  Andrew Tastad
Vice President of Sales
www.aurifootwear.com
Booth # 464
How do you define your collection?
Auri is a fashion brand that incorporates several next level technologies into each shoe. We design the collections based around our interpretation of fashion with a technology twist, styling that looks and feels great and is trend right. Auri uses new and innovative materials for our shoes such as Outlast, which is currently used by NASA. This material which is used on our lining stays cool when hot and holds ambient temperatures while wicking moisture. We also use triple density footbeds that provide ultimate support and cushioning.
 What key item(s) will you be featuring in your Spring/Summer 2011 collection?
Our spring sport collection focuses on refined materials and a sophisticated spread of color in our sport sneakers and driving patterns. These styles dress up denim without compromising the sneaker effect. Bold colors with subtle details make this collection a great evolution to what is currently on retail shelves. Our dress collection continues to grow with two new slip on styles. This collection uses hand crafted elements such as floating perfs, woven details, and softer shades of browns and tans that compliment many of the clothing colors for spring.
 Business has changed… How is your company changing with it?
Over the last two years we have taken steps to address the economic slowdown experienced by all facets of the industry by introducing styles that provide a better value to the consumer without compromising quality and design. We have been able to capture new consumers and grow market share by introducing several tiers of price points throughout the collection along with new materials and styling that is fresh and unique to our industry.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
A brand is a promise and a good brand is a promise kept. I think that no matter what the business or the industry, the product has to exceed expectations and do so convincingly and consistently.
Which celebrity or sport star would you like to see wearing your product and why?
I think that because the Auri brand launched quite literally "through" Hollywood in our first year, we were able to gain a much wider reach and far more diverse celebrity audience than other well known or older brands could. Celebrities are all about "what's next" and we had an immediate celebrity following spanning from Taylor Lautner, Benjamin Bratt, Jamie Foxx and William Shatner, all in our first year. Our brand continues to build a very diverse celebrity following now, so I can't imagine one person or celebrity encompassing everything that this brand brings to the table. If you had a crystal ball and could look ahead 2 years from now, what do you see for the men's business?
Don't we all wish we knew! Seriously, I see the men's consumer getting back into a regular buying pattern and looking at the details of what sets product apart. In the footwear segment, I see the consumer stepping out into more seasonal color and not just replacing a current pair, but adding depth to his options in his wardrobe and changing up his look.
  Carlo Ferretti
CEO
www.italoferretti.it
Booth # 325
How do you define your collection?
Two key words describe our collection: Soul and Passion.Our worldwide clientele is the image of luxury in menswear. Most of the buyers we deal with are so "taste addicted" that they are always looking for the most beautiful details to personalize their own buying and to make the product exclusive to the final consumer. This is why these buyers come to Italo Ferretti for their collection buying. The beauty of our products is out of the schemes and the unique skills we execute create very special items that make our buyers feel more like "artists" in a fashion world often driven by rules.
 What key item(s) will you be featuring in your Spring/Summer 2011 collection?
Ties, ties and always ties. For this Spring\Summer we worked out 5 new ways to pleat our beautiful silk, which is what we are going to reproduce in ties, bow ties, vests and cummerbunds.
Business has changed… How is your company changing with it?
Nowadays our clientele is asking mostly for one thing: quick and accurate service. Our company always tries to satisfy every single request and in my opinion we reach that goal with the Italo Ferretti made to measure program. Believe it or not this program allows someone to pick from more than 20,000 combinations, which results in one tie that is really unique and exclusive all over the world.
 Where do you see opportunities going forward (ie., product, retail, marketing, promotions, internet, etc.)?
Opportunities are everywhere. In this day and age the internet is the way to promote your company worldwide.
Which celebrity or sport star would you like to see wearing your product and why?
First, Mr. Derril Osborn, ex-executive of menswear at Neiman Marcus. Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure to meet with this gentleman but I always considered him the most elegant personality in the All-American menswear industry. Second, John Elkann, 33 year old son of Umbero Agnelli and President of Fiat S.p.a. He is the icon of the new generation in Italian capitalism.
If you had a crystal ball and could look ahead 2 years from now, what do you see for the men's business?
For the next two years I don't see too many changes. I am looking forward 5 to 10 years into the future because I see China as the new opportunity for the multi-brand retail business. For many years the relationship between Occident and China has been based on industrial production and delocalization. Nowadays I feel that our lifestyle is approaching on those countries and I would not be surprised if in the next few years all cultural barriers are gone.
  Tom Chappell
President/Founder
www.ramblersway.com
Booth # 520
How do you define your collection?
We have asked our customers what word comes to mind when describing our collection and the most common description used is comfort wear. We pride ourselves on being more than just long underwear because of the uniqueness of our wool product. Rambler's Way is recognized in the industry for providing a lightweight, wool undergarment that comes in a variety of fabric weights and vegetable dyes. Our all natural line of undergarments defines comfort wear.
What key item(s) will you be featuring in your Spring/Summer 2011 collection?
Rambler's Way will be featuring fine, worsted wool undergarments and layering pieces. We will be highlighting our wool hoodies and polo shirts during the upcoming Spring/Summer 2011 season as well.
 Business has changed… How is your company changing with it?
We support a 100% Made in America business that institutes sustainable practices with the hope of leaving a low carbon footprint. Our American made standard supports ranchers in the states of Montana, Nevada, Texas, Utah, plus the two ranches my wife and I own in Maine. These practices allow us to offer broader selections and faster turn around times.
 Where do you see opportunities going forward (ie., product, retail, marketing, promotions, internet, etc.)?
We have integrated the internet more into our business model because it easily partners us with our retailers. We also have incorporated more flattering structures and margins, which have proven to open up more opportunities to us.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice I have ever received is to listen.
Which celebrity or sport star would you like to see wearing your product and why?
I appreciate authentic, natural celebrity figures because they are people that fit my product image, which is why I would definitely love to see both Robert Redford and Gwyneth Paltrow in Rambler's Way products. Both celebrities embody a natural image that fits with the motto of Rambler's Way.
If you had a crystal ball and could look ahead 2 years from now, what do you see for the men's business?
In the next two years I see us continuing in an age of more practical times with consumers still looking for versatility and utility, which is why I feel natural fibers will be a key item, especially wool.
  Henri Abitan
President & CEO
www.reportcollection.com
Booth # 109
How do you define your collection?
Report Collection offers a combination of fashionable sportswear that emphasizes detail, fit and comfort for the style-savvy man. The collection strikes a perfect balance between sporty elegance and casual chic; it stands out by its superb fabrics, supreme comfort, perfect cut, original details, diversity of styles, the easy elegance of its fit, and its remarkable affordability.
What key item(s) will you be featuring in your Spring/Summer 2011 collection?
For Spring 2011 our core emphasis will be on woven shirts that are modern with a classic twist. These pieces will have a dressier feel and look to them and incorporate novelty jacquards both in stripes and plaids, and basic solid stretch and stripes with subtle contrast details. Additionally, we are introducing a new collection of knitwear, which will consist of strong cotton pique with printed and check woven details while other pieces in this new collection will be more subtle with stripe details.
Business has changed… How is your company changing with it?
We are working closer to season, which allows our company to be in tune with the market on a constant basis. We also stay focused on what we know best, which is providing a value driven novelty product. This structure is what makes us the go-to destination in men's sportswear!
 Where do you see opportunities going forward (ie., product, retail, marketing, promotions, internet, etc.)?
Licensing different product categories has allowed for the continual growth of Report Collection as a complete lifestyle brand. We also see opportunity in consolidating strategic business partnerships with retailers that believe and invest in our brand.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice I ever received is to learn to listen to your customers as well as your team. I think that once we listen we can better understand the needs and then make the best decisions.
Which celebrity or sport star would you like to see wearing your product and why?
Clive Owen, Leonardo Di Caprio, Robert Downey Jr., Roger Federer: all very manly, sophisticated, well-traveled, and cultured, which is the essence of a Report Collection man.
If you had a crystal ball and could look ahead 2 years from now, what do you see for the men's business?
Looking ahead, the men's business will consist of either very large players or small sized companies that are very niche and specialized in their offerings.
  Guillaume Jamet
Managing Director of North America
www.saint-james.com
Booth # 118
How do you define your collection?
Saint James collection is a "casual, sports chic" collection. Our styles get their inspiration from our nautical heritage, which then expands into something chic to wear as a relaxed, preppy look for the office or on the weekend.
What key item(s) will you be featuring in your Spring/Summer 2011 collection?
We will be expanding our sweater collection by developing buttoned down shirts and polos with a focus on details such as the contrasting collars made from tie patterns.
 Business has changed… How is your company changing with it?
Saint James is first and foremost renowned for two things: high quality knits and striped t-shirts. We are now growing our collections by introducing lifestyle lines within Saint James such as Homme, which is our men's line that offers the customer a complete look with sweaters, polos, shirts, and pants.
Where do you see opportunities going forward (ie., product, retail, marketing, promotions, internet, etc.)?
Consumers want fun and well made clothes that will last without sacrificing the look. We keep our high quality while delivering a fresh, new look to classic items. Saint James collections are something your parents might have worn but with a new twist that makes it relevant and fun to wear for everybody.
 What is the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice I ever received is nothing is impossible if you really want it and are ready to work hard for it.
Which celebrity or sport star would you like to see wearing your product and why?
We are already happy to see many influential people in the fashion industry and in films wearing our clothes, sometimes giving it their own spin like the blazer redesigned by Junya Watanabe that Karl Lagerfeld wore in a few publications last year. Johnny Depp is a good example of someone I can see in Saint James because he is dressed well with attention paid to details, but he also has a down to earth personality that fits with our product image.
If you had a crystal ball and could look ahead 2 years from now, what do you see for the men's business?
I see more and more men paying attention to their wardrobe and picking their clothes more carefully. In the next two years men will be spending more time finding the right items that not only just match together, but choosing diverse items that can be worn both at the office and out for a drink with friends.
  David Dow and Jim Neeley
Managing Director and Creative Director
www.wisecrackerluggage.com
Booth # 553
How do you define your collection?
Wisecracker Luggage is an edited collection of essential travel and business bags focusing on men's pieces with a capsule collection for women. Our pieces are elegant, very refined, quiet and chic with a few discrete surprises. Bags are relaxed, unpretentious and lightweight with thoughtful functionality. We are also very proud to be part of the program Entrepreneurs Supporting Entrepreneurs, where a designated dollar amount from every sale of every piece we create goes to a microlending program that assists people around the world lift themselves out of poverty. It makes each piece of every collection we design very unique and special.
 What key item(s) will you be featuring in your Spring/Summer 2011 collection?
We are very excited that we are launching our first collection at MRket. We chose to launch at MRket because we feel like we are in good company with prestige exhibitors and that our collection will resonate with the retailers who attend this show. The 21 piece debut collection combines rugged micro twill nylon with Italian calf leathers. Signature details include proprietary hardware and unique linings.
Business has changed… How is your company changing with it?
Wisecracker feels that customers in these times want to travel lightly and under the radar screen. The collection is elegant but unpretentious. Branding is very discrete and we remain aware of retailers' and customers' demands for well crafted products that are fairly priced. We have strived to design a collection that addresses the needs and wants of modern travel without sacrificing style.
 Where do you see opportunities going forward (ie., product, retail, marketing, promotions, internet, etc.)?
There are signs out there that the higher-end market is rebounding. These customers are always looking for the "next thing" and Wisecracker's point of view and pricing strategy should appeal to this segment. To get this new brand and line in front of the customer we are looking at social media and networking vs. extravagant and expensive print ads. In the end Wisecracker is about beautiful products and we hope that product speaks for itself.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Don't be afraid to do the "next great thing". Be inspired by new places and people. Never carry cheap luggage.
Which celebrity or sport star would you like to see wearing your product and why?
Jon Hamm because he is all about cool, elegance and confidence. The production styling of Mad Men with its mix of retro and modern elements feels in sync with Wisecracker's product design.
If you had a crystal ball and could look ahead 2 years from now, what do you see for the men's business?
Increased confidence, increased consumer demand and optimism. |
