The Fashion Industry Network (www.fashionindustrynetwork.com) succeeds at offering fashion industry professionals a way to communicate with each other to share experiences and knowledge about resources, aiding their careers and businesses.

 

Founded by Apparel Search (www.apparelsearch.com), an online resource for people working in the apparel and textile industries, the Fashion Industry Network opened in July 2007 and already has more than 1,500 members from many facets of the industry who bring their perspective to groups, sharing what they've learned over time with both seasoned professionals and those who are new to the fashion industry. This networking with others offers priceless advice from people who've experienced the same situations. Questions can be asked and answered.  Special contacts on the site can be brought in as "friends."

NexCen Brands Inc. (Nasdaq: NEXC), owner of the Bill Blass brand, has entered into a licensing agreement with Peerless Clothing in preparation for the re-launch of the Bill Blass Men’s Collection of tailored clothing. The new collection is being designed by Michael Bastian, the creative director for Bill Blass Menswear. Michael is a nominee for the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Menswear Designer of the Year award.

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

Calvin Klein, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation (NYSE: PVH) and Calvin Klein Underwear, a division of The Warnaco Group Inc. (Nasdaq: WRNC), today announced that actress Eva Mendes will be featured in the upcoming Calvin Klein Underwear advertising campaign.

Beginning this fall, the acclaimed actress will be featured in global print and outdoor advertising imagery for the brand and the launch of “Seductive Comfort,” the latest offering from Calvin Klein Underwear.

“The company has such an incredible creative legacy,” said Ms. Mendes. “I'm honored to be associated with such an iconic, world-class brand like Calvin Klein Underwear.”

Tommy Hilfiger Group unveiled the location of a global flagship store at 681 Fifth Avenue, between 53rd and 54th streets, in New York City. The 22,000 square foot store, spread over four floors, will become the premiere flagship store in the company's global retail portfolio, which over the years has grown to consist of 545 stores worldwide. Tommy Hilfiger joins an elite mix of retailers on one of the most luxurious and prestigious shopping avenues in the world by making its home in the space formerly occupied by Fortunoff since the late 1970s.

Jordan Brand, a division of NIKE, Inc., announced the launch of Chris Paul’s first signature shoe, the Jordan CP, set to release on March 1, 2008. Now in his third season as point guard for the New Orleans Hornets, Paul joins select Team Jordan athletes Carmelo Anthony and Derek Jeter as members of the Brand with their own signature shoe.

“Having my very own sneaker has been a childhood dream. I am thrilled and honored to have this opportunity to launch my first signature shoe with Jordan Brand,” said Chris Paul, Team Jordan athlete. “The Jordan CP exceeds all of my on-court needs and this was a great chance for me to design a shoe that reflects my inspirations in life and share it with the world.”

Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ICON) (the "Company") announced today that Hayden Panettiere will star in the Company's junior brand, Candie's(R), spring 2008 multi-media advertising and marketing campaign for Kohl's Department Stores. Hayden is an award-winning actress, recording artist, activist and a star of NBC's hit television series, "Heroes." Panettiere is following in the high-heeled slides of past Candie's girls such as Grammy(R) award-winning artist Fergie, Hilary Duff and Destiny's Child.

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 roots of an original style...

The Ligurian sea and the Tuscan hills, a natural and enchanting world: Marina Mansanta, fashion stylist for over 20 years, drew her inspiration from these lands, which represent the seed that spawned the designer's ongoing passion and creativity. Marina Mansanta  conceives stunning collections year after year drawing relentless inspiration from the beauty found in natural elements, stars, dreams and memories, emotions and magic, each time with a new and surprising poise.

The Warnaco Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: WRNC) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its Lejaby business to Palmers Textil AG for approximately €32.5 million (approximately $47 million) in cash and €12.5 million (approximately $18 million) in an interest free note due December 31, 2013. Terms of the transaction include a customary working capital adjustment and the provision of temporary transition services to Palmers Textil AG. The Company notes that the sale of Lejaby is subject to customary closing conditions and expects the sale to be concluded during the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

Few people, whether visitors or long-time residents, are likely to mistake Asheville for a sister city to the Big Apple. A sibling to Athens, Georgia or Ithaca, New York, sure. But not New York City unless you’re talking about some psychic extension of Brooklyn’s funky-trendy Williamsburg area. Then again, the Western Carolina mountain town does share an important commonality with its unlikely northern ally: Fashion.

Sean John, one of the world's fastest growing line of sportswear for men and women, will return to the runway during New York Fashion Week for Fall 2008 after a 5 year hiatus. Sean "Diddy" Combs will show a collection that tells the tale of a prince in the year 2020 who discovers himself through love and war as he ascends to the great leader he is destined to be. This journey is reflected on the runway through his wardrobe which progresses from impulsive rebel to warrior to lover and finally to ruler. Taking inspiration from icons as diverse as Grace Jones, James Bond, and David Bowie, Combs' designs for Fall 2008 will feature precise tailoring and sophistication in both silhouette and fabric.

 

Burberry has announced the opening of its second stand-alone store in Colorado, following the recent opening of the Denver store. The 2,445 square foot store, located at 501 East Hyman Avenue in Aspen, opened on 19 January 2008.

The store showcases Burberry London and Burberry Prorsum men’s and women’s ready-to-wear as well as accessories. Additionally the store will feature the Burberry sport ski-wear collection.

The catwalk’s calendar will be completed with 6 invited designers : one Catalan designer working outside of Catalonia, one Spanish and four international designers.

ALBERTO TOUS

Son of a Belgian father and Mallorcan mother, Alberto was born in Palma de Mallorca on December 2nd of 1977. He received his degree in Fashion in 2001 at the Escola de Disseny Superior de Barcelona (ESDI). He presented his first collection on the CIRCUIT catwalk in February 2002, a fashion event in which he participated for three editions. During the Spring-Summer 2004 edition he won the Fresh New Artist prize for the best collection. He doesn’t like to limit himself by the creative process and tends not to look for inspiration in thematic motives, but instead tries to absorb anything that calls his attention in his surroundings. Undefined colours and mixes are the result. His motto: femininity, a process that starts at the fabric’s suggestiveness. Concerning his style: he likes the “Couture à Porter” concept.

In addition to presenting their collections on the catwalk, the 6 designers selected by the international jury will also present their work in a showroom for professionals along with collections by Bambi by Laura, Cecilia Sörensen, Oscar León, Juan Vidal and Serguei Povaguin.

 
A mysterious, posh and extremely elegant South American Latina chanteuse approaches the cold yet sensuous allure of New York City to express her heritage and the music of her country’s strong history and its traditions that lie firmly fixed within her but are always expressed with a seductive and charming attitude.

The main color Black, wraps the strong passions that lie restlessly inside her, enhancing the mysterious and romantic ambience of the experience.   The color Blue spotlights the stage where she seduces her audience.  The White light of the stage door mysteriously gives an illusion of the romance of the moonlight where she will eventually disappear, leaving behind a sensuous yet sweet souvenir of her recent yet already longed for presence.

The silhouette is fluid and expressed on the waist through geometrical pleats and cuts.  Large ruffles wrap the body, the cuffs, and the neck as if their presence is to protect her from the outside world, yet at the same time, they give the effect of her being dramatic and quite feminine.

This story – a 'catwalk tale', if you like – bursts straight from the heart of the two designers, straight from that sacred heart, symbol 'de la maison', which was embroidered on a handkerchief and donated to the Madonna Addolorata of Mussomeli, hometown of Sylvio Giardina's family.   The heart serves as an ex voto, a votive offering, to give thanks to the angels and saints that have protected the duo over the years and guided them in their journey through the world of haute couture, a journey that began in Rome and continued on the catwalks of Paris.

All you need is...a summer of love...For the Beatles and the evergreen David Bowie, for psychedelic art and Oriental travel, to think again at what meant to be teenagers in ’68 and dare an odalisque look in 2008.

In her showroom, few steps away from Piazza Navona and from the feminist dream of Governo Vecchio, Patrizia Pieroni proposes a presentation-performance inspired by the movie musical “Across the Universe” and her own personal experience of swinging girl in the New York of the 70’s.

Arsenale will become the “temple” of hippy chic fashion, with clothes inside mobile units of green fluorescent perspex and dresses enacted by model-priestesses who, in a cloud of incense and rose petals, will bring votive offerings at the altar dedicated to…