’s vision remains clear: He wants to create a company that not only produces fashion, but also has a positive impact and inspires the next generation to see fashion as a force for good.
This article was made possible in collaboration with Men of Orange, a Netherlands-based fashion industry service provider that helps brands connect with manufacturers and production partners worldwide.
Read more about Men of Orange and Cortex on the company website