ZURICH — July 27, 2018 — OEKO-TEX® announces that its ECO PASSPORT certification has been recognized as a LEVEL 3 ZDHC MRSL Conformance Indicator for the ZDHC Roadmap To Zero Programme. The ZDHC organization’s Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (ZDHC MRSL) is implemented in connection with the ZDHC Gateway — Chemical Module.

ZDHC MRSL Conformance LEVEL 3 — the highest level in the current program — indicates that ECO PASSPORT certified chemical substances meet the ZDHC’s guidelines for safer textile chemistries that are also verified as being responsibly manufactured. The ZDHC’s MRSL covers chemical substances that are limited or banned from intentional use in the production of apparel and footwear materials and trim in order to protect workers, consumers, and the environment.

“OEKO-TEX® has worked with the apparel and footwear industry for the past twenty-five years to eliminate harmful substances from the global supply chain. ECO PASSPORT is an important part of that work and proactively targets undesirable chemicals before they enter the supply chain,” said John Frazier, senior technical director for OEKO-TEX® in North America. “ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® is designed to address the specific challenges chemical manufacturers face in their efforts to comply with sustainability initiatives while still protecting the confidentiality of their formulations. Recognition as a LEVEL 3 indicator permits ECO PASSPORT certified suppliers to adhere to the strictest ZDHC requirements while safeguarding their intellectual property.”

The ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® program analyzes a broad set of chemicals including colorants, scouring agents, adhesives, inks, pigments, and auxiliaries in a confidential, three-step process that confirms that the formulations and individual ingredients (CAS level chemicals) meet specific criteria for sustainability, safety, and regulatory compliance. Chemical formulations are checked against the comprehensive OEKO-TEX® list of substances of concern and then verified by laboratory evaluation to ensure that they do not contain unsafe contaminants. Sustainable production is verified with on-site-visits of the manufacturer’s occupational safety methods, water and air protection mechanisms, and quality control practices in line with STeP by OEKO-TEX® guidelines for sustainable production facilities. Formulations that are ECO PASSPORT certified are eligible to be listed on the ZDHC Gateway – Chemical Module and the OEKO-TEX® Buying Guide so that they are easily identified by apparel and footwear manufacturers shopping for sustainable chemistries.

“Sustainable apparel and footwear must begin with greener chemistries,” stated Frazier. “We are excited that ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® certification is now acknowledged by ZDHC as an indicator of the responsible, comprehensive chemical product stewardship that is required to truly reduce the industry’s impact on workers, consumers, and the environment.”

Posted July 27, 2018

Source: OEKO-TEX®

LOS ANGELES — July 26, 2018 — GUESS and the Los Angeles Football Club of Major League Soccer (MLS) are embarking on a 360-degree partnership launching today, July 26, 2018.

Through this partnership, GUESS will become the official denim partner who will be the provider of off-field custom suiting and fashion looks for the historic, new professional men’s soccer team in Los Angeles. Players will be seen in custom Italian made suiting made by Marciano, a sophisticated brand extension under the GUESS umbrella as well as contemporary fashion looks from GUESS’ men’s line, infusing style and personality into the American professional soccer scene.

The partnership, a first of its kind in MLS and for the iconic fashion brand, will span across a 3-year commitment supporting the new team which plays in the heart of the city that has been the birthplace of GUESS since 1981. GUESS has always had a strong connection to the surrounding community and takes prides in being one of the first denim brands to establish roots in downtown Los Angeles. From philanthropy to education, the city of Los Angeles has always been central to GUESS’ ethos and brand identity.

LAFC is coached by Bob Bradley and includes MLS All-Stars Carlos Vela and Laurent Ciman, as well as standouts such as Marco Urena, Diego Rossi, Adama Diomande and Benny Feilhaber. LAFC’s 30-person ownership group is comprised of local leaders and innovators of industry with intellectual capital, financial prowess, operations expertise and success in the fields of entertainment, sports, technology and media — such as Peter Guber, Will Ferrell, Mia Hamm, Nomar Garciaparra and Magic Johnson.

Banc of California Stadium, the new state-of-the-art home of LAFC, is less than three miles from the GUESS HQ making this a synergistic move for the brand and the team.

Posted July 26, 2018

Source: Guess? Inc.

SAN DIEGO — July 26, 2018 — MAD ENGINE LLC today announced a new partnership with Epic Games to create a range of Fortnite™ apparel for North America, in a deal brokered by IMG.

The new Fortnite branded collection will feature apparel items including fashion knits, long and short sleeve tops, swimwear, outerwear and sportswear sets. Additional accessories will also be available in the Canadian market.

“We are excited to work with the teams from Epic Games and IMG to bring compelling apparel programs to retail for both fanatics and casual Fortnite fans,” said Danish Gajiani, CEO of Mad Engine. “Apparel presents the perfect opportunity to bring this pop culture phenomenon to players, offering them continuously refreshed product reflecting the dynamic world of the game.”

Mark Rein, co-founder of Epic Games commented: “Mad Engine works with some of the best brands in the world to bring cool, high-quality apparel to fans. Our players deserve the best, so partnering with Mad Engine was a natural choice.”

Launching in summer 2018, the collection will be available for purchase from specialty retailers nationwide.

Fortnite is the action building game from Epic Games that lets you drop into a massive 100-player PVP Battle Royale or team up with friends in a co-op campaign to Save The World against a horde of monsters. Craft and loot in giant worlds where no two games are ever the same. Fortnite Battle Royale is free and available on PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, and soon, Android.

Posted July 26, 2018

Source: Mad Engine LLC

NEW YORK CITY — July 26, 2018 — American Eagle announces the launch of its multifaceted Ne(X)t Level Jeans Campaign as an extension of its #AExME brand platform, which celebrates freedom, individuality and difference. The fall campaign intersects the worlds of fashion, music, and youth culture by highlighting how real customers express themselves in AE’s Ne(X)t Level jeans.

“Our fall campaign and back-to-school collection — featuring Ne(X)t Level jeans at the core — is setting standards for innovation, style, fit and quality,” said Chad Kessler, American Eagle Global Brand President. “This fall we are delivering a curated assortment of great fashion to inspire our customers to take what we make, and make it their own.”

The Ne(X)t Level Jeans Campaign includes:

• #AExME: This fall, the platform will introduce 12 real customers, including an AE store associate, who were photographed in environments that reflected music and creativity. Shot and filmed in and around Nashville and Detroit, each cast member shares their individual stories and style in the back-to-school collection.
• Make Moves Video: The freedom to move in your jeans without compromising style, or self, is the theme of AE’s inspiring Make Moves video. Set to Kendrick Lamar’s DNA and shot across the U.S. by French cinematographer, Mathieu Plainfosse, the dynamic video captures real customers expressing how they move through daily life in AE Ne(X)t Level jeans. The diverse cast reflects varied backgrounds, genders, sizes and passions, and highlights the spirit that drives youth culture.
• #AExME Artists: AE has teamed up with Universal Music Group and Brands (UMGB), the brand’s strategy division of Universal Music Group (UMG), to identify a select group of some of today’s hottest emerging acts. #AExME Artists include Bea Miller, Bibi Bourelly, Jade Bird, Lewis Capaldi, and Trinidad Cardona. A digital content series will document each artist’s journey giving viewers insight into their musical aspirations. Each artist will be integrated into the campaign wearing AE jeans.
• #AEJeans Made For You: Embracing the uniqueness of all bodies and recognizing that no two customers wear their jeans the same way, the brand will introduce its #AEJeans Made For You denim guide for men and women. The digital guide will celebrate diverse body shapes and highlight how its range of sizes are made to move and make the customer feel their best.
• Rock the Vote T-Shirt Design Contest: Building upon AE’s continued partnership with Rock the Vote, a nationwide t-shirt design contest was launched to ask customers to express how they drive change through art. Four customer designs will be produced and sold online and at select stores starting September 21. One hundred percent of sales will benefit Rock the Vote.

Follow along @americaneagle and #AExME on social, and www.ae.com/aexme to shop the back-to-school collection.

Posted July 26, 2018

Source: American Eagle Outfitters