insider - The Underfashion Club

I N S I D E R
CO-EDITORS
CAMILLE BLOCK
MARIE DEKENS
Issue number 13
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
CONTRIBUTORS
IRIS LEBRON
MARK SANDLER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2008 - 2009
PRESIDENT
BARRY ROSS
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
THOMAS A. GARSON
VICE PRESIDENTS
KAREN BROMLEY
BARBARA LIPTON
VICTOR VEGA
TREASURER
GARY E. HUGHES
SECRETARY
ROSA M. CHAMIDES
DIRECTORS
SUZANNE BECK
TRISTINE BERRY
CAMILLE J. BLOCK
MELISSA CAMPANA
DIANNE M. CASEY
STEVE CHERNOFF
WALTER A. COSTELLO
MARIE DEKENS
DEBORAH L. EATON
TERRI MEICHNER FISHER
MICHAEL G. FLORU
BERNA J. GOLDSTEIN
ROSLYN LANCES HARTE
SILVIA HARVEN
DAVID KOMAR
IRIS LEBRON
KATHLEEN M. LINEHAN
MEGAN L. ROSSI
VICTORIA VANDAGRIFF
LANCE T. WHITAKER
TINA M. WILSON
DIRECTORS EMERITUS
EDWARD J. FELDMAN
ALAN J. FISHER
DONALD LATORRE
JANET J. PETERS
NORMA C. REINHARDT
RONALD A. ROSS
JAMES P. ZENDMAN
LIFE MEMBERS
ROSLYN LANCES HARTE
DONALD LATORRE
RONALD A. ROSS
JAMES P. ZENDMAN
PRESIDENT’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE
KRISTIN KRAMER
DONNA WOLFF
W W W. U N D E R FA S H I O N C L U B . O R G
December 2008
BY BARRY ROSS
The film industry has
the Oscar; the theatre
has the Tony; the music industry has the Grammy;
and the intimate apparel industry exalts in
the Femmy!
In every industry, recognition by one’s peers is
a great honor. Created over thirty-five years ago
as the occasion to acknowledge the leading
individuals in the intimate apparel industry,
the Femmy Gala now salutes individuals and
companies whose contributions and influence
are responsible for the industry’s growth. The
Underfashion Club’s Femmy Selection Committee
thoughtfully evaluates the candidates before
arriving at each year’s honorees.
Historically the Femmy was awarded to a
retailer, a manufacturer, a supplier and,
periodically, a Life Achievement Award
recipient. Recently, the Innovation Award was
created since the lifeblood of our industry is
its creativity and innovation! Originally
intended as a social event that provided great
networking, the Femmy Gala has evolved into
a fundraiser that allows the UFC to fulfill its
primary mission of “Supporting Education
Today For A Better Industry Tomorrow.”
Six years ago, the SAIG (Scholarship Awards
Internships Grants) Committee, led by then
co-chairs Deborah Eaton and Walter Costello
established the Student Design Contest, which
is held annually at the Femmy. The theme of
the 2009 Design Contest is “Homage to
Film Sirens of the ‘30’s: Dietrich, Garbo
and Harlow,” and will feature the designs of
students from FIT’s Intimate Apparel program.
We greatly appreciate and thank design
contest sponsor, Vanity Fair Brands LLP.
Through their generosity, the three winners
will receive cash awards in the amounts of
$2,500 (1st prize), $1,500 (2nd prize)
and $1,000 (3rd prize).
Kudos to Deborah and Walter, whose dedicated
leadership of SAIG has resulted in hundreds
of thousands of dollars in scholarships and
internships for worthy students. This year alone
students received $125,000 to enable them to
further their education. The most tangible result
of SAIG’s efforts is the entry into our industry
of seven former scholarship recipients within
the last few years. Today, the SAIG Committee
continues its work as the focal point of the
club’s endeavors, in the capable hands of
co-chairs Suzanne Beck and Victor Vega.
The 2009 Femmy Co-Chairs, Rosa Chamides,
Barbara Lipton, and Tom Garson are energetically preparing for a blockbuster evening
which, we are very pleased to announce, will
be hosted (thanks to Ann Deal) by television
personality, Melissa Rivers! Within this edition
of Insider you will find the bios of this year’s
honorees. On behalf of the Underfashion Club
Board of Directors, I’d like to congratulate
Nordstrom, Jockey International, MAS
Holdings, Sara Blakely and Ann Deal.
With their help, we anticipate an extremely
successful Femmy, and we hope you’ll be
able to join us on February 3, 2009 at
Cipriani 42nd Street.
Table Of Contents
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
1
FEMMY PREVIEW: HONOREES
2, 3
FEMMY PREVIEW: SPECIAL AWARDS
3, 4
CELEBRITY HOST
4
CIPRIANI & FEMMY INVITE
5
FEMMY REPLY & INFORMATION
6
2008 HOLIDAY PARTY
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WWW.UNDERFASHIONCLUB.ORG
December 2008
Femmy
Under the
Preview
Wire
2009 Femmy Honorees
JOCKEY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Accepted by Edward C. Emma, President and Chief Operating Officer
Jockey International, Inc. was founded in 1876. Synonymous with underwear and intimate apparel, Jockey™ is
a leading manufacturer and marketer of apparel products sold in major department and specialty stores in more
than 120 countries around the world.
Jockey’s unwavering commitment to quality, comfort, innovation and, most importantly, its customers, continues
to be the company’s hallmark.
Ed Emma has been with Jockey International since 1991, serving in various management roles leading to his
appointment to the Board of Directors in 1994 and to his current position as Jockey’s president and chief operating
officer, in 1995.
Prior to joining Jockey, Ed spent 13 years in the retail business working for several of the industry's premier department store groups, including
Filene's, Jordan Marsh, and G. Fox.
An honors graduate of Harvard University, Ed has served on the President’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations since 2003.
He has also served as Chairman of the Board for the American Apparel and Footwear Association and remains active within the organization.
Jockey has a rich history as one of the industry’s originators and innovators. For instance, in 1909, Jockey (known then as the Cooper
Underwear Company™) created the Kenosha Klosed Krotch™ union suit, which took America by storm and was the single greatest advancement
in underwear at the time.
In the 1910s, the company put its underwear in fine packaging and displayed it in the front of major retailers’ sales floors – an industry first.
(Prior to this, underwear was kept in boxes behind the counter for modesty’s sake.)
In 1934, the company invented the men’s brief, called “Jockey shorts™” and the Jockey brand was born, changing the underwear landscape
forever. Jockey entered the intimate apparel business in 1982 with the highly successful launch of “Jockey For Her™.”
Over the years, Jockey’s commitment to innovation – from the creation of the first brief to developing underwear for NASA, to the introduction of
the popular No Pantyline Promise collection – has all been accomplished from the little town of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and remains – as it always
has been – a privately-held, family-owned business.
MAS HOLDINGS
Accepted by Mahesh Amalean, Chairman
Established in 1987, MAS Holdings, with an annual turnover of over USD 700 million, is one of South Asia’s
largest intimate apparel manufacturers and one of the region’s most rapidly growing provider of competition
sportswear. Within the last 20 years, MAS has invested in over 30 world-class facilities located across the
globe, which today employs approximately 44,000 people.
MAS’ integrated business ranges from fast replenishment to lean manufacturing, rapid product changeovers
to silicon embedding, and organic fair trade products; MAS has recorded many wins, including the creation
of performance sportswear for the world’s leading sports brands which reached new heights with its’ Bondelast
being used in the Speedo L ZR Racer line for the Beijing Olympics.
As a fully integrated apparel solutions provider, MAS services some of the leading global brands in intimate,
sportswear and swimwear, which include Victoria’s Secret, Marks & Spencer (M&S), Nike, Triumph International
and Speedo.
One of MAS’ key competitive advantages is the portfolio of well-respected partners. This enables MAS to offer new developments in fabric,
accessories and components such as moulded cups, lace and elastics via the groups highly specialized joint venture facilities with industry leaders
such as Stretchline UK, Brandot Int., Prym Intimates Group, Noyon Dentelles de Calais, DOGI International Fabrics and Textprint S.A.
As an apparel solutions provider committed to sustainability, the company has been a signatory to the UN Global Compact since May 2003
and has been commended for “Embedding Human Rights into Business Practice” as a benchmark case on policy in its 2007 report, jointly
issued by the UN Human Rights Commission and UN Global Compact.
In addition, MAS has been recognized as one of the most progressive organizations in the apparel, retail and soft goods business by leading
business and technology publication for the apparel and soft goods industry in the US – the Apparel Magazine (2003), while founding members
Mahesh, Ajay and Sharad Amalean were ranked 14th among the Top 20 Progressive Asian Leaders by the World Business Magazine (2007).
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Continuously raising the bar on the accepted standard of ethics and best practices in global industry, MAS’ culture of progressive management
seeks to empower people at all levels. Guaranteeing employee well-being, while considering their rights and means of empowerment, is central
to its people-philosophy. MAS believes that investing in human capital is the key to propelling the company to the fore of global industry.
WWW.UNDERFASHIONCLUB.ORG
December 2008
Femmy
Under the
Preview
Wire
2009 Femmy Honoree
NORDSTROM, INC.
Accepted by Pete Nordstrom, President of Merchandising
Nordstrom was founded as a shoe store in 1901 by Swedish immigrant John W. Nordstrom using his stake
from the Alaskan gold rush. John W. believed success would come only by offering customers the very best
service, selection, quality and value. In the years that followed, sons Everett, Elmer and Lloyd Nordstrom built
the company into the largest independent shoe chain in the nation, with stores only in the Northwest.
In the early 60’s, the company added apparel to its merchandise mix by purchasing another retailer, and control
was turned over to the family’s third generation – Bruce, John, and Jim Nordstrom and cousin Jack McMillan.
These four took Nordstrom public in 1971 and began an aggressive expansion effort that took the company
nationwide over the next 25 years. Today, Blake Nordstrom, President, Nordstrom, Inc. along with his brothers
Pete Nordstrom, President of Merchandising, and Erik Nordstrom, President of Stores and the executive team
manage the company. After assuming their positions in 2000, the team refined the company’s initiatives and laid the groundwork for better merchandising execution, expense management and improved sales growth in all channels. They renewed management’s commitment to the “front lines” of
the business, directing resources and support to the sales floor.
In 2005, the company purchased a majority interest in Jeffrey, two luxury specialty stores owned and created by Jeffrey Kalinsky. Building on the
success of the company’s internet business which launched in 1998, Nordstrom continues to more fully integrate its online shopping experience,
better serving all customers whether they shop online or in store.
Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 169 stores located in 28 states. Nordstrom operates 109 full-line
stores, 56 Nordstrom Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques and two clearance stores. Nordstrom also serves customers through its online presence at
www.nordstrom.com and through its catalogs. Nordstrom, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.
A fourth generation Nordstrom family member, Pete began his career in the stockroom of the downtown Seattle store in 1976. He continued
to work in sales and stock through high school and while attending the University of Washington. Pete went on to hold numerous positions in
the company including buying, store and regional management and executive vice president of merchandising prior to 2006, when Pete assumed
the title of president of merchandising and was elected to the company’s Board of Directors. Additionally, Pete serves on the Executive Committee.
He and his wife Brandy live in Seattle.
2009 Innovation Award Recipient
SARA BLAKELY
Spanx, Inc.
Throughout history, inventors have found inspiration from the strangest places. For Spanx Founder and
Owner Sara Blakely, the inspiration came from VPL (visible panty lines) and uncomfortable thongs. A frustrated
consumer turned entrepreneur, Sara invented footless pantyhose, created a national brand and led a
shapewear revolution.
Obsessed with creating comfortable, slimming garments that minimize figure flaws, Sara has created more
than 100 problem-solving products and recently entered the bra business with the ground-breaking Bra-llelujah!
In 2006 Sara brought her shapewear know-how to more women with the national launch of ASSETS, a new
collection of expertly designed shapewear and legwear. Continuing to raise the bar with innovative products
women want, in 2009 Sara will launch Haute Contour by SPANX, a new line of sumptuous shapewear to
be seen in.
Chances are you’ve seen Sara flashing her Spanx on QVC, judging inventions on ABC’s American Inventor, or sharing tea with Richard
Branson atop a hot air balloon at 10,000 feet on Fox’s The Rebel Billionaire. As the runner up on Rebel Billionaire, Sara received a
$750,000 check from Branson to pursue her dream to start a foundation to empower women. Since launching the Sara Blakely Foundation
in late 2006, Sara has contributed well over one million dollars to causes that support women. As an entertaining and sought-after speaker,
Sara shares her story to inspire people to follow their dreams.
Sara’s story has been featured on everything from The Oprah Winfrey Show, TODAY, 20/20, and most recently, CNBC. She has been
named Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year and Georgia’s “Woman of the Year.” Sara recently married Jesse Itzler, and they reside in
Atlanta and New York. She is a native of Clearwater, Florida, and a graduate of Florida State University.
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WWW.UNDERFASHIONCLUB.ORG
December 2008
Femmy Preview
2009 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
ANN DEAL
Chief Executive Officer Fashion Forms, Inc.
Ann Deal is tough to pin down. One day she is in New York entertaining a department store buyer and appearing
on a TV talk show in support of one of her innovations, the next she's off to Asia to work with her factories to create
yet another breakthrough in the shape of women's intimate apparel. Virtually tied to her cell phone and Blackberry,
Ann is an unstoppable whirlwind of activity, knows the names of all of her hundreds of employees and is rarely
seen without a sparkling smile.
As founder of Fashion Forms® a fashion bras and intimate apparel accessory company, Ann is passionate about
her business. "It's so exciting to be involved in the development of new shapes and items that women need but were
never before available. My life's work is to help women look and feel shapelier, sexier, and more physically free.
One woman wrote that our 'Breast Petals' changed her life! I loved hearing that!" she exclaims.
Raised in North Carolina, Ann Deal is from a family of entrepreneurial retailers. Ann moved to Atlanta to begin her own retailing career as
a buyer of intimate apparel for Rich's department store with the hopes of opening her own business. In 1987 she launched Freedom Forms in
Florida and in 1993 relocated the company to California and started the company as Fashion Forms, relying on her dynamic personality,
a good network of retailer friends, and one hot product - the Adhesive Body Bra. The rest is intimate apparel history. When she founded
Fashion Forms, Ann had been soundly involved in Intimate Apparel for over 27 years. Ann applied her eye for fashion direction and proficient
knowledge of Intimate Apparel to establish the Fashion Forms brand. In less than 10 years, Fashion Forms has become the nation's leader
in bra accessories, constantly introducing new and useful Intimate Apparel accessories like water push up pads, shoulder cushions, adhesive
bras and more. Fashion Forms became the exclusive U.S. distributor for the patented products: StrapMate® and Staykups™, Peel N' Stick
Cups™, NuBra®, and NuBra® Ultralite™. Ann expanded the company's accessory business and finally ventured seriously into the bra category,
by introducing The Original Water Push Up Bra™ to the U.S. in 1997. Ann's intuition told her women needed a 'smarter' bra. With this
in mind she developed the Original Water Bra, introducing the world to one of the greatest non-surgical concepts in bust enhancement.
An absolute frenzy has followed! For the first time women can increase their bust size with a natural look and feel – without the expense
and risk of cosmetic surgery.
The Water Bra is just one of Ann's creations; Fashion Forms is committed to continually delivering innovative bras and accessories for
women's changing needs and desires. That steadfast attention to quality and a high level of customer service has earned Ann the respect
of top department stores throughout the U.S.
In the few hours she has for relaxation, Ann and her beloved Bijon Frise - 'Pucci' - can often be found strolling the beach in Ventura, California.
But even at home, Ann is an active and generous philanthropist in her own community. She is the Executive Publisher of Ventura LIFE
Magazine – her hometown premium quarterly. She also created, in partnership with Ventura College, a corporate Promise Program for
her employees’ college tuition.
2009 CELEBRITY HOST: MELISSA RIVERS
Most people that see Melissa Rivers in all of her splendorous glamour on the red carpet have no idea that that the style
maven is an Ivy League graduate, an accomplished equestrian and the mother of a young son. She also an executive
producer and has ample experience behind the camera as well as in front of it.
The University of Pennsylvania graduate started to learn her craft after college at CBS This Morning where she quickly
became a feature reporter, which lead ironically to a stint as a regular contributor on Hangin’ with MTV. Rivers joined
her mother on the red carpet at E! Entertainment where they started the red carpet phenomenon. From then on, awards
show coverage was never the same. The acerbic, dynamic duo even made it to celebrate their 1,000 th interview on
the Emmys red carpet – a huge milestone indeed.
During her time at E! Rivers produced and hosted a number of specials – two of which were two of the channels highest
rated – Oh Baby! Melissa’s Guide to Pregnancy and Oh, Toddler! Surviving the Early Years.
When the Rivers women took their red carpet programming over to the TV Guide Channel a few years ago, the ratings soared. Rivers has produced
and hosted a number of specials and series including TV Candy, a weekly series that highlights TV fashion, the annual Mother’s Day special, The Stylist
Special, the series Stars First Jobs (all produced with Steven Jensen) that features celebrities hilariously going back to their first jobs. Rivers and her production company also produce all of the red carpet programs. She also hosted and executive produced The Craze on Fit TV, which tests the efficacy of
fitness products with normal people.
In 2003 Rivers had the opportunity to display her decidedly down-to-earth, tomboy side on ABC’s popular reality series I’m A Celebrity! Get Me Out of
Here. The show featured celebrities leaving behind their pampered lives for weeks of roughing it in a remote outpost of the inhospitable Australian rainforest.
She showed her strength and resilience under adverse circumstances and was the last woman standing, winning second place. She donated all of her
winnings from the show to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
That same year she had the distinction of being PETA’s spokesperson and model for their highly publicized I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur campaign
which featured a billboard in Times Square during the height of holiday shopping. Recently, she joined the Board of Directors of the Entertainment Industry
Council. She moderated a panel on mental illness for the organization and continues to stay involved with their programs.
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This spring she will appear on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice with her mother, Joan. The season premiere is set for March 1. Rivers lives with her son,
Cooper, and two dogs in Los Angeles.
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December 2008
Femmy Preview
CIPRIANI 42ND STREET: 110 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017
A national and New York City landmark, located in the heart of Midtown. The Bowery-style
building, built in 1921, features soaring marble columns, a 65- foot ceiling, magnificent inlaid
floors and glorious chandeliers. The Cipriani family is respected worldwide for its unparalleled
European style service.
Networking • Fun • Infor mation
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Femmy Preview
6
December 2008
WWW.UNDERFASHIONCLUB.ORG
December 2008
2008 HOLIDAY PARTY
Thank you to everyone who attended the annual Holiday party at the National Arts Club on Tuesday, December 2, 2008.
Clelia Parisi, Debbie Long,
Pam Jackson, Art Isaacs
Jim Mark, Victor Vega, Roz Harte
Debbie Long, Camille Block,
Pam Jackson, Beth Shapiro
FIT student, Artie Nathan, Justin Chernoff, FIT student
Presents for children
Margaret Bacon, Claire Sanders,
Brandon Grimm, Leah Sloan Barry Ross, Steve Chernoff
John Elmuccio & daughter Julie,
Tom Garson (in back), Sid Stern
Laurence & Jean Luc Teinturier,
Philippe Bazin, Amanda Macino
Angela Vega, Helen Mears, Takuya Miura,
Edgar Trinidad
Winning panty design by Nicole Rendone
Claire Sanders, FIT student
winner of Paris trip in January
The Underfashion Club, Inc. supports education today
for a better industry tomorrow.
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