California Apparel News

FASHION INDUSTRY

Associations

• American Apparel & Footwear Association

  The industry's primary lobbying organization in Washington, D.C. which also co-sponsors several industry conventions and offers a variety of information resources.

• Apparel Technology and Research Center (ATRC)

  An outreach program designed to work directly with people and companies in the domestic apparel industry to increase their competitivness. ATRC assists apparel companies of all sizes in improving quality levels through education, research and training programs based at Cal Poly University, Pomona.

• California Fashion Association

  (CFA) is a forum to create a positive image for the apparel and textile industry, provide a forum for industry networking, and advise about labor law compliance. It also promotes the application of apparel-related technology and advanced education, assists members in their global reach for import sourcing as well as international export, and assistance from governmental programs.

• Fashion Business Inc.

  Fashion Business Inc. (501c3) provides the fashion industry with the resources and training, to support its growth and profitability. The FBI offers targeted business education, sourcing, networking opportunities, marketing and consulting services through its resource center and business partnerships.The FBI exists to ensure the on going vibrancy of the American fashion industry.

• Fashion Center - New York

  An interactive guide to New York's vast center including a virtual tour and search engine feature to locate specific resources.

• Fashion District - Los Angeles

  The web site for the Los Angeles downtown fashion District created by local property owners and the City.

• Fashion Group International

  A global non-profit professional organization established in 1930, with over 6,000 members in the fashion, apparel, accessories, beauty, and home industries. The goals of the organization are: to advance professionalism in fashion and its related lifestyle industries, with a particular emphasis on the role and development of women and to provide a public forum for examination of important contemporary issues in fashion and the business of fashion.

• Garment Contractors Association of Southern California (GCA)

  A member's referral service to the manufacturer whose main purpose is to provide education in promoting the highest quality of workmanship and business practices, and thus contribute to the development of the garment industry.

• Institute of Textile Technology (ITT)

  Provides graduate level training in textile technology, to carry on scientific research, and to establish a library and system of information service to members that would keep the textile industry apprised of research findings throughout the world.

• Italian Trade Commission

  The Italian Trade Commission simply wants anyone in the American fashion industry to know what resources Italy has to offer.

• Los Angeles Economic Development Corp.

  Non-profit that provides excellent data and industry profiles and forecasts.

• National Retail Federation

  The National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores as well as the industry's key trading partners of retail goods and services. NRF's mission is to advance and protect the interests of the retail industry and to help retailers achieve excellence in all areas of their business.

• Small Business Administration

  Here's where you can learn how to obtain small business loans and a wealth of other services (federal).

• Small Manufacturing Association (SMA)

  Represents approximately 800 small and medium sized manufacturing companies throughout the United States. SMA provides advocacy and other benefits to its members, which include the apparel and textile industry.

• SPESA: Sewn Products Equipment Suppliers Association

  A member-driven organization that speaks for and acts on matters that affect the member companies. SPESA provides a forum to address the challenges of an ever-changing global marketplace.

• SGMA

  Sporting Goods Manufacturers' Association's site is a must for anyone manufacturing or retailing active sportswear. SGMA also organizes the huge annual Super Show in Atlanta every February.

• Textile Clothing Technology Corporation [TC]2

  A consortium of fiber, fabric sewn products, labor, government and academia dedicated to a more competitive U.S. soft goods industry through demonstration, education, and research and development.

• The Downtown Property Owners Association/Fashion District (DPOA)

  A nonprofit organization compromising property owners within the Los Angeles Fashion District. The DPOA is responsible for managing the enhancement of the Fashion District business improvement district.

• The Professional Club

  The Professional Club (TPC) is a membership-based group of business executives consisting of CPA’s, attorneys, bankers, insurance brokers and other various service professionals.

• The Textile Association of Los Angeles (TALA)

  Helps its members find fabric and other apparel design resources in throughout Southern Califonia. Phone 213-627-6173.