Common Thread Trailer Feature
A few months back “Auteur Mark” released a teaser for their upcoming documentary, Common Thread. They have now released a new full-length trailer. It’s a film about cotton how it brings the world together. This film has been an opportunity for me to investigate and look deeper into the cotton industry. The problems, the cure, what works, what doesn’t, and how we can save this precious natural fiber that has been a part of our lives for more than 6000 years now, which is now on a decline!
The Impacts of Social and Environmental Standards on Demand for Cotton and Textiles For Your Information
69th Plenary Meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) will be held Sept. 20–25, 2010, in Lubbock, Texas. When it comes to awareness of the impact it has on society and the environment, the cotton industry has made a lot of progress. You’ll want to be in attendance for the Third Open Session, 9:00 AM, Wednesday, September 22 when the experts explain why managing sustainability isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s also a critical factor in the future success of the cotton industry.
View From the Chair
Among the factors affecting world natural fibres demand, including cotton, it is difficult to overlook the increase of pro-ecological consumers and the result of this – heavier impact on application of pro-ecological production processes. Consumers’ sensitivity to raw material origin and to the impact of procedures and ways of textile production and processing on the environment became a propellant of many activities – sometimes praiseworthy, sometimes of a purely marketing nature. A new Summer 2010 “View from the Chair” by IFCP Chairman Zbigniew Roskwitalski.
The Suit Stays on the Hanger at the Paris Men’s Shows For Your Information
Cotton, summer and relaxation always go together. Nothing feels or looks better for warm weather occasions, and maintaining focus on the runway shows indicates what consumers are thinking, and what will eventually be available at retail. Some of the most interesting clothes to come out of the Milan spring men’s shows, and now Paris, try to elongate the silhouette and, at the same time, to use fairly standard uniform styles and materials, especially cotton. I am thinking of Prada and Alexander McQueen and the American maverick Rick Owens, who on Thursday showed long, chaste, stripped-down coats in black or white with pronounced shoulders, drainpipe sleeves and a bit of flare in the back. Read this story by Cathy Horyn, published on June 25, 2010 in the New York Times.
Revisiting the Relationship between Cotton, Polyester and Oil Prices Feature
One important implication for the cotton industry is that while price competitiveness can temporarily increase industrial demand for cotton, the gains from this strategy are rapidly eroded by their tendency to maintain equilibrium with polyester prices. Therefore, cotton promotion and demand enhancement efforts on the demand side, along with research and extension efforts to improve cotton yields and cotton fiber quality on the supply side, are the most promising strategies to increase the market share of cotton in textile fiber consumption in the long run. – Dr. Alejandro S. Plastina, ICAC Secretariat
Two Texas Tech University Students Take Prize in ‘Denim Runway’ Competition For Your Information
April 27, 2010, Lubbock, TX — Two Texas Tech University student “jeaniuses” recently were named winners of the first Denim Runway competition for designing the best new women’s and men’s jeans. The competition was sponsored by Plains Cotton Cooperative Association (PCCA) and Cotton Council International (CCI) in collaboration with the university’s College of Human Sciences Department of Design’s Apparel Design and Manufacturing program.
It’s a Jeans World: Doing it with Denim Feature
World Textile Report Cover Story, by Charlotte Sine, Cotton International magazine, March 2010. It’s really no mystery why some of our most useful inventions have roots that date back hundreds of years. After all, necessity is the mother of invention. Consider denim, a fabric that dates back to the Middle Ages and has since become is the single largest consumer of cotton, accounting for approximately 14 percent of cotton consumption worldwide. In 2007, the denim and jeans market worldwide topped US$52 billion and is projected to grow to US$56 billion by 2014.
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Welcome to the Journal of the International Forum for Cotton Promotion's Cotton Promotion Bulletin. Take a few minutes to browse the site through this map in order to familiarize yourself with it.
Common Thread Trailer
A few months back “Auteur Mark” released a teaser for their upcoming documentary, Common Thread. They have now released a new full-length trailer. It’s a film about cotton how it brings the world together. This film has been an opportunity for me to investigate and look deeper into the cotton industry. The problems, the cure, what works, what doesn’t, and how we can save this precious natural fiber that has been a part of our lives for more than 6000 years now, which is now on a decline!
Revisiting the Relationship between Cotton, Polyester and Oil Prices
One important implication for the cotton industry is that while price competitiveness can temporarily increase industrial demand for cotton, the gains from this strategy are rapidly eroded by their tendency to maintain equilibrium with polyester prices. Therefore, cotton promotion and demand enhancement efforts on the demand side, along with research and extension efforts to improve cotton yields and cotton fiber quality on the supply side, are the most promising strategies to increase the market share of cotton in textile fiber consumption in the long run. – Dr. Alejandro S. Plastina, ICAC Secretariat
It’s a Jeans World: Doing it with Denim
World Textile Report Cover Story, by Charlotte Sine, Cotton International magazine, March 2010. It’s really no mystery why some of our most useful inventions have roots that date back hundreds of years. After all, necessity is the mother of invention. Consider denim, a fabric that dates back to the Middle Ages and has since become is the single largest consumer of cotton, accounting for approximately 14 percent of cotton consumption worldwide. In 2007, the denim and jeans market worldwide topped US$52 billion and is projected to grow to US$56 billion by 2014.
Cotton’s Share of World Textile Fiber Use Continues to Decline
World textile fiber consumption more than quadrupled between the early 1960s and the late 2000s. However, while cotton consumption more than doubled during that period, consumption of other fibers (wool, chemical and non-chemical synthetic fibers) increased sevenfold. Consequently, the market share of cotton decreased from an average of 62.4% in the 1960s to 39.5% in the 2000s. By Alejandro Plastina, ICAC. Presented at the Third Breakout Session of the 68th ICAC Plenary Meeting: Enhancing Demand for Cotton Products, September 9, 2009.
Cottons Share of World Textile Fiber Use to Decline in 2008 and 2009
World textile fiber consumption more than tripled over the last 5 decades. However, while cotton consumption increased one-and-a-half times during that period to reach 26.4 million tons in 2007, other fibers (wool, chemical and non-chemical synthetic fibers) increased eight times to reach 45.7 million tons. Consequently, the market share of cotton decreased from an average of 62.4% in the 1960s to 39.8% in the 2000s. Over the last three decades, the market share of cotton at retail only increased in advanced economies, and declined in developing economies and Central and Eastern Europe and the former USSR. By Alejandro Plastina, ICAC. Presented at the IFCP Session on Cotton Promotion: A Call to Action, 67th ICAC Plenary Meetings, November 19, 2008.
10 steps for creating a successful pop-up promotion
By Buxton Midyette, Supima. The Supima Pop-Up store was a natural outcome for our promotional campaign. In our advertising and events, the product—beautiful, natural, upscale, grown-in-the-USA Supima cotton—is always the star. We believe the product can speak for itself. Supima’s marketing follows that principal with surprising ways to reinforce that message. Sometimes subliminally. Sometimes straightforwardly. In addition to launching a commercially successful pop-up store introducing products made from Supima, we’ve actually planted a cotton field overnight in a parking lot on Houston street here in downtown Manhattan, held a prestigious design competition for emerging talent (complete with live runway show), and staged full-blown sourcing shows for the trade. But even when we’re being playful, we always stay true to our product and its premium image. The pop-up store was all about supporting our licensed brands and connecting with consumers.
How to Display Cotton Products
At the Cotton Promotion Workshop last May, Cotton Incorporated shared with the IFCP community different types of in-store display techniques to help consumers choose cotton at the point-of purchase. View these easy to load images that are appropriate for department stores, specialty retailers, even popular consumer shopping malls.
Benefits of Cotton
We always make reference to the benefits of cotton, but have you ever seen a list? Researched by Cotton Council International, with information gathered from Cotton Australia and Cotton Incorporated, we're building that list. Read the benefits that others have posted, and don't forget to add your own at the bottom.
10 Quick and Easy Ways to Promote Cotton on a Limited Budget
By Richard W. Silvia. While major consumer and trade advertising is an important part of getting the cotton message out to the general public, it requires a major commitment of time, energy and a big budget. There are many less expensive opportunities to promote the benefits of cotton fiber and cotton products. The key to great promotions is to maximize your dollar commitment by tying in trade partners and getting as much publicity as possible for your efforts. Try these sure-fire approaches the next time you want to promote cotton to the industry or to your target consumer audience.
More: Richard W. Silvia's bio
A Recipe for Cooperative Advertising
Developing a co-op advertising program with your key customers is an excellent way to promote cotton to the retailer, and to your ultimate customer, the consumer.
10 Ways to Publicize Your Cotton Promotion Efforts
By Anne Martin. The purpose of public relations is to create an image for you and your cotton promotion efforts. Used effectively, PR can raise awareness, create excitement, give you an edge over alternative products, and put cotton in the forefront of the minds of your target audience.
More: Anne Martin's bio
The Impacts of Social and Environmental Standards on Demand for Cotton and Textiles
69th Plenary Meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) will be held Sept. 20–25, 2010, in Lubbock, Texas. When it comes to awareness of the impact it has on society and the environment, the cotton industry has made a lot of progress. You’ll want to be in attendance for the Third Open Session, 9:00 AM, Wednesday, September 22 when the experts explain why managing sustainability isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s also a critical factor in the future success of the cotton industry.
The Suit Stays on the Hanger at the Paris Men’s Shows
Cotton, summer and relaxation always go together. Nothing feels or looks better for warm weather occasions, and maintaining focus on the runway shows indicates what consumers are thinking, and what will eventually be available at retail. Some of the most interesting clothes to come out of the Milan spring men’s shows, and now Paris, try to elongate the silhouette and, at the same time, to use fairly standard uniform styles and materials, especially cotton. I am thinking of Prada and Alexander McQueen and the American maverick Rick Owens, who on Thursday showed long, chaste, stripped-down coats in black or white with pronounced shoulders, drainpipe sleeves and a bit of flare in the back. Read this story by Cathy Horyn, published on June 25, 2010 in the New York Times.
Two Texas Tech University Students Take Prize in ‘Denim Runway’ Competition
April 27, 2010, Lubbock, TX — Two Texas Tech University student “jeaniuses” recently were named winners of the first Denim Runway competition for designing the best new women’s and men’s jeans. The competition was sponsored by Plains Cotton Cooperative Association (PCCA) and Cotton Council International (CCI) in collaboration with the university’s College of Human Sciences Department of Design’s Apparel Design and Manufacturing program.
“Discover Natural Fibres Initiative” founded
February 12, 2010, Brussels — The member organizations of the IYNF (International Year of Natural Fibres) Steering Committee will continue their co-operation as the DNFI (Discover Natural Fiber Initiative) beyond 2009. The decision to continue working together closely was the result of an IYNF committee review meeting held in Frankfurt in January 2010. DNFI is an alliance of key international natural fiber associations/organizations.
IFCP Elects Officers at ICAC Plenary Meeting in Cape Town For Your Information
Mr. Zbigniew Roskwitalski was elected Chairman of the International Forum for Cotton Promotion (IFCP) for a third consecutive term at the Annual Business Meeting of the membership held in Cape Town, South Africa on September 8, 2009. Mr. Roskwitalski is the Executive Director of the Izba Bawelny w Gdyni (Gdynia Cotton Association). The meeting ran concurrently with the ICAC 68th Plenary Meeting.
Enhancing Demand for Cotton Products: The IFCP Introduces Speakers Bureau For Your Information
The International Forum for Cotton Promotion (IFCP) hosted a demand enhancement breakout session at the 68th Plenary Meeting of the ICAC to communicate promotion techniques that can be used by the cotton textile supply chain. The IFCP introduced the IFCP Speakers Bureau by presenting several of the organization’s activities over the previous year. Video clips of related material were introduced, followed by an interactive discussion with the attendees that numbered over 70. The IFCP encouraged the cotton community to embark on similar projects.
