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Two dimensional (2D) bar-codes and radio-frequency tags were two of the technological innovations displayed at IQ 1996. 2D bar-codes, which are used in retail distribution operations and on shipping containers, offer 10 times more information than traditional linear bar-codes. Radio-frequency tags use a tiny micro-transmitter, which is unique to each tag, to record point-of-sale transactions., CHICAGO - Top retail and apparel executives come to the IQ 1996 conference to keep abreast of the technologies that effect the way they do business. But with the pace [...]

Attendees of the International Fashion Fabric Exhibition, taking place in New York, NY the week of March 18, 1996, will be able to see new releases of computer-aided design (CAD) software based on the Windows operating system. Many such programs in the past required proprietary hardware to run, since the device drivers which run the monitors and processors would not operate all hardware choices. Most CAD programs make use of the Windows operating system to encourage a widespread customer base., NEW YORK - The Windows-based CAD packages much anticipated at last fall's CAD Comer are now commercially available and should prove the highlight of this year's corner. The CAD Corner, [...]

Many US designers have found that they have had to relinquish creative and managerial control of their collections to Japanese partners in order to succeed in the Japanese market. This behavior may change as Japanese consumers realize what they enjoy about US fashion rather than depend upon the ideas of Japanese marketing individuals. Also, US designers are refusing to relinquish the control of their collections to Japanese retailers and suppliers., NEW YORK -- To stand a chance of making it in the Japanese market, American designers have had to abdicate a good deal of managerial and even creative control to [...]

The supply and distribution system in Japan is a major problem for US fashion designers trying to establish a presence in the market. Production, marketing, and design controls have been relinquished by Japanese clothing companies to the point of being minimal. Individual retailers and trading companies hold licenses from Japanese producers of foreign lines. Fabrics are then made in Japanese mills and the final products are distributed to the retailers. Many US designers have difficulties adjusting to this., NEW YORK -- The Japanese market has proven a revolving door for New York fashion elite, and men's wear designer Jhane Barnes is among those caught in it. 'I was [...]

The Equitable Gallery of New York, NY, presented an exhibit of textiles from Venice originating in the 17th and 18th centuries, with a guided tour by Angelo Uslenghi. Satins with raised designs, double-warped brocades, damasks, and gold- and silver-threaded fabrics were some of the outstanding items. Differential dying and metallic fabrics are among parallels between the early Venetian textiles and contemporary fabric manufacturing., NEW YORK - Serenissima, an exhibit of 17th- and 18th-century Venetian textiles, has left the Equitable Gallery, here. But before its treasures were carefully folded into buffered crates, Milanese textile [...]

Low retail apparel sales could be strengthened by innovative textiles, according to Italian executive Angelo Islenghi. New textile surfaces in wovens and knits, unusual finishing, and innovative fabric blends, such as silk and polyester, are the trends for the 1997 Italian fabric collection. Women's wear could also use the new fabrics. Italian textile manufacturers are experimenting with differential dyeing and synthetic fabrics, as well., NEW YORK -- Italy's textile industry is betting that 'different,' very trendy fabrics will shore up weak apparel sales at retail. 'Business is not so good in apparel and fashion,' [...]

Executives at firms that make textile computer-aided design (CAD) systems are confident that the robust business they experienced in 1995 will continue into 1996, despite the poor climate for apparel at retail. They also predict that smaller firms and independent designers will look into buying CAD systems in 1996, from such vendors as Colour Matters, Computer Design Inc and Cadtex Corp. Industry consultant Alison Grudier cites efficiency improvements as the main reason mills and apparel makers buy CAD systems, and she predicts a continuing strong market because of the results visible at companies that already have the systems., NEW YORK - Vendors of textile CAD systems are ringing up banner sales even though their customers are trudging through a bad winter. Experts predict mills, apparel makers and retailers [...]

NEW YORK -- The more than 1,400 employees left without work after a fire leveled Malden Mills' Lawrence, Mass., facility Monday night will get their paychecks, at least for a [...]

New fabrics involving new fibers and yarns, especially synthetic materials, were on display at the Texitalia show in New York, NY. Coatings of rubber and plastic for wool, cotton, and silk fabrics were talked about, and new elements in textiles to provide stretch and resiliency at becoming popular. New technology will allow darker blues and navies, creating very dark and black tones., NEW YORK - Italy's textile artisan's are preparing double-faced fabrics, as well as coated, stretch and sueded fabrics for the fall '96 season And what's making the production of those [...]

The Government of Peru and the Italian mill Loro Piana have announced that wool from the rare vicuna will begin to be sold again. Loro Piana executives attribute the comeback of the endangered llama-like animal to its value as a source of wool. The animal was protected by import restrictions in the early days of the US Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the vicuna population has recovered from 5,000 to 160,000., NEW YORK -- The vicuna, a petite Ilama-like animal, is making a comeback amidst the thin air above timberline in the Peruvian Andes. And officials of the Italian mill Loro [...]

Vendors of computer-aided design (CAD) equipment presented a number of innovations for textile and apparel industry applications at the International Fashion Fabrics Exhibition. Gerber Garment Technology executive Scott Starr explained that CAD companies are moving away from proprietary systems to more open architecture. New CAD systems can be used for 'virtual sampling' that allow a new product to be shown digitally without having to create a sewn sample., NEW YORK - The CAD Roundtable is becoming an anticipated feature at the semiannual IFFE shows. But last week's session, with its focus on innovations by CAD vendors, was in [...]

Electronic spec sheet software and the Internet are important tools for the clothing industry, according to Bernard Kahn of the Fashion Institute of Technology. Electronic spec packages allow companies to modify trim, color, and material specifications, and shorten product development time. Labor and material costs are also better managed. The Internet is a cost-effective medium for E-mail transmission to vendors and retailers., NEW YORK - The Internet and the development of electronic spec-sheet software are emerging as critical tools for the apparel industry, especially in the area of sourcing, FIT professor Bernard [...]

NEW YORK - J.C. Penney, Nordstrom's and Kids `R' Us will be offering some novel T-shirts for the holiday season. The sketchy images printed on the shirts flush with color [...]

The 1995 National Knitwear and Sportswear Association's Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Expo seemed to outdraw the neighboring Yarn Fair, which also held its Expo in The Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers. Many of the attendees were curious about how the technology could help them in their design and execution. One major concern of many was using computers to improve merchandising and marketing campaigns. Service bureaus were also touting their ability to offer cheap computerized artwork at less cost than painted artwork., NEW YORK--This year's CAD Expo proved to be more than a sideshow to the Yarn Fair, its more established sibling. The concurrent shows, sponsored by the National Knitwear & Sportswear [...]

Italian textile manufacturers foresee a greater use of techno-fibers in future fabrics, which will result in more widely available quality clothing. Lycra can be used in moderation to allow for some stretch in clothing without a tight or clingy look. Metallic yarns will be able to be mixed with natural fibers for unique textures and appearances, in an effort to spruce up men's clothing. New yarns and knitting techniques will also produce masculine mohair fabrics and twisted yarns., NEW YORK -- Techno and stretch fibers may be conspicuous on the fashion-forward runways of Paris and Milan, but the textile seers at Pitti Immagine Filati say they will eventually [...]

The Yarn Fair/CAD Expo to be held in New York, NY, Aug 22-24, 1995, will offer several computer-aided design (CAD) seminars and others designed to preview fall 1996 textile and color trends. The CAD seminars will be led by consultant Alison Grudier, who promises that they will be non-technical and useful for companies wishing to enter the CAD field. Meanwhile, independent consultant Eleanor Douglas and Pantone Color Institute Exec Dir Leatrice Eiseman are scheduled to lead panel discussions on fabric and fiber trends and how they affect the industry., NEW YORK -- There'll be eight seminars on tap when the Yam Fair/CAD Expo comes to the New York Sheraton & Towers Aug. 22-24. Five fabric seminars will focus on [...]

The Textile Clothing Technology Corp may get $3 million for the fiscal year 1996, which is lower than the anticipated $3.4 million. The firm derives about 40% of its budget from the government, which has cut its funding in the 1990s to reflect the overall reduction of government spending. Textile Clothing officials are pleased that they may get close to $3.4 million, but this amount must also be approved by the House. Meanwhile, AMTEX awaits word on its funding., NEW YORK -- The Textile Clothing Technology Corp. has come out of the first round of congressional budget battles just slightly bloodied -- and it's passage looks promising -- but [...]

NEW York - Jhane Barnes launched her first furniture line at the Neocon Show at Chicago's Merchandise Mart earlier this month, but getting the men's wear designer to make the [...]

Textile design graduates of Parsons School of Design are using CAD computer skills to help them create their textile designs. The added computer skills complement the student's design skills and will help make them more valuable to potential employers. CAD skills are invaluable and a number of employers will not hire designers without any CAD skills. Students from Parsons have the opportunity to learn PhotoShop and a CAD software system from now defunct Athena Design., NEWYORK - Students at Parsons School of Design, here, spend a good deal of time familiarizing themselves with CAD systems. And the six textile design students the college graduated this [...]

NEWYORK - Cotton Incorporated president J. Nicholas Hahn said textile mills are beginning to pass along cotton price hikes to their customers and he predicted that trend will grow. 'Up [...]

Manufacturers and retailers need to do a better job of selling the new 3-button and soft suits, according to Tommy Hilfiger and Derrill Osborn. The two men told the attendees of a Clothing Manufacturers Assn of the USA seminar that members of the men's clothing industry are not even wearing the new styles themselves. Osborn said that at Neiman Marcus, where he is vice-president of men's clothing, all salesmen and all mannequins wear 3-button suits, and 3-button styles make up 53% of the store's sleeve units sold., NEW YORK -- Retailers aren't working hard enough when it comes to selling and educating their customers about the latest looks -- soft suits and three-button models. And manufacturers aren't [...]

Compagnia Tessile SpA president Tino Brigatti told members of the Clothing Manufacturers Association that soft tailored clothing serves as a solution to the casual dress Fridays trend. Brigatti noted that Italian textile mills are expanding the range of fabrics designed specifically for soft tailored apparel. Many domestic manufacturers are concerned that the 'FridayWear' phenomenon will increase the sales of more casual attire at the expense of tailored clothing., NEW YORK -- Soft may be new to the American men's tailored clothing industry, but Italy's fabric designers and the soft trend go way back. 'I started my personal research [...]

Leo Oppe, technical director at Hugo Boss AG, explained to a group of managers at the Clothing Manufacturers Association that unconstructed, or 'soft,' suits required additional technical skill and training in order to create a superior product. Oppe argued that, contrary to some retailers beliefs, making soft clothing was more expensive for the manufacturer because of the technical expertise needed. He added that European men are willing to pay extra for the fit of the suit., NEWYORK--Less is costing Hugo Boss more. Leo Oppe, technical director for the German men's wear manufacturer, shot down a widely held misconception that soft tailored clothing is relatively inexpensive to [...]

NEW YORK - Eminent Japanese textile designer Junichi Arai is pushing the limits of textile design via metallic bonding and computer technology. Arai, who was in New York recently to [...]

Bobbin Contexpo organizers are optimistic that the potential for the Caribbean Basin Initiative to obtain parity with NAFTA will draw to the 1995 show many of the Latin American contractors that were absent in 1994. They say that preregistration numbers indicate a higher presence of contractors from that region. The develop the positive theme further, Deputy Asst Sec of Commerce Rita Hayes is scheduled to speak at the show. The 1995 Bobbin Contexpo will be held May 10-12 in the Miami Beach Convention Center, Florida., NEW YORK -- Bobbin Contexpo, which many U.S. apparel makers rely on to network with Latin American contractors, is coming to the Miami Beach Convention Center May 10-12. Upwards of [...]

The inclusion of Lycra material in the fabric of some woolen men's suits has proven popular and a number of apparel makers are showing an interest in the wool/Lycra blend material. The material was developed by Polgat, an Israeli textile mill. The material has characteristics similar to regular suiting fabrics and has shape recovery and stretch comfort attributes.Marks and Spencer used the material in some of its wool suits in 1994 and saw and increase and sales and plans to continue to use the material., NEW YORK -- When Britain's Marks & Spencer added a little Lycra to some of its wool suits last Year, it translated into a lot of sales. Now, the American [...]

NEW YORK -- The rank and file of the Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers Union gave an overwhelming thumbs-up Wednesday to a tailored clothing contract that nets them wage and [...]

NEW YORK -- Officers of the Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers Union have agreed to a new three-year contract with the Clothing Manufacturers Association of the U.S.A. The contract, which [...]

Cranston Print Works produces computerized color printing. It is important to the firm to produce colors that the textile designers have developed. The pattern and color must be produced on the computer-aided design system and introduced into the printing system without any transfers in order to remain true to the textile designer's pattern and color. Few links have been developed because textile printers have not demanded computer software firms to produce it., CRANSTON, R.I.--Making sure the colors envisioned by textile designers come to vivid life on printed fabric is a high priority at Cranston Print Works. 'Like most of the major textile [...]

Floor-ready merchandise may become more popular with both retailers and clothing manufacturers, but the economic aspects of such a trend have yet to be worked out. The Voluntary Interindustry Communications Standards held a conference in Mar 1995 to focus on such issues, but not many decisions were made. Merchandise that is hung and marked with UPCs and any retail markings should be done in one place to be cost-effective, according to industry officials., ATLANTA - Retailers and manufacturers are in agreement that floor-ready merchandise is the wave of the future. But the question remains: How is it going to be paid for? Vendors, [...]

Fred Meyer Inc has made a serious commitment to Quick Response (QR) inventory management when it opened a 310,000 sq ft Retail Service distribution center. The center replaces three distribution centers and handles goods for 107 of 131 Fred Meyer stores. The distribution center is dependent upon QR as it has little room for physical storage of goods. Fred Meyer implemented the QR system by sharing information with suppliers and increasing the amount of pre-hung merchandise used., ATLANTA -- Fred Meyer Inc. has set aside precious little room for storage in its new distribution center. The move, according to Meyer vice-president Mary Sammons, is a risky one [...]

Fred Meyer is committed to the Quick Response inventory system with its lack of storage space in its new distribution center. The new distribution center replaces the three distribution centers it managed previously. Sales for the firm reached $3.13 billion in 1994. Cross-docking has been utilized in hard goods, cosmetics and groceries in order to prove that Quick Response is valid for all types of businesses., ATLANTA -- Fred Meyer Inc. has set aside precious little room for storage in its new distribution center. The move, according to Meyer senior vice president Mary Sammons, is a [...]

Many US retailers have reached the conclusion that they must expand internationally if sales growth momentum is to be maintained. A panel discussion at the National Retail Federation's 1995 annual convention drew participation from such retail giants as J.C. Penney, Wal-Mart and Pier 1 Imports. Participating executives spoke of their companies' commitment to expansion in the booming economies of Latin America, the Pacific Rim and Middle East, mainly due to the sluggish market in the US. Discount chain Wal-Mart is developing plans for stores in Latin America, direct importer Pier 1 Imports is working with a partner in the UK and J.C. Penney will open two new stores in Mexico in May 1995., NEW YORK--The slow, if not stagnant, growth of the U.S. retail sector is forcing American retailers to look toward the boom economies of Latin America, the Pacific Rim and the [...]

Shoppers are returning to department stores because they appreciate the value of goods and services offered. Department stores have become more efficient, and discount chains have difficulty maintaining prices differentials. Stocks of most retailers, including discount stores, have fallen because investors perceive them as struggling. Speakers at a meeting of the Knitted Textile Assn discussed the prospects for clothing stores., NEW YORK - Department stores are regaining market share at the expense of apparel specialty stores and, to a lesser extent, discounters, Wall Street analysts said. The shift, however, is [...]

The 1994 International Apparel Research Conference, sponsored by the American Apparel Manufacturers Association, focused on manufacturers' attempts to control their inventories at the store level. Levi Strauss North America has instituted a Quick Response system that is projected to help the company fulfill orders within 72 hours of receipt, increase capacity and improve accuracy on its deliveries to 95%. Levi's program is expected to be in place by the end of 1996., Annual coherence revolved around moving merchandise efficiently through pipeline ATLANTA -- Top executives of four industry companies were preaching cooperation between themselves to a capacity crowd at the International Apparel [...]

The Greif Co.'s two plants in Pennsylvania are scheduled for shutdown after spring 1995 shipments unless the Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers Union can find a way to keep its 600 members working. Greif parent Genesco Inc. has decided to divest itself of its men's clothing business, including Greif and its GCO Apparel operations. Greif lost $3 million in the first half of 1994, but the sale has attracted potential buyers. The focus on price in fine menswear has made the unionized US operations uncompetitive., Union meets today with company officials to weigh options NEW YORK -- Officials of the Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers Union will meet with management of The Greif Cos. today [...]

Spiegel Pres Jack Shea, who gave the keynote address at the National Retail Federation's Riscon Show in Las Vegas, NV, maintains that his company's customer purchasing database will be the basis for future competitiveness and growth. Shea spoke of the database as more useful than demographics as a predictor of future spending and said it could be manipulated in many ways for targeted mailings and various forms of marketing and advertising. The database is updated daily and is also used by Spiegel's Eddie Bauer unit to plan expansion strategies., LAS VEGAS -- Spiegel may be the old boy of catalog retailing, but company president Jack Shea said Spiegel is aggressively employing new technologies to keep it ahead of a [...]

Shirt manufactures attending the 1994 Bobbin show in Atlanta, GA, are hoping to find fusing equipment and woven interlinings to help them overcome the problem of puckering the seams of men's wrinkle-resistant shirts. So far, the manufacturers' inability to pucker the seams has lead to their failure in producing crisp, professional-looking wrinkle-resistant shirts. A shirt manufacturer from New York notes that the problem lies with such areas as the armholes amd cuffs that require circular stitching., ATLANTA -- Some shirt manufacturers are getting wrinkles worrying about how to produce crisp, professional-looking wrinkle-resistant shirts. The problem is puckering of the seams, and shirt manufacturers attending last week's [...]

The Sep 1994 Bobbin show in Atlanta, GA, attracted 26,404 attendees during its first three days, almost 1,500 more than in 1993. Foreign visitors coming to see US technology and Quick Response systems contributed largely to the growth. Latin American contractors in particular are increasingly interested in Quick Response to bring their operations up to the speed demanded by US clothing companies., ATLANTA -- Last week's Bobbin show brought a lot of blue-sky technology, especially Quick Response, down to earth for both domestic and foreign apparel manufacturers. The four-day event at the [...]

The American Apparel Manufacturers Association (AAMA) is promoting the use of vendor managed inventory systems (VMI) in retail stores. AAMA officials claim that clothing manufacturers can manage product replenishment for retailers more effectively than stores because they control production and distribution. One industry source noted that VMI programs enable manufacturers to increase sales of their products. VMI programs can benefit retailers by keeping out-of-stock inventories to a minimum, thereby reducing lost sales., ATLANTA --It's a perennial question: Who can manage store inventories better, manufacturers or the stores themselves? Officials at the American Apparel Manufacturers Association say their members can. And they backed [...]

A panel of computer design users offered helpful tips to other portential users at the 1994 CAD (computer aided design) Expo in New York, NY. Panelists such as designer Holly Hendersen, Cranston Print Works Co's Richard Malachowski and Bibb Co VP Peter Appleyard gave suggestions about using CAD in fashion design. Malachowski said that it is helpful for designers to understand the basics of printing and engraving. Appleyard discussed the financial aspect of using CAD., NEW YORK -- The recent CAD Expo gave potential users of computers in design a chance to get a taste for a variety of systems, but it was a panel [...]

Organizers of the 1994 Bobbin Show in Atlanta, GA, are confident that this year's show will surpass 1993's in numbers of both show attendees and exhibitors. They cite several factors for the expected increase, including the absence of any competing international shows and the fact that two major trade organizations will be holding their annual international conventions concurrently with the Bobbin Show. At the show, attendees will be able to choose from 55 seminars, including ones on NAFTA and quick response partnering. International show visitor numbers are expected to be boosted by those attending the Manchester, England-based Textile Institute's annual convention., NEW YORK -- Attendees overwhelmed by the exhibits, seminars and crowds at last year's Bobbin Show can look forward to that and more at this vear's event. Bobbin officials expect [...]

Computer-aided-design (CAD) can reduce the time it takes to produce prototype designs and cut the product development cycle in half, according to CAD consultant Alison Grudier. The $100,000-$150,000 systems take several years to pay for themselves because of the learning curve necessary to master them. Software, divided into representational, technical, and informational categories, is the first thing to consider, with custom systems favored over off-the-shelf packages. Designers should buy large-format scanners and printers, in addition to large color monitors and computers with enough memory and speed run CAD applications., NEW YORK -- It can be a jungle out there for designers trying to find the right computer-aided design system. But don't despair, said CAD consultant Alison Grudier as she [...]

Jack Sheinkman, president of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (ACTW), maintains that the ACTW will continue its fight to save domestic jobs after he retires. Sheinkman notes that the ACTW has made progress in saving US jobs by seeking to improve the rights of foreign workers. The ACTW is involved in efforts to influence Congressional legislation and is actively participating in the health care legislation reform debate., NEW YORK -- The Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers Union's spartan office building remains the logical anchor of New York's Union Square. But when ACTW president Jack Sheinkman swivels his [...]

NEW YORK-- The six-week-old government of the 'new' South Africa is struggling to restart its once-vibrant trade in apparel, wool and other textiles. Anti-apartheid actions brought bilateral trade between South [...]

WASHINGTON -- Target Stores may be the most profitable unit in the Dayton Hudson empire, but information systems (IS) executives at the $11.7 billion discounter claim poor decision-making by suppliers [...]

The American Wool Council is promoting a new wool-dyeing technology developed in Europe. The new technology reduces the amount of waste water created when dying wool by making it possible to dye a fabric two colors with one bath. In addition to the environmental benefits of reduced water usage, the new technology will lower turnaround times for manufacturers by lowering the need for larger inventories., NEW YORK -- The American Wool Council believes an environmentally responsible European technology for dyeing wool could prove popular with U.S. mills. The council, based in Englewood, Calif., said the [...]

Textile industry members view Latin America and the Far East markets as lucrative growth opportunities for textiles, and are strongly encouraging the Exporters Textile Advisory Committee to open these markets up even further. Fighting protectionist tendencies in some countries, such as India and Pakistan, the industry has made some headway in some countries, such as Argentina. Negotiator Jennifer Hillman continues to work on Indian markets., U.S. revives Exporters Textile Advisory Committee NEW YORK -- U.S. textile, apparel and home furnishings producers want the U.S. Department of Commerce to try harder to open more Far East [...]

Representatives at the International Association of Clothing Designers convention called attention to the problem of replacing master tailors in department store alteration departments. The failure of a number of smaller clothing stores has increased the supply of skilled tailors in the short term, but many of these people will soon reach retirement age. Retail industry executives are concerned that there will not be a sufficient supply of skilled tailors available in five to ten years., But store executives fear it won't last PHILADELPHIA -- Recent failure of many smaller retail stores have eased the shortfall of experienced tailors in department store workrooms, but those chains [...]

Roy MacLaren, the Canadian Minister of International Trade, has advocated extending membership in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to all nations. US apparel manufacturers want only a selective extension of NAFTA through parity or actual membership to countries in which these companies have set up operations. MacLaren also advocates the establishment of a single global procedure for dealing with dumping charges by international trading partners., Sees an acronym that's outdated NEW YORK -- The Canadian Minister of International Trade, Roy MacLaren, said geography should have no place in deciding what nations are invited to join [...]