Textronics, Inc., a leader in the development of wearable sensors for health and fitness monitoring, is offering a developer’s kit that includes the company’s textile electrodes for use by designers, researchers and product developers interested in creating their own interactive wearable prototypes.

The kit contains stretchy textile electrodes that can be cut and sewn for custom applications. When incorporated into garments or wearable devices, the fabric sensors offer a comfortable way to monitor the wearer’s heart rate. The developer’s kit also contains samples of transmitter modules that are capable of receiving bio-feedback collected by the sensors.

“We have constant interest from researchers, developers and students who are looking for innovative material solutions,” said Textronics CEO Stacey Burr. “We are encouraging the use of our textile electrodes in new concepts by making them available for purchase in a kit that includes materials necessary to make a prototype design. It is our goal to encourage new applications where Textronics can partner in the development and commercialization for the future.”

Textronics’ patented textile sensors are designed to be worn next to the body. They are FDA- approved and capable of capturing ECG-quality heart rate data from the body. The textile solution offers a comfortable alternative to adhesive electrodes and metal wristbands commonly used with ECG instruments. They also are machine washable and reusable.

The Textronics Developer’s Kit is sold online at www.textronicsinc.com for $100.

About Textronics

Textronics, Inc. is a leader in the development of wearable sensors for fitness and health monitoring. The Company’s patented textile sensor systems are capable of capturing comprehensive physiologic data from the body and are designed to be seamlessly integrated into everyday garments. Wearable monitoring allows a comfortable and user-friendly way to obtain body data measurements to assist consumers in managing their top wellness concerns of weight loss, physical health and energy level. Textronics sells sensor components and markets its own line of clothes for personal monitoring under the brand name NuMetrex. Textronics, Inc. has also received FDA clearance to market its textile electrodes for use in general electrocardiograph monitoring and recording procedures.

Delta Apparel, Inc. (AMEX: DLA) today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended June 28, 2008.

Fourth Quarter Results

Net sales for the three months ended June 28, 2008, were a record $105.3 million, an increase of 14.7% from the prior year’s fourth quarter. Both the activewear and retail-ready segments had record sales driven by sales growth in all business units. Gross margins increased 330 basis points to 23.9% compared to 20.6% in the prior year’s fourth quarter. The prior year’s fourth quarter included $5.4 million, or 700 basis points, of restructuring related charges in cost of sales. Excluding the effect of the prior year’s restructuring related charges, higher raw material prices, increased energy and transportation costs, along with changes in the mix of products sold lowered the overall margins. The Company incurred higher bad debt expense in the fourth fiscal quarter compared to the prior year quarter due to the bankruptcy filings of two customers, resulting in an increase in accounts receivable reserves of $0.8 million. Net income for the fourth quarter was $4.3 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, inclusive of ($0.06) per diluted share related to higher receivable reserves from the customer bankruptcy filings. This exceeds the Company’s previously announced expectations of $0.45 to $0.49 per diluted share. This compares to the prior year fourth quarter net income of $0.7 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, inclusive of ($0.51) per diluted share of restructuring related expenses.

G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. (NasdaqGSM: GIII) announced earlier this week that it has acquired certain assets of Wilsons The Leather Experts (Nasdaq: WLSN), a national retailer of leather outerwear and accessories. The assets acquired included 116 outlet store locations, $18.5 million in inventory, distribution center operations and the Wilsons name and other related trademarks and trade names. G-III noted that the total purchase price for the assets acquired was approximately $22.3 million in cash.

Speedo, the world's leading swimwear brand, recently unveiled the special Olympic edition Team USA LZR RACER suit. Speedo worked with legendary design house Comme des Garçons to develop a one-of-kind look for Team USA featuring the red, white and blue of the American flag.

Macy’s and Rolling Stone magazine today announced the exclusive launch of a series of collectors’ edition t-shirts featuring famous Rolling Stone covers to honor the legendary music magazine’s strong cultural influence throughout its 40-year history. Now available at select Macy’s and on macys.com, the collectors’ edition shirts will feature a selection of individual covers from the Rolling Stone archives, including world-famous artists like The Beatles (Issue 46, November 15, 1969) and Jimi Hendrix (Issue 809, April 1, 1999).

New Apparel Product Prevents Shorts from Riding Up



During the normal course of walking, hiking, running and playing sports, the inseams of shorts tend to ride up the inner thighs and bunch at the crotch area resulting in serious discomfort, annoyance and embarrassment.

BuddhiWear offers Hip yoga casual wear that is eco-friendly. Bold colors and more styles too!

BuddhiWear, a Columbia-based apparel company, is pleased to announce the launch of additional styles to its third line of innovative, organic, positive-inspired apparel for women, men, and children. The new additions include colored tank tops, colored onesies, and bamboo lounge pants.

Delta Apparel, Inc. (AMEX: DLA) today reported financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2008.

Net sales for the three months ended March 29, 2008, were $75.4 million compared to $85.0 million in the prior year’s third quarter. The decrease was due to lower sales in the activewear segment offset by increased sales in the retail-ready segment. Gross margins declined 360 basis points to 20.8% compared to 24.4% in the prior year third quarter primarily as a result of textile restructuring related costs, higher raw material prices, increased energy and transportation costs and sales of a more basic mix in the catalog tee business.

Blue Holdings, Inc., a designer, manufacturer and distributor of high-end fashion jeans, apparel and accessories, recently announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2007 were $7.5 million, compared to $7.4 million reported in the prior year period. For the year ended December 31, 2007, net sales were $33.8 million, compared to $49.0 million in the prior year period.

“These results reflect the initial successes in our ongoing turnaround plan that will allow us to grow revenue and achieve profitability in 2008 and beyond,” said Glenn Palmer, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Holdings, Inc. “While the challenging macro-environment had a negative impact on our business, we remain focused on our five-step turnaround plan to further stabilize the business, grow revenues and place the Company back on a profitable growth curve. While we are pleased with the amount of progress we have made so far, there is much work ahead.”

Wal-Mart recently announced it will feature Earth Month t-shirts made from transitional cotton in support of farmers making the change from conventional farming to the organic process. The retailer purchased more than 12 million pounds of transitional cotton that will arrive in stores for the first time this month under its exclusive Faded Glory brand. Additional product made with transitional cotton will appear on Wal-Mart shelves in the months ahead.

    "Wal-Mart's support of transitional cotton stems from our understanding of the financial implications for farmers who adopt labor-intensive organic farming methods and complements our commitment to eco-friendly products and sustainable supplier practices," said Kim Brandner, brand manager - sustainable products, Wal-Mart. "By doing so, we are also helping our customers live better by easily being able to include 'eco-essentials' on their everyday shopping list."

The first step in buying closeout apparel is to understand the difference between closeout apparel and inline wholesale merchandise.

Closeout apparel can be overstock, salvage, surplus, inventory clearance, store returns, factory cancellations, shelf pulls or factory rejects. Closeout apparel might have defects or inperfections. Closeouts can me factory seconds. Closeouts are manufactured worldwide.

Myth: If it comes from China it is fake.

Fact: Made in China does Not mean the goods are fake. Authentic apparel is being manufactured in China, Sri Lanka, Bolivia, Taiwan, Indonesia, India, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey, Peru, El Salvador, Mexico, Hong Kong and many more countries.

Myth: Poor quality clothing with loose threads is fake.

Fact: Authentic apparel is not always perfect. Authentic irregular and seconds are liquidated at the discount factory outlets each day. New factory made goods from China are being produced. These "China produced garments" are of a lower quality but it should be noted that the quality is not relative to the authenticity.

Myth: If the price is too low it is fake.

Fact: Low pricing does Not mean the apparel is fake, it simply means the apparel is discounted for a reason. Factory stores will discount apparel that is being closed out from last season or if there is overstock of the current goods. The factory retail stores discount the prices on authentic branded apparel between 50% - 75% off the retail price.

Myth: If there is unlimited supplies it is fake.

Fact: Many of the factory stores are producing ongoing supplies for the factory outlet stores. The garments manufactured for the factory stores is usually lower quality. The RL and the Brooks Brothers stores are two examples of outlet stores selling unlimited supplies of polos in all sizes and colors.

What does the Labels of Authentic Apparel look like?
http://www.janesdeals.com/wholesale_outlets.asp

Dynasty Apparel Industries has hired Jack Paul as Senior EVP of Sales to run their new licensed brand “World Industries.” Dynasty will develop, market and produce a collection of Boys and Young Men’s Tops and Bottoms under the “World Industries” label.

“Jack will join Dynasty effective April 1^st. He will oversee and manage the `World Industries' division for the company,” stated Ignacio Mendez, president of Dynasty. “Jack has long been associated with the Boys and Young Men’s industry and is highly respected. We are thrilled to have him on board,” stated Ignacio.

“World Industries” is a huge part of our growth strategy. It gives us the opportunity to penetrate the action sports arena with a brand that has tremendous equity and Jack is the guy that will make it happen for us. “World” will complement our “Stitches” streetwear lifestyle line from Major League Baseball as well as our “Dickies” Young Mens fashion line.

About i.e. Distribution/World Industries

“World Industries” is one of the most recognized and oldest skate brands in the action sports market. Founded in 1987 by professional skateboarders Steve Rocco and Rodney Mullen, World Industries was the brand that re-defined skateboarding into a street based activity, and this in turn drove skate boarding’s massive growth through the 1990’s. World Industries apparel will round its existing business in skateboards, footwear, snow products and accessories already in the market.

About Dynasty Apparel Industries/Dino Di Milano

Dynasty Apparel Industries and Dino Di Milano Corp. were founded in 1980 and are based in Miami, Florida. The companies cater to Specialty retailers, Mid Tier and Mass channels.

In Style

By Michelle Prior

Bay Area Stylist

My favorite things are a few items every woman should have in her wardrobe. These items are classic and you can get them at any price. My clients range from students with limited income to entertainers/models where money is no object. However, there is common ground for everyone and here are a few thing which I whole-heartedly recommend.

Chanel believed every woman should have one the following items:

A Black dress that will allow you to dress up or down in-

wear flats pumps or boots, the black can be worn to the office, out to dinner and any party or evening event.

A great pair of jeans. This can be a tough item even though

you can find them everywhere and you probably have a dozen pair that just doesn’t fit right. My best kept secret is Zafu.com that will help with finding the right jean for you online at no cost. Today, jeans are the core of my clients’ closets and you can look like a million bucks in the right fitting jeans.

The perfect accessory classic is a large handbag that is timeless. A good bag should last for years, if not decades, something that can be used all year around, I recommend black or brown.

A White collared shirt you can wear with pants, skirts and jeans. The shirt means you are ready for business or play.

A pair of classic and comfortable shoes because we all know if your feet are experiencing pain, you cannot function

at your best. Pumps or even ballet slippers will do fine. Remember that fashion fades and style is eternal- YSL

Ashworth, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASHW), a leading designer of on-course golf apparel and golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear, today announced unaudited financial results for its first quarter ended January 31, 2008.

Summary of First Quarter Results:

Consolidated net revenue for the first quarter ended January 31, 2008 decreased 9.8% to $34.5 million as compared to $38.3 million for the first quarter of 2007. The Company reported a consolidated first quarter net loss of $7.4 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $2.4 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the same quarter of the prior year. Net revenue for the domestic segment (including Gekko Brands, LLC) decreased 5.8% to $30.1 million from $32.0 million for the same period of the prior year. Net revenue from the international segment (including Ashworth, U.K., Ltd.) decreased 30.1% to $4.4 million from $6.3 million for the same period of the prior year.

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP) today announced the launch of American Living, a new, comprehensive lifestyle brand created exclusively for JCPenney’s classic traditional lifestyle customer by Global Brand Concepts, a division of Polo Ralph Lauren.

The largest brand launch in JCPenney’s history, the American Living collection includes a full range of apparel for women, men and children, along with footwear, accessories and home furnishings and textiles. Beginning this month, American Living merchandise can be found across JCPenney’s integrated shopping channels – in nearly 600 stores, online at jcp.com and catalog.

The NPD Group, Inc., leading provider of consumer and retail information, released 2007 sales results for the U.S. Footwear Market. The dollar volume sales for the total U.S. footwear market (combined fashion and athletic footwear) totaled 44.4 billion dollars.

		Annual 2005 (000)		Annual 2006 (000)		Annual 2007 (000)		06 vs. 05		07 vs. 06
Total US Footwear Market		41,765,960		43,656,840		44,364,590		5%		2%
Men's		15,979,110		16,823,720		16,766,900		5%		0%
Women's		20,666,970		21,364,670		21,945,470		3%		3%
Children's		5,119,878		5,468,445		5,652,223		7%		3%
Source: The NPD Group, Inc./Consumer Tracking Service

Ski and performance apparel leader Spyder Active Sports, Inc. announced its
acquisition of Cloudveil Mountain Works, Inc, producers of innovative technical outdoor and mountaineering apparel. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

    Cloudveil will remain a separate brand entity and operate as a wholly owned, independent division of Spyder Active Sports. Cloudveil's founders, President Brian Cousins and Vice President Stephen Sullivan have signed multi-year contracts to continue in their respective roles within the new organization.