Substance + Style: Reflections on New York Fashion Week and the Impact on International Trade

As I reflect on the close of New York Fashion Week, one word comes to mind in particular: SUBSTANCE.

Not only did LAUNCH NYC have a week of "Made in New York" fashion, but Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week likewise had B Michael America which shared the parallel manufacture-in-America focus as LAUNCH NYC.

LAUNCH NYC further showcased emerging brands focused on Zero Waste, such as that of Tabii Just and Simply Natural Clothing.

With so much textile waste generated in clothing manufacturing, it's refreshing to see the industry, albeit on an uber-small scale, is finally paying attention to something so obvious (yet ignored by) those familiar with apparel manufacturing.

So what does all this mean for international trade?

Will we see a decrease in imports? Doubtful. At least not anytime soon as Americans remain consummately unconscious about their addiction to consumption.


Exports however, of American apparel should steadily increase as the popularity of "Brand America" in foreign markets strengthens and more Made in USA products can be supplied.

What are your thoughts?

Questions/comments?  Post below or email me at Clark.Deanna@gmail.com

Keep up with my at www.fashioncompliance.com, on Twitter @fashcompliance, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FashionCompliance

Fashion Protection, Importing/Exporting, and the Role of Fashion Compliance

 As part of the NY Public Library’s effort to join in the New York Fashion Week festivities, trademark attorney Laurie Marshall and I spoke on “Fashion Protection” where we gave an overview on trademark protection for the fashion industries together with a crash course on Fashion Compliance 101.

While the concept of a trademark and trademark law is familiar to many, fashion compliance law is an emerging area as it deals with the non-artistic aspect of fashion rather than what makes up much of today’s conversation (the artistic side) on what is currently referred to as fashion law.

As defined by Deanna, “Fashion Compliance” is

Adherence to the laws that pertain to apparel and textile products offered for sale, or sold within, the U.S. and such laws that apply to the businesses engaged in this activity.

To make sense of Fashion Compliance, Deanna’s broke it down into “4 Cornerstones” within which the laws covering apparel and textiles generally fall into, one piece of which deals with imports and exports.

This year Deanna will be speaking on these cornerstones at events and via webinars, such as her 2014 series with Fashion Group International, the schedule for which will soon be available at www.fgi.com. 

For more on Fashion Compliance, check out her interview on FashionEdits.com by fashion journalist Faith Bowman.

Keep up with her on Facebook by liking the Fashion Compliance Facebook page (www.facebook.com/FashionCompliance), tweet her @fashcompliance, or feel free to send her an email at fashioncompliance@gmail.com.