American Apparel and Footwear Association

American Apparel and Footwear Association
http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/

For apparel companies it's important to find out what's happing on the legislation front especially if your starting your company in America and using American labor. As soon as you open the link above the you see legislation documents on how the fashion industry is fighting the outsourcing battle.

• This article is about the child labor laws and what america is doing about it

http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/UserFiles/File/PressReleases/2010/121510AAFAWelcomesReleaseofDOLChildandForcedLaborReports.pdf

• This article is about the legislation trying to pass another bill to ensure american labor 

http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/UserFiles/File/PressReleases/2010/121510AAFAHailsHousePassageofTradeBill.pdf

• This article is about the free trade act with korea

http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/userfiles/file/pressreleases/2010/120310AAFAWelcomesFinalAgreementonUSKoreaTradePact.pdf

the American Apparel and Footwear Association is fighting and helping people be informed on whats going on in the fashion industry on the legislation front and the event side as well.

John Hardy on The Green School

John Hardy was a very real and inspirational speaker because his concern was mainly focused on the future for his children. In the beginning the Al Gore movie was kind of funny, how the movie ruined his life, but it's only funny cause it's true. From there on out the whole speech was very serious, as it should be. Living in the pacific northwest, it is very common to find the majority of people that feel the same way on currant environment issues as this. In fact this society I was raised that had these beliefs is going to impact my future clothing line, like, who, what,  when, where, and why of my clothes are the safest and most enviro friendly products possible. Oh, and the fact that they look fucking baller son! Can't forget that little part.

What aspects of the video help me look at my company differently?

1) Stay local - for he started the school and now people are finding his story and school threw the internet and local surrounding communities via word of mouth. In perspective to the clothing line I'm starting, this is also true for creating a sense of community is a big part of business today.
2) The Children - His passion for the children really help me decide about giving back to the community that I live in and that will not only give me happiness, but advertising in the best way.   

John Hardy's passion really came from him care for the future of his children. I wasn't big into books, but music always paved the way for my knowledge on some subjects. This track is off Dr. Dre's album "the chronic" and the song is called "lil ghetto boy" the intro is the part that inspired me to speak up for the future just like John Hardy is doing, for if I don't do anything, who will?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVXsP52XajE

Magic Trade Show. VEGAS BABY!

The Magic Fashion Trade Show aka Magic, is the largest and most popular trade shows for apparel in the United States. So, it's no wonder that I turn my attention towards this festival of fashion icons, plus it's in Vegas woo! Of course there are going to be fashion manufactures from all over the globe with clothes for babies to senior citizens, which ironically some both wear diapers. But, that's off the point of the subject for this trade show taught me a lot about customer satisfaction and the planning of these big events for a company stand point.

First would be the emphasize on customer satisfaction. These trades shows are always focused towards customer satisfaction and how they can further influence your buying habits. Some ways to get people to do your surveys where of course free swag (give aways). I found that people really like the free give aways if the idea behind the free give away is interesting. Stress balls shaped like rocks for Rocawear or something like that, whatever the creation is it's as long as it creative and draws interest that is what draws attention to bring people to your booth to figure out customer satisfaction issues.

Second thing is planning. Planning these trade show are very important for contacts or even publicity. Standing out in a fashion trade show can be hard for clothing lines that are just starting out in the industry. The things that catch my eye are creative booths, for the traditional style booth is very unappealing. For some try to spice it up by putting hot chicks and mascots, which are cool, but the exhibits that enhance the customer experience through different atmosphere well help your booth stand out. Planning plays a big role in the success of a trade show especially at Magic, for if you don't plan accordingly then your going to be playing a game of catch up. Diddy is on top of his, you better be on top of yours. 

Magic Fashion Trade Show Link:
http://www.magiconline.com/

How to Team Build within outsourcing

Team building is a strong point in building a successful company, but if your company is in a competitive market then outsourcing can be the competitive edge your company needs to succeed. The first question is how do I know which company is the best fit to outsource from?

• "The right supplier will have extensive manufacturing experience."
• "Aging equipment can cause future problems. After further discussion, however, it became clear the supplier had a robust preventive- maintenance program in place."

"In sum, not all outsourcing suppliers are equally capable. The more urgent your need for support, particularly with highly engineered, complex components, the more you need a supplier with breadth, depth, and innovative manufacturing-based capabilities."

Now, when you pick your outsourcing partner, now how can you build a team when you can't even see who your working with?

• Videoconferences
• Frequent Visits

"leaders had flown over to participate in the program, one of whom was a team leader for the engineers. She brought gifts for her Indian teammates and spent hours getting to know them. She had an open question-and-answer session during which anyone could ask her any question about herself or the technical procedures. The Indian team leader did the same, asking team members for their opinions on all matters and defining clear roles and responsibilities for each of them."

"The person heading the project for which the team was responsible dialed in by videoconference when I delivered the team-building program and as a result was able to share primary business drivers and the purpose of collaboration."

Alliance Building

When you do build your team how do you make sure everyone is on the same page?

• Clearly understand all stakeholders' needs--not only the needs of the alliance partners, but those of interfacing departments and functions that will be impacted by the alliance activities.
• Create a vision for the alliance that identifies the future direction.
• Create a mission for the alliance that tells why it exists and how it will accomplish its activities.
• Establish the critical key result areas or broad objectives. Satisfying the key result areas will make the vision a reality.
• Formulate strategies that define what the alliance will do to meet the objectives. These should be practical to implement.
• Identify the project improvement opportunities that will satisfy the strategies. These need clear definition, commitment of resources, and established goals.
• Establish a verification process that includes measures and process owners for each project improvement opportunity. Process owners are critical for assigning responsibility and accountability for accomplishing the job.

"In the best cases, the company worked in a divided way, often feeling disconnected from and frustrated with their contractors on the other side of the world, but at least meeting revenue goals."

References/Links: 

Hudson V. From divided to ignited to united. Industrial Management [serial online]. May 2010;52(3):17-20. Available from: Business Source Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed November 1, 2010.

Building alliances with outsourcing partners. Facilities Design & Management [serial online]. June 1998;17(6):62. Available from: Business Source Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed November 1, 2010.

Jenkins J. How to pick an outsourcing supplier. Machine Design [serial online]. July 27, 2006;78(14):54. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed November 1, 2010.

Outsourcing questions with Angela Dawson

My name is Angela Dawson. I am an independent sales rep for 8 clothing and accessory lines selling wholesale to various boutiques, catalogs and chain stores. I am a previous boutique owner/ buyer and jewelry designer. I attend many wholesale trade shows (ENK Las Vegas, Coterie Manhattan, Travelers Show Pilly & Baltimore, and the WAT Show Atlantic City). I employ and manage 4 sub reps throughout the country as well. I have been in this business for 15 years

Q and A with Angela

Q: In the fashion industry are most top fashion lines producing a product outside of the united states?

A: Most of the larger lines do produce outside of the USA. However I do find that buyers are discouraged by this and are willing to pay more money for domestic products. Of my lines, 1 is produced in Indonesia, one in India, and the rest in the USA.

Q: Should a up in coming clothing line manufacture in america or outsource through another country?

A: There is no question that samples should be produced outside of the states however if at all possible, I think production should stay in the USA. Especially if the target is a boutique customer, domestic production is paramount.

Q: Has the economy affected the average consumer to not care about where the product is manufactured vs. the price of the product?

A: No. I have been saying all along that the American woman would bring us out os the recession and I realize most people see that as a joke. There is some seriousness to the statement. We are hard working Americans who have grown accustomed to a certain way of life and I think we are only willing to deprive ourselves for so long.
I know my sales have begun to grow again and while we are not where we once were, we are on our way back. I have seen that domestic production is now more desired than ever before.

Q: If you were to start your own clothing line what would you do about where your product is manufactured?

A: Usually if the designer does a good job securing a reputable factory there is not a huge difference. I know this can be a huge job and most of the designers I know will travel overseas to oversee production.  Hands on is the only way to be sure no matter where production is taking place.

Q: If you were to start your own clothing line what would you do about where your product is manufactured?

A: If I were to start a line I would insist on that line be a "made in the USA" line.  A close friend of mine designs and manufactures in LA and she has great success at a great price point.

Outsourcing Pros and Cons for Small Business

Outsourcing Pros and Cons - Essential Guide to the Key Pros and Cons of Outsourcing for SMBs

Outsourcing for the longest time only really effected big business, but thanks to companies like Elance and Odesk the internet has given the small business owner access to these countries all over the globe. In this discussion there is three main points on outsourcing: General Outsourcing Pros and Cons, Pros and Cons of Outsourcing at the Small and Medium Business Level, and Simple Strategy for Dealing with Outsourcing Pros and Cons. All these subjects were very import for the consideration of either outsourcing my company or manufacturing local. The one that mostly influenced my decision on going local over outsourcing was "possible negative impact on company customers" for what is going to stand out about my company, besides the clothes, would be the knowledge and communication between customer and manufacture. My company is made to support americans in America and has the least effect environmentally. Ordering online will be able to show video upon purchase of a product of a worker that worked on the product thanking them for the help to continue a demand for local business in America. That communication will touch a part of my target market, for to show that a clothing actually cares, but is that price increase worth it to those customers? If anyone can get me the statistics on what percentage of environmentally conscious people have enough money to pay forty/thirty bucks for a tee shirt that would help my business. The products self presents it's environmental aspect, just so the customer knows, wither that customer cares or not that's his option, that's the key customer freedom.

Will you as the consumer really care about how the product is manufactured vs. the cost of the product?

Me as the creator of this blog I am starting my clothing line and do believe in supporting local and the environment friendly product even thought the cost will be higher.