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The Wicked Collection

Shirley of Hollywood Specials

Gozooko

Studio Time

Tia Lyn 
Lingerie

Interludes Lingerie

Shirley of Hollywood

Coconut Grove

Tony Shoes

International Lingerie Shows

McPete Sales

The Underfashion Club

Questfinder

Quick Commerce Credit Cards

Internetgazette

Styles Fashion

Articles Of Interest

Sri Lanka Loses Trade Benefit
Page 1

 Innovation Drives Lingerie
Market
Page 1

Plus 1 for Haiti
Page 1

Business and Technology 
Page 2

Hanesbrands Sees Strong Growth
Page 2

 Buyers' Best Sellers
 Page 2

McPete Sez
Mailbag
  Page 2

EBI Acquires Ballet Lingerie
Page 3

Scientists Study Fears Over
Nanoparticles
Page 3

Ask Kevin
Page 3

Ask Andy
Page 3

Non-slip Lingerie Tape
Page 4

January Retailers' Sales Review
Page 4

Top Form to Increase Manufacturing Capacity
Page 4

Q4 Puts Macy's Back in Profit
Page 5

The Buzz
Page 5

Reps Corner
Page 5

Shows & Events
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International Size Charts

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                                      Page 3      
EBI Acquires Ballet Lingerie
Collapsed lingerie company Ballet has been rescued from administration by its own majority shareholder, EBI Apparel.
EBI completed the acquisition of Ballet two weeks after the company entered administration, and is currently relocating its workforce to its Leeds headquarters.
EBI Apparel CEO Mason Asgha said Ballet would remain as a separate trading division of EBI, adding: "This move will strengthen the company as a whole, thus widening our prospects and allowing us to become better positioned in the apparel market."
Divisional sales director Jo Stockdale said existing orders would be dealt with "seamlessly" and there should be no impact on customers.
EBI also carries the Monsoon lingerie and nightwear brand, and has recently expanded its product portfolio to include nightwear, swimwear, beachwear and babywear.

                    
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Scientists Study Fears Over
           Nanoparticles
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have found a way of chemically binding silver nanoparticles to polymers, in a move that could allay concerns about the use of these products in textiles and clothing.
Popular for their anti-bacterial properties, there are fears that silver nanoparticles might be able to migrate from clothing and their dyes into consumers' bodies.
Finnish scientists now think that exposure to silver can be reduced by incorporating them in a soft, rubber-like polymer. 
The idea is that these silver nanoparticles could be used as a coating or its component. 
The research results will soon be published the journal Colloid and Polymer Science.

Lucy Activewear Launches
  Perfect Core Collection
Performance apparel maker Lucy Activewear is launching a new collection of Pilates clothing featuring an ultra-compressive fabric to enhance core awareness and encourage body alignment. 
The new Perfect Core Collection also incorporates a system of strategically placed power mesh panels – called xBAR technology – that offer targeted core support. 
The Perfect Core Pant and Perfect Core Knee Pant feature power mesh panels along the abdominals and lower back, offering the ultimate in support and compression to the core. 
The Perfect Core Racerback features a supportive shelf bra and front power mesh panels that flatten and shape the abdominals.
The Perfect Core Collection was developed in response to feedback from LucyPro instructors looking for additional core support. 
“We wanted to offer women the support they need to perfect alignment during practice. The Perfect Core collection helps bring awareness to the core, improving overall posture,” said Kira Karmazin, VP of merchandising and marketing for Lucy. 
Portland, Oregon-based Lucy Activewear operates 65 stores and is a unit of VF Corporation.

Gap to Open Stores in Milan
US retailer Gap Inc is to open its first Italian stores in fashion center Milan this year, with a further Rome outlet slated for 2011.
Although there are around 3,100 Gap stores worldwide, the Milan move represents the company's first foray into the Italian market and comes on the back of a healthy 2009 performance.
"With loyal shoppers already in London and Paris, we think Gap's brands will resonate strongly with Italian customers," said Gap Inc Europe and International Franchise president Stephen Sunnucks.
"We are excited to enter another market that's one of the top five apparel markets in the world."
Specifically, the retailer will open Gap and Banana Republic flagship stores side by side on Corso Vittorio Emanuele in Milan's prestigious shopping area, although the precise date has not been revealed.
Each of the stores will be wholly owned and operated by Gap Inc using the company's existing European teams and distribution infrastructure.
The Gap store will feature collections from Gap, GapKids, babyGap, GapBody and GapMaternity, while the Banana Republic outlet will house the women's and men's ready-to-wear collections, accessories and personal care products.
Plans have also been announced to bring an online shopping site for Gap and Banana Republic to the UK, which will also serve consumers in nine other European countries, including Italy.

Frying Eggs 
The wife was busy frying eggs, when her husband came home. He walked into the kitchen and immediately started yelling... 
"CAREFUL!!! CAREFUL!!! MORE OIL!!! TURN THEM!!! TURN THEM NOW!!! WE NEED MORE OIL!!! THEY ARE GOING TO STICK!!! CAREFUL!!! CAREFUL!!! TURN THEM!!! TURN THEM!!! HURRY UP!!! ARE YOU CRAZY!!!! THE OIL IS GOING TO SPILL!!! USE MORE SALT!!! THE SALT!!!!" 
The wife was very upset, "What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you yelling like this? Do you think I don't know how to fry an egg?" 
The husband calmly replied, "This is to show you what it feels like for me when I am driving and you sit next to me..." 

Workers End Triumph Protest
Former workers at a plant that made underwear for Triumph International in Thailand have halted protests in Bangkok, eight months after they began.
Hundreds of former disgruntled employees of Body Fashion Thailand (BFT) had camped out in the courtyard of the Thai Ministry of Labor.
Triumph downsized its operations in Thailand in August of last year, leading to 1,930 job losses at its BFT subsidiary.
The job losses led to protests in the country, as workers unions sought a better package for its workers being made redundant.
The company said full severance has been paid to all former BFT workers, and won a ruling in the Thai Labor Court on December 17, 2009 for the the legality of the packages offered.
"To the knowledge of Body Fashion Bangkok, the protestors in the courtyard of the Thai Ministry of Labor that were composed mainly of former BFT employees have ended their protest after having reached an agreement with the Ministry of Labor," Triumph said in a statement.
Furthermore, many of the displaced workers have now started up their own undergarment business under the brand name Try Arm, according to Thai newspapers.

Wal-Mart Eyes Japanese
         Acquisitions
Wal-Mart has confirmed that its Japanese unit is eyeing acquisitions as a long-term strategy to fuel growth in the saturated market.
"My colleagues in Japan have been saying this for a while," a spokesperson for the parent said.
The spokesperson declined to comment on the prospects for acquisitions in the market or detail the size or scope of possible targets.
However, the spokesperson added that Wal-Mart Japan's acquisitive ambitions were in line with the company's global strategy to expand through M&A.
"I can't discuss any specifics on prospective acquisitions, but suffice to say we're always looking at new business opportunities around the world. Last year, we acquired D&S in Chile, to name a recent example," he said.
Last year, Wal-Mart also said it would close around 23 outlets.
Wal-Mart first invested in Seiyu in 2002 but Japan's fifth-biggest retailer by sales has struggled in a competitive market. Seiyu became a wholly-owned Wal-Mart subsidiary in March 2008.

marlies|dekkers at London
      Fashion Week 
For the first time in London Fashion Week’s history, lingerie became part of the on-schedule Fashion Week 
events. Dutch lingerie brand marlies|dekkers was part of this exciting get together that took place on Sunday, February 21, at the Portico Room, Somerset House. London’s fashion press and buyers were present as the digital presentation and film were screened, showing that lingerie is finally recognized as a fundamental part of the fashion calendar. 
Seven top brands were hand-picked by the fashion editor of Condé Nast’s Love Magazine, Phoebe Arnold to create a film showing lingerie as fashion. The fashion forward designs of marlies|dekkers couldn’t be left out and graced the film’s opening shot. While sipping champagne guests enjoyed several beautiful shots of the new fall|winter collection inspired by vampire stories. 
The Dutch designer’s signature look of strong ensembles of lines and straps is easily recognizable throughout the film. 
Marlies Dekkers lingerie designs are seen internationally as pioneering, trendsetting and innovative. 
With more than 750 selling points worldwide and 13 stores, marlies|dekkers has grown as an established brand. Some of the UK selling points are: Coco de Mer, Apartment C, Rigby & Peller and House of Fraser. More information can be found on the website. 
Besides this exclusive fashion event, marlies|dekkers is participating in the lingerie section at the London Fashion Week Exhibition from Friday the 19th until Tuesday the 23rd of February.  www.marliesdekkers.com

ASK Kevin
      For all of your website questions...
Kevin and his wife have been retailing lingerie and adult products since 1988. They believe that a large portion of their business success came from the  addition of their websites to their retail store and that in today's fast paced market, internet marketing goes hand in hand with any business.
Kevin's personal site design experiences include all levels of internet marketing and design including secure server ordering processes, merchant account integration, HTML editing, photo editing, graphic design and banner advertisements. All of which are needed on a business style website.
Kevin also designs websites and consults clients who want to do more business online.
Kevin welcomes your questions and comments regarding website design, internet marketing, photo editing, domain registrations hosting and more. For serious website entrepreneurs, he recommends this course for complete Internet marketing training. Internet Marketing & Site Optimization Tips: http://www.marketingtips.com/t.cgi/848190
You can ask Kevin your questions at Kevin@mcpetesez.com

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

                       "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 



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


     The McPete Sez Lingerie Newsletter & Women's Wear Journal           
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