MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. — November 10, 2016 — American & Efird (A&E) is pleased to announce the addition of a new licensee, Manila Bay Thread Corp., strengthening its position in Southeast Asia. Manila Bay will represent A&E in the Philippines providing strategic support for A&E’s global customers and local production capabilities while expanding A&E’s global footprint.

Founded in 1956, Manila Bay Thread is the leading thread producer in the Philippines, serving a wide variety of customers in the apparel, leather goods, and non-apparel categories. This new arrangement allows for the local manufacturing and delivery of A&E’s well-known worldwide brands into this important geographic market.

A&E is excited to include Manila Bay in its manufacturing family. Through A&E’s combined global network, A&E products are manufactured in 23 countries around the world and sold in over 100 countries, allowing global customers to quickly source high quality, color-specific materials wherever their production facilities are located.

Posted November 10, 2016

Source: American & Efird (A&E)

PARIS — November 8, 2016 — Lectra has launched a smart new version of its best-selling fabric-cutting solution. Now, for the same price as the previous entry-level Vector® model or lower, depending on the range, manufacturers in the fashion, automotive and furniture industries can increase productivity by up to 10 percent with the automated efficiency of patented continuous cutting, as well as benefit from predictive maintenance.

The new intelligent Vector iQ features Eclipse continuous cutting, a functionality previously available only on higher-end models. Developed 22 years ago by Lectra and used by 4,354 companies worldwide, Eclipse increases productivity by up to 10 percent due to the ability to cut without interruption as material automatically advances. Reliability and productivity enabled by these new features are essential for businesses that depend on maintaining a competitive cost per part cut and an optimized total cost of ownership. The operational excellence long targeted by automotive suppliers is now shaping best practices in the fashion and furniture manufacturing industries.

Offered for the first time ever with entry-level Vector models, Lectra Power Premium service coverage includes predictive maintenance designed to drive down the risk of machine downtime and stoppage. By benefiting from proactive, data-driven diagnostics and recommendations on the appropriate course of action, Lectra Power Premium customers can achieve up to 98 percent machine availability. Remote diagnostics enable data collected on customer premises to be analyzed in real time and compared against previously defined standards. This enables the Lectra customer care team to alert customers to potential technical issues before a breakdown even takes place.

By drawing on the strengths of a global structure, Lectra can provide the right level of support to contract customers at any location, within a guaranteed time-frame. Lectra’s worldwide presence combined with best-in-class service and support capabilities ensure Lectra’s rapid intervention, enabling manufacturers to achieve maximum machine availability and productivity.

“The Vector iQ is a sophisticated yet accessible new breed of fabric-cutting solution, enabling tremendous gains in productivity and uptime,” observed Céline Choussy Bedouet, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Lectra. “Both of which are sources of value for our customers, whether they produce vehicle seating, furniture or fashion clothing. Versatile and affordable, it scales up performance to a new standard.”

Posted November 8, 2016

Source: Lectra

NEW YORK CITY — November 3, 2016 — MISSION, the sports performance leader in Thermoregulation technologies, has announced the launch of its new Heating line of Accessories & Gear powered by game-changing technologies to keep athletes super warm and dry in colder weather conditions.

The new Heating line includes a full range of Accessories & Gear, including High Performance Gloves, Scarves, Headbands, Beanies, Balaclavas, Neck Gaiters and Baselayer Tops and Bottoms. The ultra-lightweight and breathable Heating collection is entirely constructed to deliver superior warmth without the weight, while keeping athletes dry during training and competition.

As the global leader in Thermoregulation, Mission is once again setting a new standard for microclimate management and temperature control to enhance performance and comfort for athletes at all levels of play.  From its new Performance Gloves that are carbon-infused and promote 20 percent greater heat retention than standard fleece, to its new Performance Baselayer Tops & Bottoms that are powered by 37.5® technology and keep you super warm and dry, Mission’s latest product innovations, further reinforce the company’s focus on cutting edge technologies for enhancing performance through temperature control.

“It’s a simple equation, at Mission we put the athletes first when developing our new innovations. The two biggest complaints we heard from athletes in fall/winter training were associated with the bulk and weight of winter gear and how it impedes dexterity and performance, and secondly, that the bulk and weight of the winter gear produces significantly more sweat, which makes the athlete colder, faster. Our new Mission Heating line nails both of these, providing athletes with superior warmth without the weight, and superior dryness throughout the activity. As the brand that has created and led the Cooling category for the last 5 years, we’re fired up to bring that same maniacal innovation focus to the Heating category,” said Josh Shaw, CEO and Founder of Mission.

“Mission’s new Heating line is going to change the way athletes train and compete in the cold weather.  These items are so warm, yet lightweight, which eliminates the bulk and sweat that can get in the way of performing to your potential.  They will be a must-have when training in the fall and winter,” said Mission partner and New York City FC Captain David Villa.

The line will be available at leading retailers such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports, Target, Lowe’s, and Mission.com.

Posted November 8, 2016

Source: Mission

LOS ANGELES — November 3, 2016 — The Los Angeles International Textile Show (LA TEXTILE) is excited to announce its 2017 show dates after a very successful Fall/Winter edition which took place September 26-28, 2016, and unveiled new show areas, bustling traffic, and an increase in registered attendees. The recent Show debuted a new SOURCING Pavilion, an expanded Penthouse show area on 13C, and a positive arc in business as exhibitors reported seeing increased traffic and new accounts. The 2017 Show dates are scheduled for February 27-March 1, 2017, and September 25-27, 2017.

The impressive list of designers and companies seen at the recent Show included 7 For All Mankind, Adidas, Alexander Wang, All Star Apparel, Are You Am I, Athena, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Beach Riot, Bebe, Chaserbrand, Disneyland Costume, Donni Charm, Fred Segal, G-Star, Guess ? / Marciano, HUF, Junkfood Clothing Company, Justfab, L Space By Monica Wise, Latigo Inc, LF Stores, Lilly Pulitzer, Los Angeles Apparel, Lucky Brand, Mattel, Michael Stars, Monique Lhuillier, Nasty Gal, Need Supply Co., Pacific Sunwear – Pac Sun, Paige Premium Denim, Paper Crown, Romeo & Juliet Couture, Rue 21, Saltwater Luxe, Skechers, Sky, Speedo, Spiritual Gangster, Splendid-Ella Moss, Stance, Sue Wong, Swell, The Reformation, The Squad, TJX, Tobi, Toes On The Nose, Trina Turk, True Religion, Uniqlo, Urban Decay, Urban Outfitters, Westside Project, Wildfox Couture, and Zulily, to name a few.

“From day one traffic was non-stop,” said Sam Schechter of Sommers Plastics. Leslie Lesh, agent for European mill Tricots Liesse agreed, noting: “It’s the best show I have ever had. Traffic was good and our booth was jammed. We had over 80 visitors, quite a few from San Francisco and many swimwear accounts. I look forward to the next Show.”

Taking place February 27-March 1, the next Show will continue the growth seen at LA TEXTILE this year by debuting more new show areas and features, including TECH-BY-DESIGN, a new show Pavilion that will spotlight technology resources for the apparel and textile industry. “Fashion is now a high-tech industry,” said Ilse Metchek, president of California Fashion Association (CFA) and LA TEXTILE Show partner. “Understanding the value of the latest in technical equipment, the available analytics and the newest concepts for visual merchandising is clearly the only way to achieve sustainable success in brand management and retail growth. We are looking forward to having a one-stop presentation of these resources at LA TEXTILE in 2017.” TECH-BY-DESIGN will be featured in the new 40,000 square foot 13C show area of the CMC’s Penthouse, introduced to attendees at the recent Fall/Winter Show.

LA TEXTILE’s SOURCING Pavilion also debuted at the recent Show and will share the 13C show area with TECH-BY-DESIGN. The SOURCING Pavilion was created as an organic response to the steady increase in exhibitors catering to product development needs over the past few Shows. Exhibitors in this show area included factories, patternmakers, samplemakers, specification companies, cutting, dyeing, and textile testing businesses, to name a few. The 2017 edition of SOURCING at LA TEXTILE will be an expanded version, including all Design & Direction exhibitors offering textile design, surface design & art studios, color services, garment design services, trend services, and similar companies.  This addition to SOURCING consolidates design and production services at the Show, creating one central and convenient location.

Highlights planned for shows in 2017 also include new speakers and presentations for LA TEXTILE’s much-lauded, complimentary Seminar Program, now including Fashion Snoops who will join the lineup of fashion trend presentations, with more to be announced shortly.  Shows in 2017 will also feature networking mixers designed to create additional opportunities for attendees and exhibitors to connect in a casual, celebratory environment.

The Show is also pleased to announce that it will be extending its partnership with global fashion trend forecasting & consulting agency Peclers Paris into 2017. Peclers Paris will continue to provide key fashion trend directions edited specifically for the LA TEXTILE designer audience, curating exhibitor fabric and trim samples for the Show’s Trend Forum display, and providing Show attendees with foundational trend and color information to refer to as they navigate thousands of Spring/Summer 2018 fabric and trim collections throughout the Show.

LA TEXTILE in 2017 will take place Monday-Wednesday, February 27-March 1, 2017, for the Spring/Summer 2018 season, and Monday-Wednesday, September 25-27, 2017, for the Fall/Winter 2018-19 season at the California Market Center. The Show Floor is located in the A, B and C wings of the CMC’s Penthouse, located on the 13th floor. Show hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Posted November 7, 2016

Source: Los Angeles International Textile Show (LA TEXTILE)