Apparel

The Americana Company Launches New Catalog
June 23, 2010

The Americana Company, a West Coast distributor of imprintable sportswear based out of Gardena, Calif., released its new catalog this month. In addition to T-shirts and fleece, the 116-page book includes athleticwear, sport shirts, jackets, children’s apparel, hats, bags and aprons. The wholesaler has also increased inventory levels and has expanded its one-day shipping area.

Alstyle Apparel--Classic by Alstyle Full Zip Hood 9 oz. Fleece
June 23, 2010

Preshrunk and with a tightly knit garment face, Alstyle Apparel's Full Zip Hood 9 oz. Fleece is well-designed to survive the day-to-day onslaughts of teenagers. Available in nine different colors, the hoodie also features a double-ply self-fabric lined hood and ribbed cuffs and bottom hem.

SanMar--Port Authority R-Tek Fleece Full-Zip Jacket
June 23, 2010

With a classic-yet-fashionable design, the Port Authority R-Tek Fleece Full-Zip Jacket from SanMar is sure to keep clients warm and happy. The jacket is made from 13 oz. anti-pill fleece, includes elasticized cuffs and waistband, and is available in black, brown, gray heather, midnight heather and navy.

American Apparel Responds
June 23, 2010

On June 14, Los Angeles-based clothing manufacturer American Apparel issued a statement in response to allegations by Gawker.com that it hires retail employees based on their physical attractiveness. American Apparel's response is directly reproduced below:

"A Statement about Hiring from American Apparel

In light of recent erroneous online coverage of American Apparel's hiring and retention policies we are issuing this brief statement to clarify:

American Apparel does not hire or retain applicants based on 'beauty.' Our main priority is finding people with a strong sense of style who can inspire customers as they make selections from our extensive line.

Prada Seeks 'Simplicity Regained' in Menswear
June 23, 2010

MILAN--Two of the Milan fashion world's designing women--Miuccia Prada and Gucci's Frida Giannini--like their men to be, well, masculine--but approached the job for next spring and summer very differently.
Gucci, which showed Monday on the third day of men's Fashion Week, in Milan, was about fine detailing and craftmanship. Prada was nothing if not spare. What they shared was clarity.
Both designers also played with blue denim, which is making a cameo in many collections for next spring and summer.

Rock Your Summer Look
June 23, 2010

With the music festival season starting soon, let's take a look at what to stock up on before heading into the crowds at Lilith, Live at Squamish and the like:

Aviator sunglasses: Aviators are must-have items for the summer. Whether it's for cruising around on your bike or chillin' on the grass at Coachella, these babies will not only make you look fine; they'll protect your eyes from the UV rays of the summer sun -- which means you'll be able to see the stage for summers to come.

Wellies: A good pair of rain boots is a necessity at any outdoor festival. It may not rain while you're there, but after a few days with thousands of people, you may not want to know what you're stepping on.

Men's Fashion Week in Milan: What Comes, What stays, and What Goes
June 23, 2010

With the shows wrapping up in Milan June 22, here are some of the most important trends from part one of men's fashion season.

What comes?

Skinny jeans have been one of the past decade's most popular wardrobe staples, even though men didn't seem to be as enthusiastic about them as their better halves. Now, they could be paying them back, but not just with a simple, tight-denim leg cloth, but with something even more daring: the man jegging. Fashionista and The Cut have both confirmed the onset of a new era of flexible-waistband jeans leggings for guys, if you like it or not. Versace, Emporio Armani, and John Varvatos all presented versions of the trend, and Burberry even made skintight leather pants for fashion-forward bikers.

Full Figured Fashion Week
June 23, 2010

Shopping can be a dreadful experience in general. But if you’re the sort of woman who actually enjoys eating on a semiregular basis, and who prefers fashions that look like they weren’t manufactured by the American Tent and Awning Company, it’s downright traumatic. Designers and clothing stores have slowly become aware of this; according to the NPD Group, a market research company, the women’s plus-size apparel market hovers at $17.9 billion, up from $17.7 billion in 2009.

“Every curvy girl that has a dollar is willing to spend that dollar,” says Gwen DeVoe, a former plus-size model and the founder of Full Figured Fashion Week, currently taking place in Manhattan. Now in its second year, the four-day event includes a runway model competition, panel discussions on the industry and, of course, designs for bodies size 12 and above — about 60 percent of American women. On Wednesday night, about 250 women (and a smattering of men) gathered for the opening-night collections, which ranged from T-shirts and jeans (Pure Energy) to trendier, sexier couture (the Angel Alternative).“They don’t want to dress like they’re 60,” says designer Jessica Mealey, the co-founder of the Toronto-based Lotis Clothing, whose designs go up to 3X

American Apparel Lender May Offer Lifeline
June 23, 2010

(Reuters) - Dov Charney's American Apparel is a staple of urban hipsters around the world for its colorful T-shirts, spandex leggings and other edgy, "Made-in-USA" retro apparel.

But what the company could really use is a suit -- that is, a button-down, business grown-up type to complement the outspoken, volatile Charney, according to a growing number of people on Wall Street.

Investors' patience with Charney, a self-described hustler and the company's founder and CEO, is waning as the eccentric apparel visionary finds himself in troubled financial situations time and time again, they say.

And yet, Charney may have pulled himself and the company out of another hole, by negotiating a key debt revision with its main lender. Sources close to the company said they fully expect American Apparel (APP.A) and its main backer, British-based private equity firm Lion Capital, to reach an agreement that will prevent the company from a looming debt covenant breach.

Hot Summer Style Trend: Cropped Khaki Pants
June 23, 2010

I have never seen so many celebrities and real people go bananas over khakis or olive cropped pants in my life. Balmain kicked this trend off a few seasons back and J. Crew, which has been an affordable, chic wardrobe staple, totally modernized the look. In Hollywood, J Brand's Houlihan olive cargos are all the rage.

Gwyneth Paltrow arrived at the resort presentation for her BFF Stella McCartney in an olive version by Stella. I love how everybody takes a casual Friday look and glams it up. Gwyneth's heels of course make me insane. And her simple approach: Strip the leopard prints and the gaudy jewelry...just give it to me fresh and chic.