Apparel

Climbing a mountain can get so annoying! All that walking, plus there's gear to tote—water, oxygen ... um ...flashlights, tents, a change of clothes, a cappuccino machine...the list goes on and on! (Full disclosure: I have never climbed a mountain.) Luckily for those who have and do so often, Perserverance Mills Ltd., a textile manufacturer based in Lancanshire, England, came up with Pertex. The fabric is crafted from tightly woven microfiber yarns and is often used in sleeping-bag construction. (That's right, sleeping bags! You would also need sleeping bags whilst climbing a mountain. Add that to the list.) Well, whatever you bring, Pertex packs light and is a great for saving space without sacrificing comfort.

For those of you who stopped short on page 62 of Promo Marketing's June issue, you might have asked yourself, "Why is there a picture of a baby in a collegiate wear article?" No, we weren't suggesting you try to find a foothold in the competitive niche market of child prodigies. Surprisingly enough, according to Mindy Anastos of Ball Ground, Georgia-based LAT Sportswear, infant and toddler items are the most popular items the company supplies to colleges and universities. Joe Ebaugh, director of trademark licensing at the University of Maryland in College Park, Md., agreed: "Little infant cheerleader sets, bibs, youth products … if you can envision seeing a logo on it and having it marketable and consumable, we'll take a flyer on it."

Bolingbrook, Illinois-based S&S Activewear, a national distributor of imprintable sportswear, and New York-based Anvil Knitwear Inc., a leading designer, manufacturer

To begin on a slightly more melancholy note this week, we've had quite a few losses lately, haven't we?

Boxercraft—Bitty Bundles

When I was in college, my friends and I practically lived in outfits like these. Everyone did—they were comfortable enough for pulling an all-nighter in the library and cute enough to look good while pulling an all-nighter in the library without trying too hard. Boxercraft wins again. They really have a handle on the collegiate/junior market. These items come in bundles of three: The one on the left includes a tank, madras boxers and a coordinating headband and the one on the right has a tank, flannel pants and a matching headband. Love them.
(800) 914-7774
www.boxercraft.com

Philadelphia-based Bodek and Rhodes, one of the leading wholesalers of imprintable activewear, announced Mike Steinberg, national account manager, has won Best Customer Service Representative from the Pittsburgh-based Premier Group.

Carlsbad, California-based Callaway Golf recently announced it has reached an agreement with Miami-based Perry Ellis International to design, manufacture and distribute Callaway golf and sportswear apparel in the U.S., Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.

More news on the counterfeit circuit. Honestly, the most interesting part of this article, at least to me, is that the shoes (if they were legit) would have been worth $1.8 million dollars. However, the shipment was valued at $381,740. That's quite a discrepancy. In times like these, it's clear no one can afford to a) fall victim to counterfeiters and b) knowingly traffick counterfeit goods. Most of all, I think this probably falls under the heading of, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." (Women's Wear Daily)

Seattle-based SanMar Corporation, a leading supplier of imprintable apparel and accessories, today announces a final addition in their fall lineup of brands, which will now include Columbia Sportswear Company.

Hit Promotional Products—Military Cap
Military cap styling has grown in popularity over the past few years and it doesn't seem to show signs of slowing. With a higher crown (the portion that covers the head) and a flatter bill (no explanation necessary), the style embodies the urbanwear aesthetic that has been taking the fashion world by storm. This style is simple, yet maintains the adjustable back, which is essential for a promotional item meant to fit the unmeasured masses. Plus, there's space to pull a ponytail through, which gives it unisex appeal.
(800) 237-6305
www.hitpromo.net