Our Spring 2013 show is now behind us, and we are busy with the planning and preparations for our upcoming Washington DC International Textile Expo. Leading up to our spring show we had the distinct pleasure of sponsoring fabric for King 5′s Evening Magazine finale episode of The Look. With the generous support of suppliers like Elliott Berman Textiles, and Rimmon Fabrics the contestants created beautiful garments as part of this local designer competition.

On a damp November morning a group of local, independent fashion designers converged on the Upper Queen Anne neighborhood in Seattle. Why you ask? To begin a nearly four month journey to see who has the skills, and the vision to impress local fashion experts, and create The Look!

DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL is an intimate portrait and a vibrant celebration of one of the most influential women of the 20th century, an enduring icon whose influence changed the face of fashion, beauty, art, publishing and culture itself forever.

The United States Institute for Theater Technology (USITT) has nominated Connie Amaden-Crawford’s book, The Art of Fashion Draping, 4th Edition, for the prestigious 2013 Golden Pen Award. From all of us on the Seattle International Textile Expo team we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Connie. We were honored to have Connie presenting her Spring 2013 Trend Forecast before, and are even more so with this exciting news.

From the Chair of the Award Committee:

“This award, given annually, recognizes the author of an outstanding major publication in the field of design and production for the performing arts published within the previous three years. Nominations originate from members of USITT, and winners are chosen by a vote from the Publications committee. As outlined in our guidelines, review of nominated books occurs throughout the year with a winner chosen in October. . .
You will be notified of the results after the Fall board meeting which takes place in Oct or Nov of each year. The Award recipient is invited, as a guest of USITT, to the Annual Awards banquet, along with a complimentary registration to the annual conference where a book signing is generally scheduled.”

Please be sure to convey your congratulations to Connie when you see her at our September 10th reception event. It’s an honor to have such a distinguished industry professional residing in the Greater Seattle area.

The reaction was swift, and uncompromising when it was discovered that the uniforms to be worn by the athletes of the U.S. Olympic team were made in China. The Ralph Lauren press machine went into crisis communications mode issuing the statement,

Ralph Lauren promises to lead the conversation within our industry and our government to address the issue to increase manufacturing in the United States. We have committed to producing the Opening and Closing ceremony Team USA uniforms in the United States that will be worn for the 2014 Olympic Games.

But will they? Will this be a tipping point in the increasingly nationalistic rhetoric towards reinvesting in U.S. based apparel manufacturing? Will Americans, outraged by this perceived slap in the face, be willing to pay higher prices for goods manufactured with the ‘Made in USA’ label? Will our political leaders finally stop playing partisan games and put actions behind their words by working together?

All of this remains to be seen, but just maybe this most current Public Relations blunder will benefit those organizations that have been working for years to accomplish these things. Small, regional business incubators have been active for years in the shadows trying to help create U.S. jobs with in the fashion and apparel cluster in cities like Chicago, Washington D.C., Seattle and more.

These regional incubators have recently organized a National Coalition of Fashion Incubators, and have been advocating the issue of ‘Made in USA’ apparel jobs for over three years. Both individually and collectively. Perhaps this national spotlight will help propel their coalition to the forefront and help them affect real change with jobs creation in our great nation?

If you would like to support their efforts you can make a tax deductible donation to DCFashionFoundation.org, and note the National Fashion Incubator Coalition as recepient.

Dan and Ron Rimmon

Dan Rimmon, of Rimmon Imported Fabrics will be in Seattle for one day only showing their exclusive lines of finer European and designer fabrics and leather. Rimmon’s complete collection is available to you with low minimum yardage requirements. Dan will be showing their new jobber fabrics from Monique Lhuillier, Michelle Mason and many others, plus representing:

Liberty Art Fabrics (formerly Liberty of London) the Classics & Spring  2013

Pickering International organics and sustainable fabrics

Introducing Rimmon’s new lines:

• Eusebio Sanchez high end Spanish laces and bridal fabrics.
• Ten14 Textiles organic cotton prints
• Monaluna organic cotton prints
• Blue Star Silks high end line of European and other imported silks.
• Pineapple Silk sustainable, handmade from pineapple fibers and natural dyes.

Wednesday July 18, 2012 from 5:00-6:30 PM at:

We are your “Secret Source” for small to medium size pieces of imported designer dress fabrics for independent designers, manufactures and retail fabric stores.