LOS ANGELES — October 4, 2018 — This fall, GUESS Jeans U.S.A. digs deep into the archives and loads up on woodland inspired pieces and original 90’s graphics for a collection that launches in-store October 12th, 2018 at JUICE LA for a week-long pop-up experience and online at GUESSJEANS.com on October 15th, 2018. The campaign, shot by Rays Corrupted Mind and styled by Aleali May, features Cactus Jack break-out rapper, Sheck Wes, as the lead in the campaign.

The collection features silhouettes referenced from the early 90s that have been updated with rustic corduroy, moleskin and canvas materials and features original GUESS scouting locations such as Utah and Colorado in mind.

A prequel to the main launch was introduced through the unique capsule designed by DRx LOVE which includes one-of-a-kind pieces remixed with textiles from GUESS Jeans U.S.A. Fall 2018 collection. LA based luxury boutique, Maxfield, exclusively launched the capsule on September 25th, 2018 to celebrate 10 years of joining forces under the project DRx LOVE with DRx Romanelli and Tetsuzo Okubo, founder of ‘A Love Movement’.

Nicolai Marciano, Director of Brand Partnerships for GUESS Jeans U.S.A., a division of GUESS?, Inc. which was co-founded by Paul and Maurice Marciano in 1981, spearheaded the regeneration of these GUESS Jeans U.S.A. capsules. Nicolai Marciano said, “Going through the archives to get inspiration for Fall was nostalgic for me. The graphics referenced Deer Valley and Aspen and I could immediately make the connection from the family trips in the 90’s to the themes of the artwork. This became the centerpiece of the creative direction for Fall ‘18”. The Fall ‘18 collection and DRx LOVE collaboration brings new energy and life to traditional pieces from the GUESS archives.

Posted October 4, 2018

Source: GUESS?, Inc.

SEATTLE — October 4, 2018 —  Tommy Bahama and Pendleton Woolen Mills have joined forces on a new collaboration that celebrates these two iconic lifestyle brands’ love of the great outdoors and commitment to quality and style. This comes to life in the Tommy Bahama & Pendleton collection of men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, and home products. Tommy Bahama, based in Seattle, and Pendleton®, based in Portland, Ore., share a Pacific Northwest sensibility and a unique appreciation of the outdoor lifestyle and love of the beach and the surf.

The Tommy Bahama & Pendleton collection launches on October 4th at select Tommy Bahama stores, tommybahama.com, select Pendleton retail store locations and Pendleton-usa.com.

“For 25 years, Tommy Bahama’s mission has been to Live the Island Life,” said Bradley O’Brien, executive vice president of Product Design for Tommy Bahama. “To celebrate this milestone, we have partnered with Pendleton Woolen Mills on this unique collaboration. Warm, stylish, relaxed and approachable are the essential elements, which dovetail our two brands. It is a true celebration of the simple pleasures of living the good life on the beach, in the mountains or in your own backyard.”

Bob Christnacht, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing for Pendleton said: “Pendleton is pleased to partner with Tommy Bahama, bringing to our consumers a distinctively different look, with a completely compatible collision of tropical florals and western jacquard patterns. The result, dramatic and creative fashions that reflect our similar roots and commitment to quality.”

Combining their boundless dedication to open-air living, Tommy Bahama & Pendleton features the signature level of comfort, style and quality that Tommy Bahama and Pendleton guests have come to expect. The brands’ shared sensibilities and authentic values are exemplified in two, new collaborative fabric patterns: the Aloha Harding Print unites Pendleton’s Harding design with overlaid tropical florals and the Island Serape Stripe features a tropical leaf pattern jacquard with Pendleton’s classic blanket stripe. These fabric patterns are used in a men’s vest, cardigan, camp shirt and swim trunk and in a women’s serape poncho, dress, blouse, swim and activewear along with blankets, coffee mugs and more. Adding to the special nature of the Tommy Bahama & Pendleton collaboration, fabrics and blankets are made exclusively in Pendleton’s own Pacific Northwest mills for this collection.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Tommy Bahama, the iconic island lifestyle brand that defines relaxed, sophisticated style in men’s and women’s sportswear, swimwear, accessories, footwear and a complete home furnishing collection. A successful retailer and pioneer in the concept of combined restaurant and retail sites, Tommy Bahama locations allow guests to fully experience its hospitality and the brand anthem… Long Live the Island Life. Tommy Bahama has over 160 Tommy Bahama retail locations worldwide, 18 of which offer a Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar.

Posted October 4, 2018

Source: Tommy Bahama

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — October 4, 2018 —  Axonom, a global provider of visual and virtual configure, price, quote (CPQ) software, today announces customer Gerber Technology is unveiling a virtual reality exhibit of a modern micro-factory at the ideation conference in Miami Beach, Fla. The exhibit combines immersive virtual reality with 3D animation to give fashion, retail, and apparel leaders the most realistic experience to learn the benefits of a digitally-connected micro-factory.

The Gerber Technology VR exhibit transports attendees into a virtual micro-factory environment where they can see animated machines moving fabric from design to production. It gives attendees an immersive, first-person viewpoint of the hand-off process from product design to digital printing to automated cutting to robotic sewing.

“Virtual Reality is a first-class demonstration tool,” said Bill Grindle, chief marketing officer at Gerber Technology. “It’s an effective way to show each stage of the apparel design process – from concept in software to fabric to completed garment. In fact, virtual reality with 3D animation helps us build trust with the customer. We can share detailed information and answer questions in real-time while they experience fabric being digitally printed, cut, and sewn into a complete product.”

The VR exhibit demonstrates the interaction between Gerber Technology’s digitally-connected machines and 3rd party printers. It shows how data is passed seamlessly from system-to-system, automating the workflow, and minimizing human interaction. Attendees will learn how digitally-connected micro-factories improve product quality, reduce costs, and speed time to market.

“Transporting attendees into a virtual environment eliminates the need to ship large machines to the conference,” said Mike Belongie, COO at Axonom. “Gerber Technology’s investment in Powertrak VRoom is saving the company on added drayage, labor, and floor space expenses.”

The VR exhibit is powered by Axonom’s Powertrak VRoom and Powertrak 3D Product Configurator, and viewed with the HTC VIVE PRO, a professional-grade VR headset. “With VIVE Pro, businesses can experience the best quality display in addition to built-in high-performance headphones, creating a heightened sense of presence and immersion,” said Daniel O’Brien, HTC VIVE General Manager, Americas. “In the product design and retail space, VR is playing a large role to showcase how impactful products can be.”

All attendees are invited to the virtual reality experience exhibit located in the Embracing Digitalization Interactive Studio in Salon A at the Eden Roc/Nobu Hotel. The three-day conference features interactive sessions, workshops, demonstrations, and keynote speaker and fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff.

Posted October 4, 2018

Source: Axonom Inc

NEW YORK CITY — October 4, 2018 — Global fashion innovation company Alvanon has partnered with 13 leading apparel organizations* to survey professionals throughout the fashion industry on the skills gaps, learning and talent development needs within the apparel sector. The results are revealed in “The State of Skills in the Apparel Industry 2018” special report, that represents the views of 642 executives, HR leaders, industry practitioners and employees across the international supply chain.

According to the survey report, one of the biggest issues facing brands and vendors is hiring people with the right skills, with 62 percent of respondents saying they are struggling to fill certain positions. The data further shows that respondents are largely unhappy with the training being provided, and 30 percent are actively dissatisfied.

Some businesses are likening hiring to a battle, with Sarah McConnell Hays, sourcing manager at childrenswear retailer Carter’s saying: “We are in a war for talent.” The report states that the imperatives for business now include figuring out how to engage employees and provide professional development, or risk losing them.

“As the apparel industry begins to recognize and implement digitalization as a way of delivering on speed, customization and transparency, it is revealing gaps in the specialized skills set of its workforce,” explained Janice Wang, CEO of Alvanon. “Our survey findings conclude that failure to respond to skill shortages will result in the generalisation of poor market practices and adversely impact business performance across the supply chain.”

She added, “Improving the apparel industry by upping its skills is, ultimately, a collective responsibility shared between all players in the value chain and the individual professionals themselves. This survey clearly shows where we need to start and that we need to start immediately.”

The survey is part of Alvanon’s ongoing efforts to address the training and development needs of the apparel industry worldwide. This report aims to highlight labor force challenges faced by the industry and prompt readers to question their own company’s state of affairs in terms of training and strategy or lack of it. The 642 respondents comprised one-third of workers from North America, one-third Asia Pacific, one-fourth Central & South America, the rest from Europe and others.

Posted October 4, 2018

Source: Alvanon