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REPORTED news
merrow intros sewing program
Merrow Inc. has launched The SampleRoom for
Designers, a new program that aims to increase
a designer’s ability to
create unique and competitive
products.
The SampleRoom for
Designers, what the
company refers to as the
‘Netflix’
o f
Charlie Merrow
sewing
machines, gives designers their
choice of three Merrow
Machines and access to more
than 6,000 unique Merrow
Stitches. All parts that affect the
stitch, such as needles, plates and
presser feet, can be exchanged at
any time to expand designers’
creative possibilities.
The new program helps a
designer to be more competitive
by introducing a new stitch or
edge that is unique to his or her
line. “We are trying to create
more variety for the designer,
more tools for them to be creative
with and more options for
them to choose from,” said company
president Charlie Merrow.
“We’re introducing a concept
that incrementally makes the
American designer and manufacturer
stronger and stronger.”
One purpose of the program is
to introduce the market to branded stitching.
Merrow noted that stitching is currently not
something a consumer often evaluates critically
while making a purchase. The Merrow branded
stitch allows consumers to identify higher quality
stitching that differentiates one high-end garment
from another.
Merrow hopes that the SampleRoom for
Designers will also add to the lexicon for stitching.
“People don’t have any words for stitching,”
he said. “Right now I have a dozen examples of
a pearl stitch on my desk, each is very different
BY: DEENA CAMPBELL, LIBBY DOWD AND DERRICK MITCHAM
but there would be no way to tell you what the
difference is because there are no words for
them. We want the customer and the designer to
appreciate that there is a value to what they are
looking at. We bring hundreds of variations of a
pearl stitch to the table and we help the designer
use them, experiment with them and define
their product by them.”
Merrow, Inc. hand-builds sewing machines in
Wareham, Massachusetts, where it maintains an
inventory of more than a million parts. The
company also staffs a design lab that is incorporated
into the SampleRoom program.
Subscribers to the program can send fabric to
the design lab and work with Merrow’s team to
help find the perfect stitch.
“A program like this has never existed in this
industry,” said Merrow. “This is the first time
that designers will be able to truly experiment
with thousands of different stitches. Over time,
we see this program introducing an informed
dialogue of stitching, while lowering the overall
costs of American manufacturing.”
Currently in beta trial phases, The
SampleRoom for Designers will be introduced
nationwide on November 1, 2007. The program
will initially be geared towards intimate apparel
and lingerie companies with plans to expand to
all areas of apparel in the second quarter of next
year. To learn more about the program contact
Merrow, Inc. at (800) 431-6677.
— L.D.
eldorado hires buyer
Eldorado has announced the
appointment of James Noblitt as a
new buyer with the purchasing team.
Noblitt has spent 15 years in the
industry and worked in various levels
from warehouse operations, to retail
store management, to purchasing.
“His extensive experience in the
industry will prove to be extremely
valuable,” said Larry Garland, owner
and CEO of Eldorado. — D.C.
mccartney intros undies
Stella McCartney is preparing to
launch a line of lingerie with Bendon,
the company that licenses Elle
Macpherson’s intimates.
“Lingerie is an obsession of mine,”
said McCartney. “I’ve been inspired
by it for years, and ever since my
degree collection at St. Martins, I’ve
used it in my work. This is a natural
progression for me.”
Bendon said that naturally sexy,
confident and modern designs will be
the focus of McCartney’s line. Items will come
in silk, organic cottons and georgette silk chiffons
in soft shades of vintage pink, cream, blue
and pearl grey, which are all regulars in
McCartney’s color palette. — D.M.
rago puts lawrence on-board
Rago Shapewear recently hired Rodney
Lawrence to be its sales and marketing executive.
“I’m here to provide a personal touch and assist
our road reps,” said Lawrence. “Rago is a strong
company and I plan to make sure our brand is
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