Posts tagged ‘Fashion’
Product Safety Regulations Raise Ire of Garment Makers
By JW Yates
New York City, New York
Many fashion industry groups are up in arms over the US Consumer Products Safety Commission’s recent adoption of lead testing requirements which were set to take effect in August 2011. There was such a vocal backlash from leading manufacturing groups, such as the American Apparel & Footwear Association and the National Association of Manufacturers, that the CPSC voted 4-1 to extend the deadline for implementation and enforcement until Dec. 31, 2011. This will give manufacturers of children’s clothing and their representatives time to make a case that the new guidelines are both ineffective and unfair to certain types of garment makers.
In a letter sent to the CPSC, industry groups claim that the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act of 2008 is vaguely constructed and lacks the kind of clarity necessary for regulations of this sort. Many clothing producers and importers are left wondering how best to comply with the lead testing guidelines. Many are concerned that compliance for some small-scale garment companies may be all but impossible. This letter asserts that, “Small businesses remain at a real disadvantage, being unable to harness scale to reduce their costs and lacking the resources to fully absorb and implement all the complex new rules and regulations.” http://www.apparelnews.net/features/industry_issues/110325-Lead-Content-Remains-Issue-for-CPSIA-Compliance/print
Besides the obvious monetary cost of these tests, garment makers are concerned about the practicality and efficacy of the testing procedures. They say that the limited number of accredited laboratories approved by the CPSC to carry out the tests, as well as the scope of materials and components that must be tested, make the law ineffective and an unfair burden on the makers and importers of children’s products. They say that the CPSC’s vague directions on testing and certification requirements are leading to a chaotic regulatory atmosphere.
The issue is so high on the industry’s radar that the AAFA has decided to host a product safety and chemical management seminar on May 25 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles. The seminar will provide a CPSIA regulatory update.
To help our partners and clients in the sewn goods and garment industry make sense of this and other regulatory issues, BMS has put together a very informative and timely web seminar titled Product Safety: Strategies for the Garment Industry to take place on Tuesday April 19th at 11:00 AM EST. This brief discussion, lead by industry expert Myles McPartland, will cover many topics relating to the effects of the CSPIA on manufacturing and the garment supply chain. Please check out the BMS website for more details on how to register or attend this free web event.
April 1, 2011
Business Management Systems
330 West 38th Street
Suite 705
New York, NY 10018
(800) 266-4046
info@bmsystems.com
Elizabeth Taylor—The Business of Glamour
As word spread this week of Elizabeth Taylor’s death at age 79, the fashion and style world displayed an outpouring of lamentations generally reserved for royalty. Indeed, one of the most iconic figures in style and entertainment from the last century, Miss Taylor was a legend of unrivaled stature. Her elegant past as a Hollywood starlet, her influential role in modern fashion, and her compassionate use of celebrity to further social causes—all of this and more will be remembered for years to come by generations of fans and followers.
Miss Taylor stands out among the superstar entertainers of the 20th Century for many reasons. Not only was she a stunning beauty with talent to match, but her business acumen and charitable work proved that she was a unique woman of unusual depth and character.
After starring in some of the most beloved films of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s, (National Velvet, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cleopatra) Miss Taylor went on to distinguish herself as one of the trendsetters and tastemakers in worldwide fashion. Notorious for opulent diamonds, historic pearls, and larger-than-life outfits, she set the stage for generations of aspiring superstars.
In the 80’s Elizabeth Taylor stepped into the fashion world as an entrepreneur, releasing a line of fragrances, starting with Passion in 1987, and followed by White Diamonds in 1991, which went on to become the highest-selling celebrity perfume of all time. Her line of perfumes is still a top seller nearly 25 years later, with White Diamonds seeing $70 million in sales last year.
As an activist and philanthropist Miss Taylor raised the standard for celebrity involvement. One of the first celebrities to champion the cause of AIDS awareness, she founded the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and amfAR. Recent reports have stated that the actress willed the bulk of her estate, estimated to be at least $600 million, to these charities.
Unlike many celebrities who become super-famous at a young age, Miss Taylor was able to make wise investments and sound business decisions over the decades. Besides fragrances, the actress diversified her branding to include a line of costume jewelry for Avon, a line that continues to be Avon’s most sought after jewelry. Despite her glamorous reputation, Miss Taylor was considered a “savvy, steely-eyed business woman” according to ABC News. She is expected to be listed along with Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson on Forbe’s annual Top-Earning Dead Celebrities rankings.
We here at BMS would like to salute Elizabeth Taylor for leading a truly glamorous life and for proving that style and business can be a successful combination. We hope her commitment to charity and humanity will be an example for everyone else involved in fashion, glamour and style.
To make a donation to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation follow this link:
http://www.elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org/how-you-can-help
JW Yates
New York City, New York
March 25th, 2011
Business Management Systems
330 West 38th Street
Suite 705
New York, NY 10018
(800) 266-4046
info@bmsystems.com
American Apparel Faces Market Forces
News is in that American Apparel has delayed filing its 2010 annual report. Speculation in the media has it that the popular T-shirt and basics retailer will report stiff losses over the past year. The company—whose popular line of primary-colored socks, tights and shirts are ubiquitous among certain demographics—has seen a spate of bad press and disappointing financial numbers recently.
According to some reports the increasing price of yarn and textiles over the past year, coupled with “labor inefficiencies,” has led to the declining profits at American Apparel. The company was forced to hire hundreds of new workers at its Los Angles manufacturing plant after a federal investigation into worker eligibility led to mass firings. The inexperienced labor supply has in turn led to a less efficient manufacturing process.
It is interesting to look at American Apparel as a case study on the forces affecting today’s clothing manufacturers and retailers. Even though the brand is high-profile and popular, the various complexities of the market have compounded to threaten the underlying viability of the company.
No manufacturer is immune to market forces. Many of the factors pushing against American Apparel are well-known obstacles. Fluctuating raw material costs, regulatory compliance, labor efficiency; these are all factors that people in the clothing industry are well acquainted with. In fact, many manufacturers use Supply Chain Management or Product Lifecycle Management software in a concentrated attempt to bring these chaotic forces into check. For example, there is very little your company can do to affect the increasing price of cotton on the global market. However, with a well-implemented PLM system you may be able to foresee potential supply issues and enact design changes to avoid making costly mistakes. Likewise, if you use contractors or subcontractors in the manufacturing process, a PLM or SCM system can help you track and verify regulatory compliance.
So take a look at your operation and decide if you are doing everything in your power to stay on top of the kind of volatile market forces which are battering American Apparel right now. It may be necessary to implement a supply chain software system to help you oversee your efforts, and help avoid serious financial issues that result from compounded market forces.
JW Yates
New York City, New York
March 21, 2011
Business Management Systems
330 West 38th Street
Suite 705
New York, NY 10018
(800) 266-4046
info@bmsystems.com
Theysken’s Theory: Making Use of Corporate Resources
High fashion raconteur Olivier Theyskens has a fantastic line of classic pants for women that is making a big splash in style circles and online right now. Taking a classic approach to stylish ready-to-wear pants for modern women, Theyskens has decided to show off his Max line of pants using real-life women instead of ultra-glam models. Of course, these aren’t your average girls on the street…
Check out the Theyskens’ Theory Facebook page and you’ll see some great looks donned by Theory employees. The point is to show how his most famous pant is supposed to be worn, by real women who have places to go and people to meet. http://www.facebook.com/theory?sk=app_181012015254529
The flattering and graceful Max line of pants are a hot item as practical urbanites look forward to springtime. Taking any excuse to look good doing what they do, his “model employees” have donned some great outfits for a spread on the Theyskens’ Theory blog and online shop.
Coming in three distinct styles—Cropped, High-Waisted, and Original—the Max pants make looking good seem easy. Adaptable and classy, these pants could be worn as part of a suit, or with a T-shirt…your pick.
So, take a look at what’s new on the Theory website:
http://www.theory.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-theory_US-Site/default/Search-Show?q=pants
Maybe you’re already Mad About Max, and you don’t even know it!
JW Yates
New York, New York
March 10th, 2011
Fall Trend Forecast: The Oversized Look
The extra long belted top. The boxy sheath dress. The baggy sweater.
The “oversized look” has been around for decades, going in and out of style in various reincarnations. And it looks like fall 2010 will once again be a season of oversized fashion.
It’s a comfortable, effortless look–but it can be hard to pull off.
Blogger Sally McGraw, author of the blog “Already Pretty”, outlines the do’s & don’ts of this trend in her post “How to Do Oversized”.
Tahari Gets Star Treatment at Saks Fifth Ave.
Our client Elie Tahari gets the red carpet treatment at Saks Fifth Ave. today. Stephen I. Saddove, Saks Inc’s chairman/CEO and Ron Frasch, president/CMO welcomed Tahari’s collection to the front of Saks’ 4th Floor. Tahari’s new contribution to Saks’Wear Dept. (neighboring Ralph Lauren’s Blue Label and Saks br
and La Via 18) aims to provide customers with trend-right clothes at a more accessible price point.
Women: Inspiration & Enterprise symposium
Business Management Systems Women: Inspiration & Enterprise symposium … our client, Donna Karan along side Arianna Huffington and Sarah Brown will host the first annual WIE Symposium on September 20th, 2010. Speakers addressing childbirth deaths & female technology entrepreneurs, a Fashion Show by Donna Karan, and a concert by Estelle will all be included in this one day event. Read more http://www.startickets.com/event.php?event=1773
Women’s & Men’s (Yes…Men’s!) Lingerie from Krisline Lingerie
BMS came across the Poland-based lingerie brand Krisline at NYC’s recent CurveNY Expo. Krisline is not your average lingerie brand for a handful of reasons–the distinctly retro and romantic aesthetic, the surprising comfort, and the fact that they boast a lingerie line…for men!
You heard right: Lingerie for men.
I say it’s about time the menfolk started sprucing up for the budoir too, don’t you think?
Check out Krisline lingerie for women and men at Krisline.com today!
Curve Expo, New York, NY – only for a limited time
Curve Expo, New York, NY – Have you been to the Jacob Javits center yet? If not, you should visit this years Women’s Lingerie, Swimwear, and Men’s Elegance exhibits. Wacoal, our client DonnaKaran, and Krisline are a few among many other brands being featured at this year’s expo. If you register now, you may have time to view these selections before the expo ends Wednesday evening, August 3rd: http://www.curvexpo.com/
This week in Apparel World Tug of War …
…”Tensions rise in the apparel industry as retailers push garment makers for a faster turnaround on smaller orders in time for Christmas. This lowers the risk for a fashion miss…” writes Elizabeth Holmes. Teen retailer Aeropostale, Inc. is noted as one of the companies that has honed in on the ability to quickly follow up on orders, never having a problem with a turnaround. Read more of this article “Tug of War in the Apparel World” below
BMS Blogs! - Fashion, Technology, Software & Beyond... 