Apparel

Fersten Worldwide, the Champlain, New York-based apparel supplier and exclusive licensee of FILA Golf, recently announced the promotion of Jonathan Epstein to director of sales. Epstein will be responsible for all internal and external sales staff for Fersten Worldwide/FILA across North America.

Charles River Apparel is kicking off its third annual "'Tis the Season for Giving" campaign. The company is inviting savvy social media users to become fans of Charles River Apparel on Facebook. For every new 'like' it receives, they will donate a garment to the homeless. The campaign runs until December 31.

Gildan Activewear Inc. is going full camo.

The Montreal-based manufacturer of T-shirts, socks, underwear and other basics says it has obtained the worldwide license for the Mossy Oak hunting camouflage wear brand.

The company, which announced record fourth-quarter results Thursday on robust growth in sales and lower cotton costs and also hiked its dividend 20 per cent, says it sees big potential in marketing Mossy Oak camouflage activewear, underwear and socks.

As the temperature fell and winds blew through the parking lot, hundreds of people lined up Tuesday afternoon to apply for jobs at Gildan.

The company held a "Job Fair" Tuesday, looking to fill roughly 170 positions over the next six months at its yarn-spinning plant off Heilig Road.

"It would mean everything to me," Patience Joaquim said, explaining that she had two children to support. "I need a job."

Joaquim has been out of work since June 1, 2012. What's it like trying to land a full-time job in this region?

Los Angeles-based American Apparel Inc., a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor and retailer of branded fashion basic apparel, announced preliminary sales for the month of October 2013.

Ash City, a leading promotional apparel supplier, recently announced some new enhancements to its website.

"The changes we have made to the website are all meant to make our distributors' lives much easier," said Sophia Santamaria, web and digital media strategy manager, Ash City.

HanesBrands, a leading marketer of everyday basic apparel under world-class brands based in Winston-Salem, N.C., announced that it will use its strong cash position in December to complete its previously communicated goal to prepay all remaining 8 percent senior notes due 2016 and reduce bond debt to $1 billion.

Gildan Activewear Inc. recently announced the appointment of Russ Hagey to its board of directors, effective Nov. 1, 2013.

Hagey is a senior partner and the worldwide chief talent officer of Bain & Company Inc., one of the world's leading management consulting firms. 

The recently rebranded United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) has re-launched itself at its annual meeting in New York, amidst predictions that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement should be completed in early 2014.

Kim Glas, deputy assistant secretary for textiles and apparel at the US commerce department, said negotiators and regulators still needed help in working on a list of textiles that all agree are in short supply and hence encounter fewer trade barriers under the TPP. It currently contains some 217 products.

Angela Ahrendts isn't coming to Apple to expand and oversee the company's retail stores. "That's a giant head fake," says Scott Gallway, founder of L2, a global "think tank for digital innovation." Instead, the former Burberry CEO will be tasked to "bring the company's minimalist aesthetic to the world of luxury apparel and accessories," according to Forbes.

Gallway notes that Ahrendts, who joins Apple next spring as a senior vice president, wasn't hired to simply spruce up the company's retail operations. Instead, she'll help Apple expand into product categories such as apparel, handbags, jewelry, sunglasses, watches, and luggage.