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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202/219-8211
Some of the biggest names in the fashion and apparel
industry have responded to the call against sweatshops and will convene with
U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich to map out strategy. Every level of the
apparel industry will be represented, from clothing manufacturers to fashion
models, major retailers to major celebrities, as well as fashion designers,
garment workers, consumer groups and human rights activists.
Nearly 300 garment industry professionals will be
represented at the Labor Department's Fashion Industry Forum on Tuesday, July
16 at Marymount University in Arlington, Va.
According to Reich, the Fashion Industry Forum will be an
"opportunity for representatives from every aspect of this industry to get
together and do some significant problem-solving and to learn from each other.
Every individual-- at every level in the industry--can work together to
eradicate sweatshops from the American garment industry, and we must."
Among some of the most recognizable corporations in the
industry attending: Federated Department Stores, Wal-Mart, Kmart, The May
Department Stores, Reebok International, J.C. Penny, Nordstrom, The Limited,
Patagonia, Target Stores, Nike, Inc., Liz Claiborne, Inc., Levi Strauss, Guess?
Inc., Gerber Childrenswear, Fruit of the Loom, Dillard Department Stores,
Speigel, Inc., Tweeds, Leslie Fay, Inc., Sears Roebuck & Co., Playtex
Apparel, Phillips Van Huesen Co., Depeche Mode and the garment licensing
divisions of Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, National Basketball
Association and the National Football League.
In addition, labor leaders from UNITE, United Food and
Commercial Workers Union and the Models Guild, as well as garment workers will
be represented.
Fashion designers Nicole Miller, Joan Vass, and Anthony
Mark Hankins, as well as Kathie Lee Gifford, Richard Simmons, Kathy Ireland,
Cheryl Tiegs and Paul Warfield have also registered for the event.
Trade associations and consumer groups, including the
National Retail Federation, the American Apparel Manufacturing Association,
International Mass Retail Association, National Consumers League, Consumers
Union, are also attending.
The Fashion Industry Forum will feature three panels.
Panelists include:
- Sweatshops: An Ugly Stain On American Fashion will define the
pattern of the problem for workers, manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and
celebrities with licensing agreements for garments, and will outline the
challenges facing the garment industry. The panel includes: Gail Cottle,
executive vice president, Nordstrom; Roberta Baskin, CBS News/48 Hours; Cheryl
Tiegs; Neil Kearney, president, International Textile, Garment and Leather
Workers Federation; Nancy Penaloza, garment worker; Larry Martin, president,
American Apparel Manufacturers Association; and Robert Dunn, president,
Business for Social Responsibility.
- Approaches To Innovation will detail the steps some industry
leaders are taking to stamp out sweatshop conditions and examine effective
programs for regularly inspecting cutting and sewing subcontractors. The panel
will discuss other strategies companies are using and will showcase what
leading manufacturers and retailers are doing that can be emulated by others.
The panel includes: John Ermatinger, senior vice president for sourcing, Levi
Strauss; Kevin Sweeney, vice president, Patagonia; Stan Levy, Greenberg,
Glusker, Fields, Claman and Machtinger; Maria Echaveste, administrator, DOL
Wage and Hour Division; Paul Gill, president, San Francisco Fashion Industries
and Richard Reinis, L.A. Compliance Alliance.
- Taking Action: Where Do We Go From Here? will discuss how to
develop partnerships to end sweatshops, step up enforcement, and provide the
industry with compliance assistance. The panel will explore how the industry
can take leadership to make lasting, long-term change. Panelists include:
Roberta Karp, general counsel, Liz Claiborne; Bud Konheim, CEO, Nicole Miller;
Warren Flick, executive vice president and president for merchandising, Kmart;
Kathie Lee Gifford; Jay Mazur, president, UNITE; Tracy Mullin, president,
National Retail Federation; Linda Golodner, CEO, National Consumers League; and
Lee Scott, vice president, merchandising, Wal-Mart.
Members of Congress speaking at lunch will include Senator
Tom Harkin and Representative George Miller. The Fashion Industry Forum will
begin with continental breakfast at 8 a.m. and will conclude at 4 p.m.
Marymount University is at 2807 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, Va.
NOTE TO EDITORS AND REPORTERS: Credentials are required for
media attending the Fashion Industry Forum. To request credentials, please call
202/219-7317 (ext. 109).
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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