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Allure Leather 

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The Intimate Apparel Salon / INTIMA America Group

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Delicate Illusions

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Shirley of Hollywood

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May Retail climbs
Page 1 

British Retail Falls
Page 1 

Hi Tech Shirt
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Anti-Virus Clothing
Page 1 

Amino Acid Hosiery
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McPete Sez
Mailbag
Page 2

May Stores Axes 1500 jobs
Page 2

France's Clothing Down 4.1%
Page 2

Sounding Board
Page 2

NY Bra Lady Passes on
Page 3

Ask Andy
Page 3

Ann Summers Wins
Page 3

Retail Theft Down
Page 3

A&F in Racial Lawsuit
Page 4

Martha Phillips Closes
Page 4

Elder Beerman OK's Takeover
Page 4

Shows
Page 5


Lingerie Facts
Page 5








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                                      Page 3
    New Yorks Bra Lady Dies at 95 
NEW YORK - Selma Koch, the Bra Lady who fitted generations of women without tiring or tape measure and became famous in old age for refusing to regret or retire, has died at 95. 
Koch, who died June 12, had been hospitalized for a week, when she fell and broke her hip at the Town Shop, whose threshold she first crossed in 1927, when she married Henry Koch and his lingerie business. 
Her grandson Danny Koch said that after doctors warned her of a long recovery, "she just sort of decided to throw in the towel." 
She had one demand. "She warned me in the hospital: When I die, do not close that store," her grandson said. "So our hearts are heavy, but we are here." 
Selma Koch and the Town Shop had long been New York favorites. But last year, after national news stories appeared about an old woman who still found a reason to believe — in life, in work and in the importance of a bra that fits — she suddenly became famous. Letters poured in from across the country. More reporters showed up. Rosie O'Donnell interviewed her. 
"She loved the celebrity status," her grandson said. "It was really a nice thing to happen to her at that age." 
But she was loath to admit it. With great charm, she would smile and nod to customers at the store at Broadway and 82nd Street who carried in newspaper clippings bearing her photograph. After they walked away, she would turn to her grandson and grumble, "What's the big deal? It's just a bra." 
She worked 10 hours a day, six days week, right up to last week. She wore crimson lipstick and plunging, but tasteful, necklines. 
She prided herself on being able to determine a woman's bra size just by looking. "We don't measure anything," she said. "We're trained to know." 
She stocked more than 8,000 varieties of bras in sizes covering half the alphabet. She ordered the latest trends in lingerie, though some baffled her. The thong, for instance. In an interview last year, she wrinkled her nose at its mention. "Why would you want to wear something that ... well, you know," she said. 
She was an independent woman before anyone called it that. She graduated from Columbia University's School of Journalism in 1925 and landed a job as a copywriter at an advertising agency. 
That is how she met Henry Koch. She went to his successful business — there were four stores then — to handle his account. He asked for her home number. She haughtily turned him down. Then she learned he was one of New York's most eligible bachelors. 
"So I went back," she said. "With a little more charm." 
When he died in 1970, she closed all but one of the stores to care for her two sons and to be closer to their Manhattan apartment. Her boys, now in their 70s, grew up in the Town Shop. So did her grandchildren. 
Over the years, she sold trousseaus to women who later sent their daughters and granddaughters. 
"I always liked people. No sales pressure — that we don't allow," she said. "The whole secret is having a relationship with people." 
She is survived by sons Peter and David, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
  
      6/13  
   Dan River Axes Two Plants, 630 Jobs 
Leading fabric maker Dan River Inc announced plans to axe two of its production plants with the loss of around 630 jobs which will result in a second quarter pre-tax charge of about $12 million.
The Virginia-based company said in a news release it will close the two plants in South Carolina and Georgia in the third quarter and shift their operations to its other factories in neighbouring North Carolina when demand picks up.
It cited retailers' excess inventories in a continued weak retail environment for its decision which also saw it lowering its second quarter earnings outlook.

                            
  
    4/7
  INTIMA America – featuring The Intimate Apparel Salon – 
Over 50 first-time exhibitors to showcase their brands at August show
I.D. Sarrieri to make US debut at INTIMA America with lingerie and sleepwear collections International representation for August event growing with over 10 countries now exhibiting
New York, NY: Excitement surrounding INTIMA America is building as manufacturers and designers from around the world are signing up for exhibit hall space in the new location at the North Pavilion of the Jacob Javits Center, New York. Currently, over 10 countries are represented, including Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Brazil and Romania, with many first-time exhibitors from the USA and overseas booking space at the show taking place August 3-5, 2003.
“In approaching our original target of international exhibitors from over 13 foreign countries for our August event at such an early date, we feel that this goal will be surpassed in the coming weeks,” said Roland Bleinroth, President of show organizer Messe Frankfurt, Inc. 
Messe Frankfurt will be welcoming over 50 first-time exhibiting brands to INTIMA America, including AFAP, Arobatherapy, First Touch, Aurea, Bravo, Caresse, Carnival Lingerie, Clo Studio, Coastal, Confidential, Downtown Capital Limited, Grupo Saint Moris, Ipekyolu Tekstil A.S., Jonquil, Ladymate, Latin Angels, Marmelade, Mimosa S.R.L., Pain de Sucre, Play Safe Thong, Popsi Lingerie, Proex International, Qudrifolgio 95, Ringella, Savon, Soley Ours, Spanx, TDB Textil SA, Vandre, Yemee and Zuliana. We anticipate that additional new resources will continue to join the show in the next few weeks.
I.D. Sarrieri, one of the newest brands available worldwide, will also be making its US debut at INTIMA America. This Romanian company presents lingerie in a combination of soft, luxurious and graceful textures with a focus on original designs and trendy colors. The company has participated in the Paris and Lyon lingerie shows and received wide attention. INTIMA America will be its platform for North America.
“Obviously, we’re thrilled about our large number of first-time exhibitors that will be featuring exciting new brands at INTIMA America this August. This confirms the fact that our show is, and remains, a platform for new companies and for hot talent to launch their designs. I.D. Sarrieri is also starting its venture into the US market by exhibiting at our show. Everything about this company is glamorous, and in January their fashion show in Paris prompted numerous television stations to cover their presentation, and their designs have been featured around the world in all international press,” added Elly A. McCloud, INTIMA America Show Manager.
INTIMA America – featuring The Intimate Apparel Salon – will be held August 3-5, 2003 at the North Pavilion (“The Tents”) of New York’s Jacob Javits Center. Over 200 exhibitors are expected to present their upcoming fashion trends to an audience of 2,000 specialty stores, mail-order catalogues, boutiques, department stores, designers, distributors and press. The event will also feature on-site fashion shows on Sunday, August 3rd and Monday, August 4th. 
Press Contact: Roland Bleinroth, Messe Frankfurt, Inc., 770.984.8016, ext. 415.  For more show information contact:
Elly McCloud, Show Manager
Messe Frankfurt, Inc.  1600 Parkwood Circle, Suite 515 Atlanta, GA 30339
Tel: 770.984.8016, ext. 425  Fax: 770.984.8023
E-mail: intima@usa.messefrankfurt.com   
Website: www.usa.messefrankfurt.com 

A Woman's Four Favorite Animals 
     A mink in the closet
     A Jaguar in the garage
     A tiger in the bedroom
     And an ass to pay for it all!

Sex Shop Chain Wins Fight Over Job Ads
LONDON - Sex shop chain Ann Summers, which brought sex toys and saucy lingerie to the masses, won a legal battle on Wednesday when a judge ruled that government job centers must post its help-wanted ads. 
They had refused to publicize the company's vacancies because of a government policy barring businesses associated with the sex industry from advertising with state employment centers. 
"I think this is a fantastic victory both for Ann Summers and for common sense," the chain's chief executive Jacqueline Gold said afterwards. 
A High Court judge ruled that the ban was unlawful, saying that the employment exchanges of Jobcenter Plus had lost sight of their primary purpose of helping people find work. 
"It (Jobcenter Plus) paid insufficient regard to its legal obligation to assist employers to find vacancies," Justice Newman ruled. 
Ann Summers has become well known in Britain with 82 stores around the country selling raunchy clothes and sex toys with provocative names like "Rampant Rabbit," "Nipple Ripples" and "Jiggle Balls." 
Above: Jacqueline Gold, the chief executive of the women's lingerie retail chain Ann Summers, poses for photographers outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London
In defending its ban, Jobcenter Plus said that advertising Ann Summers vacancies could cause embarrassment to job seekers. 
But the chain countered that many other clothing and department stores in Britain also sold lingerie, vibrators and novelty sex items and were not considered to be part of the sex industry.



  Retail Theft Shrinking - "Survey Says" from Europe
Aspirational goods such as leather items, lingerie and jewellery are among the products most frequently stolen from retail stores, but own labels, including baby clothes, are increasingly sought after by thieves according to a new survey. 
The latest edition of the European Retail Theft Barometer also reports a decrease in shrinkage from 1.45 per cent to 1.37 per cent of turnover and could be seen as an endorsement of retailer’s tougher loss prevention policies and investment in retail security. 
The independent survey, conducted by the Center for Retail Research (CRR) and sponsored by Checkpoint Systems, is the largest collaborative study on retail crime. 
It reports that retailers still identify customers as the largest source of shrinkage loss, responsible for 48 per cent, whilst employees account for 28 per cent and suppliers 7 per cent of the total loss. Thus 83 per cent of shrinkage is seen to be crime related whilst the remaining 17 per cent due to internal error such as process failures and pricing mistakes. 

"Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" opened last week, proving that women can kick ass as well as men - except women have to do it in a thong. Adding insult to inanity, a new Super Bowl halftime attraction, the Lingerie Bowl, a football game played by models in very little was also announced.

     
Naked volunteers kneel during a photo session by artist Spencer Tunick in Barcelona June 8, 2003. Tunick, famous for his photographs of huge groups of naked people, beat his own record Sunday when some 7,000 people posed nude for him in the shadow of Montjuich Mountain

  Mothers Work Sued For Axing Pregnant Employee 
Leading maternity apparel retailer Mothers Work Inc is being sued by a former manager who claims she was sacked for being pregnant.
Cynthia Papageorge alleges she was fired from her job as district manager after a vice president saw her and complained about the condition of area stores saying she couldn't fulfill her duties in her "condition".
According to the suit, the vice president tried to have her sacked a short time later by telling her boss to get rid of her while she was on maternity leave.

                       "Ask Andy"
Andy Weinstock has been in the fabric and textile business all his life, but professionally since 1969. 
"I love what I do, selling fabrics around the globe. I've met lots of interesting, creative, dynamic folks; some have become dear friends. I love to help new businesses find the things they need to become successful. It works for everyone." 
You can ask Andy questions about Fabrics at
               Andy@mcpetesez.com 


Hi Andy.I’m starting a lingerie company based on a product that I am currently in the process of patenting. I have heard of a directory of sales reps for the fashion industry (or maybe the lingerie industry specifically?). I believe that these reps market products on a freelance basis for 10% of sales. Do you know the book I’m referring to? And if so, do you know where I might find it? Thank you for your time! Karen E Jones http://www.karenejones.com 
Dear Karen: try visiting www.fashiondex.com . You might want to consider posting your request right here in our McPeteSez newsletter. Anyone and everyone associated with the Lingerie market reads these pages. Good Luck, Andy

The "Ask Andy" Column is an opinion Column and may not necessarily  reflect the views of  McPete Sez


      
Hey Sales Reps !!!
Would you like to write an article for this newsletter? we are looking for information for our readers and if you have anything to contribute  please e-mail me.  
            







       
                                                                
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