Apparel

HanesBrands, a leading marketer of everyday basic apparel under world-class brands based in Winston-Salem, N.C., announced that it will use its strong cash position in December to complete its previously communicated goal to prepay all remaining 8 percent senior notes due 2016 and reduce bond debt to $1 billion.

Gildan Activewear Inc. recently announced the appointment of Russ Hagey to its board of directors, effective Nov. 1, 2013.

Hagey is a senior partner and the worldwide chief talent officer of Bain & Company Inc., one of the world's leading management consulting firms. 

The recently rebranded United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) has re-launched itself at its annual meeting in New York, amidst predictions that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement should be completed in early 2014.

Kim Glas, deputy assistant secretary for textiles and apparel at the US commerce department, said negotiators and regulators still needed help in working on a list of textiles that all agree are in short supply and hence encounter fewer trade barriers under the TPP. It currently contains some 217 products.

Angela Ahrendts isn't coming to Apple to expand and oversee the company's retail stores. "That's a giant head fake," says Scott Gallway, founder of L2, a global "think tank for digital innovation." Instead, the former Burberry CEO will be tasked to "bring the company's minimalist aesthetic to the world of luxury apparel and accessories," according to Forbes.

Gallway notes that Ahrendts, who joins Apple next spring as a senior vice president, wasn't hired to simply spruce up the company's retail operations. Instead, she'll help Apple expand into product categories such as apparel, handbags, jewelry, sunglasses, watches, and luggage.

Two Cincinnati-area businesses are helping drive a resurgence of interest in screen-printing as an art form.  While commercial printing becomes increasingly automated, the artist-entrepreneurs at DIY Printing in Walnut Hills and Powerhouse Factories in Newport collaborate with arts organizations to teach people how to use manual screen-printing presses to create posters, art prints, and T-shirts.

"There's a human intelligence in the way the inks are mixed, and there's a human touch to the press of the squeegee," said Aaron Kent, founder of DIY Printing.

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Boston-based manufacturer Charles River Apparel is turning pink. In conjunction with the Hair For Hope Foundation, a local stylist stopped by Charles River Apparel headquarters to outfit participating staff members, including President Barry Lipsett, with colorful pink hair extensions. 

HanesBrands, a leading marketer of everyday basic apparel under world-class brands, announced that its board of directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share to be paid Dec. 3, 2013, for stockholders of record at the close of business on Nov. 8, 2013.

As the clocks go back to officially mark the end of the summer season, the nights become darker and the weather colder across the northern hemisphere.

To combat gloomy weather and stand out on-pitch, Nike has created the Hi-Vis Collection of winter apparel, footwear and equipment enabling athletes to train and play at the same intensity throughout the season and with zero distractions. The Hi-Vis Collection features bright and contrasting color combinations of Volt, Electro Purple, Green Glow and Electric Green on the apparel, footwear and equipment.

Eco-friendly products and “green” initiatives are nothing new in the promotional industry, especially in the apparel sector. But in many cases, cost has outweighed demand, relegating eco-friendly items to niche status, a fraction of apparel suppliers’ product offerings.

That could soon change, if the retail world is any indication.

Delta Apparel Inc., Greenville, S.C., recently reported financial results for the three-month transition period ended Sept. 28, 2013. The transition period was necessary to accommodate the change in the company’s fiscal year end from June to September, therefore starting the 2014 fiscal year on Sept. 29, 2013. Transition period comparisons are made against the fiscal 2013 first quarter ended Sept. 29, 2012.