Sports Direct speaks out against city critics

Sports Direct majority shareholder Mike Ashley has hit back at City critics branding unsupportive investors a ‘bunch of cry babies’.

The sports retailer, which owns brands such as Slazenger and Dunlop, lost almost a quarter of its value in a single day last week after a profit warning following the wettest June on record. In his first major interview, Ashley, who still owns a 57% stake in the company that floated five months ago, told The Sunday Times: “I've got balls of steel. Some investors have been great and have been very supportive. But some of these City people act like a bunch of cry babies.

“You meet a lot of incredibly smart people in the City who seem to be obsessively focused on a share price at that minute,” said Ashley. He said that in the long term he would rebuild the share price and create value for loyal investors. He hopes to turn Sports Direct into a £4 billion business over the long term. “We didn't hide anything. We don't think the share price is a reflection of the company's prospects,” said Ashley.

www.sportsdirect.co.uk
30 July 2007

Sports Direct to issue profit warning

Sports Direct is expected to warn that it will miss 2008 earnings targets when it unveils full-year results later this month. Retail sources said that trade at Sports Direct had been severely affected by wet weather in the past eight weeks, with like-for-like sales thought to be down by double digits on the same period in the previous year.

Even though the group is only two-and-a-half months into its the financial year, which runs to the end of April 2008, it will be difficult to recoup lost sales from the last two months. Merrill Lynch, Sports Direct's broker, is forecasting 2008 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of £250 million. However, retail experts believe the figure is way off the mark and Sports Direct will be lucky to achieve more than £210m-£220 million.

www.sportsdirect.com
16 July 2007

Sports Direct up bid for Everlast

UK sportswear retailer Sports Direct International has increased its takeover offer for US boxing equipment firm Everlast to $182.3m (£90.7m). Sports Direct's increased all-cash bid comes after the rival bidder for Everlast , US investment fund Hidary, increased its own offer at the weekend. Hidary on Saturday lifted its all-stock bid to $31.25-per-share from $26.50. Sports Direct is now offering Everlast shareholders $33-per-share, up from its first bid of $30-per-share worth $168m.

Sports Direct is owned by UK billionaire Mike Ashley. Mr Ashley last week increased his stake in Newcastle United to 93.2% - which will allow him to remove the football club from the stock market. Earlier this year he also bought the Lonsdale sportswear brand. Sports Direct is the UK 's largest seller of sporting goods through its Sports World stores.

www.sportsdirect.co.uk
2 July 2007

Sports World director in flotation debate

Sports World billionaire owned Mike Ashley is expected to not take up the position of CEO if the company goes ahead with a stock market listing. Instead, Mr Ashley will remain director, possibly being appointed deputy executive chairman of the retail chain. It is understood that Mr Ashley may sell a substantial number of shares if he decides to push ahead with a flotation, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The latest accounts filed at Companies House by Sports World – which also owns Lilywhites show that sales rose 45 per cent to £905m last year in the 12 months to April 2005. Mr Ashley has built a billion-pound fortune from the Sports World retail chain. But his investments in rival retailers have been less profitable.

www.sportsworld.co.uk
31 January 2007

Designers go for luxury sportswear

One of the more wearable trends this season is ‘sportswear luxe.' Catwalk designers ranging from Dries van Noten to Lanvin added a sporty edge to their otherwise glamorous collections. Zip up, bright parka-style jackets in fluorescent tones were seen worn with skinny trousers or shorter than short skirts. All in one short-and-vests, such as at Derek Lam or at Denim of Virtue are sexy for day and very now.

Sportswear is now as much about luxury as it is about comfort, and dare we say sport and exercise seem to take a back seat to fashionability. Tracksuit bottoms and oversized tees should therefore be kept in the back of the wardrobe, or better yet, given to charity. In other words, a relaxed but luxurious feminine take on sportswear is what will keep you ahead of the game.

31 January 2007

Sports World International up for flotation

According to the Telegraph, Sports World International has been valued at up to £2.5bn ahead of a possible flotation on the London stock market. Owner Mike Ashley is to decide early next year whether to press ahead with an initial public offering of the company, which includes the Sports World and Lillywhites retail operations, as well as a raft of UK and European brands Ashley turned on industry rivals in 2000, handing the Office of Fair Trading evidence of meetings held by sports retailers to fix the price of football shirts.

Ashley holds a 30 per cent stake in Blacks and is thought to hold stakes in JJB and JD. One way of achieving a listing would be for Sports World to back into Blacks. Last month leading sportswear brands voiced concerns that a bid for Blacks Leisure would lead to their brands being devalued. The Telegraph subsequently published that German sportswear giant Puma refused to supply Sportsworld with its products, and others in the industry are considering following suit.

www.sports-world.com
10 December 2006

Sports World acquires Kangol

Sports World owner Mike Ashley has acquired hat brand Kangol for a reputed £12 million. The mysterious entrepreneur owns an increasing number of brands, including Karrimor and tennis brand Dunlop Slazenger. He is also believed to be planning an offer for outdoor retailer Blacks Leisure, in which he already holds a 30 percent stake. Meanwhile, investment bank Merrill Lynch has been hired to work on the bid and carry out a strategic review of Sports World, which could result in a possible sale or flotation.

Kangol was formerly owned by private equity fund August Equity Trust. The brand, which was favoured by the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, generated revenues of about £3 million on sales of about £25 to £38 million worldwide. The British apparel licenses are held by the d2 chain and Arcadia 's Topshop. Bollman Headwear of America holds the global hat license.

www.kangol.com
7 December 2006

Sporting goods giants up the ante

The decision by Nike and Adidas to hold back certain ranges from discount retailers is putting pressure on those retailers to improve their presentation. The sporting goods giants fear that poor presentation of their brands in discount stores is diminishing the value of their brand. Discount sporting goods retailers like Sports World will suffer the consequences. “We're asking retailers to step up in terms of brand presentation and product presentation,” Gil Steyaert, managing director for Adidas in the UK , told the FT. “They (Sports World) will look at (whether) they want to evolve their brand presentation to serve a higher part of the market.” The new rules regarding presentation and customer service will come into effect in January.

For other sporting goods groups like JJB sports and JD Sports the new policies may work in their favour. JJB Sports is hoping to secure those product lines that will no longer be carried by Sports World. “Both Adidas and Nike have new distribution policies that have been in place for some weeks but will come into effect from 2007,” said JJB chief executive Tom Knight. “There are certain presentational (requirements) in their policies…that would put them (Sports World) in a different category to us.”

Sports World owner Mike Ashley has made his fortune by heavily discounting premium Nike and Adidas products, while also selling his own brands like Dunlop, Slazenger and Donnay. His tactics have created admirers and detractors in equal measures. His low-pricing measures have even resulted in some retailers telling suppliers they would stop stocking their brands if they also supplied Ashley's companies.

Ashley, who also owns Lilywhites, has recently taken a 29 percent stake in outdoor sporting group Blacks Leisure. Recent media reports have alleged that the billionaire plans to reverse the Sports World chain into Blacks Leisure Group plc. Ashley could not be reached for comment.

www.sports-world.com
24 November 2006

Badgley Mischka introduces bridge collection

US fashion house Badgely Mischka is set to introduce a more accessible bridge sportswear collection. The new collection, which consists of 25 pieces, will be unveiled next month, the day before their runway show. “We didn’t want this to be stripped-down office clothes,” Mark Badgely told WWD. “There will be soft feminine pieces and hard-edged tailored pieces. It doesn’t matter whether the woman is working, carpooling or meeting her friends at the country club for lunch. It’s for the modern customer of any age who has a strong sense for how to put herself together.”

Both designers gained experience with sportswear design. Badgely previously worked for Donna Karan and James Mischka worked for Willi Smith. The new Platinum Sportswear line is under license with Group JS International.

Badgley Mischka’s parent company, Iconic Brand Group, is enthusiastic about the move. Chairman and chief executive of Iconic, Neil Cole, said it “is the next step in making Badgley Mischka a lifestyle brand” and that the timing is right as it can capitalize on its advertising campaign featuring a major Hollywood celebrity. The duo has strong ties with Hollywood, having dressed many a beauty for red carpet events and recently featured the celebrated Olsen twins in its spring campaign.

The new collection will include jackets, pants, skirts, knits and denim and is geared towards a wide range of women, from baby boomers to couture clients, said Mischka. Wholesale prices will range between $200 (£105) and $500, with first year volume projections at $20 million. In the US, high end department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Bloomingdales will carry the collection. In total 300 stores are expected to carry the line, which will compete with labels like M Missoni and Ralph Lauren Black Label. Meanwhile, the designers are hiring staff to run Platinum sportswear. “We’re aggressively going after it,” Badgley said.

www.BadgleyMischka.com
11 August 2006

Bestseller to dress Danish Olympic team

Danish fashion company Bestseller is to dress Danish Olympic athletes during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The company has formed an alliance with Team Danmark, a federation that supports Danish athletes at international sporting events. According to terms of the agreement, Bestseller will supply the Danish athletes with outfits for the opening ceremony, receptions, and other official events. The deal allows Bestseller to make use of top athletes and Team Danmark’s facilities and educational purposes. The company also said it would be able to benefit from the federation’s expertise in health and wellness.

Bestseller designs, develops, sells and markets Bestseller fashion brands, including Only, Jack & Jones, Pieces Accessories, Vila and Vero Moda. The company, which was established in 1975, currently employs more than 13,000 people and has over 24,000 stores in more than 30 countries. In 2005 the company had a turnover of €967 million.

www.bestseller.com
11 August 2006

World Cup fashion

This summer, to coincide with the sporting world's biggest tournament / all encompassing national obsession, the World Cup has embraced a new rage in fashion. Umbro by Kim Jones, the directional sport-cum-urban styling label has introduced a special celebratory collection.

The World Cup Col lection is a range of sweatshirts, hoodies, t-shirts and other casual basics with a few more cool credentials than your common-or-garden sportswear line. This range is imbued with Kim's natural affinity with the edgier echelons of fashion, so a real desirability factor is apparent in pieces as simple as the signature flower motif-patterned sweatshirting or subtle re-workings of the current Umbro England strip.

The palette is England-based red, white, navy and grey so your allegiances will be clear throughout the tournament. Prices start at a very reasonable £50 and some of the more colourful pieces are selling like hot cakes now that the World Cup has kicked into gear. Umbro by Kim Jones is available at Harvey Nichols London, Manchester and Leeds .

19 June 2006

Trainers with a fashion edge

Pro tennis brand Penn is introducing two new lines of cool footwear. So if you’re a trainer addict, keep reading. The Penn Original and Limited Edition ranges are made with the finest leathers and construction techniques by footwear specialists JBI Ltd. The ranges are geared towards those of us who want quality fashion footwear with a sports heritage.
“It’s about building on the sporting heritage of Penn to create an individual brand for a wide range of fashion and design savvy consumers wanting quality leisure and sports footwear with a touch of individuality,” said group marketing executive David Buchanan.
Penn Originals are inspired by the 70s classic tennis shoe. The style, which is retro in feel, appeals to stylish men like Vernon Kay, Paul Weller and Liam Gallagher. Meanwhile the Penn Limited Edition is a range with a more contemporary look. Details like the heritage crest will titillate the true collector, providing added cachet.

www.pennfootwear.co.uk
14 June 2006

Oxfam criticises sportswear companies

Oxfam has released a report criticising some of the world's major sportswear companies ahead of this summer's football World Cup.
The report, called Offside, says the mainly female workers in Asian countries are often intimidated or assaulted if they ask for better conditions, AFP reported. The report gives a league table of 12 manufacturers, ranked on their labour practices. Oxfam said none met minimum requirements.
"They would all receive a red card if they were on the field," report co-author Tim Connor told the news agency.
"In fact, if there was a World Cup for companies that respect labour rights, the sports brands would not even get through the qualifying rounds."
Connor said the wages the workers received were often not enough to cover basic needs, and many people worked 16-hour shifts to supplement their income.
The report ranked Reebok as the best producer for labour issues in Asia, and said others, such as Nike, Adidas and Puma, had made improvements. It said others had shown an interest in working conditions but failed to provide evidence of taking action to stop sweatshops.

24 May 2006

Speedo goes online

Next month sees the launch of Speedo products online through intimate wear e-tailer figleaves.com. The swimwear brand will become accessible to shoppers from more than 170 countries. They will be able to choose between Speedo's biggest selection including swimwear and accessories.

Figleaves will offer more than 200 men's and women's Speedo's lines. It will also market certain ranges that have been previously unavailable anywhere else, as is the case with Speedo's Australian Separates range; this will now be available to UK shoppers.

To help make the process of choosing a bathing suit easier, the site will also offer advice on how to dress for you body type. Furthermore, Speedo will add two new lines. One is by Comme des Garçons and the other is by Brazilian swimwear designer Rosa Chá, called Speedo by Rosa Chá.

www.figleaves.com
23 March 2006

Sports World acquires Gilesports

British retailer Sports World has acquired sports retailer Gilesports. Andy Giles, buying and merchandising director for Gilesports said: “Today's sport retail market is a very tough competitive environment and to compete effectively we wanted to become part of a very large group and we are delighted to be joining such a fantastic dynamic brand as Sports World,” said Andy Giles, buying and merchandising director of Gilesports, which has a network of over 80 stores in the South West, the Midlands and Wales.

Bob Mellors, CFO of Sports World, said: “The negotiations were exceptionally smooth with both parties working well together and we are currently undertaking a strategic review with our key suppliers to ensure the continued success of the business.” Sports World has 200 stores throughout the UK , offering sporting apparel, equipment and accessories.

www.gilesports.co.uk
17 February 2006

Speedo becomes amphibious

Speedo North America is turning its attention to land by introducing its first winter apparel performance suits for athletes competing in the Winter Olympics in Turin. The swimwear brand's diversification into winter sports is one of several strategies initiated by Sheree Waterson, Speedo's North American president. “We want to layer on the cool factor,” Waterson told WWD in an interview. “We are taking Speedo out of the water and onto land.”

A division of Warnaco Swim Group, Speedo North America will focus introducing more fashion-forward products in the new active wear line and will also grow accessories, especially footwear. Furthermore, the company will add more fashionable looks to its swimwear range and will introduce new performance technologies. Last year the company reported wholesale sales of about $250 million (£144 million) and worldwide retail sales of more than $1 billion. The brand is America's largest athletic swim brand with a market share of approximately 50 percent. Nike has 17 percent of that market.

www.speedo.com
14 February 2006

Lifestyle Sports bought by Stafford Holdings

Lifestyle Sports has been bought by Stafford Holdings, in a deal valued at around €40 million, reports the Irish Examiner. The family-owned fuel and property group said it wanted to diversify its interests with the Lifestyle chain of 71 sports shops and enter the rapidly expanding retail sector. Lifestyle realized a pre-tax profit of €5.5 million in the year ended October 2004 and employs around 900 people. The chain was bought out from the Tesco group in 1997 in a management buyout backed by venture capitalists ACT. Since then revenues have grown from €38 million in 1997 to €145 million this year.

Mark Stafford, Stafford Holdings chief executive, will join the board of Lifestyle Sports, which will remain intact. “The prospects for further growth are excellent, given its inherent attributes and, as such, it is an ideal diversification vehicle for Stafford Holdings,” he said. Lifestyle will continue to open four new stores in the coming year. Last year it opened nine new stores.

www.lifestylesports.co.uk
1 December 2005

Fashion goes skiing

The black diamonds, blue squares and green circles of ski trail signs have gone through a spin cycle, landing on Emilio Pucci and Rossignol's joint skiwear line ( www.rossignold.com ). The collection, which brings sporty versatility to Pucci's signature swirls, is just some of the designer activewear speeding down the slopes this season.

Paul Smith's dapper “bespoke” chalk pinstripes make their downhill debut in a limited edition pant and jacket for Burton's Mark X111 ski line ( www.burton.com ). The gear features climate-control ventilation and audio integration capabilities. Perhaps the most adventurous of these is Eley Kishimoto Ellesse. The dresses – which features snow bunnies in baby doll windbreakers and bodysuit vests -replete with Japanese textile-inspired penguins and snow-capped peaks. Cut and carve in couture.

26 October 2005

Asics sets up subsidiary

Asics Corp, the Japanese sporting goods producer, is to set up a sportswear and production subsidiary in October, and will be closing its women's sportswear subsidiary Asics Almos Inc.

Asics Ubik Creation, the new company, will produce sportswear, outdoor clothing and related accessories, starting next month. The company will be based in Suita in western Japan. Asics Ubik Creation has a registered capital of 50 million Japanese yen (£250,000), and is expected to generate sales of 1.5 billion yen in the year ending March 2006.

Asics, which is based in Kobe in western Japan, has 15 Japanese affiliates and 15 abroad, including the US, Europe, Australia and China.

www.asics .com
27 September 2005

Allsports in financial crisis

Allsports has been forced to negotiate new agreements with its lenders after a collapse in trading left it close to breaking its covenants. The group has spent over a year looking for a new owner. According to accounts filed at Companies House Allsports recorded a loss of £1.2m in the 53 week period that ended in January 2004.A source close to Allsports said that the company was enduring “a torrid time financially”

8 August 2005

Paul&Shark in Asian expansion

The Italy-based sportswear producer Paul&Shark has opened a boutique in Hong Kong. The shop's opening is part of the company's expansion plan throughout Far East Asia. The Hong Kong boutique is operated under franchise and covers 400 square metres of shopping space. The company also has a shop in Singapore. Paul&Shark reported a turnover of € 110 million in 2004.

15 June 2005

Chelsea FC ends Umbro deal

Sportwear brand Umbro expects to take a sales hit after Chelsea FC decided to end its deal with the brand five years early. The sponsorship agreement with Chelsea for the supply of kit and the sale of replica products will end in June 2006 instead of the contract end date of 2011. Chelsea, currently riding high ten points clear at the top of the Premiership, will pay Umbro £24.5m to end the deal

In 2004, sales of Chelsea product of £8.2m represented 6.1 per cent of Umbro's UK turnover and 2.3 per cent of total wholesale equivalent sales. Umbro said it expects the announcement of early termination will have an adverse effect on sales in 2005 and expects a reduction in pre-tax profits before tax for the year to December 2005 of £1m to £2m

20 January 2005

Markets Open For Sportswear

Few retail sectors have changed as dramatically as sports apparel over the past few years. Once the preserve of athletes, sportswear has become part of the mainstream fashion industry. Foot Locker, the No 1 sports shoe retailer in America, plans to build its European operation into a EUR1.9 billion business over the next three to five years.

Its acquisition of 11 outlets in Ireland last month from Champion Sports raised a few eyebrows in the industry because Champion will still operate 13 stores and says it too has plans for expansion. The strength of the economy has made Ireland a magnet for multinational retail brands. International chains are well represented in every main town. Brands such as Zara, Esprit and French Connection have also established a presence in a market that targets a young population with unprecedented spending power.

Crossover sportswear has come a long way since it was synonymous with the foot- soldiers of the shiny tracksuit brigade. In the process, manufacturers and retailers have discovered new customer bases: sports apparel is no longer only synonymous with sporting activity and the clothing is no longer available only in dedicated sports shops.

29 November 2004

Wear a yellow bracelet

Earlier this year the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) launched a joint venture with Nike in support of cancer awareness. The campaign, Wear Yellow, can be participated in by wearing a yellow silicone bracelet adorned with the phrase "LiveStrong".

However, if you men are just catching on to this phenomenon, you may be a little too late. The bracelets have long since sold out at London's Niketown and customers may have to wait as long as three weeks for a delivery via the LAF website. The bracelet cost $1 each, with a minimum order of 10. You can also go to the UK eBay site, where the bracelets sell for £3.

Armstrong, himself a cancer survivor, highlighted the symbolism of the bracelet: "The colour yellow stands for hope and courage and inspiration and that's why I'm never taking my wristband off."

www.laf-store.org
>> more Nike on FashionUnited
24 November 2004

UMBRO Sees Increase Turnover

UMBRO, the UK sportswear brand, has marked good results since it floated earlier this year with a deal to supply US retailer Foot Locker.

Umbro clothing equipment and footwear will be sold in more than 1,000 Foot Locker stores, formalising a supply deal which has been gaining momentum over the past year.

Umbro chief executive Peter McGuigan, said: "We are delighted to be working with Foot Locker to provide a new and exciting range of soccer related products and we are optimistic about our prospects for the Umbro brand in the US for 2005 and beyond."

In the six months to July 4, Umbro, which floated in June, saw turnover increase by 36.4 per cent to GBP94.1m, with record sales of licensed ranges.
McGuigan said: "The popularity of football across the world continues to increase and we believe Umbro's unique positioning as a specialist football brand will allow us to take full advantage of the anticipated growth in this segment.

"We have a clear strategy in place to expand our core business as well as to exploit new identified areas of expansion both in the UK and internationally."

8 September 2004

Beach Babe

Pamela Anderson may be the reigning queen of beach babes - gaining notoriety from wearing the skimpiest bathing costumes on air - this summer has seen some of the sexiest beachwear for seasons, and bearing flesh is a necessity. But who dares to bare it all?

Men who are ditching their knee-length shorts for a shrink-to-fit, butt-hugging brief should give baring all good consideration. Fashion's finest designers have come up with the sexiest swimwear for men ever, from the smallest lycra swimming trunks to minimalist, nylon, razor-sharp hotpant-style bathers, resembling more a y-front than a swimming costume. Louis Vuitton's little black numbers are chic and look great in the catalogue, though wearing them in public, however, means a thorough waxing is in order in order to not scare the children. Instead, opt for sexy briefs by Dolce e Gabbana, which are fun, bright and slightly more masculine.

Women can get away more easily with bikinis resembling more a Dairylea triangle than poolwear. This season is all about holiday glamour, and modesty should be a thing of the past. Wear hot pants and wedges for promenading, while on the beach, a sleek, zingy plunging swimsuit and make-up in the season's bright shades will make you the belle of the beach. Or is that babe of the beach?

27 July 2004

Umbro Accused Of Sweatshop Labour

The Umbro sportswear company will be accused this week of using sweatshop labour as it tries to complete a GBP200m stock-market flotation. Labour Behind The Label, a campaign group that counts Oxfam among its members, claims that Umbro's suppliers are mistreating workers. Such an attack just before the Euro 2004 football championship could hurt Umbro, which supplies the England team with kit and uses England and Liverpool striker Michael Owen as its frontman. A former employee of an Umbro supplier will fly to Britain to describe working conditions in an Indonesian factory.

24 May 2004

Fashion Up your Sports Kit

That sport and fashion are now as congruent as denim and chic is probably not a novel idea to you. The recent focus on fashion sportswear, however, may not have been as obvious as numerous designers are collaborating with big name sports brands to create the most coveted items to wear this summer.

Whether it is Yohji Yamamoto's cool urban range Y3, a collaboration with German brand Adidas, or Jil Sander and Neil Barrett for Puma, sportswear today is stylish, sexy and this season's essential fashion kit. Barrett's Puma range, which includes a full football kit in lieu of the European championships this summer, has created a kitten-heeled football shoe in his fashion-inspired sports-influenced ready to wear collection. His fashion football kit has already seen pre-orders of almost 1.5 million copies by stores, who are foreseeing big sales in designer sportswear this season. For the younger generation who cannot afford the Gucci biker gear or Prada golf set, this is an opportunity to access the best of both worlds.

Other designers, too, are cashing in on the trend. Giorgio Armani, for example, is to launch a new line called EA7, a sports label to be introduced under the Emporio Armani roof. Fans can expect the range to have his understated and stylish signature, to include low-waist jogging pants, cropped waterproof jackets and sexy racer-back vests. Even if you didn't go to the gym before or live an active lifestyle for that matter, with the new designer tint on sportswear you'll be up and running in no time.

14 April 2004

Soccer Chain Re-Branded

Sports Soccer, the value sportswear chain, is re-branding itself as Sports World. Introduced in June, the chain is now in the process of converting the names of its existing stores. "Soccer" had been dropped because it was deemed too specific to football and an American term.

12 December 2003

Speedo Turns 75

Swimwear brand Speedo is celebrating its 75th anniversary by teaming up with designer Melissa Odabash for a high fashion capsule collection.

Odabash has designed a one-piece and a bikini to be sold at Selfridges and select independents in the UK. Also included will be one-offs worn by celebrities such as Jerry Hall and Naomi Campbell.

July 14, 2003

Management changes at Ellesse

In an attempt to "bring back the old sparkle", Italian sportwear brand Ellesse International has jazzed up its London-based design team with managers of leading international sporting goods companies. Ellesse, which was was acquired by British sportswear marketer Pentland in 1995, opened a showroom in the US earlier this year and plans to increase exports in the near future.

Ellesse has named former Reebok manager Chris Lee to the newly created post of creative director consultant and has also created the position of product development and sourcing manager for footwear, apparel and accessories, which has been assumed by David Brown, formerly with German sporting goods company Adidas-Salomon.

Carlo Grippo, who spent the past ten years working for Nike and Italian clothing and textile company Ermenegildo Zegna, has been appointed as design chief for the clothing and accessories units. Timo Pape, who has worked for Adidas, has been named as accountability head of the company's footwear operations.

March 14, 2003
www.Ellesse.com

Fashionable yoga mats

While yoga is the fastest growing segment of the fitness industry in the last couple of years, fashion has not yet caught up with the trend. Fashionable yoga-lovers who otherwise dress in vogue have had to make do with carrying their yoga mats in clunky duffels or home-sewn totes.
To fill the gap, Yorba Linda, California-based Crescent Moon Yoga has launched a spring collection of Yoga Mat Bags that would look right at home on the fashion runways of Paris or Milan.
Consisting of four new models in full-grain leather or Microfiber, the Crescent Moon Yoga collection offers yoga mat carriers modelled after designer luggage or handbags. The cases come in red or black leather with contrasting ivory stitching or a Microfiber material for animal-loving yoga freaks who do not wear leather.
"Until now, you could dress with elegance and class, but then your yoga mat carrier would make you look like a hippie or a sailor just getting off a ship," says Nelleke Masterson, founder of Crescent Moon Yoga. "Now yoga practitioners who prefer to outfit themselves in style can do so from shoulder to toe." Retail prices for pieces in the collection range from 99 to 199 USD.

www.crescentmoonyoga.com
February 27, 2003

New sportswear enhances performance

New York-based Wacoal Sports Science Corp has developed a new line of anatomically engineered athletic apparel designed to enhance the wearer's performance. The line is being launched in the US for the first time this autumn.

Wacoal Sports Scienc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan's largest intimate apparel company Wacoal Corp, announced that the CW-X Performance Conditioning Wear is based around the principles of kinesiology - the study of human movement. This technology uses a patented built-in Conditioning Web made from compression panels which are sewn in to the garments to support key muscle groups and joints.

The range includes tights and shorts made of four-way stretch fabric comprised of 80 per cent DuPont CoolMax and 20 per cent Lycra. Lycra provides the stretch and compression, while the CoolMax fibre is engineered to pull perspiration away from the body, keeping the skin cool, dry and comfortable during physical activity.

CW-X garments are aimed at a variety of high-energy activities, including running, fitness walking, hiking, cycling, skiing, snowboarding, track and field, and other fitness activities. The gear will be available in the United States in 2003.

October 30, 2002