Gillette Mach 3…

Burberry Prorsum Knotted Skirt

playsuits like this..

white cut off shirt?

Tips dan Trik Sebelum Membeli Bra

Tips Memilih Busana atau Gaun Pengantin Untuk Pernikahan Anda

Cotton price surge threatens ‘cheap fashion’

By Shafiq Alam
(AFP)
–
2 hours ago

DHAKA — In the home of cheap clothing manufacturing, the record price of cotton is causing havoc for producers — and the pain will pass down the chain to buyers in developed countries, analysts say.

Bangladesh, the third-biggest producer of clothes worldwide, is one of the cheapest locations for manufacturing in the world and its factories churn out clothing for leading brands from Wal-Mart to HM and Gap.

After reluctantly agreeing to a sharp rise in the minimum wage, under pressure from the government and violent protests from workers, the industry is now grappling with price and supply issues with its main raw material.

Cotton’s price on world markets reached 1.50 dollars a pound (0.45 kilograms) for the first time on November 9, double its level of 12 months ago.

“Top global retailers have for years cut buying prices of clothing to ensure higher profits for their shareholders. But they must now understand that the era of cheap fashion is all but over,” Hasan Khaled, former chief of Wal-Mart’s Bangladesh buying office, told AFP last week.

“Western consumers will have to bear some pain of higher cotton prices even though they are facing tough times due to the global meltdown,” said Khaled, who now buys clothing for US retailers such as Sears and JCPenney.

Garment-making is the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, accounting for 80 percent of exports, even though the country has no domestic source of cotton.

Instead Bangladesh buys one million tonnes of cotton a year, making it the world’s second biggest importer after China, according to the country’s commerce ministry.

Although prices on commodity markets have cooled in the last two weeks, Bangladeshi clothing manufacturers are having to manage a crisis.

According to the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, most of its members who took orders from western retailers months ago are being forced to cancel them, renegotiate prices, or take a big hit on profit.

“Many buyers understand the situation and they have agreed to raise prices by 30-40 percent. But even they are not adjusting order prices fully,” said Ziaul Islam Chowdhury, head of top producer Knit Asia.

“As a result, many exporters are being forced to cut profit margins for the sake of reputation. The export figures in recent months show tremendous growth but it does not show the kind of bleeding going on in the sector,” he said.

The government has said it is “deeply worried” over the rising cotton price and has launched a policy of “cotton diplomacy” intended to secure supplies for its industry.

Accompanied by top textile millers and cotton importers, Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Faruk Khan has visited top producing nations India and Uzbekistan in the last month.

“Ensuring cotton supply to our millers is now a national security issue,” he told AFP, a day after returning from Uzbekistan.

Zaena Miller, a London-based clothing analyst for research group Euromonitor, said calling an end to the era of cheap fashion was premature, but warned consumers already face price rises and more will come next year.

Retailers will adopt different pricing strategies depending on their business models, she said.

Low-cost specialists will look to absorb as much of the cost as possible, which will reduce their profits, while others will raise prices on some, but not all, of their clothing ranges.

As a general trend, they will try to sell at full price, which means fewer price-cutting promotions, and the trend could even be a boon for charity shops where second-hand clothes are on sale at a fraction of their original cost.

“There will definitely be slight price raises,” she said. “And next year they will be more noticeable.”

Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved.
More »

New at LeatherPaks, Parinda Handbags by McKlein

LeatherPaks introduces the new Parinda line of faux leather handbags. An affordable alternative to more expensive leather bags with the look and feel of real leather

Mays Landing, NJ (Vocus/PRWEB) November 30, 2010

At LeatherPaks, the company does not feel that offering the Parinda faux leather handbag line detracts from its specialty of offering high quality genuine leather bags. On the contrary the exceptional quality of Parinda’s faux leather would fool the most seasoned leather connoisseur. Parinda’s fashion forward designs and variety of styles adds a welcome new dimension to the product line at LeatherPaks.

Parinda is a collection of beautifully crafted faux leather handbags. Inspired by today’s woman, they exude style and femininity. With a collaboration of bold soft colors, Parinda compliments today’s woman with an eye for fashion and an appreciation for social grace. Alluring designs make its faux leather handbags the perfect accessory for everyday and evening affairs.

The Parinda collection offers a variety of styles colors and textures and will add high fashion to your wardrobe without subtracting too much from your wallet.

###

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2010/12/prweb8013343.htm

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

TOMS Shoes: more than a fashion statement for A&M students

Walking around Texas AM, a visitor might see a variety of fashion statements that would catch them off guard. From neon-colored hats to “I heart boobies” plastic bracelets, Aggies love to advertise their organization and cause. One trend that seems to be catching on is the canvas slippers known as TOMS. They come in colors that span the rainbow, with accents ranging from stripes to sparkles. But as it turns out, these shoes are more than just the latest trend.

Blake Mycoskie founded TOMS after he visited Argentina in 2006. He was exposed to widespread poverty most are shielded from in the U.S. Children who grow up barefoot are exposed to disease and injury. Chronic illness can lead to a decline in education and opportunities for success. Mycoskie said he was inspired to make a change, and created the One for One mission. With every pair of TOMS Shoes purchased, a pair of shoes is donated to a child in need. TOMS Shoes donate to 24 countries, and have so far donated more than one million shoes.  

In Aggieland, Northgate Vintage started carrying TOMS Shoes in 2007, shortly after the business began.

“Originally, we were approached by a former [student] and customer, who now works for TOMS. He called me up and said he believed TOMS would be a great fit for Northgate Vintage. After a little research, I told him I was worried it wouldn’t catch on in College Station, but it was worth a shot. The ‘one for one’ concept was really cool, and the shoes are so casual, it seemed a natural fit for the store,” said Ryan Ewing, owner of Northgate Vintage. The store began selling TOMS Shoes before major campaigning took place. “I feel fortunate that we had a solid group of individuals who adopted the trend early, and really promoted the company locally.”

Today, TOMS Shoes are commonplace on Texas AM campus. This year, the TOMS Club became a recognized organization on campus. The TOMS Club promotes the mission of TOMS Shoes.

“I love to give back, but as a busy college student, I’m not always able to donate tons of time or money to a great cause, so this is just another way that I can give back,” said Ashleigh Hancock, chairwoman for the Texas AM TOMS Club.

On April 5, 2011 the club will support the TOMS One Day Without Shoes Campaign. This day is meant to promote awareness of how vital a pair of shoes is by having supporters go one day without wearing shoes. Toms Club will also be holding benefit events in the future to profit the One for One mission.

While many students fully embrace the TOMS fad, other students are more skeptical. The shoe’s less-than-conventional design inspired criticism from some.

“They are not waterproof, so they get wet in the rain and they smell after a while,” said freshman English major Rachel Byrd, who frequently wears TOMS.

Still, Byrd said, she’s happy with her shoes.

“I wear them because it’s a good cause,” Byrd said. “And I like the way they look.”

The TOMS Shoes fever seems to be spreading, as more and more Aggies buy into the trend.

“The mission of TOMS is becoming more of a widespread phenomenon,” Hancock said. “Purchasing a pair of stylish, well-made shoes is a simple and easy way to give back.”

Souderton Area School District snow makeup days moved into school year

Souderton Independent News

Published: Tuesday, November 30, 2010

By Bob Keeler
Staff Writer

Montgomery Media File Photo of Souderton Area High School.

View and purchase photos

The first makeup day for snow days this year in Souderton Area School District will be June 17, 2011.

If four makeup days are needed, it will be June 22 before classes end.

That won’t happen again next year.

The first snow makeup day for the 2011-12 school year will be Feb. 17, 2012. The second and third ones will be April 5 and 10, 2012, the Thursday before and Tuesday after Easter.

“That gives us a little buffer so we don’t have to go pretty much through the end of June,” Superintendent Frederick Johnson said at the Nov. 23 Souderton Area School Board meeting.

If the makeup days are not needed, there will not be classes on those days.

Other changes in the school calendar for the upcoming year include moving the start of classes up to a week before Labor Day.

This year’s classes started on Tuesday, Sept. 7. Next year’s classes will start on Monday, Aug. 29, followed by four days of classes, then a four-day Labor Day weekend.

One of the biggest reasons for the change is to allow more teaching time before standardized testing taking place in March and May, Johnson said.

“Remember, our students will be expected to know a full year’s learning at that time and we need to frontload the calendar as much as possible,” Johnson said.

The last day of school for students in 2011 is scheduled for June 16 — if there are no snow days. The last day in 2012 is scheduled for June 8.

Next year’s calendar, which was approved at the Nov. 23 meeting, also cuts back on early dismissals, which district officials say are inconvenient and a disruption of schedules for everyone involved.

In other matters: Continued…

• 1
• 2
• See Full Story

Montgomery Media File Photo of Souderton Area High School.

View and purchase photos

• The first reading was held for employee Family and Medical Leave policy changes. The changes are from recent changes to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and add unpaid leaves of as many as 26 weeks within a one-year period to be a caretaker for a family member seriously injured while serving in the military.

• Student representative Kathryn Kundrod’s report included information on several collections or fundraisers held recently at the high school, including ones in which teachers took a pie in the face for contributions to charitable organizations and the ongoing Toys for Tots collection.

“The high school is a drop-off location for toys,” Kundrod said.

The National Honor Society is buying toys to add to the collection, she said.

“We have a goal of collecting 175 toys this year,” she said.

A holiday food drive is also being held, which will provide food to 25 families living in the Souderton Area School District and to Keystone Opportunity Center.

The high school’s Future Business Leaders of America also recently held collections and took part in local Sleep Out for Homelessness activities.

Following the student reports, board President Bernard Currie said the board is happy to hear about the community service projects at the school.

“It shows that you’re learning more than just the academics and the athletics, that this is an important part of your life, and you’re helping to make this community a better place to live,” Currie said.

• The board’s annual reorganization meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2.

• 1
• 2
• See Full Story

Montgomery Media File Photo of Souderton Area High School.

View and purchase photos

• 1
• 2
• 3
• See Full Story

Montgomery Media File Photo of Souderton Area High School.

View and purchase photos

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• See Full Story

By Bob Keeler
Staff Writer

Montgomery Media File Photo of Souderton Area High School.

View and purchase photos

The first makeup day for snow days this year in Souderton Area School District will be June 17, 2011.

If four makeup days are needed, it will be June 22 before classes end.

That won’t happen again next year.

The first snow makeup day for the 2011-12 school year will be Feb. 17, 2012. The second and third ones will be April 5 and 10, 2012, the Thursday before and Tuesday after Easter.

“That gives us a little buffer so we don’t have to go pretty much through the end of June,” Superintendent Frederick Johnson said at the Nov. 23 Souderton Area School Board meeting.

If the makeup days are not needed, there will not be classes on those days.

Other changes in the school calendar for the upcoming year include moving the start of classes up to a week before Labor Day.

This year’s classes started on Tuesday, Sept. 7. Next year’s classes will start on Monday, Aug. 29, followed by four days of classes, then a four-day Labor Day weekend.

One of the biggest reasons for the change is to allow more teaching time before standardized testing taking place in March and May, Johnson said.

“Remember, our students will be expected to know a full year’s learning at that time and we need to frontload the calendar as much as possible,” Johnson said.

The last day of school for students in 2011 is scheduled for June 16 — if there are no snow days. The last day in 2012 is scheduled for June 8.

Next year’s calendar, which was approved at the Nov. 23 meeting, also cuts back on early dismissals, which district officials say are inconvenient and a disruption of schedules for everyone involved.

In other matters:

• The first reading was held for employee Family and Medical Leave policy changes. The changes are from recent changes to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and add unpaid leaves of as many as 26 weeks within a one-year period to be a caretaker for a family member seriously injured while serving in the military.

• Student representative Kathryn Kundrod’s report included information on several collections or fundraisers held recently at the high school, including ones in which teachers took a pie in the face for contributions to charitable organizations and the ongoing Toys for Tots collection.

“The high school is a drop-off location for toys,” Kundrod said.

The National Honor Society is buying toys to add to the collection, she said.

“We have a goal of collecting 175 toys this year,” she said.

A holiday food drive is also being held, which will provide food to 25 families living in the Souderton Area School District and to Keystone Opportunity Center.

The high school’s Future Business Leaders of America also recently held collections and took part in local Sleep Out for Homelessness activities.

Following the student reports, board President Bernard Currie said the board is happy to hear about the community service projects at the school.

“It shows that you’re learning more than just the academics and the athletics, that this is an important part of your life, and you’re helping to make this community a better place to live,” Currie said.

• The board’s annual reorganization meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2.

• Return to Paging Mode

Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of Montgomery News.

We encourage your feedback and dialog. All comments are moderated by the editors. We ask you to follow a few simple guidelines when commenting on stories on Montgomery News.
1) Please post responsibly.
2) Be polite.
3) Don’t hate.
4) If you object to someone’s post, use the “Report Abuse” button and we’ll review it.
5) Users who don’t play by the rules will be blocked and won’t be allowed to participate.
6) Self-promotion of businesses or advertisements of anything for sale are not permitted.

Image Verification: (Case sensitive)  nbsp

Next Page »