The Commission on the Status of Women at the U.N.

This week marks the fifty-eighth (58th) session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) which is taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City from March 10 – 21, 2014.

Obviously in the context of fashion and international trade, the role of women is paramount to the industry and the manufacture of wearing apparel.

I had the privilege of attending together with the Hon. Weatherspoon (next to me in photo) a briefing at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations by U.S. delegates to the CSW conference, which included Ambassadors Cousens, Russel and King (center of photo), and Sharon Kotok.

 "Countries where women can reach their full potential are more stable "

On the U.S. agenda, priorities include the adoption of the agreed conclusions from 2013 without any erosion to them (Draft Version).  Other priorities are in 3 specific areas:

1) Gender Based Violence: Includes intimate partner violence and a “national action plan” for women and security – don’t be fooled by the language however, according to a source of mine, while this is called a “national” plan, it does not actually include any plan for U.S. women. (I would love to be corrected on this if it is, in fact, untrue)

2) Women’s Economic Empowerment: Shifting the focus to women as drivers of economic empowerment and agents of change.  Also, to knock down barriers women face, including

• -         A lack of meaningful decision making at every level
• -         Women’s leadership in government
• -         A lack of access to credit
• -         A lack of access to education
• -         Inheritance laws (I witnessed this bias first hand in my own family)
• -         Marriage laws (Luckily, no pressure there!)

3) Adolescent Girls: This looks directly at child marriage and keeping girls in school, since by staying in they are more likely to have economic empowerment and more likely to support their community (as compared to men – not my words)

For more information about the CSW click here.

Questions/comments?  Post below or email me at clark.deanna@gmail.com

Keep up with me at www.fashioncompliance.com or:

On Facebook at www.facebook.com/FashionCompliance

On Twitter @fashcompliance

Does a Country With People Who Have Smaller Hands Have a Competitive Advantage in Apparel Manufacturing?

This was one of many thought provoking questions that came up during my recent discussion with Mr. Theo Samuels-Hunt, a Senior International Trade Specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce based in Philadelphia.

According to a source of his that did substantive training of the Chinese many decades ago in sewing and textile manufacturing,

“You can train anyone to sew but if you do not have an innate physical ability, e.g., smaller hands to do more delicate work, that work cannot be done.”

And apparently, the Chinese and Italians have smaller hands according to source, which enable them to do more detailed work, as would someone from Ethiopia or Somalia.

Interesting…

Other less anecdotal but equally interesting comments shared revolved around the many benefits for exporters who use his office.

Generally speaking, he works with companies to help them learn how to export and to find foreign buyers in overseas markets.  This typically means working with the overseas commercial officers in U.S. embassies who know the “movers and shakers” in the local foreign market and can therefore identify those companies that could be a “match” for the U.S. supplier looking to sell there.

U.S. manufacturers are eligible for his assistance when they have at least 50% of the value of their content as originating from the United States. 

50% does not mean that 50% of the raw materials of the product must originate from the U.S. but rather, this 50%+ figure takes into account the value of other variables that contribute to a product such as it’s

- Research and design

- Intellectual Property

- Marketing

Theo is in the “Textile, Apparel and Sports” team in his office which means he works particularly close with companies in these areas and in particular, those dealing in industrial textiles, which would include yarns and fabrics for articles like military garments, architectural fabrics such as for shades and blinds, shoe (leather) companies, automotive and space fabric made goods and even a well-known wedding gown manufacturer.

Interested in learning more about how to export?  Theo can be reached at theo.hunte@trade.gov

Questions/comments?  Post below or email me at clark.deanna@gmail.com

Keep up with me at www.fashioncompliance.com or:

On Facebook at www.facebook.com/FashionCompliance

On Twitter @fashcompliance

Careers in International Trade Event March 20th 2:00 - 3:30 PM at SIBL

For anyone interested in the critical intersection between international trade and fashion law, this free event in NYC not to be missed!

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

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.

Spread the Word! Free Fashion Protection Seminar on Thursday Feb. 6, 2014 at 2 PM in NYC

For more information, click here:  http://www.nypl.org/locations/tid/65/node/238886

Questions/comments?  Post below or email me at clark.deanna@gmail.com

Keep up with me on twitter @fashcompliance

On Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FashionCompliance

CUSTOMS BROKERS: Remember to Pay Annual Fee by February 21, 2014

The annual fee of $138 USD is due for payment on 2/21/14 for each permit held by a licensed customs broker, whether it is an individual, corporation, partnership or association.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations (19 CFR 24.22(h) and (i)(9) provide that this fee is payable for each calendar year in each broker district where a broker has been issued a permit to do business.

Though the date for payment has historically been simply published in the Federal Register annually 60 days before the due date, it is anticipated that for subsequent years, this annual user fee will be due of the first business day of February this year.  We shall see…

Questions/comments?  Post below or email me at clark.deanna@gmail.com

Keep up with me:

On Twitter @fashcompliance

On Facebook:  www.facebook.com/fashioncompliance