Saturday, September 19, 2009

Color Trends Forecasting 2010/2011

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com

While I was hanging out at the Pantone booth in Vegas at MAGIC, I purchased the latest Fashion + Home Digital color library.
I felt like a kid in the candy store. I received a CD, color chart and the latest color swatches.


The next big IT colors?
Gray/Silver
Browns/ earthy nostalgic colors
Bright Orange (my favorite of course)
Dark Blue Grays
Dark blues
Lime Green
Yellow
Purple


As you know there are many shades of the colors, so ask me about them and we can design your next logo, t-shirt or whatever you have in mind with the trendiest colors.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Speed to Market/Apparel Buying Trends



Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com This is a continuation of my trip to Vegas for the MAGIC show, the premiere fashion apparel show. The show had about 8 football fields of booths, vendors, people and everything you can think of.

I saw and met Ed Hardy, cracked a Coronoa at Kenny Chesney's new apparel booth named Char Bay, saw a model being body painted.

But the one trend everyone was talking about was Speed to Market. What does that mean? Everyone wants it now. Retail buyers don't buy a year ahead anymore. And who can predict what will be the next BIG THING? no one. But what that does mean, is that retailers need to find manufacturers and sources that can produce new apparel orders in less that 90 days, in fact it's going towards inside 75 days. And this is for international orders.

Retailers don't hold inventory anymore. They will buy a few of each design and see what sells. Then they may return the whole order, only to need something to replace that hole on their racks. But manufacturers are able to deliver the goods. They know that they have to work night and day to fill orders. They are doing smaller drop ships. Smaller runs under 1500 units.

And all because customers are more savvy, they are almost like a school of fish, unpredictable and when they see something they like it's a feeding frenzy short lived.

I would hate to own a retail shop, but I do love the possibilities that my apparel or my client's apparel may just be the next BIG THING.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Top Sourcing Countries for Apparel

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com Total Textile Imports into U.S. are $67 Billion a year. Source: MAGIC seminar "The Americas! Sourcing Solutions" Asia alone does 60% of our import production. #1 China #2 Vietnam #3 Bangladesh #4 Hondorous #5 Indonesia #6 Cambodia #7 Mexico

How To Trademark A New Apparel Brand (cont'd)

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com This is a continuation of how to launch a new apparel brand or category. Whether your focus is fashion, skateboard or sports the basics are the same. This blog focuses on Trademarking your line domestically or internationally. You have to answer these questions first. Ownership: So who is going to own the designs? Is it the client that hired you? You? Crossing state lines: What if you set-up in a different state? Did you know that some states don't charge sales tax? Some people have their company's headquarters in different states like Philadelphia because of that. Your Design: Trademarking includes your logo, designs and maybe even the way your design is applied to the garment. Hire a trademark lawyer that works in the apparel industry, it will save you time and money. ANd do this before you begin. You would hate to receive a cease and desist letter when you've spent $20k. Made In China: If you do make apparel overseas, did you know that you have to have a label sewn into the garment that states where it was manufactured? Making it Legal: IF and when you do trademark you will need a federal tax id number, sales and use tax number and a business license for each state you are in. Check with your accountant on the details of setting this up. I did my own, but you may want to check rules and regulations in your state.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Big Stampede Announcement Nov 2009

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com P.S. We (Auer Agency) are going to redesign the logo. Even though we did the original a few years back. We will bring it to the new... here and now. Maybe a little Ed Hardy persuasion?? P.S.S. So swing by our booth for a preview of the latest and greatest in cycling apparel. I just wanted to let you know that it is official…The Big Stampede Bike Expo & Swap is coming to Lowe’s Motor Speedway again on November 8, 2009. Features 40,000 sq. ft. of cycling manufacturers, retailers, shops, clubs, and individuals selling new and used cycling and triathlon equipment. Contact: Justin Ratike Big Stampede mobile 704.968.5666 | efax 623.433.4607 www.bigstampede.com Follow on Twitter http://twitter.com/bigstampede

More Bizarre Sightings @ MAGIC - American Apparel

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com This is a continuation of my trip to Vegas for the MAGIC show and some of the bizarre sightings. American Apparel - Thanks to Rubin for inviting back to his booth after meeting me and a friend in the bathrooms. I wont' even go there. Dick And Jane - underwear model. And his name was really Nelson Grande. And Nelson was one of the cutest boys and we talked for quite a while about his modeling assignments and what is the most bizarre thing he's seen in Vegas. Well let's just say what happens in Vegas SHOULD stay in Vegas. He had me laughing. Now what do you get when you combine a crazy sales rep from American Apparel and a Dick and Jane model, well this is what you get. And last but not least, end of the show. "Man"-equin down. hee hee. Hey you get slap happy after walking around for 4 days. Give us a call if you want to be part of the MAGIC, the next one is in February. And we are also writing on our experiences at the show. I actually have some educational blogs regarding MAGIC. But I have to cut loose once in a while. Enjoy!

Bizarre Sightings at MAGIC

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com Of course I have to share the bizarre, the weird and the eye-catching pics of the MAGIC show in Vegas last week. First of all, I stayed at the TRUMP hotel. Gorgeous and classy place. I highly recommend it. TV in the bathroom mirror, seriously cool. My own robe and the bed, was the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in. Tattooed Steel - This not only had one of the coolest business cards I've seen, but was bent over hand-painting a model's body. Covering her in his latest design, Picasso-like but very young and edgy. He has taken his designs to the next level by etching them onto steel, on jewelry and I even saw a Ed Hardy sales rep sporting a steel cuff, but with Ed Hardy's name on it. Cont'd on next blog with more pics.

Starting a New Apparel Brand: How to's

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com This is the beginning of a series of blogs based on my trip to MAGIC, the premiere fashion apparel tradeshow. How many times have you thought of launching your own product or brand of clothing or even a new category? Want to be the next Ed Hardy? After my trip to Vegas, for the MAGIC , I attended a seminar, "Developing A New Brand: Roadmaps to Success" The panel consisted of several top industry pros and I'm paraphrasing from my notes. But what an eye-opening experience. I have been in the apparel industry since 1996. Mostly focusing on the graphic side i.e. designing team logos or graphics to be printed on the apparel directly. And most recently I am researching launching my own event apparel line including soccer, running, cycling. However, I have been branching out into private label development and various performance apparel for clients. And with sourcing from international companies, it has never been more easy to start. Quick notes from seminar: #1 Know your production cycle. How long is it going to take to make? Where are you buying? How long to ship? #2 PRICING If we knew this answer, we would all be rich. But you have to mark-up your items to include expenses, shipping and returns. #3 Trademark or patents: Yes this is just as important. It's hard to really say where your ideas originally started. We are all inspired by something if you were to admit it. But once you have a signature design. You have to protect it. #4 Financing - that's a whole other subject. But they discussed Mezzanine financing where your vendors may help you with pricing and not bill you until orders are in. Give us a call if you are thinking of launching your own apparel line, t-shirt line or have a new category idea. We have the contacts, we have the design experience and we are fun to work with.