Supima

COME SEE US AT KINGPINS NEXT WEEK!!

2012-01-14T10:02:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK -- Didn't make it to L.A. for the edition of Kingpins held earlier this week?

No problem.

You can catch up with this country's best premium denim show—and Supima—next week in New York.

In fact, Kingpins will be running concurrently with the second and third days of Texworld USA. Which means you can head to the Javits Center on January 16, when Texworld opens. Then, on January 17 and 18, spend your time at the New York edition of Kingpins, scheduled for Center548, the show venue tucked among Chelsea art galleries at 548 West 22nd Street.

Count on seeing us at the afterparty at 6 p.m. on the show's first day.

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: Don Cameron

2012-01-13T07:52:00.000-08:00

PHOENIX -- Recognizing his leadership in California agriculture, and his accomplishments in cotton production, 59-year-old California native Don Cameron has been named the winner of the 2012 Farm Press/Cotton Foundation High Cotton Award for the Western states.

Profiling Cameron in a recent edition of Delta Farm Press, here's some of what reporter Harry Cline had to say:

Cameron recalls that his peers in the desert sarcastically wished California cotton growers “good luck” growing Pima. But, Pima did much better in California.

The Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton does well on heavy ground, of which there is plenty in the valley. Cameron likes Pima because he says it can tolerate water stress better than Acala.

“You can hold back water more with Pima and set more bolls that with Acala. Once Acala blooms out the top, it will not recover. Pima will set more bolls with stress — it’s more forgiving than Acala.”

Read the whole story here.

TEXWORLD USA: Schedule of free seminars

2012-01-07T09:03:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK -- If you’re still on the fence about attending the forthcoming edition of Texworld USA—scheduled for Monday, January 16 through Wednesday, January 18—a look at its list of free seminars may have you heading to the Javits Center.

Among the standouts: “Made in America,” a seminar scheduled for 4 p.m. on opening day.

Co-sponsored by longtime Supima licensees Buhler Quality Yarns and Fessler USA and moderated by Emily Walzer, the editor of Textile Insight, the seminar presents a panel of industry leaders—David Sasso of Buhler, David Roshan of Laguna Fabrics, Brian Meck of Fessler—explaining the advantages of local supply chains. Namely: quicker turnaround times, less travel, better communication, and stellar customer service.

And there’s plenty more where that came from.

Also on opening day: a “Dimensions in Denim” seminar focusing on trends in fiber, finish, and fabric; Laurie Pressman presenting Pantone’s take on new end uses of color; and a Lenzing-sponsored seminar on innovation and sustainability.

Tuesday’s seminars include: an “Acting” seminar led by a team from Texworld Paris, which looks at Spring/Summer 2013 trends with a special emphasis on denim; a session on the synergies between fashion and technology; a look at the West Coast perspective on color and lifestyle trends; and a session on sourcing.

Finally, the show winds up on Wednesday with “The Top Ten Things You Need to Know to Thrive in Today’s U.S. Apparel Retail Market”; a session giving and tricks on sustainable sourcing; and an updated version of Mercedes Gonzalez’s “Starting a Fashion Line on a Shoestring.”

Just remember: All seminars are on a first-come, first-served basis and, although the show and its presentations are free, you’ll need your business card and identification to get into the show.

Pre-register here.

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: San Joaquin weather in the WSJ

2012-01-04T08:57:00.000-08:00

PHOENIX -- California's unseasonable weather may have an impact that extends beyond slow business at area ski resorts.

Writing in yesterday's Wall Street Journal, here's what reporter Jim Carlton had to say:

TAHOE CITY, Calif.—California's wet season has started off bone dry, leaving water managers and the state's huge agriculture industry nervously eyeing the prospect that a dry spell could turn into another drought.

The shortage of snow, which has already hurt ski resorts in a number of states, follows an unusually heavy snowfall last year that has left adequate water supplies in reservoirs.

Lake Oroville, for example, stood at 115 percent of its average level as of Dec. 29, compared to 49 percent on the same date in 2009, when California was still locked in a three-year drought. As a result, California officials remain hopeful that new restrictions on water usage won't be needed, but they aren't ruling out the possibility entirely.

"It's too early to hit the panic button," said David Rizzardo, chief of snow surveys for the state Department of Water Resources.

The season's precipitation totals could still come in normal if the storm floodgates open in mid-January, officials say. Preliminary forecasts point to improving chances of snow following a high pressure ridge that has been stubbornly parked off the Pacific coast for weeks, routing storms far to the north.

December is normally one of California's wettest months. (Much of the state gets its water supply from snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains.)

But only 12 inches of snow had fallen at the base of the Squaw Valley USA resort here so far as of Monday, compared to 163 inches a year ago.

The dryness isn't limited to the mountains. December registered as the third driest on record in San Francisco, with just 0.12 of an inch, compared to a typical average of about four inches.

A renewed drought could have dire economic consequences in the nation's most populous state. California's $20-billion-a-year agricultural industry is just coming off several years of having to curtail crop production due to water restrictions.

In a three-year drought that lasted until last year, federal water allocations for farmers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta were cut to as low as zero, forcing growers to idle tens of thousands of acres of cropland and lay off thousands of farm workers. That, in turn, helped drive the Central Valley's unemployment rate to among the highest in California.

After heavy rains over the past year, though, many farmers have stepped up their production and hiring. That has helped the economy in places like Fresno County, where the unemployment rate dropped to 15.7% in November from 16.9% in the year-earlier month, according to nonseasonally adjusted state estimates. The state's overall unemployment dipped to 11.3% from 12.4% over the same time, compared to a nationwide drop to 8.6% from 9.8%, according to seasonally adjusted state and federal estimates.

While no significant restrictions on agriculture are expected this year, they could hit in 2013 if the dry trend persists, said Tim Quinn, executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies, which represents agricultural and municipal interests. "It's fair to say right now people are cautious," Mr. Quinn said.

The ski industry in California already is suffering from the snow shortage, along with those in states like Utah, Colorado and in the New England region. In Colorado, for example, Aspen, Crested Butte and 20 other resorts had opened only 60% of their skiable terrain as of Dec. 29 compared to almost all of it at the same time last year, said Jennifer Rudolph, spokeswoman for Colorado Ski Country USA, a trade group for the resorts. "Last year was exceptional, and this is closer to average," she said.

Among the hardest-hit ski resorts in California are those like Dodge Ridge near Yosemite National Park that have no equipment to make snow. The 1,500-acre resort still hasn't opened—after opening on Nov. 24 in 2010—and has idled 425 seasonal employees and reduced pay and hours for 25 permanent staff by 20 percent, said Sally Helm, co-owner of the family-owned ski hill.

"We just have to tighten our belts and be optimistic," Ms. Helm said.
Even big resorts that can make snow are reporting steep declines in business in customers.

Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley USA, for instance, have experienced a 75 percent drop in lift-ticket sales this season compared to normal levels, said Jenny Kendrick, spokeswoman for the resorts, which were recently acquired by Denver-based KSL Capital Partners LLC.

Squaw Valley has been making snow since Oct. 31, allowing 77-year-old Michael Savage to ski there last week while attending a weeklong family reunion. But with only about 100 of 3,600 skiable acres open, the Napa Valley wine maker said he will "ski maybe two or three days this week whereas normally I would ski four or five days."

Revenues at Recreation Connection Inc., which operates a Bay Area Ski Bus shuttle to Tahoe resorts, are running only about 40 percent so far this season compared to last year, said Brian McCooey, chief executive officer of the Concord, Calif. firm. He expects business to pick up sharply once it starts snowing again.

At the Freeride Snowboard Shop in the Squaw Valley Village, manager James Emery said sales so far this season are down 20 percent from a year ago in large part because many snowboard enthusiasts prefer to ride in deep natural snow—not the more shallow manmade variety. With the Christmas and New Year's holidays normally a major revenue generator for all Tahoe merchants, "basically, we're in upheaval here," he said.

COME SEE US AT KINGPINS IN L.A.!!

2012-01-03T13:55:00.000-08:00

LOS ANGELES -- Kingpins, the trade show for the most premium part of the premium denim market, is coming back to L.A. next week.

And Supima will be there.

This time, Kingpins will be held at the Cooper Design Space in the heart of L.A.'s Fashion District.

An eleven-floor landmark built in 1927, Cooper sits at the corner of Ninth and Los Angeles and currently hosts some of L.A.'s most au courant showrooms and publishing offices.

Expect to see Supima there on January 10 and 11 alongside longtime licensees like Buhler, Central Fabrics, Cone, and Kurabo.

And don't forget the Kingpins afterparty—slated to start promptly at 6 p.m. after the first day of the show.

COME SEE US AT TEXWORLD!!

2012-01-02T08:05:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK -- The largest apparel fabrics show in North America, Texworld USA, is coming back to the Javits Center.

And Supima will be there.

The last edition, which wound up on July 21 and was co-sponsored by Supima, attracted a record 323 exhibitors from 14 countries and well over 4,500 attendees.

But the upcoming show promises to be even bigger and better.

Slated for January 16 through 18, the next edition of Texworld USA will feature an Apparel Sourcing Pavilion, a trend forum focusing on Spring/Summer 2013, and a Domestic Resource Pavilion highlighting U.S. and Canadian mills and converters.

Just bring your business card (and identification) to the Javits Center (655 West 34 Street) and entry is free.

ON THE RUNWAY AND BEHIND THE SCENES: The year that Supima rewrote the rules for co-branding and sponsorship

2012-01-01T14:01:00.000-08:00

PHOENIX —It turned out to be quite a year.

First came the news that Brooks Brothers’ Supima Collection would expand to include home furnishings.

Soon after, Brooks Brothers mailed its second Supima Collection catalog (featuring those luxe, new, made-from-Supima home furnishings next to its already bestselling made-from-Supima apparel), and the rest of the retail world watched as that catalog set record response rates—not only for Brooks Brothers but across the industry.

Momentum kept building.

By late Spring, Supima’s participation in the September 2011 edition of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week was confirmed. Not only would the fourth edition of Supima’s annual Design Competition transfer venues to the tents at Lincoln Center, but the competition would be reconfigured with participation and prejudging by America’s top four design schools: the Fashion Institute of Technology, the Pratt Institute, the Rhode Island School of Design, and the Savannah College of Art and Design.

When September came, the whole world had the opportunity to note the new status of Supima’s Design Competition. Supima was accorded the signal honor of opening New York Fashion Week, where the live runway finale was emceed by star stylist and television celeb Rachel Zoe, who then presented the $10,000 check for first prize to Jusil Carroll of FIT.

For most marketing companies, all that would have been enough to make 2011 a banner year.

But Supima had a lot more going on than Brooks Brothers bestsellers and live runway shows at Lincoln Center. For example:

• The Supima Collection exclusive to top Bloomingdale’s stores continued to roll out new items, including, in late September, a redesign of the classic men’s T-shirt by Robin Tomas, winner in a previous Supima Design Competition.

• At stateside trade shows, Supima made the successful transition from PREFAB, the Supima semi-annual trade show previously held in Gotham Hall during New York’s Textile Market Week, to a strong presence at Texworld USA in support of Supima’s partner mills and spinners.

• For the second season, Supima sponsored BOFFO, the collaboration between fashion designers and architects that, this year, included the likes of Nicola Formichetti, Irene Neuwirth, Patrik Ervell, The Lake & Stars, and Ohne Titel—each featuring a Supima specialty item during their pop-up store/installations.

• Uniqlo dedicated its own collection to the wonders of Supima, with extensive in-store and online promotions telling the world of the wonders of Supima’s all-American, extra-long staple cotton.

• In late Fall, Supima launched a new, consumer-friendly website, AllAboutSupima.com, with a dedicated blog and clickable links to Supima brands from Agave to Uniqlo.

• For the first time, Supima was also invited to participate—alongside marquee brands ranging from Adidas and Brooks Brothers to Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent—in Fashion for Action, Housing Works' shopfest and celebration at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea.

And just wait until 2012 gets underway.

Here are a few hints of what's coming:

• Planning for the fifth Supima Design Competition has already started. (Stay tuned for the addition of another prestigious design school to the already-stellar roster.)

• Stepped-up partnerships with with licensee brands in both apparel and home furnishings.

• Consolidation of Supima’s web presence for easier access to trade- or consumer-specific information.

BOFFO: An overview of the Supima-sponsored season

2011-11-24T16:41:00.000-08:00

SUPIMA AND FASHION FOR ACTION

2011-11-20T15:11:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK – Fashion for Action, the Housing Working fundraiser, got quite a kick-off at Wednesday night’s VIP opening night at the Altman Building here in Chelsea.

And Supima was there.

Supima (which donated sportswear from the Supima Collection exclusive to Bloomingdale’s) was one of 150 elite brands—including Burberry, DVF, Dolce & Gabbama, Levi’s Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Prada, Theory, Tory Burch—contributing merchandise that was then offered for up to 70 percent off regular retail price.

Wednesday evening shoppers paid a minimum of $150 per ticket to get first crack at the merchandise, as well as wine, cocktails made with Kettle One Vodka, and hors d’oeuvres ranging from peanut butter and jelly bars to shrimp with grits.

Among the celebrities attending the VIP opening: Patricia Clarkson, Amber Rose, Rachel Roy, and Richie Rich. (Chairman Thom Browne’s always dapper presence was duly noted on fashion blogs including Stylelist.com).

Thursday through Saturday, the sale was open to the public.

Click here, to see the preview that ran on CBS and learn what may be coming next year.

FASHION FOR ACTION!!

2011-11-13T17:10:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK --Joining 150 other top brands, Supima will participate in this year's "Fashion for Action," the annual Housing Works fundraising event that kicks off with a charity gala on Wednesday, November 16, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Altman Pavilion at 135 West 18th Street here in Chelsea and will run through Saturday, November 19.

Both a shopping event and a celebration of the fashion industry's power to aid worthy causes, the event boasts Thom Browne as honorary chair (shown above, right, at last year's event) with co-chairs Patricia Clarkson, Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, and Rachel Roy.

Supima has donated T-shirts and tops from the Supima Collection exclusive to Bloomingdale's. Other participating brands include Burberry, Carolina Herrera, Donna Karan, Edun, Stella McCartney, Tod's, and Yves Saint Laurent.

Participating donors will also include purveyors of services, including Club H Fitness, John Sahag Workshop, Jujamcyn Theaters, and the Standard Hotel.

A general admission ticket to the Wednesday gala, which costs $150, entitles the bearer to first dibs at shopping, a silent auction, cocktails, and hors d'oeuvres.

Money raised will go to Housing Works' fights against homelessness and AIDS, with moneys from Wednesday evening earmarked for the charity's HIV prevention efforts and its integrated health care for women and families.

Click here to buy tickets.

GET READY! Denim by Premiere Vision

2011-11-12T11:34:00.000-08:00

PARIS -- Denim by Premiere Vision heads into its ninth edition here at the Halle Freyssinet from November 30 through December 1.

The theme for this one? Explorations and expeditions.

Illustrating the point will be 81 exhibitors from 19 countries, ranging over the usualy heavyhitters like Turkey, Italy, Morocco, Tunisia, and Spain but also including newcomers from Hong Kong and France.

Among the other attractions?

Major installations by Isko and Bossa (which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year).

Click here to get your free pass.

BOFFO: A collaboration between Lake and Stars and Supima

2011-11-12T09:28:00.001-08:00

NEW YORK -- Everyone knows that BOFFO is all about design collaborations.

There's the current collaboration between lingerie line Lake & Stars and SOFTlab, which resulted in the pop-up store open at 57 Walker Street in Tribeca.

Then there's the collaboration between Lake & Stars and Supima, which resulted in the camisole-style top (shown below) that will be exclusive to the pop-up.

Available now through November 23.

ALL ABOUT SUPIMA!!! Supima goes live with a new site geared to consumers

2011-11-11T17:36:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK -- Supima's got a new site!

As of this week, Supima has a new, consumer-based website: AllAboutSupima.com.

And, yes, it's all about Supima.

A consumer can click here to find out about anything and everything Supima-related, from fabric care to celeb sightings.

On our home page, you'll see the Supima slogan "the cashmere of cottons."

Both the slogan and the site supervision come from Supima's own New York-based VP of Marketing Buxton Midyette. Web design and art direction came from Amy Stevens.

In the meantime, we'll gradually be phasing out this blog. But, until we do, you can still watch this space for the latest in both trade and consumer news related to "the cashmere of cottons."

And of course, you'll still be able to track us on Supima.com.

BOFFO’S BACK! Come see The Lake and Stars installation!

2011-11-11T17:11:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK – It was touch and go there for a while.

As those of you who follow fashion and design will remember, this year’s first couple of BOFFO installations were so over-the-top (Nicola Formichetti, Irene Neuwirth) that there’s been some concern about whether or not the last two labels in the series would be able to be produced.

But BOFFO’s back.

Right on schedule.

The Supima-sponsored collaboration between New York-based lingerie line The Lake & Stars and New York-based design studio SOFTlab opened yesterday with an installation that Racked.com referred to as “a kaleidoscope of lingerie.”

The space itself, however, is mostly black and white.

Furry black on the outside.

Sleek white on the inside.

Playing up the naughty connotations even further (“lake and stars” was apparently a Victorian euphemism for a lady’s skill in the bedroom), shoppers can peek into the space through tiny viewfinders set in a furry wall and get a gander at pieces from the Fall/Winter Lake & Stars collection by Nikki Dekker and Maayan Zilberman.

Then enter at their discretion.

But don’t take our word for it.

Get down to 57 Walker Street in Tribeca and see for yourself. The Lake & Stars pop-up store will stay open through November 23; noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Meanwhile, if you’d like to support BOFFO yourself, check out the BOFFO contributions page on Kickstarter.com.

FIBER OPTICS: FTC mulls modifications in fiber labelling

2011-11-10T16:35:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK -- Fiber labelling may be in for a change.

According to an article reported in Home Textiles Today:

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking industry input on potential changes to the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act, according to an advisory bulletin by HFPA counsel Meeks, Sheppard, Leo & Pillsbury.

The act currently requires textiles products covered under the regulation to carry a label identifying the generic names and percentage of the item's constituent fibers, the name under which the manufacturer or other responsible company does business (or its RN number) and the name of the country in which the product was processed or manufactured.

The FTC is seeking input on 23 questions, including whether to:

* Modify the provision addressing generic fiber names so that the reference to the international standard for manufactured fibers reflects the updated standard; Clarify the provisions addressing textile products containing elastic material and "trimmings;"
* Address the use of multiple languages in making required disclosures;
* Clarify disclosure requirements applicable to written advertising, including Internet advertising;
* Clarify or revise the list of exclusions from the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act;
* Add or clarify definitions of terms set forth in the Rules;
* Modify its consumer and business education materials and continue printing paper copies of those materials.

"The FTC also seeks comment on: (1) the benefits and costs of the requirement of the Textile Act that, under certain circumstances, businesses use identification issued by the FTC; and (2) the extent to which retailers obtain guarantees and continuing guarantees for textile products and whether the extent or manner of importation indicates that the guarantee provisions of the Act and Rules should be modified," according to attorney Robert Leo.

Comments are due by Jan. 3, 2012.

Want to read the comments?

Check out www.ftc.gov/os/publiccomments.shtm

ALWAYS IN GOOD TASTE: Chef Charles and Supima

2011-11-09T17:42:00.001-08:00

NEW YORK — "It's the best chef jacket I have ever owned and I've been in the business over 30 years," said Chef Rebecca Charles of Pearl Oyster Bar when we spotted her at The New York Times' Taste of T event last week.

The jacket in question?

A two-year-old classic made of pure Supima Cotton that Charles swears "is so light that it's perfect for wearing in a hot kitchen."

Apparently, she isn't kidding. As we left, a colleague chimed in "she wears that jacket ALL the time."

DON'T MISS IT!!!

2011-11-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- BOFFO's Supima-sponsored collaboration between Patrik Ervell and Graham Hudson is ending soon.

In fact, tomorrow (Wednesday, November 2) is its last day.

So you've got until 7 p.m. on Wednesday to get down to 57 Walker Street and see what Vogue.com, GQ.com, Wallpaper.com, and all the architecture blogs have been raving about.

SUPPORTING BOFFO

2011-11-01T05:20:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Want to give BOFFO, the series of Supima-supported collaborations between designers and architects, a kickstart?

Here's your chance.

As you know, BOFFO's current project is a pop-up for designer Patrik Ervell, best known for his menswear, that's gotten raves everywhere from Vogue.com to Wallpaper.com.

But that's not all folks.

Two more collaborations are coming, and BOFFO is soliciting support.

Go to the BOFFO page on Kickstarter.com and see what you'll get for pledges ranging from $15 to . . . as much as you want to give.

(Pledge $40 or more and the T-shirt we're showing here can be all yours.)

BOFFO IN WALLPAPER!!

2011-10-31T17:09:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Coverage continues for the Supima-sponsored installations in this year's BOFFO series.

The latest?

A valentine to the Graham Hudson-designed pop-up for Patrik Ervell that appeared in Wallpaper.

Here's what Scott Mitchem had to say:

If it weren't for the signage out front, it would be easy to walk by this BOFFO Building Fashion project and assume that it's just another space under renovation in the slowly transitioning neighbourhood of downtown Manhattan. But what might look like a typical demolition site is actually a carefully considered pop-up-shop designed by London-based artist and architect Graham Hudson, in collaboration with non-profit arts and culture organisation BOFFO and one of fashion's exciting new names, Patrik Ervell.

It's the latest project in the ongoing 'Building Fashion' series, which brings together an exciting roster of emerging fashion designers and architects to create dynamic temporary retail environments. A new space launches every three weeks with the help of sponsors MAC Cosmetics, Focus Lighting, Architectural Systems, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Supima cotton are also supporters of the program, which has worked to create exclusive merchandise with each of the program's designers - Ervell created a limited edition ski-mask available exclusively at the boutique.

Born in Sweden and raised in California, Ervell creates elegant, beautifully constructed pieces that stand in contrast to Hudson's trademark rubble and ruin installations. It's a sophisticated juxtaposition here, however. The range of construction materials, including everything from rebar and cinder blocks to planks of used wood flooring - all reclaimed from nearby renovation projects and dumpsters - is styled with the same precision Ervell brings to his collection. Even the strips of duct tape on the temporary floor are perfectly aligned.

Glass doors (their chrome handles still attached) laid across piles of broken concrete blocks create a display platform in the middle of the space, the stacks of plush sweaters on top marking another example of how trash and treasure work together beautifully here. The black leather women's flight suit hanging from the scaffolding system above, is yet another. The suit is a bit of a departure for Ervell, who won the CFDA Designer of the Year Award for menswear, and only recently expanded his focus to include womenswear.

A portion of both lines take inspiration from military garments, including bomber jackets and parkas, which are expertly tailored and elevated by luxurious materials and signature details, like the club collar - present throughout the clean, minimal capsule collection. Wool blazers and printed Japanese denim are also highlights.

While the work of both Ervell and Hudson are compelling, the one aspect of the experience that is universally adored is Maximus - BOFFO co-founder Gregory Sparks' beautiful black Labrador retriever - who will be enthusiastically greeting guests at the door until the shop closes on 2 November.

BOFFO IN THE NYT!!

2011-10-30T05:14:00.000-07:00

Photo for The New York Times

NEW YORK -- Nothing Patrik Ervell does is going unnoticed in the fashion press.

Especially his Supima-sponsored installation at BOFFO, the Building Fashion series of collaborations.

Earlier this week (after the display had already been covered by Vogue.com and GQ.com), the fashion blog of The New York Times weighed in on the shop and the "deconstructed" interior designed by Graham Hudson.

MORE ABOUT THE COMPETITION

2011-10-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- It's been more than a month, but fashion blogs are still buzzing about the fourth edition of the Supima Design Competition--and the first to be staged at Lincoln Center as part of New York Fashion Week.

Earlier this week, FIT's student newspaper gave a shout-out to alumna Jusil Carroll, the big winner: listing her many accomplishments and prior wins (including her $25,000 Liz Claiborne Design Scholarsip). While the FIT blog, which ran a picture of Jusil being congratulated by emcee Rachel Zoe noted:

Upon return from the competition professors Stipelman and Christopher Uvenio related that FIT finalist Amy Bittner opened the show for Supima and Jusil closed it. “They did an outstanding collection–superb,” said Stipelman, of Fashion Design Art. “These are names to watch for in the future.”

BOFFO IN THE BLOGOSPHERE: More about the Patrik Ervell Pop-Up

2011-10-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Maybe it's because it's his first venture into women's wear.

But the Supima-sponsored pop-up at BOFFO featuring menswear darling Patrik Ervell has been making news both here and in the U.K.

The opening party was featured on the "Guest of a Guest" blog. Fashion United, a U.K.-based network for design news, took note of the collaboration between Ervell and British architect Graham Hudson, as did architecture websites ArchDaily.com and ArchiScene.net.

Writing in Complex.com, here's some of what Noah Johnson had to say:

Patrik Ervell is one of New York's most innovative fashion designers. He's got racks on racks of awards, and downtown coolguy cred up the wazoo. Since his collection first hit the shelves at Opening Ceremony, he's been steadily building up his brand, developing a cult following among menswear geeks, and establishing himself as an industry mainstay, not just the new kid at school.

This week Ervell will open his first ever stand alone pop-up shop, in conjuction with the creative design nonprofit, Boffo, at 57 Walker Street in Manhattan. The visually striking space, designed by artist Graham Hudson, looks half-finshed (or half-demolished), with raw concrete walls, built up scaffolding, and duct tape floors. Many of the materials were found on the street, including the glass doors used as display tables. The design very much refelects the temporary, transitional nature of the space—which was built out in about a week, and will be open to the public tomorrow through November 2.

The clothes speak for themselves—knit bombers, modern suiting, and a grip of classic shirts sporting Ervell's signature club collar design are among the highlights. Also, Ervell is introducing his womenswear collection, a smart assortment of pieces spun off of his menswear line. Maybe the best pieces in the shop, however, are the accessories—a leather backpack with horsehair straps, a suede short-brim ball cap and a mix of nordic knit beanies.

New York Magazine's The Cut ran a slideshow of the installation and then had this to say:

On the heels of Irene Neuwirth and Marc Fornes’s gleaming jewelry salon, Boffo launched the latest incarnation of its fashion and architecture pop-up series today. The newest tenants are CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year Patrik Ervell and London-based artist Graham Hudson. Known for his sculptures and installations exploring the art of decay, Hudson's Boffo design incorporates rubble, scaffolding, loose cables, and rebars, all sourced from construction sites along the same block of Walker Street.

This is Ervell's first physical storefront, and the smart sportswear contrasts with duct-taped floors and tables fashioned from salvaged glass doors. You’ll find tailored wool blazers and hand-painted silk button-downs for men and women, as well as fall outerwear and knits.

Meanwhile, RackedNY is already promo-ing the forthcoming BOFFO installation of Maayan Zilberman, best known as co-owner and designer of the New York-based label The Lake & Stars.

(That one opens on November 11.)

UNIQLO ♥ SUPIMA

2011-10-28T17:01:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- It's always nice to be appreciated.

That's why we were so happy to see this explanation of premium cottons in the new online catalog from Uniqlo, a longtime Supima licensee.

As all true Supima fans know, Uniqlo offers some of the biggest programs of Supima knits at some of the smallest prices.

Here's what they have to say about their long-sleeved ladies' T-shirts:

The reason this T-shirt is crowned “Premium” is explained below.

An incessant pursuit of excellence in comfort means the tireless pursuit of the best material, all the more so for T-shirts that come into direct contact with the skin. Today different types and kinds of cotton are grown, and premium cotton has come into use, such as the Sea Island cotton produced only on a certain island in the West Indies, Egyptian Giza cotton, and Supima cotton of the U.S.A.

Supima cotton, in particular, is the highest quality pima produced in the U.S.A. as demonstrated by its English notation “superior pima cotton.” For cotton, the longer the fiber, the higher the quality. Supima cotton features long (more than 35 mm), thin fibers and a silky luster and feel.

T-shirts worn every day are, in a sense, typical consumables. As they are worn, the neckline starts stretching the color starts fading, making them look shabby. To solve this problem, Uniqlo developed T-shirts for women, which are durable, fuzz resistant, and comfortable to wear even after repeated wear and washing, by using high-grade Supima cotton. While making the fabric thin yet does not show underwear, we used the elastic fraise stitch and created a T-shirt with a nice feel and fit and excellent comfort. A feminine touch remains in the best balance achieved for the neckline: it is not too tight or too wide, but shows a little bit of collarbone.

What the highest quality cotton can achieve.

Moreover, the fabric is equipped with an anti-UV function, which is an important factor for women. By coating the Supima cotton with UV protection, the T-shirt cuts the ultraviolet rays by over 90 percent, and Uniqlo has added a small consideration, which promises users nice comfort both in summer and winter without worrying about getting suntanned. There are certain things that we stick to, the more so for the simple stuff.

BOFFO ON GQ.COM

2011-10-23T09:38:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Patrik Ervell is a darling of the fashion press.

So they were out in full force when Ervell opened his Supima-sponsored pop-up shop earlier this week as part of the BOFFO Building Fashion series of collaborations between designers and architects.

Writing on GQ.com, here's what Sean Hotchkiss had to say:

We cruised over to check out another Walker Street pop-up shop earlier today, as Patrik Ervell's two-week tenure will officially launch tomorrow. The industrial space is eerily reminiscent of Ervell's show at NYFW, with exposed intricate piping, and cinder blocks supporting shelves, so no surprise that artist Graham Hudson was responsible for both. The pop-up is third in a larger series by BOFFO called "Building Fashion," and many NY'ers will be familiar with the recent Nicola Formichetti project that took place across the street.

Back to Ervell: the selection in the shop is filled with everything a modern, dapper cat might be looking for: backpacks, gorgeous military jackets, seasonally appropriate suiting, and heavyweight, streamlined shirts. Having hadn't spent a lot of time up close with Ervell's stuff, I left with a few wish list items. Patrik himself cruised in to check on the progress just as we were leaving, and after a quick greeting, we remarked on the small grouping of his women's line that sit on the left hand wall, much of which compliments, and pulls directly from his guys collection. "Don't worry," he said firmly as he brisked by, "I'm still a menswear designer."

A damn good one, might we add.

BOFFO ON VOGUE.COM

2011-10-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

Photo for Vogue.com by Evan Sung

NEW YORK -- The Patrik Ervell pop-up shop, which opened here on October 20 as part of the BOFFO Building Fashion series, has become the latest Supima-sponsored collaboration to attract the attention of the fashion press.

Here's a sample of what Vogue.com had to say about the store on its opening day:

Patrik Ervell showed women’s wear for the first time during the spring shows, and thankfully those eager to scoop his just-for-girls suits and club-collar button-downs won’t have to wait until next year. A capsule collection for fall goes on sale today at a temporary space on Walker Street, open only for two weeks, located within spitting distance of the designer’s downtown studio. Built in partnership with architect Graham Hudson and the nonprofit organization BOFFO, the store is one part boutique, two parts art installation. “Graham has a talent for using simple, almost banal materials and making them poetic,” says Ervell of the weird and wonderful industrial found objects that his British collaborator has pulled together for the pop-up. “The idea was to marry destruction with the possibility of a new beginning.”

Amongst the printed Japanese denim and silk bombers stand pillars that appear to have been crushed by a bulldozer; concrete blocks litter the floor; and a twisted web of scaffolding is suspended from the ceiling. Save for a PVC bustier, the Swedish-born, California-raised designer has resisted the temptation to go girly, and instead his romantic reworkings of military staples for women, like his flight suit, have a subtle toughness about them. In that sense, the stark and chaotic beauty of the space make for a harmonious backdrop. It might not be Ervell’s first retail venture (he launched menswear online last year), but it is the first time that fans male and female alike will get a chance to walk through his awe-inspiring universe.

To see the slide show, click here.

A BOFFO OPENING!! Patrik Ervell Pop-Up

2011-10-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- BOFFO is back!

And Supima is there.

The latest Supima-sponsored installation in this year's BOFFO Building Fashion series of collaborations between designers and architects?

The Graham Hudson-designed, deconstructed pop-up shop for designer Patrik Ervell, which opened yesterday.

Ever since his highly touted 2006 debut at Opening Ceremony, Ervell has consistently been on the short list for any honor involving menswear design. In 2007, he was selected for the Ecco Domani Award for Menswear. Then, the next year he was nominated for the CFDA's Swarovski Award--a feat repeated in 2009 and 2010.

In 2009, he was also runner-up in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award. And, last year, capped that with a nomination for CFDA Best Menswear Designer of the Year.

This collaboration pairs Ervell with Sussex-born, London-based architect Hudson, a veteran of solo exhibitions at the Locust Projects in Miami, the Jan Cunen Museum in the Netherlands, and Arthouse in Austin, as well as group exhbitions at the Camden Arts Centre and the Saatchi Gallery. Last year, Hudson also received the "Designer of the Future" award from Design Miami.

See it for yourself now through November 2 at the BOFFO venue at 56 Walker Street here in Tribeca.

SUPIMA WELCOMES UNIQLO'S NEW YORK CITY FLAGSHIP!

2011-10-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Since opening its first New York store in SoHo a few years ago, the $10 billion Japanese retail chain Uniqlo has enjoyed double-digit increases in its American business each year--despite the dreary global economy.

How do they do it?

Great clothes, unbelievable prices (like $50 cashmere sweaters), superb fabrics. (After all, they do offer an entire line of dedicated Supima sportswear.)

But Supima is not the only thing they're doing right.

The latest?

A state-of-the-art flagship that opened yesterday here on Fifth Avenue. At 89,000 square feet of selling floor, the new store--which also boasts 100 fitting rooms and 45 registers--is now officially the largest store in the entire Uniqlo chain.

Click on the tour above and see for yourself.

(And stayed tuned for next week, when Uniqlo opens another enormous store on 34th Street here.)

UNIQLO OPENS ON FIFTH AVENUE!

2011-10-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- The line literally went around the block.

Even in the rain.

When Supima's longtime retail partner Uniqlo opened its new worldwide flagship here on Fifth Avenue today, thousands of tourists joined native New Yorkers in lining up for the store's opening specials (like promotional $50 cashmere sweaters).

After all, with its 89,000 square feet of space, 100 dressing rooms, and its 1,200 employees, the store is only designed to hold 1,000 shoppers at a time.

THE FOURTH ANNUAL SUPIMA DESIGN COMPETITION: Backstage and behind the scenes

2011-10-13T15:01:00.000-07:00

BOFFO: TODAY'S THE (LAST) DAY!

2011-10-12T05:24:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- If you haven't seen the latest, Supima-sponsored installation at BOFFO Building Fashion, then you'd better hurry.

Because--despite the laudatory press--today is its last day.

Today, from noon until 7 p.m. will be the final day for the collaborative installation between jeweler Irene Neuwirth and TheVeryMany installed at BOFFO's temporary gallery at 57 Walker Street in Tribeca.

Can't make it?

Read what New York Magazine had to say about the installation in a blog post labeled "Dive Into a Gleaming Underwater Scene at Irene Neuwirth's Pop-up":

BOFFO’s 57 Walker Street storefront has been turned over to a new architect and designer pairing, Marc Fornes of THEVERYMANY and Los Angeles jewelry designer Irene Neuwirth. The new space is low-lit and gallerylike, the antithesis of its frenetic, disco-mirrored predecessor. The centerpiece is Fornes's curvy, three-dimensional sculpture resembling gleaming coral, built from 80 sheets of gold-infused aluminum and pieced together by hand. The opposite wall is covered in live foliage, giving the space a moody, underwater effect.

Neuwirth’s earrings, necklaces, and bracelets dangle from branches within moss-lined glass domes throughout the sculpture. Though the ocean-inspired pieces are pretty, you're more likely to ogle here than to shop: The collection ranges from $1,500 to $150,000. The 18-karat yellow- and rose-gold jewelry is studded with chunky stones in beachy hues, including pink opal, mint green and turquoise cabochons, onyx, chrysoprase, and lapis.

Then, click here, to see the slide show.

BOFFO IN THE NEWS: W Magazine

2011-10-11T19:38:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- It's considered the last word in fashion.

And it's about BOFFO.

In its Editors Blog, "The Daily W," W Magazine took note of the new, Supima-sponsored collaboration between jeweler Irene Neuwirth and architect Marc Fornes (TheVeryMany).

Here's some of what Virginia VanZanten had to say:

In a city where it seems like there’s a new pop-up store every week, it’s no small task to make New Yorkers stop in and take notice. Irene Neuwirth’s offering at 57 Walker St. (through October 12), BOFFO Building Fashion’s second in a series of five designer-collaboration pop ups, is (thankfully) less seizure inducing than the first, Nicola Formacetti’s Gage/Clemenceau Architects-designed mirrored funhouse store, but is every bit buzz-worthy. At the opening party on Friday night, while confused-looking guests had to sidestep a construction crew jack hammering directly outside the front entrance, once inside, the spell of an undulating metal urchin-like confection dotted with Irene Neuwirth’s creations under bell jars against a verdant living wall set an entirely different, otherworldly mood.

“He’s so crazy-talented,” said Neuwirth of architect Marc Fornes of TheVeryMany, the man responsible for dreaming up the scene. “It’s like a piece of jewelry.” And while not for sale, more than a few people were wondering aloud about who might have a large enough loft to accommodate the sculpture at the close of the show.

In the meantime, the creation is definitely accomplishing its task of drawing in curious window shoppers—there was a healthy crowd on Saturday afternoon—though Neuwirth’s exquisite creations are a bit more expensive than the budget of most casual window shoppers. At a much more impulse-purchase-y price of $80 is a very cool black tote bag emblazoned with a picture of Neuwirth’s dog decked out in her jewels. “He looks like Luke Wilson from The Royal Tenenbaums,” says Neuwirth with a laugh. “That was literally me being bored in my office thinking, ‘I wonder what my jewelry would look like on him.’” Fingers crossed for a tote bag capsule collection.

BOFFO IN THE BLOGOSPHERE: 'Crazy Biomorphic playground'

2011-10-11T15:28:00.000-07:00

Photo by Evan Joseph

NEW YORK -- Supima's sponsorship of the BOFFO Building Fashion collaboration between jeweler Irene Neuwirth and Marc Fornes continues to attract attention in the design press.

The latest?

A shout-out from the International Business Times, which praised BOFFO on its Art & Design blog.

Writing in a piece that also appeared in ArchDaily, here's some of what Karen Cilento said:

We introduced BOFFO’s fashion + architecture collaborative project, and began the week with the first installment by Nicola Formichetti + Gage/Clemenceau Architects. As each pair of fashion designer and architect shows their project for two short weeks, the second team of Irene Neuwrith and Marc Fornes is now in place. Neuwirth, a leading US jewelry designer, has transformed the 1800 sqf space at 57 Walker Street into a crazy biomorphic playground to display her designs with the hep of Marc Fornes, one of the leading figures in the development of computational protocols applied to the field of design and fabrication.

To get the whole story, click here.

SUPIMA ON TV: Broadcast fashion in Thailand

2011-10-04T07:03:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK -- Since it was co-sponsored by "Living Fashion," a segment on Thailand's popular Chic Channel, two television producers came along for the ride when winners of the Cotton USA Design Challenge completed their recent U.S. tour.

The resulting program, broadcast as a three-part series, reached over half a million Thai consumers.

And Supima was there.

The program's host wore the winners' dresses during a tour of U.S. cotton and fashion hot spots that included Hollywood, a pima cotton farm and gin in California's San Joaquin Valley, and the runway finale of the fourth annual Supima Design Competition during the most recent New York Fashion Week.

This month, a two-part series covering the competition and the winners' tour of the U.S. will also air on Thailand's "In Trend" and "iTeen."

BOFFO IN THE BLOGOSPHERE!!!

2011-10-04T04:32:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Already, the glitterati-packed party celebrating jeweler Irene Neuwirth's Supima-sponsored installation at BOFFO, which opened last week, has been noted in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Now it's all over the blogs too.

Contemporist.com called the 1,800-square-foot space at 57 Walker Street designed by Marc Fornes/THEVERYMANY "a pure and natural inspired collaboration" and ran photos by Evan Joseph. Architizer interviewed Fornes in-depth about his design. But Guest of a Guest took another approach by focusing on the social clout of attendees.

Trendhunter thought the installation looked like "the Great Barrier Reef," while blogs like Allhitecture and New Millionaire picked up on the Contemporist and Trendhunter postings.

See it for yourself on Neuwirth's own blog.

Or visit the installation's own Facebook page by clicking here.

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: BOFFO in the WSJ

2011-10-03T15:55:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Supima's sponsorship of jeweler Irene Neuwirth's installation at BOFFO has been attracting all kinds of attention from the art, fashion, and society press.

In a short feature headlined "Glitter, Glitterati at Popup," here's what Mike Vilensky, writing in the Wall Street Journal, had to say:

Irene Neuwirth, a jewelry designer, launched a TriBeCa popup shop Friday, a cavernous space in which her wares, priced from $1,500 to $175,000, were displayed among gold, treelike statues designed in collaboration with architect Marc Fornes. Ms. Neuwirth said she expects customers to check out the space and "get to know the brand more" rather than spend a lot of money.

The actor Jake Gyllenhaal was in attendance. But aside from him, the dance floor was filled with boldface names from the indie music world, including Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig, Grizzly Bear singer/songwriter Ed Droste, Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti and the singer/harpist Joanna Newsom.

Last weekend, Mr. Droste married long-term boyfriend Chad McPhail on Cape Cod, he said. (That's the indie music equivalent of the Kardashian/Humphries union.) "The exclusive on it is in my memory," Mr. Droste, wearing a simple gold wedding band, joked.

Mr. Gyllenhaal, nonchalantly mingling with the musicians, casually leaned against a wall and chatted up a woman. (He declined to have his photo taken.) Asked who the actor might be jewelry shopping for, Ms. Neuwirth said, "Oh, nobody here!"

Mr. Gyllenhaal was asked if he support the Wall Street protesters, but he only laughed and shrugged. Pressed for further comment, he zipped his lips with a finger, still laughing.

SEE THE WHOLE SHOW! The Fourth Annual Supima Design Competition from start to finish!

2011-10-03T15:37:00.000-07:00

A PEEK INSIDE BOFFO

2011-10-03T08:45:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Here's a walk-through of the latest Supima-sponsored installation at BOFFO: The starry pop-up shop for jewelry designer Irene Neuwirth that opened last week at 57 Walker Street.

SUPIMA IN THE BLOGOSPHERE: Irene Neuwirth and BOFFO

2011-10-03T08:14:00.000-07:00

Photo by Brian Park for the NYT

NEW YORK -- The New York Times called it "Sparkle Spot."

They were, of course, referring to the latest Supima-sponsored installation at BOFFO, the "Building Fashion" collaboration series.

Writing in the Women's Fashion blog of T Magazine, the style magazine of The New York Times, Chelsea Zalopany said:

Irene Neuwirth prefers to keep things low key. The Los Angeles-based fine jewelry designer has never been one for pop-up shops or Fashion’s Night Out extravaganzas. But when BOFFO, the art and culture nonprofit, approached her about participating in its annual designer series, Neuwirth just couldn’t resist. “When I was a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, I became really friendly with Richard Chai,” says Neuwirth, by way of explaining her excitement about working with BOFFO, the group that initiated Chai’s memorable ice age pop-up last year. “After visiting Richard’s shop, I thought, What a cool project. This is something I would like to be a part of.” Neuwirth’s shop (57 Walker Street), which features a starry metal installation by the architect Marc Fornes of “The Very Many” and a living wall of lush green plants, is open until Oct. 12 and stocks Neuwirth’s one-of-a-kind rainbow moonstone pendant necklaces and pieces from her new diamond collection. “I love the contrast between my very modern and feminine gems and Marc’s really modern and conceptual work,” Neuwirth says.

A BOFFO PARTY!!

2011-10-01T08:13:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- To celebrate the opening of jewelry designer Irene Neuwirth's installation at BOFFO BUILDING FASHION, W Magazine threw an invitation-only party at the BOFFO site at 57 Walker Street last night.

And Supima was there.

Supima sponsored the installation, which included a pop-up store and a special-edition bag designed by Neuwirth. Music was provided by Chris Bear of Grizzly Bear.

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: Louise Gray

2011-09-30T04:07:00.000-07:00

LONDON -- New York Fashion Week opened with the runway finale of the fourth annual Supima Design Competition at Lincoln Center.

Then, a week later, the fashion world turned to London Fashion Week.

And Supima was there too.

For the third season in a row, Supima sponsored London-based designer Louise Gray, who was showing a Spring/Summer 2012 collection made of U.S.-grown cotton provided by Supima.

Read the review on Style.com. Or see the current show, plus an overview of previous collections on New York Magazine's site.

SUPIMA IN THE BLOGOSPHERE: Katya Leonovich

2011-09-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Her designs have appeared in the pages of Le Figaro, Paris Match, and Russian Vogue.

She was a winner in Supima's inaugural Design Competition. And from there went on to show at Couture Fashion Week.

But Katya Leonovich hasn't stopped yet.

Her latest?

Debuting a namesake bridal collection during the most recent New York Fashion Week.

Read about her latest in MissFashionNews.com, FashionPulseDaily, and Dressful.

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: Finalist Marlow Larson

2011-09-26T07:05:00.000-07:00

GAINESVILLE, Georgia -- Any one of the eight finalists in the fourth annual Supima Design Competition, which concluded earlier this month during Fashion Week at Lincoln Center, could be counted as a winner.

Proof?

This profile of Marlow Larson in today's edition of The Gainesville Times.

Writing in an article titled "Gainesville student's passion for fashion lands him in the Big Apple for 2 shows," here's what reporter Brandee A. Thomas had to say:

Many students struggle to make a name for themselves right after graduating from college, but not Marlow Larson.

After his recent experiences, Larson is no longer an up-and-coming designer, he has officially arrived.

Just a few short months after graduation, the Gainesville native was able to score spots in not one, but two shows during New York Fashion Week.

"It’s been a very lucky year for me," said Larson, the 22-year-old designer.

Fashion week is the place where powerhouses like Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang — and now Larson — showcase their latest designs for the upcoming season.

Larson participated in the ELLE Magazine’s Fashion/Next and the Supima Design Competition during fashion week earlier this month.

After reviewing the designs from his senior collection, Larson was selected as one of 22 student designers out of a pool of 86 hopefuls for the ELLE Magazine show.

For that show, Larson showcased two designs that were inspired by photographs from the 1930s and vintage men’s workwear.

"It’s very luxe," Larson said.

"Kind of a new take on the classics."

Whereas the ELLE designs were based on menswear, the Supima competition pieces were all woman.

"It was originally inspired by all things art deco. The rules of the competition said we had to do evening wear, but I wanted to move beyond the evening gown," Larson said.

"I didn’t want to just show five evening dresses, so I did some jackets and separates that you could mix and match."

Although the competition requirements stipulated that the majority of the material used had to be Supima cotton, Larson says they were allowed to include a few surprises.

"I threw in some silk charmeuse for a little more glamour and some Swarovski (crystals) for art deco details," Larson said.

The eight participants in the competition were vying for a $10,000 prize purse. Although a graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology won, Larson says the entire Big Apple experience was amazing.

"It is so outrageous to be given this opportunity. I think it’s really unheard of at the age of 22 to show two times in fashion week," Larson said.

"I still haven’t wrapped my head around it. Even as I was backstage watching the models on the runway, it still wasn’t quite registering. The whole week was very surreal."

He enjoyed New York so much, that he’s decided to make it his home away from home. He’s currently freelancing with J.Crew, but he’s on the prowl for a full time position.

"I interned in New York last summer for Tommy Hilfiger and I fell in love with the city. Even though (that summer) I was sharing an one-bedroom apartment with no air conditioning with two (roommates), the experience was everything that I wanted it to be," Larson said.

"New York is the center of American fashion, so I think in order to get a job I would enjoy, I definitely need to be here."

SUPIMA IN 3D!!! The runway finale of the Supima Design Competition!!!

2011-09-26T04:56:00.000-07:00

SUPIMA IN THE BLOGOSPHERE: Temple of Glam

2011-09-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- It was a blogger's dream.

Eight young designers, the opening of another Fashion Week in New York, a great soundtrack, a heavy-hitting panel of judges, and none other than Rachel Zoe there to emcee.

Writing about the runway finale of the fourth Supima Design Competition in Temple of Glam, here's what Shaunequa Brathwaite had to say:

What do you get when you have eight burgeoning designers, supima cotton, and add in a little Rachel Zoe? You get the Supima Design Competition. The challenge for all eight designers was to create designs using "superior" pima (or supima) cotton.

I'm more than a little obsessed with contest winner, Jusil Carroll's unique take on the evening gown; it's equipped with an architectural hip detail, denim train, and leather embellishments. You know I love my leather.

Here's footage from the show...so many talented designers, so little time. Well, two minutes to be exact.

Click here to see the pictures she posted.

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: The Supima Design Competition

2011-09-25T03:10:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- As the fashion world recovers from New York Fashion Week, reports are still coming in about the runway finale of the fourth annual Supima Design Competition.

Here's some of what staff reporter Yi Yang, writing in The Epoch Times, had to say:

Aside from traditional fashion shows, this year’s Fashion Week at Lincoln Center featured the Supima Design Competition, where students from four different schools compete to design the best pieces out of Supima Cotton. Another special show is Fatigued to Fabulous, where female veterans are dressed in designer apparel and walk down the runway. The Epoch Times asked the a few of the attendees about the opening shows and the their personal taste in fashion.

Michael Fink [right], dean of the School of Fashion at the Savannah College of Art and Design, goes to Fashion Week every year. He attended the Supima Design Competition, and has a full schedule for the entire fashion week. “It's an exciting and invigorating week,” says Fink. He described his style as “bold and quirky conservative.”

To read the rest, click here.

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: DNA testing

2011-09-25T02:59:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Supima has always been known as an industry leader.

Now its initiative on DNA authentication is setting the standard for other high-end textile makers.

In a recent story, Gizmodo noted that wool merchants are now using Applied DNA Sciences (the same company that supplied Supima) for their own anti-counterfeit testing.

Read the story here.

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: Robin Tomas in The Inquirer

2011-09-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

MANILA -- Robin Tomas, a winner in the 2010 edition of the Supima Design Competition, continues to attract international attention for his design career.

Writing in today's edition of The Philippine Daily Inquirer, here's what reporter Vicky Herrera had to say about the New York-based designer:

A girl biking in a gown––that’s something you don’t see here in Manila,” says designer Robin Tomas, juxtaposing the usual sights of Manila and New York.

“People there don’t care,” he adds. He has become more assertive since he moved to New York. “I guess, when you think people don’t really care about who you are, the more courageous you become; the more assertive you become,” he says with a knowing smile.

He has been living in NYC for a decade now. It’s the city that has nurtured his style aesthetics and provided him with valuable work experience in the fashion industry. After graduating from Parsons School of Design, Tomas interned for international fashion houses such as Valentino and Anna Sui.

Last year, he won the Supima Design Competition for the “Best Reinvention of the T-shirt,” which was sold in the world famous Bloomingdale’s store in Manhattan. On Sept. 8, he launched his Fall 2011 collection during the city’s “Fashion’s Night Out” event.

Inner artist

Drawing was always something innate. Tomas used to love visiting churches when he was young. He would draw the saints and the clothes they were wearing. The love of fashion design was rekindled only after he was working for an advertising agency in Manila.

“I worked for two years as an art director,” says this fine arts and visual communications graduate, whose family roots were in advertising. It was then he started getting interested in fashion.

Tomas has always looked at fashion as art. As a vantage point, he would start by asking, “how do you achieve something to look good that way?” Then, he will get into the details of things—cutting, pattern making and draping—blending construction and art into his work.

He also has a love for architecture. When he was 11, he wanted to be an architect, but his difficulty with math got in the way. Although he found it intimidating, he still appreciates good architecture. No wonder New York brings a sense of awe to Tomas. It is a city filled with rich history, art and architecture.

Inspired designs

The shape of the city can be traced to Tomas’ design style, down to the shape of his clothes. He gravitates towards classic silhouettes. “I try to grow out of what it is, maybe in terms of fabrication and cut,” he says.

For Tomas, it’s about making a woman or a man look beautiful. When designing, he thinks of strong women, like Angelina Jolie. “She embodies this strength within, you can tell. Her femininity is very strong,” he says.

He also mentions his mom, actress and comedian Tessie Tomas as an inspiration. “I look up a lot to my mom. I think she embodies a lot of those qualities of a strong woman.”

He also looks for the same qualities when designing for men. “He has to be very confident, very sensual without trying too hard,” he says. “Cute without him knowing it, kind of like Bradley Cooper. Someone who can make fun of himself and he doesn’t care,” he adds.

Coping with challenges

Tomas carefully pauses after every reply. He has remained humble and earnest about his craft because it wasn’t an easy road getting to where he is now.

He recalls the days when the US economy wasn’t doing so well, he got laid off and learned his toughest lessons.

“When it happens your ego gets really bruised,” he says.

“You ask yourself, ‘Am I good? Why was I laid off?’ As an artist you can’t take it personally. You just have to deal with how you have to cope. Lay offs are like break ups in a professional way,” he states.

This experience gave him the inner strength and determination to keep on pressing forward. He took it one day at a time and constantly reassured himself: “It’s not you … change is good. Those are real challenges in the industry.”

The crises emboldened him.

“It’s very competitive,” he said about the fashion industry “Inherently, you just have to breathe that. It trickles down to who you are as a person, as a partner, as a worker, as an artist. It’s part of the energy it gives and you give back.”

Bright future

Tomas is set to bring some of his New York life back to Manila. He was tapped by Penshoppe to design a capsule collection. “It’s an opportunity for me to explore,” he beams of his new baby, excited for the collection for men and women.

In addition to his Penshoppe line, Tomas’ Fall 2011 Collection, that was launched at the Anik Boutique on Madison Avenue, will also find its way to the Philippine stores.

For the new up and coming fashion designers, Tomas offers his own heart-felt advice: “Keep going and believe in yourself. Keep doing what you’re doing. Continue to be inspired and help other people to be inspired.”

SUPIMA IN THE BLOGOSPHERE: New looks at the Competition

2011-09-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Want a fashion insider's view of the recent runway finale of the Supima Design Competition?

Try the Tineey.com blog by Christine Tsang.

Or, better yet, see her pics of the event by clicking here.

SUPIMA ON FASHION TV!!!

2011-09-23T15:04:00.000-07:00

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: Fessler in Textile World

2011-09-21T14:03:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- The headline read "Onshore, On Time."

The subject?

FesslerUSA, a longtime Supima licensee.

Writing in a recent issue of trade journal Textile World, here's some of what associate editor Sarah Thomasson had to say:

"Made in the USA" is a mantra increasingly heard in the textile and apparel industry — signaling a turning of the tide that has sent so much sourcing offshore. Since its founding 111 years ago, private-label knitwear and fabric manufacturer FesslerUSA has held fast to that mantra.

The company's beginnings trace back to 1900, when Walter Meck, grandfather of current CEO Walter Meck, left the family farm and founded Meck & Co., a cotton underwear manufacturer in the Pennsylvania Dutch river port of Schuylkill Haven. After surviving two world wars, a depression and two recessions, the company was sold in 1960 by Walter's son, Charles, to H.H. Fessler Knitting Co. In 1994, the Meck family reacquired the company and restructured it with the goal of keeping manufacturing in the United States.

Read the rest here.

COME SEE US AT PV!!!

2011-09-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

VILLEPINTE, France -- The latest edition of Première Vision Pluriel does not disappoint.

Besides showing the trends for Autumn/Winter 2012/2013, the current PV (which concludes tomorrow) has attracted 31 new exhibitors, held its third PV awards, and launched a "Maison d'Exceptions," which aims to foster links between craft and industry.

And, of course, Supima is here.

If you hurry, you've still got time to visit us at the Expofil portion of the show, where you'll find us in Stand 5B14-5C13.)

For the show's interactive color card, click here.

SOFT, CUDDLY . . . SUPIMA!

2011-09-21T06:18:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Another reason you won't want to miss the initial installation of this year's BOFFO?

A gigantic panda. Designed by Nicola Formichetti. Made entirely of Supima corduroy. (Seen above.)

And a smaller panda-purse. Designed by Nicola Formichetti. Made entirely of Supima corduroy. (Seen below.)

But whether you're going to see the panda or shop the panda, you'd better hurry. Today is the last day of the Formichetti installation.

HURRY TO BOFFO!! Today's the last day of the Formichetti installation

2011-09-21T01:08:00.000-07:00

SUPIMA GOES BOFFO!!

2011-09-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- September 8 was quite a day for Supima.

Not only was it the opening day of New York Fashion Week and the runway finale of the fourth annual Supima Design Competition (but the first ever held as part of the shows at Lincoln Center).

It also marked the grand opening of BOFFO Building Fashion at 50 Walker Street, the arts-meet-fashion series that boasts Supima as its founding sponsor.

The first in this year's series: a collaboration between Nicola Formichetti (the creative director of Mugler who's become best known as the fashion director for Lady Gaga) and architects Gage/Clemenceau, the New York-based practice best known for its innovative use of technology.

And already, the collaboration has drawn press attention from sources as various as the Kansas City Star and Yale Daily News.

Read about it on:

Channel Thirteen WNET's blog

Dexigner.com

Designwire Daily

Thinkcontra.com

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: Reviewing the runway

2011-09-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

Photo by Arun Nevader for Agenda.

NEW YORK -- The runway show that launched the recent New York Fashion Week and formed the finale of the fourth annual Supima Design Competition is still earning plenty of press.

The most recent—-and possibly the most thorough--appeared under Kaylene Peoples' byline in Agenda's online magazine.

Accompanied by backstage photos shot by Arun Nevader, it was perhpas the only site to offer not just a review of Jusil Carroll's winning collection, but of the capsule collections of all eight competitors:

Celebrity stylist Rachael Zoe and Jesse Curlee of Supima hosted the finals of Supima’s fourth annual design competition at Lincoln Center, September 8, 2011, during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. The judges of the competition were Coco Rocha, Charlotte Ronson, Kevin Harter, Buxton Midyette, Nicole Miller, and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson. The lineup consisted of eight students from FIT, RISD, SCAD, and Pratt. Each presented five pieces. One running theme was corduroy!

The first designer out the gate was MaRu Jung (PRATT), who presented four strapless dresses and one elbow-length sleeves dress consisting of bleached, dyed, painted, and stamped denim each tastefully embellished with painted lace and beading.

Designer Dara Rosen (Rhode Island School of Design) had a variety of A-line dresses, diametric single strap with lovely purples. Her evening gowns were nice with subtle trains and corduroy. My favorite piece was the sleeveless cocktail dress of the dyed and stamped jersey embellished with beads and sequins.

Rachel Pullman (Rhode Island School of Design) had a bevy of corduroy cocktail dresses, and hoop skirts made an appearance. I loved the exposed backs—this was the charm of the mini dresses. Pullman’s emerald gown with a charming cape was no exception. Corduroy was apparent in this mini collection. Many of her dresses had the cape effect. My favorite piece was the sleeveless evening dress with plunging neckline, constructed of dyed jersey with black foil embellishment.

Connie Weng’s (Rhode Island School of Design) gowns were bias cut. My favorite in this collection was the draped, denim, one shoulder cocktail dress with asymmetric hem. Her beige free-flowing dress was also another favorite. I appreciated her attention to trend as she incorporated orange floral into her color palette.

Marlow Larson (Savannah College of Art and Design) had really inventive pieces consisting of an evening ensemble constructed of tea-dyed and ink-painted twill. I also really appreciated her bracelet-sleeved evening dress with elongated side and back accessory, constructed of corduroy.

Lorena Cuevas (Savannah College of Art and Design) showed incredible inspirations. The one-shoulder evening gown with diagonal standing collar, constructed of dyed denim with hand-painted and embroidered embellishment, giving this collection a futuristic quality.

Amy Bittner (Fashion Institute of Technology) surprised me with peasant influences. Her strapless cocktail dress in olive twill with gold lace was indeed a surprise, along with her mermaid gown in black corduroy with lace accents, worn with cage peplum constructed from self-fabric cording. She also utilized knitted appliqués.

Jusil Caroll (Fashion Institute of Technology) presented leather shoulder harnesses. She had my favorite dress of all the collections, a sleeveless high-waisted evening gown with layered skirt and self train, constructed of dyed and digitally printed shirting, worn with a matching digitally printed vest with leather embellishments! She too had corduroy in her collection. Her 2-tone dyed denim gown with train was unique and her final piece, a sleeveless high-waisted evening gown with draped skirt was very well received. Jusil Caroll was the big winner of the competition. I’m glad I wasn’t on that panel of judges. There was way too much talent competing that afternoon.

“This is my first fashion week. Thank you so much for letting me have this amazing experience. I love my family for supporting me!” Gushed Jusil Caroll.

You can also read about the show in Kenton Magazine.

Or, to jog your memory of who did what on the runway, watch it again here.

AGAVE AND TESLA: At Daskalos in Walnut Creek

2011-09-20T08:07:00.001-07:00

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Here at Daskalos, the premiere menswear story in the East Bay, long-time licensee Agave joined with Tesla Motors to give customers a look at Agave's Fall collection and a test drive of the Tesla Electric Roadster.

And Supima was there.

Store staff and Tesla employees were all outfitted in specially created Supima T-shirts. (And see our mini-bales? And our red, white, and blue logo on the right of the in-store display?) Plus every buyer got a specially created Supima shirt as part of his gift with purchase.

The car?

That was another $100,000 or so extra.

SUPIMA IN BRIGHT LIGHTS: Market Week

2011-09-19T07:43:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Home Fashions Week got off to a roaring start.

And Supima was there.

No sooner did New York Fashion Week and the fourth annual Supima Design Competition come to their happy conclusions, than it was time for Home Fashions Market Week (which runs today through September 23).

As usual, Home Textiles Today kicked off the semi-annual home fashions fest with a celebratory shindi--this time held at Bar Basque at the Eventi Hotel from 6 to 8 p.m. last night.

Revelers still on hand when darkness fell were treated to the sight of Supima (and some of its best-known home furnishings ads) projected in bright lights on a nearby building (below).

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: Business Insider

2011-09-18T14:22:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Few in the fashion world have the "insider" status of Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, a founder of the Gilt Groupe.

In the course of New York Fashion Week, she's in the front row for all the major shows. All the elite private presentations. All the best launches and parties.

So, during the recently concluded Fashion Week, what did she find most inspiring?

Supima's show.

I was personally most inspired this fashion week by acting as a judge for the Supima Design Competition. Four of the top fashion design schools in the U.S. selected two students to compete in creating a small collection of ready to wear using Supima cotton. I was honored to judge their work and blown away by the creativity of these eight students. Each collection was unique and no two designers came up with anything similar, even though they were given the same raw materials. Jusil Carroll from FIT won the competition and I gave her collection the highest score. Stay tuned, I am sure this is just the first act for this bright young female designer.

Read the rest of her rundown here.

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: NYT, WSJ, and the best runway soundtracks

2011-09-17T09:16:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- New York Fashion Week may now be over, but the newspapers and blogs are still buzzing about what went on in those tents.

Inlcuding the music.

The DJ for the Supima show, Javier Peral, has been singled out for special attention.

The Wall Street Journal's blog quoted him about the season this way:

“It’s not just music, it’s not just fashion, it’s a hybrid of both intended to create something entirely new,” Peral said backstage, as he prepared the music for the Supima Design Competition. Because several designers were part of the show he chose music that was “fresh and fun and hip,” reflecting the clothes and the designers themselves, he said.

(To read the entire story, click here.)

Supima, it seems, selected the best of the best for its first Fashion Week foray--since Peral was also the subject of a NYT story, "Music to Strut the Collection By," about the music of Fashion Week:

The 47-year-old Madrid native has put his 20,000-plus record collection to use in shows for Carolina Herrera and Vera Wang.

Show you played Carolina Herrera.

Mood you were creating The initial inspiration was the graphics and colors of the Bauhaus movement. I explored musical composers of that period like Stefan Wolpe. It led me to create a continuous orchestral piano piece that felt as fluid as most of the looks Ms. Herrera showed.

Playlist Tom Hodge, “Paganini Rocks”; Hauschka, “Two AM”; Robortom, “Paganini Rocks” (remix); Tom Hodge, “Aerodynamic.”

Songs you avoid Anything that sounds out of Fashion Television.

Most-played on your iPod Koudlam, “Sunny Day.”

Dream fashion show Paris, 1998, YSL fashion show with 300 models at the finale of the World Cup in the Stade de France.

Ultimate runway song David Bowie, “Heroes.”

Click here, to read the rest.

CELEBS IN SUPIMA: Gisele in Marc Allison

2011-09-14T16:49:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES -- What does a supermodel wear in her off hours?

Supima.

This week's DenimHunt.com took note of Gisele Bundchen stepping out in her Marc Allison jeans.

Meanwhile, the site also devoted a long feature to the denim designs featured on the runway during the finale of the fourth annual Supima Design Competition, held at New York's Lincoln Center on Sept. 8.

THE ACCESSORY OF THE MOMENT

2011-09-14T15:02:00.001-07:00

The Supima tote as seeen inside the Lincoln Center tents earlier this evening . . .

THE WINNER: An interview with Jusil Carroll

2011-09-14T11:10:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Jusil Carroll's winning collection in last week's runway finale of the fourth annual Supima Design Competition continues to attract posts on fashion sites like Temple of Glam, Addikted2Fashion, FashionWindows, and Fashionetc.

Here, an interview with Carroll on Runway Passport:

RUNWAY PASSPORT: WHERE DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
Jusil Carroll: I attended The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

RP: HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT AND ENTER SUPIMA?
JC: I first heard about the Supima Design Competition from Lisa Donofrio, a professor at school, who ended up being my contest mentor. I was told that four of the top fashion design schools in the country would each be selecting two students to compete. I felt honored when I was selected to represent FIT in this competition.

RP: WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A DESIGNER?
JC: I actually started out as a fine artist and illustrator. As my work developed the figures I was creating began to look more and more like fashion sketches. Fashion had always been an interest of mine, so it seemed appropriate for me to transition in to design. Looking back, it was the best decision I made. I find that fashion suits my strengths.

RP: WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS COLLECTION?
JC: My capsule collection for the Supima Design Competition was inspired by the movie “The Blair Witch Project.” What I really enjoyed about it, when I look back, was the idea that the source of the terror was never seen. It was mysterious and thrilling. I applied that concept to my collection. The silhouettes, color palette and print choices were all selected to enrich the mood.

RP: HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE THE WINNER?
JC: It feels amazing! The Supima Design Competition Fashion Show was a fantastic experience. I can’t think of a better way to showcase work then having a collection walk the runway at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

RP: HOW WAS IT SHOWING FOR THE FIRST TIME?
JC: This was my first showing on the runway at Fashion Week, so I was really feeding off the excitement that surrounded the tents. There was a tangible energy there. It was exhilarating.

RP: WHAT NEXT?
JC: The level of enthusiasm and excitement that the Supima show generated has been incredible. It has created opportunity and the possibilities are very exciting. I’m not sure exactly what will happen but I’m looking forward to the future.

RP: WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST TO ANY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO APPLY TO FASHION SCHOOL?
JC: I would say that fashion is an incredible outlet for a creative mind. There is a vastness to it, with endless possibilities. I would certainly encourage young people to pursue their creative interests. That is one of the most important tenets that I live by.

For a backstage slideshow shot by Gotham Magazine, click here.

THE SUPIMA PLAYLIST: Javier Peral's show soundtrack

2011-09-14T05:02:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Appropriately, the soundtrack kicked off with "A New Career in Town."

But that was only one of many inspired choices made by music director and DJ Javier Peral when he mixed the soundtrack for the runway finale of the fourth annual Supima Design Competition at Lincoln Center last week.

Peral has also created show soundtracks, in-store music mixes, launches, and websites for top-tier fashion names including Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford, and Marc Jacobs. Here, the complete playlist for the Supima show:

JOAKIM: A New Career in A New Town
THE EMRERGENCY: Fantasy
MARK RONSON: Record Collection (Plastic Plates Remix)
BLOOD ORANGE: The Complete Knock
THE NAKED & FAMOUS: Girls like You
CHIKINKI: Bitte Bitte

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: CNBC

2011-09-13T05:51:00.001-07:00

NEW YORK -- The finals of the fourth annual Supima Design Competition yielded some of the most striking images in CNBC's coverage of fashion week.

In Supima's front row shown above, that's (left to right) competition judge Coco Rocha, event emcee Rachel Zoe, and competition judge Buxton Midyette.

To watch the entire slideshow, click here.

WINNING WITH SUPIMA: Robin Tomas

2011-09-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- He was one of the winners last year.

And already designer Robin Tomas has started making his mark on New York fashion.

His latest?

The launch of his Tomas Collection for Fall 2011 last week at the Anik Boutique on Madison Avenue as part of the after-hours shopping event known as Fashion's Night Out—-an event that's already garnered press in the Manila Bulletin.

SEE THE WHOLE SHOW! The Supima Design Competition from start to finish

2011-09-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Weren't one of the 400 in the audience at The Studio tent in Lincoln Center on the opening day of New York Fashion Week?

Missed the live broadcast from Supima's Facebook site, Supima.com, and the sites of Fashion Week Daily, and The New York Times?

Not to worry.

You call still see the entire show via Youku.

And, of course, it's always available at supima.com. (Also accessible by clicking on the QR code at right.)

To get the run of show, click here.

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: Competition finals in the NYT

2011-09-11T09:06:00.001-07:00

NEW YORK -- Photos of the runway finale of Supima's fourth annual Design Competition form the most striking images in the current New York Times' slide show devoted to New York Fashion Week. (Both photos shown below by Yana Paskova for The New York Times.)

SUPIMA ON PAGE SIX

2011-09-10T18:19:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- The finals of Supima's fourth annual Design Competition didn't just make the fashion pages.

They made the gossip pages too.

This from The New York Post's infamous Page Six:

When stylist Rachel Zoe went to take her front-row seat at the Supima Design Competition at Lincoln Center Thursday afternoon, she found someone else’s dad sitting there. Sources tell us the proud father of one of the competing designers had taken the reality star’s seat. Quickly avoiding a confrontation, security encouraged the doting dad to move to another seat so Zoe could scout for talent for her own collection from the best spot in the house. Zoe hosted the competition while Coco Rocha and Charlotte Ronson were among the judges. Eight students from four design schools -- FIT, RISD, SCAD and Pratt -- competed for a $10,000 prize.

SUPIMA IN THE BLOGOSPHERE: It's all about the grand finale

2011-09-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Gossip, backstage news, and photos of Supima's celeb front row have been all over Facebook, Twitter, and WWD.

But the blog posts keep on coming.

Marilyn Kirschner noted the Supima show in her Fashion Week report in DFR: Daily Fashion Report. Rachel Zoe's emcee stint for Supima was duly noted by Popsugar Australia and by BettyConfidential. The AsianinNY blog noted Jusil Carroll's win. The fashionablematilida blog weighed in on the respective merits of both Weng and Carroll.

Saying "A tradition that began four years ago is now one of the most influential and inspiring fashion moments of New York Fashion Week," Dope Files posted both runway moments and backstage interviews with designers MaRu Jung, Dara Rosen, Rachel Pullman, and Lorena Cuevas, as well as Supima VP Buxton Midyette; finishing with on-camera announcement of Jusil Carroll's big win. (as seen below).

AT THE SUPIMA SHOW: Photo essay by Giulia Piccari

2011-09-09T17:11:00.000-07:00

All photos copyrighted by Giulia Piccari

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: Jusil Carroll in WWD

2011-09-09T10:07:00.001-07:00

NEW YORK -- The coverage keeps on coming.

This morning's Women's Wear Daily carried news of Jusil Carroll's win in the live runway finale of the fourth annual Supima Design Competition that opened New York Fashion Week yesterday:

SUPIMA'S BEST: Jusil Carroll, a recent fashion design graduate from New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, won the Supima Competition on Thursday. Carroll, 34, a native of South Korea, said, “This was my first fashion show, I can’t believe it. This was an amazing experience.”

The capsule collection Carroll designed for the competition, which included two students from four schools — FIT, Pratt Institute, the Rhode Island School of Design and Savannah College of Art and Design — features sleeveless cocktail and evening dresses. Her line, like all the participants’, features Supima cotton grown in the U.S. and supplied by fabric mills Albini Group, Carlo Bonomi, Fessler USA and Kurabo.

“Let me just say I am blown away,” said Rachel Zoe, who hosted the event at the Studio at Lincoln Center, after the show of the collections of Carroll and the other finalists, Amy Bittner from FIT; MaRu Jung and Dara Rosen from Pratt; Rachel Pullman and Connie Weng from RISD, and Lorena Cuevas and Marlow Larson from SCAD.

Carroll, a recipient of last year’s $25,000 CFDA Liz Claiborne Design Scholarship, received $10,000 for her first prize from Supima, the trade group representing American growers of pima cotton. This year’s judges include Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, founder of Gilt Groupe; Kevin Harter, vice president of men’s fashion for Bloomingdale’s; model Coco Rocha, and designers Charlotte Ronson and Nicole Miller.

SUPIMA ALL OVER THE NEWS!!!

2011-09-08T18:15:00.001-07:00

NEW YORK -- The live runway finals of the fourth annual Supima Design Competition, which kicked off New York Fashion Week earlier today, did not gone unnoticed by the international fashion press.

Japan's NTDTV.com reported on the runway looks. While, in the U.K., Daily Mail reporter Daisy Dumas took note of Supima's impressive front row (as pictured above).

Here at home, the New York Daily News video reporter reported Supima's backstage preparations. And E! Online debriefed Supima emcee Rachel Zoe about the finalists featured on the Supima runway.

Newsobserver.com ran a slideshow of Competition looks, and young designer (and recent FIT grad) Jusil Carroll's first-place finish rated a feature on 247feature.com.

RUNWAY HIGHLIGHTS FROM TODAY'S SHOW AT LINCOLN CENTER

2011-09-08T14:17:00.000-07:00

BACKSTAGE BEFORE AND AFTER THE SHOW

2011-09-08T14:06:00.000-07:00

Supima emcee Rachel Zoe poses backstage at The Studio tent with Supima Design Competition judge Coco Rocha.

For more about Rachel, check out The Zoe Report. Or check out Coco's Twitter feed about Fashion Week.

(Left to right: Supima's Robert Reus, judge Coco Rocha, emcee Rachel Zoe, Supima VP and judge Buxton Midyette)

AND THE WINNER IS . . . JUSIL CARROLL

2011-09-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK – Jusil Carroll, 34, a 2011 Bachelor of Fine Arts graduate from New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology, took first place in the Supima Design Competition held earlier today.

In front of the industry elite who packed the Studio tent at Lincoln Center—as well as an international audience watching the live broadcast on the websites of Fashion Week Daily and The New York Times—the native of Busan, South Korea was presented with a $10,000 check from Supima by Bravo TV star Rachel Zoe, who acted as the master of ceremonies for the competition’s live runway finale.

This year’s edition of the Supima Design Competition, the first to be staged as part of New York Fashion Week, followed a “best of the best” format in which America’s top design schools—FIT, Pratt, the Rhode Island School of Design, and the Savannah College of Art and Design—were each asked to nominate two graduating seniors as finalists. All eight finalists were then given luxury fabrics made with Supima Cotton and asked to create five-piece capsule collections of women’s evening wear.

Carroll’s winning collection (as seen above right and below) was inspired by the 1999 film The Blair Witch Project “because each person interprets the witch differently and everyone is left with a sense of mystery and thrill.” During the Supima Design Competition, her FIT faculty mentor was Professor Lisa Donofrio.

As an undergraduate, Carroll’s honors included the $25,000 Liz Claiborne Scholarship Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2010; the AFT International Fashion Sketch Contest in 2011; and the Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence from the State University of New York.

Carroll began her career as an illustrator and worked as a design assistant before matriculating at FIT, a school she selected because “in addition to its reputation and its location, it was one of the few schools to allow an intensive focus on knitwear.”

“In addition to its design innovation and superb execution, Jusil’s collection really rethought the possibilities of luxury cotton . . . the judges were blown away,” explained Buxton Midyette, Supima’s VP of Marketing, who judged the competition along with supermodel Coco Rocha, Bloomingdale’s executive Kevin Harter, designer Charlotte Ronson, and Gilt Groupe founder Alexandra Wilkis Wilson.

WHAT'S IN THE GOODY BAG????

2011-09-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- OK, we know you're dying to see the live runway finale of the Supima Design Competition that gets underway at 1 p.m. in The Studio tent at Lincoln Center.

And we know you're dying to find out which of the eight designers will win and be presented with a $10,000 check by Rachel Zoe, who's emceeing the event.

But we also know you're dying to discover . . .

. . . WHAT'S IN THE GOODY BAG?

So here, in a sneak preview, is your answer:

A rain poncho from Brooks Brothers
A premium T-shirt from the Supima Collection
A package of vintage fashion notecards
A copy of the latest T Magazine
An illustrated timeline of Supima Cotton
And, of course, the tote bag itself

Plus, for the front row:

One of the much-coveted bound and engraved notebooks made the Adler Collection

RACHEL ZOE TO MC SUPIMA SHOW

2011-09-08T06:16:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK – Rachel Zoe, the internationally acclaimed fashion stylist and star of the hit Bravo series “The Rachel Zoe Project,” will act as master of ceremonies for the live runway finale of the Supima Design Competition opening New York Fashion Week today.

When the show gets underway in The Studio tent at Lincoln Center at 1 p.m., Zoe will introduce each of the eight finalists and their five-piece capsule collections of women’s eveningwear. Immediately following the show, she will announce the judges’ decision and present the winner with a $10,000 check from Supima. All proceedings will be broadcast live in real time from both the Supima.com website and Supima’s Facebook page as well as the sites of Fashion Week Daily and The New York Times.

Zoe, who began her career as a magazine editor, is acclaimed as one of the fashion world’s most sought-after stylists and fashion consultants. A front-row fixture for top shows in New York and Paris, she became a star of her own Bravo series in 2008 and recently launched her own women’s wear label at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman.

At today’s show, Zoe will present eight recent graduates representing the “best of the best” in the graduating class of America’s four top design schools: Amy Bittner and Jusil Carroll from the Fashion Institute of Technology; MaRu Jung and Dara Rosen from Pratt Institute; Rachel Pullman and Connie Weng from the Rhode Island School of Design; and Lorena Cuevas and Marlow Larson from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

“We are thrilled to have Rachel Zoe, who is known for her discerning eye, as part of our fourth annual Design Competition,” explained Buxton Midyette, Supima’s VP of Marketing, “she has an impeccable record of spotting fashion talent.”

TODAY'S THE DAY: Fourth Supima Design Competition concludes in runway finale at Lincoln Center today

2011-09-08T02:29:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- If you aren't one of the four hundred industry elite who will be sitting in The Studio tent at Lincoln Center when the live runway finale of the fourth annual Supima Design Competition gets underway this afternoon shortly after 1 p.m. E.S.T., you can still watch the show in real time by clicking here.

And you don't have to miss the program notes either.

Below, a complete run of show describing the looks and materials of each designer's five-piece capsulte collection in the order that it will come down the runway.

MARU JUNG

1. Strapless cocktail dress of bleached, dyed, painted, and stamped denim embellished with painted lace and beading.

2. Sleeveless cocktail dress of dyed, painted, and stamped shirting embellished with painted lace, beading, and sequins.

3. Sleeveless cocktail dress of dyed and stamped twill embellished with painted lace and beading.

4. Sleeveless cocktail dress of dyed and stamped jersey embellished with beads and sequins.

5. Cocktail dress with elbow-length sleeves, constructed of bleached, dyed, and painted corduroy embellished with sequins and beads.

DARA ROSEN

1. Single-shoulder cocktail dress in dyed twill with bodice detail constructed of hand-dyed, hand-applied cotton rope.

2. Cocktail dress of dyed shirting with contrasting inset pleats constructed by layering dyed, raw-edged shirting.

3. Denim dress with pin-tucked bodice and cotton rope embellishment.

4. Evening gown with skirt and self train showing contrast lining, constructed of dyed jersey.

5. Evening dress constructed of bias-cut corduroy with hand-pleating details and cotton rope embellishment.

RACHEL PULLMAN

1. Sleeveless, full-skirted cocktail dress of dyed corduroy with self-belt and foil embellishment at hemline.

2. Cocktail sheath of dyed twill with hand-pleated balloon hem.

3. Sleeveless mini worn with overdress forming self train, both constructed of dyed shirting treated with gold paint.

4. Evening dress of dyed denim with short-in-front, long-in-back full skirt and gold foil embellishment.

5. Sleeveless evening dress with plunging neckline, constructed of dyed jersey with black foil embellishment.

CONNIE WENG

1. Cocktail dress of dyed stretch corduroy.

2. One-shoulder, draped, belted cocktail dress with asymmetric hem, constructed of denim.

3. Draped jersey evening gown constructed of engineer-printed jersey.

4. Draped evening gown constructed of engineer-printed shirting, with leather halter.

5. Layered, strapless gown constructed of dyed and engineer-printed twill.

MARLOW LARSON

1. Long-sleeved evening ensemble constructed of tea-dyed jersey with silk charmeuse bias binding.

2. Evening ensemble constructed of tea-dyed and ink-painted twill.

3. Jacket of ink-painted denim with crystal details, with matching full-length skirt trimmed with bias ruffles, also constructed of ink-painted denim.

4. Bracelet-sleeved evening dress with elongated side and back godets, constructed of ink-painted and tea-dyed shirting.

5. Strapless evening dress with elongated back godet, constructed of corduroy.

LORENA CUEVAS

1. Extended-collar, open-sided evening gown constructed of dyed twill with hand-painted and embroidered embellishment.

2. Long-sleeved evening gown with back slits, constructed of dyed jersey with hand-painted and embroidered embellishment.

3. Wing-shoulder, open-back, sleeveless evening gown constructed of dyed shirting with hand-painted and embroidered embellishment.

4. One-shoulder evening gown with diagonal standing collar, constructed of dyed denim with hand-painted and embroidered embellishment.

5. Evening gown with extended-shoulder detail and removable top skirt, constructed of corduroy with hand-painted and embroidered embellishment.

AMY BITTNER

1. Strapless cocktail dress in olive twill with gold lace accents, worn with boned corset and cape-shoulder shrug constructed from self-fabric cording.

2. Mermaid gown in black corduroy with lace accents, worn with cage peplum constructed from self-fabric cording.

3. Sleeveless gown in olive jersey with self sash and bodice of nude mesh trimmed in self-fabric jersey cording.

4. Strapless mini dress of olive denim with contrasting, skirted over-corset, accessorized by a neckpiece constructed from self-fabric cording.

5. Sleeveless gown in violet shirting worn with cage corset constructed from self-fabric cording.

JUSIL CARROLL

1. Sleeveless cocktail dress with draped skirt, constructed of dyed twill with leather shoulder harness.

2. Sleeveless, high-waisted evening gown with layered skirt and self train, constructed of dyed and digitally printed shirting, worn with a matching digitally printed vest with leather embellishment.

3. Sleeveless cocktail dress constructed of corduroy with attached leather shoulder cape.

4. Sleeveless evening gown with architectural hip detailing and self train, constructed of bleached and hand-painted denim with leather embellishment.

5. Sleeveless, high-waisted evening gown with draped skirt and self train, constructed of dyed and digitally printed draped jersey, worn with matching vest with leather embellishment.

The broadcast continues until the announcement of the $10,000 winner is made immediately following the show.

LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER: Grand finale of Supima Design Competition to stream live on Facebook and other sites

2011-09-06T13:01:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK – Thursday when the runway finale of the fourth annual Supima Design Competition gets underway in The Studio at Lincoln Center shortly after 1 p.m. E.S.T., the entire fashion show will be broadcast live in real time from both the Supima.com website and Supima’s Facebook page.

During the broadcast, eight recent graduates representing the “best of the best” in the graduating class of America’s four top design schools will square off for a $10,000 first prize as each presents a five-piece capsule collection of women’s eveningwear.

This year’s finalists: Amy Bittner and Jusil Carroll from the Fashion Institute of Technology; MaRu Jung and Dara Rosen from Pratt Institute; Rachel Pullman and Connie Weng from the Rhode Island School of Design; and Lorena Cuevas and Marlow Larson from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

A prestigious panel of judges will be on hand to decide the winner: Gilt Groupe founder Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, model and entrepreneur Coco Rocha, Bloomingdale’s vice president Kevin Harter, Supima VP Buxton Midyette, and designer Charlotte Ronson.

“Interest in this show grew beyond anything that we could accommodate at Lincoln Center, where the [Studio] tent holds only a few hundred people,” explained Buxton Midyette, Supima’s VP of Marketing.

Begun in 2008, the annual Supima Design Competition was created to give runway exposure to emerging talent and was modeled on the legendary 1954 Wool Secretariat competition that launched the careers of the then-teenaged Yves St. Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld. Since its start, former Supima Design Competition winners have gone on to launch their own labels, show at New York Fashion Week, and win jobs with top international labels.

In addition to supima.com and facebook.com/supima, links to the live stream will also available on The New York Times and Fashion Week Daily sites, as well as supimacotton.blogspot.com. Or by typing supima.com/fashion-week directly into any browser.

Watch the grand finale by clicking here.

SUPIMA IN THE BLOGOSPHERE: It's all about the Supima Design Competition!

2011-09-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- It's all over the blogs.

In addition to coverage in Women's Wear Daily, fashion bloggers have been buzzing with news of the live runway finale of the Supima Design Competition, set on September 8, the opening day of New York Fashion Week.

First, Vainstyle.com, Glamourousmoms.com, and Fashionopher posted the entire New York Fashion Week schedule (featuring the Supima show very prominently). As did Italian site Alla Moda and Spanish-language site Trendencias.com.

Announcements also showed up on 123triadpro.com and the judging panel made latestfashionheadlines.com.

Then, biographical details of the eight finalists appeared on Purperfume.com and WWD's own Magic blog, as well as John Simon Daily.

Meanwhile, all eight Competition finalists have been posting their design diaries on Supima's Facebook page.

And there's more to come.

BEHIND THE SCENES: With Competition Finalist Rachel Pullman

2011-09-03T04:37:00.000-07:00

Here, a look behind the scenes as designer Rachel Pullman, a finalist from RISD, reviews her preliminary swatches in preparation for the live runway finale of the Fourth Annual Supima Design Competition on September 8.

BEHIND THE SCENES: With Competition Finalist Amy Bittner

2011-09-02T04:36:00.000-07:00

Here, a look behind the scenes as designer Amy Bittner, a finalist from the Fashion Institute of Technology, prepares for the live runway finale of the Fourth Annual Supima Design Competition on September 8.

BEHIND THE SCENES: More from finalist Connie Weng

2011-09-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

RISD contestant Connie Weng shares her inspirations and explains how a long commute sometimes results in a sketchpad full of ideas.

BEHIND THE SCENES: With Competition Finalist Connie Weng

2011-09-01T04:36:00.000-07:00

Here, a look behind the scenes as designer Connie Weng, a finalist from the Rhode Island School of Design, takes you on a tour of her workspace in preparation for the live runway finale of the Fourth Annual Supima Design Competition on September 8.

BEHIND THE SCENES: With Competition Finalist Marlow Larson

2011-08-31T05:30:00.000-07:00

Here, a look behind the scenes as designer Marlow Larson, a finalist from the Savannah College of Art and Design, reviews his collection sketches in preparation for the live runway finale of the Fourth Annual Supima Design Competition on September 8.

BEHIND THE SCENES: With Competition Finalist Jusil Carroll

2011-08-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

Here, a look behind the scenes as designer Jusil Carroll, a finalist from New York City's Fashion Institute of Technology, reviews her design process--from mood boards to draping--in preparation for the live runway finale of the Fourth Annual Supima Design Competition on September 8.

BEHIND THE SCENES: With Competition Finalist MaRu Jung

2011-08-29T08:19:00.000-07:00

Here, a look behind the scenes as designer MaRu Jung, a finalist from Pratt, goes through a dyeing process in preparation for the live runway finale of the Fourth Annual Supima Design Competition on September 8.

SUPIMA IN THE BLOGOSPHERE: SCAD and the Supima Design Competition

2011-08-28T17:54:00.000-07:00

SAVANNAH -- It's been in WWD.

And now District, "the student voice of SCAD," has taken notice.

In yesterday's blog post, headlined FASHION STUDENTS COMPETE AT NY FASHION WEEK, here's what they had to say:

Lorena Cuevas, a senior fashion student, and Marlow Larson, a 2011 fashion graduate, are finalists in the 2011 Supima Design Competition to be held Sept. 8 during New York Fashion Week.

Lorena and Marlow will be competing against six other finalists, two each from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Pratt Institute and Rhode Island School of Design. Each competitor received Supima fabric with the instructions to produce a collection of five evening wear looks. Supima is a non-profit brand that promotes 100 percent U.S.-grown pima cotton for apparel and home fashion industries. The organization is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary.

The eight finalists were chosen from 300 graduating seniors from all four design schools. The winner of the Supima competition will be announced at the fashion show where he or she will receive a prize of $10,000 to help advance their fashion career.

To read it for yourself, click here.

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: Design Competition in WWD

2011-08-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Supima in WWD

2011-08-27T08:28:00.000-07:00

"Dawnelle goes Supima"
Advertisement in Women's Wear Daily
Friday, October 26, 1956

WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? The Supima Design Competition FAQ

2011-08-25T17:37:00.000-07:00

WHEN?

Thursday, September 8, runway finale at 1 p.m.

WHERE?

“The Studio” tent at Lincoln Center, New York

WHO? (THE 2011 FINALISTS)

• Amy Lynn Bittner, 23, Fashion Institute of Technology; hometown: Evansville, Indiana
• Jusil Carroll, 34, Fashion Institute of Technology; hometown: Busan, South Korea
• Lorena Cuevas Restrepo, 23, Savannah College of Art and Design; hometown: Bogota, Colombia
• MaRu Jung, 23, Pratt Institute; hometown: Seoul, South Korea
• Marlow Larson, 22, Savannah College of Art and Design; hometown: Gainesville, Georgia
• Rachel Pullman, 23, Rhode Island School of Design; born in Canberra, Australia, now settled in the U.S.
• Dara N. Rosen, 23, Pratt Institute; hometown: Long Valley, New Jersey
• Connie Weng, 22, Rhode Island School of Design; hometown: Berkeley Heights, New Jersey

WHO ELSE? (THE 2011 JUDGES)

• Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, founder of the Gilt Groupe
• Coco Rocha, model and entrepreneur
• Kevin Harter, Bloomingdale’s
• Buxton Midyette, Supima
• Charlotte Ronson, designer and DJ

WHO'S HELPING? (SPONSORING PARTNERS)

• M.A.C.
• L’Oréal Professional; Ron King, team leader
• United Nude

HOW? (THE COMPETITION FORMAT)

• A pair of finalists was selected from among the graduating classes at America’s top four schools for fashion design
• Upon selection, each finalist was assigned a faculty mentor and given premium denim, shirting, and jersey from Supima’s top international mill partners
• Before the live finale at Lincoln Center, the execution of each design was also evaluated by the judges in a separate session

EVENT HISTORY?

This is the fourth edition of Supima’s annual Design Competition (also previously known as the “Competition for Emerging Designers”) and the first to be staged at Lincoln Center as part of New York Fashion Week. Last year’s finale was staged at The New York Times Building. Runway finales of the 2008 and 2009 competitions took place Gotham Hall.

JUDGING CRITERIA?

• Finalists will be judged on the originality and execution of their garments—as well as how much they have capitalized on the strength and softness of the Supima cotton
• Each finalist will present an integrated capsule collection consisting five pieces of women’s eveningwear. Each piece must consist of at least 70 percent luxurious, extra-long staple Supima cotton. Fabrics may be dyed or otherwise manipulated by the designer
• Each piece of eveningwear represents one of the three categories of fabric for which Supima is best known: fine-quality shirting; fine cotton jersey; and/or premium denim

THE COSTS?

• Unusually for a design contest, there is no cost to participants. As part of its commitment to emerging designers, Supima charges no entry fee
• The Supima fabrics—which come from the same Supima mills that supply licensees like Ralph Lauren, Agave, Brooks Brothers, and the like—are donated to the designers free of charge
• Supima also supplies models, production and staging, and publicity

PUBLICITY CONTACTS?

• Erin@agentrypr.com; 212 924-2276
• Robert@Supima.com; 212 965-8030

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: 'A Century of Cultivating Cotton' in WWD

2011-08-24T08:12:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Newspaper coverage doesn't get much better than this.

Yesterday, Women's Wear Daily devoted an entire page to celebrating the history of Supima, complete with an historical timeline and another sidebar listing Suipima stats.

(Not to mention reproducing one of Supima's favorite Suzy Parker ads from the 1964).

In the main story, headlined 'A CENTURY OF CULTIVATING COTTON,' here's what WWD reporter Arthur Friedman had to say:

While its lineage is as fuzzy as a ball of cotton, the mission of Supima is clear — to promote, improve and advance the consumption and quality of U.S.-grown pima as the finest in the world.

Often referred to as “the cashmere of cottons,” Supima is known to be the top type of cotton for softness, strength and brilliance of color. It traces its roots back centuries, deriving its properties from various types of Sea Island and Egyptian cottons, and was first called American-Egyptian, Yuma or ELS — extra-long staple — cotton, before gaining the moniker pima.

“A small group of visionary farmers, breeders and Pima Indians developed this special variety of cotton,” said Buxton S. Midyette, vice president of marketing and promotions at Supima. “Pima is a unique species of cotton with very special properties. It’s an inch and half in length, compared to an inch for regular cotton, it’s twice as strong as regular cotton and it absorbs dye very well because it’s a very fine fiber and the dye goes right to the core.”

Midyette noted that pima was originally developed as an industrial fiber used in such applications as Goodyear tire cordage and in the fuselage of the Spirit of St. Louis.

“Hence, it makes it a perfect fiber for things like denim, allowing for a range of washing and distressing because of its strength,” he said.

Supima was formed in 1954 in El Paso, Tex. As Midyette explained, “A group of growers came together and realized this special fiber needed to have its own marketing. They started marketing with designers such as Oleg Cassini and Claire McCardell and other leading designers and brands of the time.”

In its early years, Supima was primarily concerned with promotion, government regulations and agricultural research. In an effort to keep pace with the expanding interest worldwide in ELS cotton, Supima broadened its responsibilities in 1978 when it merged with the Arizona Cotton Planting Seed Distributors, essentially overseeing the production and distribution of all certified American pima planting seed. However, the division was sold to Delta and Pine Land Co. in 1993, when commercial seed companies had entered the business. The sale also marked the end of Supima’s 30-year-old partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in its Arizona-based Pima Improvement Program.

Supima is represented by a board of directors comprised of 11 pima cotton producers: seven from California, two from Texas and one each from Arizona and New Mexico. Supima’s primary objective is to promote the increased consumption of American pima cotton around the world. Supima is a major sponsor of research programs to improve the quality of American pima. It also works closely with cotton industry organizations and government agencies to ensure a fair and viable marketing environment for American pima cotton growers.

More than 300 fine-count textile mills, manufacturers and retailers from around the world are licensed to use the Supima brand.

Supima started using cotton imagery in ad campaigns seven years ago. In 2008, it planted a cotton field in New York’s SoHo neighborhood in conjunction with the opening of a pop-up shop on Green Street. The month-long shop featured a partnership with 16 brands and was meant to portray the breadth of apparel and home furnishings products that use Supima.

Supima also created a cotton garden last year under the Highline in Manhattan featuring 700 live cotton plants, and cotton bales as tables and seats.

Supima’s two major retail collaborations are with Bloomingdale’s and Brooks Brothers, “which allows us to sell Supima as a brand,” Midyette said.

Brooks Brothers offered a full Supima collection in a 35-page catalogue in 2008 and in a special department in the store that includes women’s, men’s and childrens’ shirts, pants and sweaters.

“The idea of two iconic brands like Brooks Brothers and Supima working together has been amazing,” Midyette said. “We have collaborated on the catalogues and department displays and worked with training the sales staff. It’s been a great partnership which we’ll be continuing into the foreseeable future.”

Supima also worked with many denim and knitwear firms, such as Goldsign, Agave, Splendid and Michael Stars.

Midyette said Supima has been “relatively insulated” from the volatility in cotton prices over the last year or so, noting that it regularly sells for 50 to 100 percent more than regular cotton.

“Supima is a luxury fiber that allows brands to create a quality product that offers the best qualities to their consumer, so price has never really been an issue,” he said.

Since it represents American growers, Midyette said, “We couldn’t be more excited then to see the renewed interest in U.S. manufacturing,” noting that it sells and works with mills, yarn spinners and apparel manufacturers such as Buhler Quality Yarns Corp., Fessler USA, Antex Knitting Mills and Design Knit Inc.

He also feels Supima cotton fits right in with the sustainability movement in fashion, since it is a natural fiber and its qualities allow it to be long-lasting, renewable and biodegradable.

With a rich history, Supima isn’t resting on its laurels.

“We’ll continue to focus on our roots and the product itself and work with our partners, and connect with consumers to help them realize and see the benefits of Supima apparel and home furnishings,” he added. “We’re also doing what we can to give back to the industry.”

This is highlighted by the student Design Competition, where the top two graduates from schools including Pratt Institute, the Fashion Institute of Technology, the Savannah College of Art and Design and the Rhode Island School of Design participate in a design competition. Supima supplies fabrics to create a capsule collection that is shown on the runway. In it’s fourth year, the next show is set for Sept. 8 at the Studio space at Lincoln Center.

SUPIMA IN THE NEWS: Lacoste in the New York Times

2011-08-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Longtime Supima licensee Lacoste has been saying "I Love New York" in a big way lately.

And once New York Fashion Week gets underway on September 8 (with the live runway finale of the Supima Design Competition getting things started in the Lincoln Center tents), the brand promotions are only going to intensify.

In an advertising column in this morning's New York Times, reporter Andrew Adam Newman gave an overview of the brand's makeover of its NYC flagship, its strategies for Fashion Week, and a short history of its alligator icon:

René Lacoste, who competed on the French Davis Cup team, was competing in Boston in 1923 when the team’s captain promised him an alligator suitcase he coveted if he won a tennis match. The incident, as well as his tenacity on the court, earned him the nickname the Crocodile, and Mr. Lacoste soon appeared at matches in a white blazer with a crocodile sewn on the chest pocket.

Finding long-sleeved white shirts that were traditional tennis wear uncomfortable, Mr. Lacoste caused a stir when, around 1927, he begin wearing short-sleeved shirts that had been custom-made for him. While inspired partly by oxford cotton shirts worn by polo players, his were instead made from a more breathable cotton knit.

The brand claims that when it was first sold to the public in 1933, the crocodile sewn on the chest of the shirt was the first time a logo appeared on the outside of an article of clothing.

After its popularity surged with the preppy trend of the 1980s, the brand went mainstream, making cheaper versions available in bargain retailers like Wal-Mart, then floundered, even withdrawing from the American market for a few years in the early 1990s.

Over the last decade, the brand has endeavored to re-establish itself as a prestige brand, with largely positive results, although sales were flat beginning with the economic downturn in 2008. But so far in 2011, sales are up 25 percent over last year, according to Steve Birkhold, the United States chief executive of the company.

Counterintuitive as it may sound to the foreclosed-upon and unemployed, Mr. Birkhold attributes that uptick to actually charging more: in 2009, about 30 percent of merchandise was sold at full price and 70 percent at a discount, while in 2010, 60 percent was sold at full price and only 40 percent at a discount.

The company is re-establishing Lacoste as “a distinctive premium brand,” Mr. Birkhold said.

To get the whole story, click here.

Or go to LacostelovesNYC.com.

FIRST PRIZE IS $10,000!!!

2011-08-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK — Yes, you read that right: 10 grand.

On September 8, eight recent graduates representing the “best of the best” in American design schools will square off for a $10,000 first prize in the live, runway finale of Supima’s Fourth Annual Design Competition.

In a show starting at 1 p.m. in the “The Studio” tent at Lincoln Center on the all-important opening day of New York Fashion Week, eight young designers will each present a capsule collection of women’s eveningwear demonstrating their creativity with Supima cotton, “America’s luxury fiber,” with the winner receiving $10,000 check from Supima to kick-start his or her fashion career.

This year’s finalists: Amy Bittner and Jusil Carroll from the Fashion Institute of Technology; MaRu Jung and Dara Rosen from Pratt Institute; Rachel Pullman and Connie Weng from the Rhode Island School of Design; and Lorena Cuevas and Marlow Larson from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

In addition to an invited audience of elite retailers, editors, and other industry insiders, a prestigious panel of judges will be on hand to decide the winner: Gilt Groupe founder Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, model and entrepreneur Coco Rocha, Bloomingdale’s vice president Kevin Harter, and designer Charlotte Ronson.

Begun in 2008, the annual Supima Design Competition was created to give runway exposure to emerging talent and was modeled on the legendary 1954 Wool Secretariat competition that launched the careers of the then-teenaged Yves St. Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld. Since its start, former Supima Design Competition winners have gone on to launch their own labels, show at New York Fashion Week, and win jobs with top international labels.

JUDGES CONFIRMED: Industry elite to judge Supima Design Competition

2011-08-23T09:04:00.001-07:00

NEW YORK -- Yes, Coco's coming back.

And for this year's Supima Design Competition she'll be one of five judges, joining a panel with the kind of boldface names recognized throughout the industry.

When the live runway finale of the fourth annual Supima Design Competition gets underway on September 8 in the tents at Lincoln Center, here's who will be deciding the winner:

Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, best known as founder of the Gilt Groupe

Coco Rocha, model, muse, and entrepreneur (seen right at last year's Supima Design Competition, held at The New York Times building)

Kevin Harter, vice president of Bloomingdale's

Charlotte Ronson, designer and DJ

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Supima in Glamour

2011-08-20T07:58:00.000-07:00

"Sip a toast to the bright lights . . ."
By Estevez-Grenelle in Hope Skillman's Supima cotton chiffon
Glamour Magazine
July, 1956

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Lady Manhattan and Supima

2011-08-18T06:23:00.000-07:00

Supima Cotton and Lady Manhattan, April 1957

COME SEE AT TEXWORLD AND EXPOFIL!

2011-08-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

PARIS -- It's getting to be that time of year again.

Yep, time to start thinking about Fall/Winter 2012/2013 and Spring/Summer 2013.

And time to start planning your September trip to the Parc d'expositions and Le Bourget outside Paris for the September editions of Première Vision Pluriel and Texworld. (If you haven't already.)

Because Supima will be there.

This year's show dates?

September 19 through 22 for Texworld.

September 20 through 22 for Première Vision (look for us at the Expofil portion of the show).

FROM THE ARCHIVES: 'How to Lick a Farm Surplus'

2011-08-15T07:18:00.000-07:00

Reprinted from PRINTER'S INK
The Magazine of Advertising, Selling, Marketing
February 15, 1957

Agriculture Secretary Benson, in an exclusive P.I. interview two years ago (April 8, 1955, page 27) said: “In this competitive age the market goes to the man who creates a demand for his product and aggressively merchandises it . . . Farmers should use ad technicians to improve the effectiveness of marketing just as they call on other technicians for better production.”

Today, almost two years later, Secretary Benson has this is say about a group that took his advice: “In our free American economy, the greatest and most lasting gains attained by any segment of the population have always been through their own efforts rather than through controls or aids administered by government. This is as true for agriculture as for any other group of citizens.

“A case in point is that of the 3,000 extra-long staple cotton farmers of west Teas, New Mexico and Arizona, who as recently as two years ago were confronted with the biggest proportionate share of any branch of the cotton-growing industry.

“Then, through research, came the development of a high-yielding, superior quality extra-long staple known as Pima S-1. Banding together to form the Supima Assn. of America, these growers took the unprecedented step of asking Congress to reduce their support level from $3 a bale to set up an advertising and promotion campaign. And they continued their efforts to bring quality to a constantly higher level.

“Now—two years later—there is virtually no surplus of American extra-long staple. Indeed, the Department of Agriculture has found it necessary to almost double the extra-long staple cotton acreage allotment for the 1956–57 season.

“This campaign to build markets through improved quality, modern promotion techniques and competitive prices is in keeping with the best American traditions. This program and philosophy are worthy of study and emulation by all agriculture.”

—Ezra Taft Benson

By Peter P. Crowell, assistant editor

This statement by the Secretary of Agriculture sums up in a nutshell the story of Supima cotton. The details of the Supima success story are even more impressive.

In 1954, growers of the luxury cotton fiber known as Pima S-1 found that 90 percent of their production was going directly into government warehouses. Surpluses were piling up at a phenomenal rate. But rather than sit back and accept acreage cuts and government price supports, the growers decided to get out and sell their cotton.

They had a good product. Their cotton, S-1, is a high-yield successor to Pima 32, an extra-long staple cotton that is similar (but in certain respects superior) to Egyptian and Peruvian extra-long staple cottons. These fibers are used in luxury cotton fabrics and sewing threads. Egyptian Karnak, the major competing fiber, was being imported at a substantially lower price than the domestic fibers could set due to existing price supports. But on the basis of spinning tests on American fibers, growers felt they had a top-quality product to sell, and set out to do it.

As Secretary Benson relates, about 3,000 growers got together and formed the Supima Assn. of America. The name Supima was applied to their cotton as a trademark for recognition purposes. The association then went to Congress and asked for a cut in the support price of 10 cents per pound, from 67 cents to 57 cents, which would put Supima on a competitive basis with imported fibers. They got their cut, and the real work began.

Promotional drive
The 10-cent-a-pound cut cost the growers $50 per bale, but they had decided on a big promotional campaign to make the public use Supima cotton. Another $3 per bale was deducted to support the association’s activities. Bolstered by assurances from the National Cotton Council that there was a potential demand for five times as much extra-long staple cotton, Supima opened a New York office under the direction of Mary Alice Stewart, a charming and persuasive native of Mississippi.

In March 1955, Supima got the ball rolling. One of the first problems was to get converters interested in the fiber for woven goods. No Supima cotton had yet been woven into fabric, and the price of the cotton would remain high until August, but at least one of several converters—Hope Skillman, a specialist in American cottons—decided to try Supima. The Skillman fabric was a sheer chiffon called Breeze. In October 1955, Adele Simpson’s cruise-line showing featured Supima-Skillman chiffon. The association ran its first display advertising featuring one of the Simpson creations in December, repeating after the first of the year.

This first ad won three awards—from The American Institute of Graphic Arts, the Art Directors Club of New York and the Type Directors Club of New York. In four colors, it was created for Supima by Douglas D. Simon Advertising, New York. Continuing efforts were made to interest various converters in the fiber, with dramatic success. Thirty-five fabrics—ranging from sheer chiffons and voiles to broadcloths, woven novelties and knits—are now manufactured by sixteen different mills and converters. Designers, too, have jumped on the Supima bandwagon, and such names as Cassini, Estevez, Leser and McCardell are featured in the association’s advertising. Gene Federico is art director for the campaign.

Shift in emphasis
In November things were rolling well enough to allow a shift in emphasis. All ads to that point had been in four-color and featured women’s fashions. Now, black-and white ads were used for the growing line of men’s wear that employed Supima fabrics.

All display advertising is high-fashion type, featuring the best available techniques to emphasize that this is a luxury product, that clothes made from it are luxurious and of high quality and to identify Supima with quality. Three magazines reaching fashion-conscious consumers are used. Ads feature names of designers of the illustrated garments and names of converters whose fabrics are used. The signature incorporates Supima’s slogans, “The champagne of cottons” and “World’s finest cotton.”

Supima’s business-paper ads pick up consumer-ad slogans, and talk about the tremendous recognition they are building for the fiber. Copy also points up the luxurious quality of Supima cotton.

Why feature fabrics?
Brand-name promotion of the Supima story through display advertising does not tell the whole story, however. The Supima Assn. estimates that only about 25 percent of its production goes into woven fabrics. Nearly 60 percent, on the other hand, goes into sewing thread. Why the emphasis on display advertising of fabrics?

Supima feels that essential differences between the fabric industry and the thread industry are responsible. Sewing thread requires high tensile strength. Also, the industry is fairly restricted in the size and nature, and Supima felt personal contact would be more effective. Demand for special fibers for thread comes from the manufacturer, while fabric demand can be generated at the consumer level. Supima has a particular excellence in tensile strength. On the other hand, the thread industry is strongly influenced by price factors. Getting the thread people to use Supima was an entirely different problem from influencing fabric sales.

600 percent increase in consumption
Results of Supima’s efforts to date are impressive (see table). Supplies of Supima in government warehouses are virtually exhausted. The Department of Agriculture has raised the acreage allotment for the 1957 crop 98.6 percent, from 45,300 acres to 83,315 acres; 1957 yield is expected to reach 100,000 bales. This should increase the association’s budget to about $300,000 as compared with about $130,000 on 47,000 bales last year. In the last two years, 240,000 bales of Supima cotton have moved into trade channels, and last year showed a 600 percent increase in consumption of Supima.

In this unusual effort, three points are seen as the secrets of Supima success: (1) a top-quality product, (2) a competitive price and (3) a strong promotional campaign. To these might well be added a fourth—the courage of the men who took a $53 per bale licking on their product to make it competitive.

This is not the end of the story. Next year, with a doubled crop and with 95 percent of the growers contributing to the promotion effort, Supima expects to do even better. Increased advertising, more insertions and more coverage will be financed by a nearly doubled budget. Trade advertising, already extensive, will be increased. More fabrics will be introduced, and more cotton will be sold.

Supima is striving to establish a stable supply of American-grown extra-long staple cotton fiber at a stable competitive price. The difficulties of the Mideast crisis caused a reduction in the supply of Egyptian Karnak, Supima’s major competitor. The resulting price rises across the board were not at all to the liking of an industry trying to stabilize prices. Things at this point are smoothing out, with Supima running somewhat below imported fiber.

MEET THE DESIGNER: Connie Weng

2011-08-14T05:36:00.000-07:00

A native of Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, 22-year-old Connie Weng graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design earlier this year with a BFA in Apparel Design and aspirations to launch a career in sportswear.

To date, her honors have included being named last year’s YMA Fashion Fund Scholar and four years as recipient of the Sanofi-Aventis Scholarship.

Describing her aesthetic, she says, “my work is not about fashion as much as it is about lifestyle.” In her Competition collection, “I have been working with digital prints and have used a riot of colors that I probably would have been hesitant to use in my sportswear. It has been pushing me out of my comfort zone.”

At RISD, her faculty mentor for the Supima Design Competition was Meg DeCubellis.

See her capsule collection at 1 p.m. on September 8, when she shows as part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Lincoln Center.