No, this isn’t an updated version of Sammy and Frank’s bunch (Brat Pack for the younger readers), just a new product I happen to like. After finally having some time to sit down and go through business cards, contacts and products from the Las Vegas PPAI show, I came across the Hat-Pak sample I received. Just one of many diverse and unique new products, I might add.
I think one of my most enjoyable conversations came in the final hours of the show. Thinking that I’d seen it all and done it all over the first three days, I
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Ever since I was a gawky teenager, it was clear that my arms and legs were just going to grow on their own, unhindered by the fact that the rest of me wasn’t exactly catching up. It’s okay. I’ve made peace with my wingspan. However, finding long-sleeve shirts that are actually long enough to compensate for my affliction is quite another story.
It’s not like long-sleeve shirts for mere mortals are THAT much shorter on me, but most hit an awkward point on my arm—not quite three-quarter length, yet still stopping short of my wrist. I’ve obviously put a lot of thought into
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This blog is being written LIVE from the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas!
There’s so much to blog about, like the “Miss America” actresses that hoover outside the exhibit entrances (complete with red, slinky evening gowns and bejeweled crowns) directing conventioneers to a prominent apparel supplier’s booth to redeem a free shirt or the (little, old) lady that guards usage of the computers in the Internet Cafe like an angry hawk. Ahhh, sorry readers, but I’ve opted to take the high road and will instead highlight a selection of products in the famed New Product Pavilion. Perhaps, this is a topic more befitting of
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8:37a.m. — Bright and early, here’s your loyal correspondent, blogging live from the PPAI Fashion & Accessories Show. Despite its 8:30 a.m. starting time, there’s a more-than-adequate turnout, though according to a few of my row companions, it’s considerably less than years past. The coffee hasn’t yet dispersed through my system, and I can kind of see how this could be that much more fun with cocktails instead.
8:41 — The lights dim 10 minutes late, and I can’t help but think of Marc Jacobs’ two-hours-overdue N.Y. Fashion Week opening. Good to know our industry can keep “fashionably late” from approaching diva-like proportions!
8:43
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I think the only word that comes to mind after attending this years’ PPAI show in Las Vegas is “Wow!” Never before have I seen such a—what’s the right word—menagerie. It was good to finally put a few faces to the e-mails, and probably even more so, it was nice meeting new people with innovative products. I think I speak for many of my coworkers when I send out a big thank you to the wonderful women at the Fresh Beginnings for providing us with what seemed to be an unending stream of cookies. And, while I’d like to admit
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Created for on-the-go individuals, Alo, a women’s and men’s performance apparel brand based in Los Angeles, introduced new styles, unique proprietary technologies and new fabric mixes in its 2008 wholesale collection. Alo, named after the air, land and ocean, prides itself on being a company with a strong connection to the environment. With the inclusion of bamboo in some of its fabric mixes for the 2008 wholesale collection, Alo fortified its mission to help reduce its impact on the environment while positioning itself as a pioneer in the wholesale industry utilizing eco-friendly materials. The bamboo lyocell performance fabric has naturally
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With the introduction of their new shrink-wrap service, Air Cannons Inc. announced that each T-shirt will be wrapped in plastic and ready to launch, providing a nice professional look when a person catches the shirt. The shrink-wrap also protects the T-shirts from dirt and scuffs in case it hits the ground. Previously, T-shirts were wrapped in tape or rubber bands to keep the t-shirt together while in flight. Personalized cannons built by Air Cannons Inc. have been featured in such shows as “American Chopper”, “Pimp My Ride” and in a commercial for ESPN. Air Cannons are used as a marketing tool at events to
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New York-based apparel maker Anvil Knitwear has revealed that the next line in its sustainable apparel collection will be AnvilRecycled T-shirts. The T-shirts are made from a pre-consumer recycled cotton blend and come in nine colors in sizes XS through 4XL. AnvilRecycled T-shirts will be available in Spring 2008. “Anvil Knitwear is committed to environmentally sustainable growth and the production of innovative, eco-friendly products at affordable prices,” said Anthony Corsano, CEO of Anvil Knitwear. “With AnvilRecycled T-shirts, we are able to eliminate waste and reduce energy usage while still offering the same comfort and quality as our traditional cotton shirts.” The
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Hebron, Ohio-based Heritage Sportswear Inc., a supplier in the wholesale imprintable market, announced the addition of two new sales executives—Julie Russell and Phil Anderson. Russell brings to Heritage 12 years experience in the apparel industry. Previously with Georgia-based supplier and distributor Hartwell Industries, Russell will now cover the Michigan territory for Heritage. Russell stated, “I am excited to be a part of the Heritage Sportswear team. This is a great opportunity to be able to present such an extensive product line with the inventory to back it up. I look forward to working with such a customer-driven organization that is supported by a
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Bluesign Technologies, based in St. Gallen, Switzerland, announced Boardroom Custom Clothing and Ecoapparel.ca of Vancouver, British Columbia are new brand members of the bluesign standard. The bluesign standard is an independent, international-quality standard aimed to serve people and the environment. It identifies responsibly acting textile industry suppliers. Bluesign technologies was founded in 2000. Since then, the bluesign standard has been adopted by different leading textile manufacturers, and it meets the general need to do something about sustainability, so that next generations can benefit from an intact environment, without compromising functionality, quality or design. “We are proud to announce that we have gained a
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