Topic: Apparel Manufacturing

Patagonia Politics II

Luke's entry this weekend about the politics of Patagonia -- and FC Now reader John Moore's response -- reminded me of another company that infuses its sales and marketing, if not its retail environment, with political messaging: ...READ»

JCPenney is Losing its Shirt

-- Literally -- Today JCPenney announced the largest private brand launch in the company's history, a 2007 release of a private label Lingerie line called Ambrielle. Capitalizing on what many say is an underserved market, ...READ»

No Longer under the Radar

Forget Peyton Manning's 365 yards and three TDs for the undefeated Colts last week. Forget Reggie Bush's 500-plus yards against Fresno State. The top performer of the week was Under Armour, the sports apparel company we profiled back ...READ»

The New Fabric of Success

Grupo M, the largest private employer in the Dominican Republic, makes clothes for Abercrombie Fitch, Hugo Boss, and Tommy Hilfiger. But this is no Third World sweatshop. Instead, it's stitching together a sophisticated pattern of growth.READ»

Big Shoes to Fill

Lands' End has tapped three people to succeed departing CEO David Dyer, who's now waving the red, white, and blue of Tommy Hilfiger Corp. The succession gives real meaning to the phrase, "You must do the work of three people!"READ»

Liz Claiborne Downshifts From Macy's to Penney's Brand

Liz Claiborne is leaving its longtime partner, Macy's, for an exclusive partnership with J.C. Penney Co., the women's apparel company announced today. The clothing line, like a lot of other labels in the sector, is struggling. The ...READ»

No Sweat

Like many upstarts, Under Armour made a splash with a breakthrough product, then promptly found itself facing Goliaths. Here's how an un-likely giant killer is protecting its house from megabrands like Nike.READ»

After(life) a Fashion

Award-winning clothing designer Geoffrey Beene died yesterday at the age of 77. Widely considered one of the fashion industry's most innovative thinkers -- no less than Jackie Kennedy wore his clothes -- Beene focused on designing ...READ»

My Secret to Starting a Successful Clothing Brand

When you're young and don't have a lot of money to launch a world-wide clothing brand, you have to get creative and start slow. Here's how we did it...READ»

Retail Strategy

For all intents and purposes, retail strategy is an oxymoron. Most marketers view retail as a tactic, not a strategy. They see it as a function of sales, not marketing. But those who understand the potential of a "retail ...READ»

Fashionista Alert: Isaac Mizrahi's Claiborne Debut!

Back in April, I reported that Liz Claiborne's new CEO, Bill McComb, had snagged Target's fashion weapon, Isaac Mizrahi, for his own arsenal. For those fashionistas who've been waiting with bated breath to see what kind of sartorial ...READ»

Hemp: The Fabric of Our Lives?

Hemp is one of the fastest growing biomasses in existence, uses less water than cotton, and requires minimal pesticides to thrive. Yet it is still illegal to grow under U.S. federal law due to its relation to marijuana. That hasn't ...READ»

Dressed for Success

Will McDonald's staffers lose the attitude if they're dressed in hip baggy pants and hoodies instead of dismal perma-press duds? That's an $80M experiment the company says it's now willing to make. This week's Advertising Age ...READ»

The Anti-Sweatshop: Nike Expands Its Education Philosophy to Sri Lanka

Filling its own shoes as one of the world's most innovative manufacturers once again, Nike has partnered with MAS Holdings to open the new Apparel Innovation and Training Centre in Sri Lanka. The new center, operated and staffed by ...READ»

Logo, No Go?

Responding to Linda Tischler's article "Buzz Without Bucks" (August 2003), Brigid Mann manages to advertise the supposedly logo-less clothing company NadaLogo while claiming their buzz is not to advertise. NadaLogo's togs do have ...READ»

Tina Louise Couture - COUTURE BRIDAL AND CLOTHING DESIGNER

Tina Louise Couture - COUTURE BRIDAL AND CLOTHING DESIGNERREAD»

reMade USA Brings Upcycled Fashion to High-End Retail

A San Francisco-based designer transforms cast-off leather jackets into sturdy handbags soon to be sold at Barneys.READ»

• Designers Accord Case Studies

Sigrid Olsen

The news that Liz Claiborne has closed all 54 Sigrid Olsen stores is sad indeed for Sigrid and the boomer women for whom her fashions were designed.  But it was also a setback for those who see retail as less of a tactical tool of ...READ»

the 43,000$ suit

Legendary Italian fashion house Brioni unveiled a 43,000$ suit.  No need to ask what it is made out of because we already know the answer: it is tailored to perfection and with the best and rarest material that couture can put ...READ»

Brian J Sunderland Lawyer Oregon

Brian J Sunderland Lawyer Oregon WILL I EVER GET CREDIT AGAIN? Yes! A number of banks now offer "secured" credit cards where a debtor puts up a certain amount of money (as little as $200) in an account at the bank to guarantee payment. Usually the credit limit is equal to the security given and is increased as the debtor proves his or her ability to pay the debt. Two years after a bankruptcy discharge, debtors are eligible for mortgage loans on terms as good as those of others, with the same financial profile, who have not filed bankruptcy. The size of your down payment and the stability of your income will be much more important than the fact you filed bankruptcy in the past.The fact you filed bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years. It becomes less significant the further in the past the bankruptcy is. The truth is, that you are probably a better credit risk after bankruptcy than before. READ»

Patagonia Politics II - Patagonia Talks Back!

After reading Heath's reply to my original post on Patagonia Politics, I thought it might be interesting to bring someone from the company into the conversation. Eve Bould, Patagonia's director of communications and public ...READ»

Retail Details II

Shades of Julian Dibbell's entrepreneurialism in the Ultima Online gaming environment, the executives of There Inc., maker of an online gaming environment by the same name, are encouraging commerce among players. For $1, There ...READ»

(Trade)Marked for Life? II

Abercrombie & Fitch has sued American Eagle Outfitters for using the number 22 on its clothing. While the company doesn't hold a trademark on the number, corporate representatives claim that it has common-law rights to the ...READ»

Clothing the Sale

When designers at Brooks Brothers started to plan the company's fall line of clothing, they looked to some interesting sources for ideas. These sources weren't outside of their industry. They weren't overly technological in nature. ...READ»

Marketing 101: Puma's Jamaican Love Affair

With sweeps in the men's and women's 100m, and gold in the 200 and 4x100 relays, Jamaica Track and Field has put itself on top with some of the worlds best sprinters. To top it off men's sprinter, 21-yr old Usain Bolt set the ...READ»