NEW YORK CITY — October 4, 2018 — Project I, an apparel manufacturing group started by fashion executives Jon Lewis and John Elmuccio, announced its collaboration with world-renowned 3D knitting machinery enterprise, STOLL, during the STOLL Symposium this Thursday in New York City.

“We’re partnering to create the apparel manufacturing and supply chain facility of the future,” Elmuccio said. “The collaboration with Stoll will strengthen America’s fashion market, restore apparel production jobs using the latest technology, and revitalize the fully-fashioned knit sector.”

Between this new founded collaboration with Project I and the kick-off of the company’s 145th anniversary, Stoll consistently proves to be the driving force within the knitting industry. Project I and Stoll’s advanced apparel manufacturing facility results in the largest single order of Stoll’s latest 3D knitting machinery and software solutions within the United States. This impactful collaboration will bring a revolutionary output of jobs and help position the US as a key player of the apparel manufacturing and supply chain market.

“The apparel, fashion, and luxury markets are ripe for disruption and resurgence in the U.S.,” Lewis said. “By shortening the supply chain and locating production in the U.S., fashion brands and retailers will be able to keep pace with emerging trends and react to — not just anticipate — customer demand.”

The installation of these 300 high-tech flatbed knitting machines will happen throughout the next three years. Stoll will install the latest generation of ADF machines, which feature yarn carriers that are independent of the carriage and can move horizontally and vertically, and the latest CMS 830 C&S Knit & Wear (seamless knitting) machines. Stoll will provide programming, training, manufacturing and on-site production support while guiding new and existing customers alike to Project I.

“We have been working with Project I for over two years to turn this groundbreaking vision into a reality,” said Stephan Robertson, CEO North American Operations. “At Stoll, we take great pride in reinventing ourselves as a high-quality OEM with the latest technology on the market. We have seen Fashion & Technology flourish on a mass global scale, but we needed a new competitive edge in the North American market. With Project I, we are finally able to make the United States a destination for advanced manufacturing and production.”

Project I’s new venture will incorporate a burgeoning, eco-friendly workspace anchored in cutting edge technology that will provide meaningful and sustainable manufacturing jobs. Production is anticipated to begin end of 2019 at a brand new US-based facility — soon to be announced.

Posted October 4, 2018

Source: H. Stoll AG & Co. KG

GREENSBORO, N.C. — October 4, 2018 — VF Corp. today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell the Reef® brand to The Rockport Group (Rockport) of Newton, Mass. A maker of casual and dress shoes, Rockport is a portfolio company of Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC (Charlesbank), a middle-market private equity firm.

Commenting on the agreement, VF’s Chairman, President and CEO Steve Rendle said: “Reshaping VF’s brand portfolio to deliver sustainable, long-term growth and superior returns to shareholders remains our top priority. Today’s announcement is another step toward delivering on the commitments outlined in our multi-year business strategy. We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Rockport. The Reef brand is an iconic, beach lifestyle brand, and Rockport is well-positioned to guide its next phase of growth.”

Charlesbank recently acquired Rockport, bringing in industry veteran Gregg Ribatt to head the established footwear company. Ribatt said: “Reef is a powerful brand with deep authenticity and an incredibly loyal customer base. We are excited to work with the strong leadership team that has been guiding Reef through its brand evolution and resurgence. We believe in the team’s growth plans across consumer, product and geographic expansion.”

Reef will operate as an independent global brand under The Rockport Group, and will maintain its Carlsbad, Calif., headquarters.

The transaction, which is expected to close in October 2018, is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals for a closing to occur. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

PJ SOLOMON is serving as exclusive financial advisor to VF on the transaction. Davis Polk and Wardwell LLP is acting as legal advisor.

Posted October 4, 2018

Source: VF Corporation

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