Uniform News - April 2007

New Hires and Appointments

New President and CEO for Fechheimer

Cincinnati, Ohio – March 9, 2007 – Fechheimer Brothers Company, an industry leader since 1842 in uniforms and gear for public safety, military, postal, and corporate markets, has named Bob Getto as its new President and CEO.

Bob has over 25 years of experience in the textile and apparel industries. He served in various executive capacities at Burlington Industries (now part of the International Textile Group), and most recently, led the commercial division of Duro Textiles, a full service producer of textile products.

“I am very excited to join a company with the reputation and the successful track record of Fechheimer,” Getto said. “The Flying Cross brand is an outstanding one, and our team is expanding its reach every day. I look forward to focusing our energy on serving our customers and creating new capabilities with our USA manufacturing plants and with our manufacturing partners in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia.”

Fechheimer is a Berkshire Hathaway company.

Galls Names Calvin S. Johnston President; Christensen to Retire

Burbank, CA, March 12, 2007 – Thomas J. Vozzo, president of Aramark Uniform and Career Apparel Group, comprised of Aramark Uniform Services, WearGuard-Crest and Galls, announced today that Calvin S. Johnston has accepted the position of president of Galls, the leading provider of uniforms and professional gear for law enforcement, firefighters, emergencymedical technicians and others within the public safety and security sectors. Johnston will succeed Gary Christensen, current president of Galls, who plans to retire once he has helped with Johnston’s successful transition into his new role.

The president of Galls reports directly to Vozzo. “I am excited to have Calvin leading the Aramark Galls team,” Vozzo said. “His extensive experience in consumer goods and considerable leadership skills will serve him well as he drives business results and ensures Galls continues to provide our valued customers with quality products and excellent customer service.” He also commended Christensen. “ Gary has made terrific contributions during his many years of dedicated leadership and we wish him well.”

As president of Galls, Johnston will be responsible for managing the apparel and equipment provider known for market-leading, customer-focused services and will be based in the company’s Lexington, KY headquarters. He most recently served as the President and CEO of Russell Athletic Group in Atlanta, GA.  Prior to Russell Athletic Group, Johnston held executive leadership positions with Russell Europe, and Zebco Sports Europe. 

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Aramark has approximately 240,000 employees serving clients in 18 countries. Learn more at the company's Web site, www.aramark.com

Schultz Promoted to CEO at Edwards Garment Company  

Kalamazoo, MI, March 19, 2007 – Edwards Garment Company has announced the promotion of Gary Schultz to President and CEO. Gary joined the company in 2001 and has been instrumental in the growth of the Edwards product line through the expansion of hospitality, housekeeping and more recently the introduction of chef apparel.

Prior to Edwards, Gary held a variety of positions in sales, marketing and business development for various companies in the office furniture, consumer package goods and telecommunications industries. He holds a BA and MBA from Michigan State University.

Gary steps into the role previously held by Fred Reeves, who is semi-retiring but remains an active member as chairman of the Edwards Garment Company Board of Directors.

Edwards Garment has been manufacturing and supplying corporate, casual and uniform apparel for 140 years. The company is privately held and headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

To learn more about Edwards Garment, please visit the Company’s website at www.edwardsgarment.com

Lion Apparel Hires New Sales Reps

Dayton, OH, March 6, 2007 - Lion Apparel’s Government Group (LG2) has added two new outside regional sales representatives to its staff.

Lion’s LG2 manages uniform programs for local, state and federal governmental agencies. Lion welcomes Brad Rekuc and Joe Dempsey who join Bill Hapner and Diane Redden.

Brad Rekuc is Lion LG2’s RSM in the Western U.S. After graduation from Weber State University, Brad played in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers for two seasons and then in NFL Europe for the Rhein Fire.

Brad began his business career in pharmaceutical sales for Med Mart selling respiratory medications. Brad then spent some time with Cintas in the western area selling rental uniform programs. After two consecutive years of being ranked number one in Arizona and tenth in the Western Region, Brad decided to explore his options and joined Lion Apparel

Joe Dempsey is Lion LG2”S RSM in the Southern U.S. Joe has recently worked for Macho Products Inc., selling Redman Training gear. Prior to Macho Products, Joe sold for Lawman’s and Shooter’s Supply, a retailer based in Florida. Joe also has an extensive background in selling law enforcement products.

Lion Apparel Government Group, a division of Lion Apparel, distributes products under the Lion label and is a distributor for leading public safety manufacturers such as Perfection and 5.11 Tactical. Lion Apparel is headquartered in Dayton Ohio.

Company Press Releases

Elbeco Program Helps Dealers Grow Their Business

Reading, PA, March 15, 2007 – A new Authorized Business Partner Program from Elbeco provides a total marketing support program for Elbeco authorized dealers.

Elbeco, a manufacturer of professional performance uniforms for police, tactical, fire and emergency medical technicians, is celebrating a century of manufacturing excellence this year.

“Excellence in manufacturing has given Elbeco staying power over a hundred years,” said Elbeco president David Lurio. “This program is designed to help dealers grow their business through marketing excellence.”

Elbeco’s turn key merchandising and marketing program is designed to build brand awareness and increase in-store sales at little to no cost to authorized dealers. The program features customizable in-store merchandising materials available for quick delivery; a point-of-sale fixture available for purchase by authorized dealers; and market development funds available for dozens of promotional vehicles including product seminars, direct mail, telemarketing, Web activities and others. There is no fee to become an authorized business partner for candidates that qualify for the program.

“Elbeco’s Authorized Business Partner Program offers authorized dealers a clear and organized guide to making the most out of our marketing support program,” said Mike Vasilik, Elbeco’s director of marketing. “Authorized dealers can use the program to create a comprehensive marketing plan to build their business.”

One west coast authorized dealer is tapping the new program to create a gift-with-purchase promotion aimed at increasing sales of Elbeco’s Ufx ™ Polos.

“Elbeco’s Authorized Business Partner Program makes it easy for us to create a customized marketing plan,” said Holly Nguyen, marketing supervisor for Quartermaster, based in Cerritas, California . “Elbeco has always been supportive of our marketing activities. We’re excited about using the program to fund new initiatives that add value to our business and build customer loyalty.”

Quartermaster will use the new program to offset expenses for its spring 2007 catalog. The Ufx Polo promotion will be featured inside the catalog and again on the back cover. Elbeco will also supply branded travel mugs as a free gift with each purchase. Quartermaster is in the process of including Elbeco branding images on its Web site, and in an advertising campaign to be featured in national publications targeting police and tactical personnel.

Authorized business partners can order materials online through Elbeco’s partner portal or via catalog. For more information on Elbeco’s Authorized Business Partner Program, contact Mike Vasilik at 610-921-0651 x171 or mvasilik@elbeco.com.

NAUMD Experiences Dramatic Growth

New York, NY, March 20, 2007 - The NAUMD today announced that significant progress had been made in achieving its goals and objectives for the year. “Our goals were ambitious but with the support of our Board of Directors, committee members and all who play a role in supporting our efforts, we have begun the rebirth of the association,” said Richard J. Lerman, NAUMD president.

That rebirth is based on the association’s strategic business plan, which was announced following last September’s Board of Directors meeting. The plan focused on building membership, expanding the horizons of the organization’s trade show and the creation of value-added educational programs and services for the membership. To date, 58 new members have joined the association since the beginning of the year.

Interest in the association’s annual trade show is at record levels. The NAUMD 2007 Convention & Exposition will feature 33 new exhibitors, a total of 132 booths and a 25+ percent increase over last year’s 99 booths. Senator Saxby Chambliss, the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, will deliver the Keynote address to conventioneers on Saturday, April 14.

Those are also several new additions to the convention and exhibit program. On April 14 and 15, the exhibit hall will host a NAUMD Market Watch: Hot New Products Display, during exhibit hours. Attendees will have the opportunity to sneak a peak at the latest industry products before they’re rolled out to the general public

Also new at this year’s convention is the inaugural meeting of the Medical Apparel Chapter, designed to showcase the growing importance of this market segment.

Renewed emphasis has also been placed on image apparel, which has resulted in a revamped Image of the Year Awards Banquet featuring Bob Eubanks as Master of Ceremonies. Members can also look forward to the launch of NAUMD’s Food Services Chapter later this year.

Programs geared toward traditional market segments have also been beefed up. The postal uniform seminar has been retooled to give it a Town Hall Meeting feel, where members can get answers to all their postal concerns. A similar program is slated for the military uniforms seminar. In addition, seminars are being offered for dealers, manufacturers, and image apparel, as a number of high level speakers on business subjects will also be on hand.

This past year the NAUMD held its first regional meetings in New York and Chicago to provide additional opportunities for networking and educational programs. Plans are in the works for a Medical Apparel Chapter Meeting and Regional Meetings in both Florida and California in 2008.

The National Association of Uniform Manufacturers & Distributors (NAUMD), has been serving as the accepted voice of America’s uniform and image apparel industries since 1933.

To learn more about the association’s activities, or to register for its convention, held at the Atlanta Hilton, April 13-17, contact NAUMD headquarters at 212.869.0670 or visit www.naumd.com .

Cintas Nominates Fashion Focused Programs for Image of the Year Award

Cincinnati, OH, March 19, 2007 – Cintas, a leader in designing corporate identity uniforms, has announced its nominations for this year’s Image of the Year Awards held by the National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD). The competition recognizes outstanding design in the field of corporate uniforms and image apparel within the United States. Last year Cintas won for two programs, the world famous Wynn Resort in Las Vegas and Sheraton Hotels and Resorts.

Cintas has seen an increased interest in fashion across industries and has learned that nearly 70 percent of consumers directly correlate an employee’s appearance to their expectations of products and services. In partnership with top designers such as Lafayette 148, Cynthia Rowley and Michael Kors, Cintas is leading the charge to deliver uniforms that address this trend.

Following suit, the NAUMD has appointed a new panel of judges including magazine editors, fashion designers and experts from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and Parsons School of Design for the award judging. Cintas, prepared for the challenge, nominated twelve of its most innovative programs in six of the categories. These categories include: hotel, gaming, cruise, healthcare, restaurant and transportation.

A perfect example of innovation and fashion awareness is the W Hotels program designed by Michael Kors, powered by Cintas. Combining its designs with those of Michael Kors, Cintas achieved W Hotel’s goal of providing a hip, trendy uniform program aligned with the brand’s image. Other nominated programs include Red Rock Casino, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and Advantage Rent-A-Car.

Results of the NAUMD Image of the Year Awards will be announced on April 14, 2007 in Atlanta, GA. The winners will have their programs showcased in a multimedia presentation led by the master of ceremony, Bob Eubanks, former host of The Newlywed Game.

SanMar Launches School and Team Catalog

Seattle, WA, March 16, 2007 — SanMar Corp., a leading supplier of wholesale apparel, is launching a new school and team catalog for the upcoming selling season.

“It’s a fairly well-publicized fact that schools and teams are the top buying segments in the imprinted apparel industry,” said Lee Strom, SanMar’s senior marketing manager. “This new catalog targets these markets head-on with spirit wear, school uniforming, and athletic outfitting.”

The school and team 2007/2008 catalog is devoted to the needs of students, athletes, fans, clubs, teams and organizations. It features 250 apparel and accessory options on 120 pages. Since color is paramount in this market, a colorguide is also provided.

The catalog includes 26 new products from Sport-Tek® and District Threads™. Compression shirts make their debut in this catalog as well as fleece with an advanced moisture management technology called Sport-Wick™. Port Authority®, Nike Golf, and the PING® Collection are the other brands included in the catalog.

The school and team 2007/2008 catalog is available now for orders and will be shipping to customers in May. For more information, or to order the new catalog, customers can call SanMar customer service at 800-426-6399 or visit www.sanmar.com .

Penn Emblem to Launch new Website

March 20, 2007 - The Penn Emblem Company, known for its superior attention to quality and service in the identification community for over 50 years, is proud to announce the completion of its new and improved website, which will launch in the coming weeks.

Penn Emblem has taken the feedback given to them by their customers and has turned their website around from what was old and outdated to what is now more user friendly, industry specific and easier to navigate. Ease of use was particularly important to customers, and Penn’s new bright, cutting-edge web page offers an all-around more positive web experience to customers. Instead of throwing something new together quickly just for the sake of change, a lot of time and energy was spent researching what was working and what wasn’t. Everything, down to the colors of the smallest icon, was taken into account. With a look that is sleek, clean and colorful, Penn is showcasing the attention to detail that they deliver to all their customers.

Please visit www.pennemblem.com currently for all you identification needs, and be sure to check back frequently for your first look at the new site.

Uniforms in the News

Hospitality Businesses in South Florida Dressing to Impress

Miami, March 13, 2007, (Sun-Sentinel) - Trendy hotels, restaurants and nightclubs in South Florida are making a uniform fashion statement: Dress to impress.

Hospitality and leisure businesses from Palm Beach to Miami are outfitting their staff - from bellhop to concierge, dishwasher to hostess, bouncer to bartender - in designer duds created by some of fashion's top brands and rising talent.

As a result, area businesses are joining the ranks of style-conscious establishments in cities like New York and Los Angeles to redefine their brands and what it means to be a uniformed employee.

"We're going to see more and more of it as so many companies are trying to up their image to consumers," said David Wolfe, creative director for The Doneger Group, a fashion and retail consulting firm in New York. Attaching a designer label to employee uniforms gives companies credibility and clout, he said.

In South Florida, the trend surfaced first in Miami's South Beach clubs and swank downtown nightspots.

Mokaï, an exclusive lounge and tasting room that opened last fall, hired Hugo Boss to outfit the entire staff with two collections - spring and winter. At Karu and Y, owners aligned with Miami label Dulce de Leche to custom-make and tailor suits for many of the male employees. The owners also buy Kenneth Cole for employee footwear, said Phil Zucker, bar staff manager.

The start-up employee uniform bill came to more than $250,000, with the cheapest employee's ensemble costing about $800, Zucker said. To top it off, the company pays to keep employees looking crisp - uniforms are dry-cleaned daily.

At Strip House, a high-end steakhouse in Palm Beach Gardens, its owner commissioned handbag and accessories designer Gita Costa to create slinky dresses for its cocktail waitresses.

"I get a lot of attention," said Kim Keener, 19, a hostess at Strip House. "It's not even anything like a uniform."

The made-to-order frocks are just another fine detail that owner Penny Glazier says helps to reflect the Strip House's brand, which got its famous start in New York and has become a destination for the rich and famous. Costa's up-and-coming brand, ElizaGray, sells collections to Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and other specialty stores.

"The best deal is the one where you both get to benefit from the exposure," Glazier said. She noted that Costa's cocktail dresses each cost between $70 and $100 each and belong to the restaurant.

Some companies are spending big bucks to take cues from the runway gurus. Hotels and other businesses often agree to pay fees to align themselves with renowned designers or will strike retail deals that make designing uniforms more palatable to high-end fashion houses, experts say.

W Hotels announced last August that it hired Michael Kors to design a line of more than 25 pieces to outfit employees at its properties.

"We don't call our uniforms, uniforms," said Erin Shasser, senior marketing manager with W Hotels Worldwide. "We call them wardrobe."

The five-star luxury hotel chain lets employees choose what they want to wear from Kors' collection for W. And to prevent the collection from becoming out-dated and tired, it will be consistently updated to reflect seasonal fashion and color trends, Shasser said.

Employees at the future Fort Lauderdale W Hotel will wear the Kors apparel and accessories. Guests that want to take home their own piece of the W collection, will find some pieces in hotel's retail stores, she said.

"It's a brand extension," said Richard Lerman, president of the National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors.

Even the NAUMD is fashion-and label-conscious: It calls uniforms for the hospitality and retail business - its fastest-growing sector - "image wear."

Why Society Values Uniforms

Wilmington, MA, March 6, 2007 (/PRNewswire) -- If clothes make the man or woman, then you could say a work uniform makes the employee.

But the power of uniforms can also be reflected in the bottom line. Studies have shown they can create a team-like environment in the workplace and, in turn, provide a business advantage to employers, says Robert Isaacson, director of marketing for UniFirst, a leading supplier of uniforms and services to business.

“Employees who feel positive about the identity their uniforms confer on them and display to the public often develop a stronger sense of company loyalty and become more productive," Isaacson says.

Interestingly, the type of uniform worn does not matter, according to Paul Fussell, a former professor at the University of Pennsylvania, who authored "Uniforms: Why We Are What We Wear."

Fussell notes uniforms command respect because they communicate that those who wear them hold prominent jobs that are likely permanent. Isaacson agrees.

"Although the respect a uniform creates can be more readily observed when the occupation in question is that of a police officer or firefighter, it is nonetheless present to some degree in the uniforms that all workers wear," he says. "The professor's findings also help to explain why most businesses personalize their uniforms with company logos, employee names, and more -- doing so helps to elevate the uniformed stature of their employees to an even greater degree."

Isaacson notes this is especially important for companies that operate in competitive environments or are in industries that experience high turnover rates.

To learn more, visit www.unifirst.com

Flame-resistant Uniforms on way to Marines

Arlington, VA, March 10, 2007 (Stars & Stripes) - Marines should start receiving a new, lightweight uniform designed to provide more protection against burn injuries at the end of this month, said John M. Hernandez, a project officer for Infantry Combat Equipment.

The Corps plans on issuing about 120,000 of the new uniforms this year, and all Marines in the U.S. Central Command theater of operations should have the new uniforms by summer, Hernandez said.

Eventually, every Marine will have two of the new uniforms, Hernandez said.

Hernandez was one of several officials from Marine Corps Systems Command who showcased the new flame-resistant uniforms to reporters Thursday at Marine Corps Base Quantico.

The uniform is the latest version of the Corps’ Flame Resistant Occupational Gear, or FROG, officials said. The FROG program began in February 2006.

Marines downrange already have flame-resistant gear, but the new FROG uniform is about a pound lighter than one version of the gear now in use, officials said.

Tests have shown that the new flame-resistant uniform drastically reduces the area of the body that receives third-degree burns in blasts from between 15 percent and 20 percent to 5 percent, said Materials Engineer John Bauer.

As part of that testing, the new uniforms have been engulfed in flames at temperatures of about 1,500 degrees to mimic the initial flash from a roadside bomb, officials said.

The new uniforms can exposed to up to four seconds of flames and extinguish themselves in less than a second, Bauer said.

Regular utility uniforms can withstand about 3.5 seconds of flames at the same temperatures without catching on fire, Hernandez said.

The uniform is designed for all weather and includes a face mask that comes in two varieties for hot and cold temperatures, Hernandez said.

The shirt that comes with the new uniform also has less material than what Marines wear now because it does not have chest pockets, and the uniform’s glove allow for more dexterity so that Marines don’t have to cut the tips off their gloves to use their weapons, he said.

While the uniform provides added protection against burns, it is not as flame-resistant as firefighter’s bulky gear because the uniform is designed to be light enough to allow Marines to complete their mission, which can involve climbing walls and kicking down doors, officials said.

“You’re not going to run into a firefight with a fireman’s suit on,” said Capt. Landis, a spokesman for Marine Corps Systems Command.

The Army meanwhile has been issuing flame-resistant uniforms to soldiers downrange since summer 2006, said Steve Pinter, deputy project manager for soldier equipment.

Like the Corps, the Army plans to have all soldiers in the CENTCOM area of operations have the flame-resistant uniforms, but Pinter would not say when, citing operational security concerns.

Pinter said hundreds of thousands of the uniforms have already been delivered to theater, but he would not specify exactly how many.

He said the uniforms come in three varieties: One for soldiers in aviation Military Occupational Specialties; a coverall version for fuel-handlers; and a version for soldiers in convoy operations or on dismounted patrols.

The Army is also working on a cold-weather version of the flame-resistant uniform known as the Fire Resistant Environment Ensemble, Pinter said.

The FREE uniform currently is being tested in South Korea and the Corps plans to begin issuing the new uniforms in about a year, he said.

About Retail and E-Commerce

Reaching the Gen Y Worker

March 23, 2007 (RetailWire) - Lots of people claim to have figured out ways to get the Gen Y generation to buy. But how do you get them to work?

They are impatient with long explanations, want immediate rewards and heaps of praise, and expect deeply involved bosses. They are willing to do grunt work if it's clear what they get in return and how their job relates to the bigger picture.

"This is a different kind of worker," consultant Bruce Tulgan, author of Managing the Generation Mix, told the Chicago Tribune. "They are not going to come in and figure it out and keep their heads down and their mouths shut."

Hiring and training practices are being overhauled across corporate America as this generation--also known as Millennials--enters the job market. Born between the late 1970s and late 1990s, they are the biggest generation since the baby boomers and the fastest-growing segment of the work force.

On the plus side, employee training is being significantly enhanced because Gen Y members are incredibly technology savvy. Companies across industries are making extensive use of highly-interactive online programs to train this new breed of employee.

For instance, Nike Inc. began developing Web-based training four years ago to teach sales associates at sporting goods stores about Nike products. Their average age is 18 to 24. The result was "Sports Knowledge Underground," an interactive program with animation and sound that mimics a subway system with routes to learning basic sales skills and product information. Soon, the training program will be able to be delivered to personal digital assistants and iPods, and perhaps eventually to cell phones.

"We thought about this audience for quite a while," said Michael Donahue, e-learning manager and program manager for Sports Knowledge Underground. "We knew the program had to be entertaining. A lot of these kids have grown up in the gaming era."

But motivating Millennials appears trickier. Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital employs a more low-key approach than in the past during orientation. New hires meet all the top executives on their first day of orientation. Rather than hearing speeches, however; they meet them during casual coffee breaks.

"We brought that about because of the younger generation's need to connect with the people in the organization," said Northwestern's chief learning executive Justin Lombardo. "They are loyal to the people, not to the place."

Another difference is that Northwestern will seek feedback from recruits at the close of the first session.

"Most Gen X and Gen Ys want to tell you what they think," said Mr. Lombardo.

Among other approaches employers are using to engage this cyber generation, Ernst Young gave a group of San Francisco interns video cameras and encouraged them to 'vlog' ('video' and 'blog') their experience. At CDW Corp., recruits see a three-minute video depicting "a day in the life" of a CDW account management" to provide a more realistic view of what the job entails. And new employees at Stone Cold Creamery see a welcoming online video touting the merits of the ice cream chain to encourage retention.

"A lot of employers are just beginning to realize we can't continue to do things the way we have," said Forrester Research senior analyst Claire Schooley.

Log in Your Measurements, and the Clothes May Fit

New York, March 12, 2007 (New York Times) -Customers bought $9.6 billion worth of apparel online in the United States last year, according to Forrester Research, the Internet consulting firm. But not one of those customers tried anything on first.

That is one reason that online purchases represent a paltry 5 percent of overall apparel sales. Customers return 30 percent of the clothes they buy online, industry executives say.

So why not have a Web site where users can provide their basic body dimensions and style preferences, then see all the available clothing that would fit well and suit their taste? It is an idea so obvious that one wonders why it isn’t an established part of online shopping already: merchandise returns would drop, customers might well be happier and the Web site would earn a commission for every sale.

That is the approach of a new Internet company, myShape.com, which has recorded the measurements of about 20,000 women in a five-month trial period that ended Sunday. The women shopped from personalized clothing collections matched to their style and fit preferences and body dimensions.

So far the method seems to be working, said Louise J. Wannier, myShape’s chief executive, particularly among women 35 and older, the company’s target audience. Customers are buying clothes at a rate far higher than the industry average, and are returning them at half the industry average. Shipping is free both ways.

As impressive as these results may be, myShape’s approach will probably fail to gain a mass audience unless the company can somehow simplify the measuring process, said Sucharita Mulpuru, an analyst with Forrester Research. “They’re probably a little ahead of their time,” she said.

Ms. Mulpuru said only a small percentage of women would accept the site’s offer to mail them a free tape measure, and fewer would go through the hassle of taking the measurements and logging them into the myShape system. Those who do, she said, are rewarded with a computer application that “does a nice job” of recommending clothes that fit the user’s body and style preferences.

Ms. Wannier, of myShape, said that as of today, the company is reducing the number of measurement and style-related responses it requires of users, to the point where they can complete their profile in less than 10 minutes. “We’re still fine-tuning,” she said.

Ms. Mulpuru said one thing that might help myShape reach a mass audience would be if the company somehow offered to take body scans of people at malls and other locations, saving them the trouble of measuring themselves.

Coincidentally, a similar service will make its debut on Thursday. Intellifit, which makes body scanners that have been sparingly used in recent years to help fit customers at Nordstrom and Levi’s stores, among others, will place a scanner at the Philadelphia airport and offer free measurements, in which users remove leather and metal items and stand in the scanning machine for 10 seconds.

An Intellifit representative watches the user’s valuables and logs the user’s measurements and e-mail address into the system. Users are then sent an e-mail message with a password for Intellifit.com, where they may select from an assortment of clothes from seven companies, including Nordstrom, Levi’s and Lands’ End.

Even after getting the measurements of consumers, apparel-matching services like Intellifit and myShape face challenges. Clothing manufacturers can be reluctant to take the precise measurements of their clothes and send them along.

Mr. Charpentier of Intellifit said he recently contacted Ms. Wannier of MyShape to discuss the possibility of a partnership. Among other things, Intellifit could help myShape increase the number of customers who submit body measurements, while myShape could help Intellifit break into the women’s market.

“There’s definitely something we’ll do together,” Ms. Wannier said, adding, though, that it was premature to discuss details.

Designers working with myShape say they are optimistic about the site’s prospects. Randa Allen, president of Notice, a Los Angeles designer featured on myShape, said, “I think it’s way promising, especially for the generation that’s growing up now with a computer attached to their arms.”

But she added: “We’re baby-stepping it with them, though. Hopefully we’ll be loyal to each other, and someday they’ll be a bigger part of our business.”

Should the Web site and Intellifit gain a following, they would join My Virtual Model, based in Montreal, and zafu.com, based in Emeryville, Calif., as technology companies most involved in helping customers find better-fitting clothes online.

My Virtual Model has worked with Lands’ End, Sears and other companies to offer on-screen representations that help those sites’ customers try on clothes virtually before buying them. Louise Guay, chief executive of myvirtualmodel.com, said that in the coming weeks, the service would allow users to mix and match clothes from different retailers and replace the generic faces of the models with pictures of their own faces.

Zafu, which began operations late last year, helps women find better fitting jeans and it, too, is expanding, said Robert Holloway, the company’s chief executive. The site’s traffic is growing more than 30 percent a month, and nearly a million women have logged body-measurement data onto the site and searched for jeans.

International News

Designers Dress Companies for Success

India, March 19, 2007 (Business Standard) – Corporate dressing gets bigger as more and more companies tie up with designers to get the look that sets their brands apart.

Corporate look has moved beyond staid ties and conservative sarees. Multinationals including IT companies, travel, aviation and hospitality companies, cosmetic majors and even schools are increasingly seeking designer help to draw a look that is exclusive to their brands.

“Style direction,” says Anita Dongre, a designer who has done a sizeable number of projects with companies, “to corporates covers corporate uniforms, staff livery, grooming and social etiquette. While we only do the uniforms for corporates, we insist on expert guidance in grooming to ensure that the designer look is justified on the person.”

And it’s not only the aviation and hospitality sectors that have developed fancy designer uniforms. “The new trend that is emerging is the IT companies and even schools coming to us with requests to design dresses for them that reflect international standards,” says Dongre, whose clients include Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Lilavati Hospital & Research Centre, Talwalkars, Neutrogena, BPL Mobiles and others.

Dongre feels that designers can’t really indulge when it comes to fabrics and designs. “Considering the fact that uniforms have to be washed and worn often limits the imagination,” says Dongre. This, however, has not prevented people like Manoviraj Khosla, Tarun Tahiliani, Raghavendra Rathore, Ashish Soni, Ritu Beri, Arshiya Fakih and JJ Valaya from joining the bandwagon of fashion designers for corporates.

The good news is that budgets for corporate uniforms continue to soar. A conservative estimate puts the corporate uniform market at Rs 70 crore, with average project size being in the range of Rs 10-15 lakh for uniforms alone. The basic grooming, styling, makeup and accessories cost extra.

“Corporates like to bring in a designer who can not only design outfits professionally within a given time, ensure they are wearable and also keep a tab on the costing, “ says Arshiya Fakih, a fashion designer who has worked with several hotels in Mumbai, the latest being a seven star resort in Maldives.

The steady stream of money from designing corporate uniforms keeps Arshiya’s label Araiya going strong. The designer has gone ahead and equipped herself with a production facility that can churn up to 5,000 dresses and keep budgets at as low as Rs 1,000 (per uniform).

Price range might vary, but on an average, a designer trouser-shirt combo or ladies wear, can be produced at Rs 900 and go up to Rs 3,000, if finances allow. “The trend,” points Fakih, “is creeping towards western formals, with sarees taking a back seat with most international corporates having operations in India.”

So, a dash of Indian signature style, like, say, an embroidered pattern, would be enough for most corporates who want to follow western fashion. Schools, on the other hand, are getting more innovative with their uniforms with customized patterns, fabrics, cuts for summer and winter sessions.

The only dogma that designers face is the “daily use” or “standardized clothing” tag associated with designing bulk uniforms. The good part, as Fakih points, is that the designers will get to widen their market by piggybacking on the corporates.

Officers to Get Fragrant Uniforms

India, March 15, 2007 (AP) - Soothing rose or tangy lemon?

If all goes according to plan, people in the western Indian city of Ahmadabad should find themselves confronted by those two scents by the end of the year when they are stopped by police.

The city's police department is working with a team of designers to provide 8,000 officers with new uniforms that will be made with specially scented, lightweight fabric designed to keep the police officers sweet smelling and sweat free.

"We think that by end of the year, you will notice a new fresh look when you are intercepted by one of our men," said J. Mahapatra, the city's police commissioner.

Ahmadabad is brutally hot for half the year with summer temperatures well over 45 Celsius (115 Fahrenheit), and its policemen, especially those directing traffic, can spend as many as eight hours a day outdoors.

It also doesn't help that a large number of the country's policemen are said to be overweight, a result of long work hours, poor eating habits and high stress.