Page 2
Coffee and Cleavage Heat Tempers in San Jose
A controversy is brewing in the South Bay over a neighborhood cafe that bills itself as the "Hooters of coffee."
It's called Sugars, and San Jose coffee drinkers can buy their java from scantily-clad waitresses, just like diners at a Hooters restaurant. Some neighbors are upset, and they are complaining about the cleavage to city officials. But the owner thinks his shop is getting a bad rap.
"We're a legitimate business," said Anthony Nunez. "This is not no gangster-run organization. We're a modern, cool coffee shop."
But soon waitresses will start wearing tank tops and shorts instead of lingerie to please the neighbors.
11/14
NY
Daily News reported last week that an anonymous source at
the Louis Vuitton shoot in Paris has disclosed that JLo greedily grabbed every single item of LV clothing after the shoot.
Supposedly, one of La Lopez's assistants racked up the goods up in
a duffle bag, while the rest of crew watched in shock and awe. As
if that wasn't enough, Jennifer's people reportedly called the
studio shortly afterwards to say that she left behind a pair of
socks.
13/13
Lingerie Firm Wolford Back In The Black
Upscale lingerie maker Wolford AG on Wednesday revealed it swung back into the black despite tough trading conditions.
The company, which also operates around 250 retail stores, posted a full year net profit of 2.46 million euros versus a year-ago loss of 4.6 million euros as it reaped the rewards of a restructuring plan.
It said sales for the 12 months to April 30 fell to 128.8 million euros from 137.6 million euros last year with a third of that slide attributed to the closure of an unspecified number of loss-making boutiques.
Wolford added almost another third of the sales slide was due to exchange rate fluctuations and said new stores had not yet made up for the loss of business from the axed outlets.
HONG KONG: Swimwear Maker Tack Fat FY Profit Up 27%
Swimwear manufacturer Tack Fat Group International Ltd on Wednesday posted a 27 per cent jump in full year net profit to HK$104.1 million from HK$82.3m in the year-ago period.
The company said sales in the 12 months to March 31 surged to HK$885m from HK$710.5m last year while its operating profit climbed to HK$133.4m from HK$114m in 2002.
USA: Clothing Sales Climb 1.3% In June
Strong demand for clothing helped US retail sales rise 0.5 per cent in June - the highest monthly increase since March - official data revealed Tuesday.
Figures from the Commerce Department showed retail sales hit $310.4 billion last month after being flat in May.
Officials said sales at apparel stores rose 1.3 per cent in June and added on a year-over-year basis, retail sales climbed 4.2 per cent last month.
Wal-Mart Sees Solid July Same-Store Sales
Retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc on Monday said monthly same-store sales at its US outlets are expected to be at the high-end of forecasts.
The world's biggest retailer said July sales had been boosted by warmer weather with strong demand for seasonal apparel such as
swimwear.
The firm has previously forecast a two per cent to four per cent increase in July same-store sales.
The underwired bra accounts for 60 per cent of the market, but women
with average or fuller busts must wonder why it is so popular.
It is uncomfortable, non-machine washable, and difficult to make, but there has been nothing to replace it - until now.
There have been many new and innovative designs for the lesser endowed woman, one of the latest from Gossard apparently is the Airotec, a blow up bra equipped with miniature versions of the automotive industry's safety airbags which enables the wearer to control the amount of expansion by means of a valve. Little, however, has been developed for the larger woman who needs support, yet wishes to enhance the look and shape of her attributes without adding to their perceived volume.
Lingerie Industry Report in
the UK
Key Note estimates the total retail sale of women's lingerie, corsetry and hosiery to be £1.55bn
($265 Bn US) 1999, with sales of brassières accounting for around a third of the value.
The UK clothing industry has struggled for some years against a downturn in demand and an increase in value, and an improvement in the quality of imported goods. The lingerie sector has been no exception. Between 1996 and 1998, imports of lingerie rose by almost a third, while exports fell by 6.6% in a trend unlikely to be reversed, especially with rises in the interest rates strengthening the pound still further.
Retail pricing has been aggressively competitive, and traditional High Street chains (which have held the lion's share of the value of lingerie sales) are facing increased competition from other sources, such as supermarkets, mail order and online shopping.
Many of the principal manufacturers of lingerie and hosiery have moved, or are intending to move, some production abroad, where labour and production costs are relatively cheap compared to the UK.
On a more positive note, all women wear lingerie of some sort, and are increasingly regarding underwear as a fashion accessory, seeking designer names rather than a mere commodity. Furthermore, advances in fibre technology are adding new properties to lingerie and hosiery and commanding higher prices, while a projected increase in the female population will also increase volume demand.
The average British woman is getting larger in size, and the industry reports a significant increase in demand for bras with bigger cup sizes. While the modern woman rejects the traditional girdles and corsets, many are enthusiastic buyers of underwear
and hosiery that incorporate control panels for stomachs and buttocks. Women are also favouring smoother underwear in sheer fabrics, shunning scratchy and uncomfortable lace and frills.
However, these are the trends of today, and the world of fashion is notoriously fickle. In the fiercely competitive marketplace, manufacturers and retailers need to be able to respond to change almost before it happens.
Key Note forecasts that the retail sales of lingerie, hosiery and corsetry will reach £1.88bn
($324 bn US$) in 2004 - a 2.3% rise over the estimated 1999 value.
INTIMA America – featuring The Intimate Apparel Salon
New York, New York, August 3 – 5, 2003
Underfashion Club to co-sponsor Young Designer Showcase at INTIMA America
Winning young student designers will have their intimate apparel creations displayed at the show
Awards to be presented to students on Sunday, August 3rd at 3pm
Messe Frankfurt, Inc. has announced that New York’s Underfashion Club, Inc. will co-sponsor a “Young Student Designer” section on the show floor at the upcoming INTIMA America trade show from August 3 – 5, 2003 at the North Pavilion of the Jacob Javits Center in New York. The winning student submissions will be honored in a ceremony on-site on August 3rd at 3 p.m.
The Underfashion Club sponsors scholarships to a number of high schools and colleges and supports education programs to foster new talent in the intimate apparel field. Messe Frankfurt, Inc., The Underfashion Club and Anita Trottman, teacher and fashion show director at The High School of Fashion Industries in New York will work together to present a special area on the INTIMA America show floor where students of The High School of Fashion Industries will display their winning designs. Among the numerous entries, ten young designers will be selected to show their creations on mannequins at the INTIMA America event from
August 3 - 5.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for a select group of aspiring young people to showcase their talent and creations to the leading intimate apparel audience in North America” said Roland Bleinroth, President of Messe Frankfurt, Inc. USA.
The Underfashion Club's membership includes top industry executives, merchandisers, designers and many others whose businesses or careers revolve around intimate apparel. They work for companies involved in intimate apparel retailing, manufacturing, material supply and service support to the trade.
For more show information contact:
Elly McCloud, Show Manager Messe Frankfurt, Inc.
Tel: 770.984.8016, ext. 425 E-mail: intima@usa.messefrankfurt.com
Website: www.usa.messefrankfurt.com
Burlington Accepts $608m Bid From WL Ross
Textile giant Burlington Industries Inc on Friday announced it had accepted a $608 million offer from investment firm WL Ross & Co as the opening bid in an auction due to be held today.
The North Carolina-based company, which makes soft goods for apparel and interior furnishings, said in a statement rival bidders at an auction in New York today will at least have to top that offer if they want to take control.
GREECE: Prestige Invests In Seamless Lingerie Machinery
Greek apparel manufacturer Prestige has invested 1.5 million euros in new seamless lingerie manufacturing machinery as part of its international expansion drive.
Turkish Fashion Fabric Event
Doubles Buyer Attendance
Organizers of this month's Turkish Fashion Fabric Exhibition in New York City on Wednesday expressed their delight at the 50 per cent increase in the number of buyers attending the two day event.
The Istanbul Textile and Apparel Exporters Association (ITKIB), said nearly 1,600 buyers visited the July 15-16 exhibition, the fourth edition of the show, of which around 600 were first-time attendees.
It is now hoping to repeat that success at the third edition of its UK exhibition in London on August 19-20.
Top 10 Store Signs
1.Outside a muffler shop: "No appointment necessary, we hear you coming."
2.Outside a hotel: "Help! We need inn-experienced people."
3.On a desk in a reception room: "We shoot every 3rd salesman , and the 2nd one just left."
4.In a veterinarians waiting room: "Be back in 5 minutes, Sit ! Stay!"
5.At the electric company: "We would be de-lighted if you send in your bill. However, if you don't you will be."
6.On the door of a computer store: "Out for a quick byte."
7.In a restaurant window: "Don't stand there and be hungry, come on in and get fed up."
8.Inside a bowling alley: "Please be quiet, we need to hear a pin drop."
9.In the front yard of a funeral home: "Drive carefully, we'll wait."
10.In a counselors office: "Growing old is mandatory, growing wise is optional.
Phonecards: Instant E-mail Delivery
Earn extra $$ Cover a Major
Lingerie Show for this
Newsletter. Need a Digital Camera & Computer. Contact
me.
***********************************************
Advertise
in the McPete Sez
Newsletter,
reach over 7,600 Lingerie
Retailers twice
monthly.
We now Accept Major Credit Cards
************************************************
The McPete
Sez Mail Bag
From our Readers
To our Readers
For our Readers
Inquiry's:
Some of our readers will have the answer.
Remember, our readers are in the same
Industry.
Retailers, Manufacturers and Sales Representatives
Do you know the http for the Fernando Sanchez web page?
Thanks, Diana Broze DianaBroze@aol.com
Hi, Can you tell me where I might be able to find Priamo very light gauzy nightgowns for sale. You see to be "in the know"
Thanks, Les LGJ301@aol.com
I used to own B. Bliss Lingerie and have since closed down. I have some additional merchandise that I am willing to sell at very low prices. I am asking $1000 obo for the lot.
Please have any interested parties contact me at jenniferanton@hotmail.com
Thank you, Jennifer Anton
Hello!!! FYI Mel Pomerantz is going to be on our radio show to discuss his book!!(yes the nipple chicks have landed a radio show on one of the 1st FM talk radio stations in the
country).....I get good fodder for our show from your newsletter as well as good ideas for our business!!! so thank you for that! Lori Barghini
http://www.bodyperks.com
If
you have the answer.....Give
it"
If
you have something to say..
"Say it".
If you have a question......"Ask
it"
"Sounding
Board"
Do you have a Beef?
Post it here...
If you want to post your comments here=
click here
Do you have any show dates for
2002
Do you have any show dates that you would like posted for
2003? if so please e-mail them to me for posting in our show
section. Thank You
End of Page 2
