The Alexander Report / Trends in Fashion and Beauty!

Givenchy is a famous French brand specializing in clothes accessories, cosmetics and perfumes. It was started in the year 1952 by the designer Hubert de Givenchy. John Galliano took over the reigns as designer, but soon he was substitute by Alexander McQueen.

Givenchy also undertook some changes in leadership in the year 2000 when designer Julien McDonald took over as artistic director of the women’s lines, and Ozwald Boateng being selected designer for men’s range. Givenchy clothing lines consist of haute couture plus ready-to-wear fashion for both men and women.

The management for the haute couture plus the ready-to-wear for women was given to Riccardo Tisci. He assumed the post as chief creator of women’s’ wear in 2005. His fondness for gothic inspired designs and space-age styles has attracted people to the brand. While Tisci has earned mixed reviews, many fashion insiders have hailed Tisci’s conceptual leanings. Many also think that Tisci has the potential to revitalize the Givenchy brand with his excellent designs and imagination.

The most popular patron of the Givenchy line was Audrey Hepburn. She used Givenchy clothes and accessories in many of her movies like Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Sabrina. Other popular clients of the line were Grimaldi and Kennedy families. They wore Givenchy clothes during the funeral of the late President John F. Kennedy. Weiterlesen »

I had a client not too long ago that hadn’t realized what made her business go left. She owned a stylish super chic accessory company specializing in handbags.

Her “star” item was always her signature clutch….it was $125 wholesale and it sold and sold and sold. Every season it was reinvented in some way or another and it kept selling. Well one day I guess Jessica Simpson–Sienna Miller– Lindsay Lohan or one of them had too much to carry one night and she pulled out this huge bag… and sent the clutch and the clutch business straight to hell.

So it downtrended….died…played out whatever you want to call it. Being the businesswoman that she was she started doing these gorgeous Italian leather boho bags but her business stumbled or chocked…or stumbled and chocked would probably be the most accurate. So let’s take a look at this…what’s really going on? Weiterlesen »

Now that you’ve got your goals in place it’s time to develop a strategy. In other words you need a step by step game plan to get to where you want to be. If you’re a new line common belief is that buyers are naturally hesitant about you. Some stores just don’t want to be a part of your suspected growing pains. They want to see you in the game for a few seasons to make sure you’re in it for the long haul. Given this, instead of bombarding retailers and hoping “Barney’s” or “Fred Segal” stop by you may want to opt for a change in your focus.

While buyers are naturally hesitant, the press will conversely be naturally curious about hot new designers. New lines with an interesting perspective are fresh pickings for the market editors scouring the shows. In this instance you may allot a portion of your budget to hiring a publicist to help you promote the launch of your line. You could also take steps to contacting the press yourself which I’ll cover in a moment.

Focusing on the press may seem like a longer route when you ultimately want generate sales. However, it’s important to take advantage of this opportunity while you’re new and fresh. So instead of Stores—Press–Buzz. Your scenario may go Press—Buzz –Stores. Either way you’re working in a strategic direction towards your goals.
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web: www.glossmarketing.com
blog: www.glossmarketing.com/blog
email: info@glossmarketing.com

Gloss is…. a marketing and merchandising consultancy that helps retailers and boutiques grow their businesses. Our core services include: business planning, marketing strategy and merchandising

Gloss Service Menu

Strategy

Business Planning
Designing a Step by Step Plan to launch your boutique or private label

Marketing Plans
Creating a Comprehensive Plan to market your boutique or collection. Weiterlesen »

Let’s face it. Trade shows are expensive. By the time you’ve finishedmaking samples, shipping product, building and decorating the booth you could have purchased a Mini Cooper. If it’s your first trade show be advised that just because you build it they will not come. You have to put a marketing push behind this special event to attract the types of visitors your want. We’ll start with the basics. It’s been said that in most trade show traffic is from appointments of existing accounts. So what if you’re new in the game is the only option just “not to go?” You have to start somewhere and if you’ve been to the show and it has good traffic and comparable product you should seriously consider attending.

As a designer creating and producing samples it’s easy to become overwhelmed as you prepare for your first show. You want the stitching to be flawless and the draping to be just so. The samples have to look as good as humanly possible so the buyers can fall head over heels for your product. On top of that the booth must be beautiful, “where should we get the flowers from? What will we put on the walls?”

Decisions… Decisions. Although booth presentation is extremely time consuming there’s only one problem with getting consumed with these details. If the buyers don’t know about you they won’t be there to fall head over heels, and in turn their heels will be clicking to the next designers’ booth. Weiterlesen »

Sonia Vera’s, from the hit show “Deal or No Deal”, showcases her new upcomming Bikini Swimwear line in Hollywood Hills

Japan Sewing Machinery Manufacturers Association (JASMA): This association is dedicated to Japan’s sewing machinery manufacturers.
URL: http://www.jasma.or.jp/

Jewelers Of America:Jewelers of America (JA) is the national association for the retail jeweler. JA is both a center of knowledge for the jeweler and an advocate for professionalism
and high social, ethical, and environmental standards in the jewelry trade. The JA mission is to assist all members in improving their business skills and profitability.
URL: www.jewelers.org


Jute Manufactures Development Council (JMDC) based in India. National agency for promotion and marketing of jute fiber products. Link to Indian Trade Classification Codes for jute products. Categorized product directories. Events Weiterlesen »

Digital Printing & Imaging Association (DPI) members are at the forefront of companies that embrace the promise of new technology and play an important part in creating an ongoing imaging revolution. From digital printers to screen printers to photo labs;textile printers to reprographic shops, the benefit of DPI membership is the same. They are associated with Screen Printing & Graphic Imaging Association International (SGIA)

URL: http://www.dpia.org/

Embroidery Trade Association [ETA] (USA) : Non-profit membership organization for professionals and companies in the North American embroidery industry. Link to trade show calendar, educational materials, buyers guide and federal trade database.
The mission of Embroidery Trade Association is to strengthen the commercial embroidery business through member education, representation, networking, research and consumer outreach.
URL: http://www.embroiderytrade.org/

European Apparel and Textile Organization (Euratex) : Acts on behalf of the textile and clothing industry with the EU institutions on matters of common interest.
URL: http://www.euratex.org/

European Association of Textile Polyolefins : EATP is the European Association established to promote and develop the interests of manufacturers of Textile Polyolefins. Weiterlesen »

American Apparel Manufacturers Assn (AAMA) : They are now called American Apparel and Footwear Association. See below for listing.
URL: http://www.apparelandfootwear.org

American Apparel and Footwear Association / Fashion Association / (AAFA) : was established August 2000 through a merger of the American Apparel Manufacturers Association (AAMA), Footwear Industry America (FIA) and the Fashion Association (TFA). The national trade association’s combined membership currently accounts for more than $225 billion in annual U.S sales.
URL: http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/

American Apparel Producers’ Network : Non-profit trade group and network of producers of American-made apparel.
URL: http://meanwhile.com/?domain=usawear.org&

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) : The charitable and scientific mission of this foundation is to sponsor educational symposia, seminars, and workshops to develop skills of individuals, to fund original research in textile science and to provide scholarship money and award programs in the support of worthy students.
URL: http://www.aatcc.org/
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Bellow you will find a list of Buying Agents and their contact info:

Agencia Fesmar S.A (Central America): they are manufacturers’ representatives working on commission basis in Central America. They source all types of yarns (spun & filament), as well as all types of greige and finished fabrics, both, woven and knitted.

Address:

6a. Calle S.O. #103
San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Phone: 504-553-3635
Fax: 504-557-5004
Email: fesmar@sigmanet.hn
Contact: Felix S. Mahomar – President

a la mode (Turkey) : they are an agency located in Istanbul. Their main customers are department stores in France. They also work with some Italian and Spanish companies. They have good suppliers located in Istanbul and Denizli. According to their customers request, they contact to their suppliers for the best quality with lower prices. Weiterlesen »