Boutique Innovator Laura Henny and Parsons Intimate Apparel Design Contest

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On Thursday, May 17th, The Underfashion Club hosted boutique owner Laura Henny as a speaker during the same evening as a Parson’s School of Fashion Intimate Apparel Design Contest at The Fashion Group International in New York City. During the reception, current and new Club members viewed stunning intimate apparel garments produced by the six exceptionally talented design contest finalists from the Parsons School of Fashion. The members then voted for their favorite design, and the results were announced at the end of the evening. Laura Henny, the event’s featured speaker, shared her personal journey from Amsterdam native to lingerie boutique entrepreneur in Brooklyn. Propelled by her enthusiasm for cute bras in inclusive size ranges and her love of sneakers, Laura opened “The Rack Shack” to serve youthful and diverse customers in a city full of women from all walks of life.

Thanks to Membership Committee members Becky Kneski and Michele Schrak, pictured here with Membership Co-Chair Tristine Berry, for organizing this special event! read more

The Retail Apocalypse? Shifting Consumer Demands

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On Wednesday, March 14, 2018, The Underfashion Club hosted an open discussion at the Harvard Club in New York City with Sidney Morgan-Petro, Senior Retail Editor at the London-based trend forecasting company, WGSN. Morgan-Petro led an exploration of the turmoil in retail stores. Explaining how retailers in the U.S. are dealing with all the dynamic changes in the purchasing patterns of consumers.

To begin, Morgan-Petro shared some interesting statistics affecting retail stores for 2017, including the fact that about 3,000 retail stores had closed that year. Yet during the same year retailers opened over 1,300 more stores than the number closed. There was actual growth in retail. She also stated that in 2017, 42% of retailers have actually added stores, while only 15% have gotten smaller. read more

Curvexpo New York: Fall/Winter 2018-19 Intimate Apparel Trends

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Eurovet’s Curvexpo New York Mode Lingerie and Swim trade show took place at the Javits Center from February 26-28, 2018. Exhibitors featured Fall/Winter 2018-2019 collections to buyers, industry partners, and known industry leaders in all Intimate Apparel and Swimwear categories. Most North American lingerie boutiques (57%) reported improvements in sales in 2017. In order to keep this trend going, businesses should recognize the preferences of a generation that will make up 50% of the working force by 2020: Millennials.

Millennials, known as the “wireless generation,” currently comprise 30% of the global population at 2.5 billion. Millennial mothers have some of the highest purchasing power in history. They tend to be eco-conscious and drawn to brands with sustainable practices and embrace the developments of digital technology. This generation has shown a preference for “barely there” styles like wireless bras and soft bralettes — a trend that is here to stay. Comfort is expected and many reject artificial padding or “enhancements.” read more

2018 Femmy Awards Gala

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The 2018 Femmy Awards Gala, held at landmark Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City on February 6th, celebrated The Underfashion Club’s 60th anniversary, providing Intimate Apparel Industry leaders with a forum to exchange information and support the education of new talent. The annual event, hosted this year by burlesque queen, musician, lingerie designer and best-selling author Dita Von Teese, honors those individuals and companies that have significantly contributed to the Intimate Apparel Industry and its growth. read more

Intimate Apparel Trends: Spring/Summer 2018

Spring and Summer are just a few short months away, bringing fresh lingerie collections! Get ready for an especially innovative and complex approach to fashion in the near future, reflecting a new generation of lucid and modern women. In the warmer seasons, lingerie is a must as it peeks from beneath outerwear as a statement. There will be more variety in color and patterns to complement the diverse range of styles on the market.

See the hottest thematic intimate apparel trends for SS18: read more

UFC Holiday Party 2017

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Thanks to all who joined us for The Underfashion Club’s 2017 Holiday Party! We thoroughly enjoyed partying with you, taking photobooth pictures together, conversing with industry friends – old and new, and being serenaded with songs of the holiday season. The delicious hors d’oeuvres, and sumptuous dinner and dessert stations were outstanding. Special thanks to all those who spread the holiday cheer by contributing so many beautifully wrapped gifts to our annual gift drive for the children of Women In Need (WIN.) You’ve helped make this holiday season a brighter one for everyone!

Underfashion Club president Victor Vega welcomed the crowd of 100 revelers, and thanked Program Co-chairs Joe Smith and Ellen Lewis, and their hardworking committee members, for organizing the event. Victor also invited everyone to celebrate the Club’s 60th anniversary at the FEMMY Gala on February 6, 2018 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. We hope to see you there! read more

Recap of “Trends in the US Retail Landscape”

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On October 10th, 2017, The Underfashion Club had the pleasure of hosting Don Unser, Group President of Retail with NPD, at the Harvard Club of New York for a discussion on “Trends in the US Retail Landscape.” The NPD Group is among the top 25 market research companies, providing marketing information and advisory services to companies. After an hour of cocktails and networking, attendees took their seats  to learn about the modern retail climate in the United States.

Don began his presentation by highlighting macro trends across industries and categories before digging deeper into apparel and intimate apparel. Based on tracking $1.8 trillion dollars spent by consumers in the US, Don Unser commented that “There has never been a more tumultous time in retail in the 30 years I have been in the industry.” The overall growth rate is -0.2%, the only time we’ve seen a negative growth rate in US retail since the recession. Apparel sales are now flat, which is a first given that a growth rate of 1-3% is typical in this industry. read more

Recap of “Success, Tailor Made For You”

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On September 26, 2017, Underfashion Club members gathered at the Fashion Group International in New York City  for the presentation of “Success, Tailor Made For You.”
We’d like to extend a warm welcome to the new club members who joined during that evening’s event!

After an hour of cocktails and networking with old friends and new, club members took their seats for the start of the presentation. Underfashion Club president Victor Vega welcomed Hsin-Yi Shieh, Account Executive – East Coast, Triumph International to the podium. read more

The Relevancy of Bralettes

The Intimate Apparel industry has fully embraced bralettes ever since their introduction and meteoric rise in popularity during the Spring of 2016 – and for a number of reasons, this trend is likely here to stay.

As the athleisure trend gained traction, consumers became increasingly interested in apparel that is stylish, supportive, comfortable and versatile. Bralettes fill that demand and have risen as intimate apparel’s embodiment of leisurely fashion. From bedroom selfies to red-carpet outings, celebrities and fashionistas are being spotted wearing bralettes as standalone statement pieces that communicate ease, confidence, and cutting-edge style. read more

CurveNY – Spring/Summer 2018

Eurovet’s Curvexpo New York trade show gave a platform for over 350 exhibiting intimate apparel and swimwear brands to share their Spring/Summer 2018 collections with thousands of buyers and visitors at the Jacob Javits Center in August 2017. We scouted the show floor for the most salient trends of the season.

Bralettes read more