Apparel Accessories

Alliance Rubber Company today announced that the company has changed the name of its promotional division to Ad Bands. The new Ad Bands name was chosen due to the success of the Ad Bands printed rubber bands that were introduced in 1986.

Spark up new sales with these glittering ideas.

Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Trade Association executive director Brent Cleaveland issued the following statement on yesterday's meeting between FJATA representatives and CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum:

"FJATA representatives today briefed Chairman Tenenbaum on FJATA's successful effort to adopt the first national Children's Jewelry Safety Standard through ASTM International. During the meeting, Chairman Tenenbaum congratulated FJATA representatives for a 'strong voluntary standard' and expressed support for the industry's efforts. The Chairman stated that she plans to raise awareness about the standard throughout the United States and around the world, including promoting the new standard in speeches, Congressional testimony and via social media."

New Wave Group AB announced that it is acquiring all shares of Paris Glove of Canada Inc. for $16.3 million. Paris Glove will be joining several other promotional products companies under the New Wave Group umbrella, including Cutter & Buck, Kosta Boda, Orrefors and Sagaform.

This week's edition of Editor's Picks focuses on an often overlooked accessory: the promotional scarf. You've got to diversify your brands, son.

Below are the top five companies in the apparel, accessories and luxury industry as measured by relative performance. This analysis was compiled based on Nov. 7's trading activity as we searched for stocks that have the potential to outperform. 

Give into your dark side and embrace your inner black knight with Castle Merchandising Inc.'s Plated Black Stainless Steel Watch with Diamond Dial. Dark and elegant, the watch is perfect for the man who's over princesses and would rather a lady who likes her steaks rare, her wine more like whiskey, and knows how to handle herself around a dragon.

Victoria is not the only one with a secret! As risqué as this topic may be for our industry, we have to talk undergarments. They are a huge part of retail sales, and believe it or not, undies have a promotional appeal. Aside from seeing boy cut briefs with prints on the back side, thongs have become quite the novelty item.

Michael Williams, who runs A Continuous Lean, a men's style blog, ditched his Timex when he got his first cellphone in 2001.

Tyler Thoreson, the head of men's editorial for Gilt Man, the flash sale website, often kept his forgettable watches stashed in a drawer.

And Eddy Chai, an owner of Odin New York, a downtown men's boutique, gave up wearing watches regularly in his mid-20s, when he outgrew his Casio.

We're out at PROMOTIONS EAST today for the final day of exhibits, and after four days of Atlantic City weather and booth browsing, we've got some summer trade show-themed Editor's Picks lined up for you.