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Columbia Sportswear Company, a leading innovator in active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment, announced that the Huangpu District People’s Court of Shanghai, China has convicted three individuals for distributing counterfeit Columbia brand products in Shanghai.
On December 29, 2010, Chinese authorities seized nearly 7,000 counterfeit garments, including almost 2,000 counterfeit Columbia products, with a combined street value of approximately $2.7 million. The goods were seized from two retail outlets and two warehouses in Shanghai operated by Mr. Shen Xianxiang who, along with two employees, was convicted of distributing the counterfeit goods. Mr. Shen was sentenced to 10 months in jail, while each of the two employees will serve 6 months. All three infringers were also fined.
"We take our brand and image very seriously and will use every available legal tactic to stop the unauthorized use of our name, designs and trademarks," said John Motley, Columbia’s associate general counsel and director of intellectual property.
"We believe it’s a matter of principle and integrity to protect loyal Columbia customers from imposters. We are thankful to the Huangpu District Public Security Bureau for their efforts in seizing the goods and the perpetrators. We also thank the Huangou District People’s Court for handing down sentences that send a clear message of deterrence to all counterfeiters."
Dickies, the leading global work wear brand, announced a new licensing agreement with LA Triumph, a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of chef and hospitality apparel and accessories in the US.
This most recent addition to Dickies’ extensive portfolio of licensees allows the legendary work wear brand to deliver a broad spectrum of work wear and work-inspired lines including men’s, women’s, juniors and kids apparel; bags, footwear, belts, socks, medical wear, headwear and sunglasses.
"We continue to sign important and strategic licenses to serve the needs of our diverse, hard working consumer base, adding companies that produce high-quality, innovative products synonymous with the Dickies brand," said Michael Penn, vice president of licensing for Dickies. "LA Triumph designs and produces well-made chef and hospitality apparel. We look forward to expanding the Dickies brand in the hospitality and restaurant channels with their experience and expertise."
"We are excited to have signed a licensing agreement with Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Co.," said Amin Lakhani, president of LA Triumph. "The Dickies brand is the premier work wear brand in the world, and we look forward to introducing new product lines that add to its rich company history."
Design and production of the Dickies chef and hospitality apparel will begin immediately with marketing and distribution expected to begin in Fall 2011.
The Board of Directors of J. C. Penney Company, Inc provided further detail regarding the leadership succession plans it announced last week, under which Ron Johnson will become the Company's chief executive officer, succeeding Myron E. (Mike) Ullman, III.
Upon joining the Company as CEO on Nov. 1, 2011, Mr. Johnson will report to the Board of Directors, of which he will become a member on Aug. 1, 2011, and to Mr. Ullman as executive chair of the board. Mr. Johnson will have immediate responsibility for the Company's core merchandising and marketing functions and will have full responsibility for all other business areas by the end of a three-month transition period. The Board said that Mr. Ullman will remain in the position of executive chairman until Feb. 1, 2012, the beginning of the Company's 2012 fiscal year, at which time he will step down from the Company and its Board of Directors.
Thomas J. Engibous, lead director of J. C. Penney Company's Board, said, "We are delighted that Ron is joining the Company. Ron and Mike both believe it would help the transition to have a short period during which they will work together to lead the Company. We greatly appreciate that Mike, who has been an outstanding leader at J. C. Penney, has agreed to remain as Executive Chairman through the end of this fiscal year to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities."
Mr. Johnson said, "I look forward to becoming the CEO of J. C. Penney and working side by side with Mike during the first three months of my tenure. I am excited to work with Mike, the Board and the entire J. C. Penney team as we lay the foundation to transform the way America shops. I cannot wait to get started."
Mr. Ullman said, "I look forward to working with Ron and assisting him in making a rapid and successful transition, and then to step aside, as has been my practice in previous CEO positions. Leadership succession planning was a key priority of mine and of our Board of Directors, and I am delighted we have accomplished it in such a positive way for J. C. Penney. We are confident that the Company will reach its next stage of growth and success under Ron's leadership."
Fashion press, sportspeople, celebs and Nike fanatics descended upon the Selfridges London Ultralounge to mark the launch of the summer 2011 Nike Sportswear collection and the opening of the new tennis auditorium.
Selfridges have collaborated with Nike to transform the Ultralounge into a stylish tennis arena where visitors can soak up the excitement of Wimbledon from a 360 degree, high-definition viewing platform.blog post photo
Using tennis balls to spell out the iconic sports brand’s logo, Nike have created a fitting homage to quintessentially British tennis culture with just the right dose of modern sports innovation.
Clearly inspired by Nike’s classic style, the best-dressed guests rocked a casually-cool sport-luxe vibe.
With an old school hip hop DJ set from Mark Ronson and Q-Tip, party-goers were able to peruse and purchase this season’s NSW offerings. The collection went down a storm- one of the standout pieces being the timeless Stowaway Trench.
To mark the occasion, guests got stuck in customising their own Grand Slam Polo, choosing from a variety of patches, buttons, coloured threads and initial embroidery.
Nike’s ‘Live for the Game’ arena will be at the Ultralounge on the lower ground floor until 3 July, so make sure you head on down to experience it for yourself and shop the new collection.
Vanity Fair magazine released its International Best-Dressed List for 2010 this week wih first ladies becoming the favorites.
U.S. Michelle Obama, France's Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and the United Kingdom's Samantha Cameron are all on the top.
"Michelle Obama plays a very important role in fashion right now," Amy Fine Collins, Vanity Fair special correspondent said, "Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has a sexier, sultrier look. And Samantha Cameron is the first visibly pregnant first lady we’ve had on the list."
Vanity Fair sent ballots to thousands of people around the world, who are believed to have the inside track on style, including designers, retailers, editors, socialites, photographers and entertainers.
Lady Gaga, cover girl of Vanity Fair's September edition, comedian Alec Baldwin and fashion designer John Galliano also occupy places on this ranking of global fashion elites.
1. Diane Kruger
2. Carey Mulligan
3.Samantha Cameron
A latest conference held in Ho Chi Minh City released that Italy will sponsor the program of development of medium and small sized companies in Vietnam and shoes and leather companies will benefit from it.
This program also wins supports from UNIDO.
The chief technology advisor of this program, Francesco Russo says that this program will invest 3 million Euros in advanced technology so as to strengthen Vietnamese enterprises' competitiveness. This program is to focus on the major weak points of Vietnamese enterprises such as design, marketing, quality inspection, management and so on. The aim of this program also includes the development of business cooperation between Italian and Vietnamese enterprises.
Three industries namely leather and shoes industry, garment and textile industry and woods and furniture industry have already been chose as the aiming industry to improve in following 2 years by UNIDO.
Every medium and small sized company has disadvantages. They lack enough resources so that they cannot compete at international market.
However, if these medium and small sized companies are integrated, they can gain collective competitiveness, which will help them to compete at furious international market.
Excellent design, good quality and professional marketing are advantages of Italian medium and small sized enterprises. Low labor cost and easy access to Asia market are strong points of Vietnamese medium and small sized enterprises. If both strong points are combined together, their competitiveness will be highly improved.
The NPD Group, Inc., a leading market research company, released the results of its fifth annual study on the global sports market, Global Sports Estimate 2010. This year’s report shows that the worldwide sports market has declined for the first time since 2005. Accordingly, global sales of sports equipment, apparel and footwear is valued at 282 billion USD (€213 billion) for 2009, which is a 2 percent decline from 2008.
"The state of the global economy and its subsequent impact on consumers worldwide has had an impact on the sport market, as well,” said Renaud Vaschalde, global sports industry analyst, The NPD Group, Inc. “We found that the market declined 4 percent in the US and 5 percent in Japan which are keys to understanding the global decline.”
While the overall sport market suffered declines, there are pockets of growth; Middle East (+3 percent), North Africa (+5 percent), equipment in Europe (+1 percent), and footwear in Asia (+1 percent).
Looking at footwear, apparel and equipment products purchased for ‘sport use’ the Global Sports Estimate found they performed better in Europe (-1 percent) and Asia (+1 percent) than in the U.S. (-4 percent). Products purchased for ‘sport style’ where down everywhere, -3 percent in Europe and in the U.S. and -1 percent in Asia.
"It is really the impact of the trend for ‘sport use’ that shows us why we are seeing less of a decline in Europe and Asia versus the U.S.,” noted Vaschalde.
As we are seeing the signs of recovery in 2010, so too is there evidence that the global sports market will bounce back in 2010 with a forecast of an increase of 1 percent globally.
"We have just ended the 2010 World Cup and we know that from past tournament years this is a key driver of sales in the football market and in turn that will help to push the overall sport market back into positive territory,” says Vaschalde, “In addition, the U.S. market is expected to stabilize and potentially grow in 2010.”
The NPD Group is now able to estimate the market size for 90 countries in the world. For the top 15 countries, NPD measures or estimates market size broken down by sport. For each sport within those countries, NPD estimates footwear, apparel, equipment, sales intended for sport use and sales NOT intended for sport use separately. The estimate covers the years 2009 and 2008.
Methodology: This study’s estimates of the global sports market’s size are based on The NPD Group, Inc.’s consumer panel tracking data, statistical projections, and the company’s extensive sports industry expertise. The NPD Group measures the athletic footwear and sports apparel markets in 10 countries, representing 70% of the global sports sales. For the remaining 30%, NPD estimates are based on assumptions related to Gross Domestic Product development.
During August, Fashion Bug stores celebrate National Denim Month with plenty of brand new denim trends. Whether going back to school or looking to freshen up casual Fridays, women everywhere will find the best denim at fabulous prices. Here's a look at the latest and greatest in the all-new blues that fit you.
All-new and improved Right Fit. Over the past year, Fashion Bug's team of fit experts developed new, evolved fit specifications for Right Fit pants and jeans. Right Fit uses an easy-to-follow color and shape system to help women identify their body type and which Right Fit pants or jeans will fit them best. Now, all Right Fit pants and jeans have a simpler sizing from 4–32 in average, petite and tall lengths, plus, new light stonewash, medium wash and dark rinse.
Zana Di jeans are back. A customer favorite returns to Fashion Bug with the latest in denim fashion. From embroidered bootcuts to sleek, studded skinny jeans, Zana Di is always bringing the freshest trends to Fashion Bug's denim selection. For frugal, fashion-forward ladies, Zana Di jeans are the ones you won't want to spend the season without.
Secret Slimmer jeans for an even better you. When was the last time your jeans did anything for you? Really. Secret Slimmer jeans include a tummy control panel to help you achieve that sleek silhouette even without the crunches.
Not sure which to buy? Try them all! With all the incredible choices, it might be hard to decide what style, wash and fit to pick. To help women find that perfect pair of jeans, associates will be on hand to assist customers with outfitting the latest trends, finding their Right Fit or addressing common fit issues that so many women face.
Victoria Beckham is said to have convinced her soccer star spouse to create a collection of men's suits and evening wear and he is now working on an autumn/winter 2011 series of garment after giving in to months of requests from the singer-turned-fashion designer.
A source said: "Victoria has been trying to persuade him to do it for a while and he's finally succumbed.
"She's reassured him that he has an eye for fashion."
Victoria, 36, is delighted with her 35-year-old husband's efforts so far.
The source added to the Daily Star newspaper: "David is hoping to produce a range of men's couture clothing of fitted suits, smart day wear and an evening range - and Victoria thinks it will go down a storm."
Though this is David's first time working with Victoria, the former Spice Girls star has previously spoken of the enthusiasm Romeo, her seven-year-old son, has for her career.
Victoria - who also has Brooklyn, 11, and five-year-old Cruz with David - said: "The other boys are all about going to the beach; he's not interested. He's like, 'I want to go to work with mummy,' and he sits there going through the collection, feeling the fabrics, giving his opinion. He loves it."
No wardrobe is complete without exciting accessories. Come and check Esprit’s latest accessories that will complement your look, whether it’s classic or casual.
This Fall Holiday Esprit brings back the trend of classic accessories translating it into bold and edgy personal style statement. Whether your style is chic and classy, grunge or funky, Esprit brings a refreshing must-have range of bags, shoes, belts and scarves to spruce up any outfit!!
Esprit bags come in exciting new styles and shapes that give you a sense of timeless high -street fashion. Ranging from large totes, duffels and small bags with unique patterns and tassels, Esprit’s globally sourced , eclectic collection of bags come in the shades of red, grey and refreshing clean basic colors like white and black. Team it up with basic casuals or make work fun with the functional yet trendy handbags from Esprit.
Esprit Belts is the perfect way to introduce a chic pop of color, texture or bling to any outfit. This waist-wringing item is one of few accessories that can take any outfit up a notch, from fine to fantastic. Wear it along nice long tops, dresses or your regular jeans. Esprit belts have unique designs like buckles for bows, snaps and the usual leather wrap-around for stretchy elastics. They come in exciting shades like brown, white and black.
Make a breezy fashion statement with Esprit scarves. The unconventional soft and supple texture with brilliant details is made to delight your skin and compliments any look you wish to carry. Wear them as headbands, bracelets, belts, necklaces, and bag accessories to show off your creativity. Esprit scarves come in exciting designs, colors and texture.
So if you have flower-printed dress, better go with a solid color scarf. Also, if the dress is dark, then the scarf should be light color. If the dress is black, then go with a colorful scarf. It’s time to get playful, a time to flirt and experiment with your wardrobe!!
