Images_Digital_Edition_November_2019

KB INDUSTRY EVENT www.images-magazine.com 24 images N0VEMBER 2019 schools’ names and branding exclusively throughout, including the inner neck tape and neck labels. “GForce doesn’t appear anywhere except on the back of the label,” explained sales director Simon Ward. “It’s about schools and retailers being able to build a brand. We spoke to retailers in advance of the launch and it was a popular idea.” Innovations An innovative new process called Micro- Fresh Technology for acrylic-blend sweatshirts featured on the stand for Coolflow Schoolwear. The treatment gives a longer-lasting freshness so garments can be washed at 30°C. “It needs washing less which means it has a lower carbon footprint,” explained Sunny Loyal, senior merchandise for Coolflow. “We already have recycled polyester in sweatshirts and blazers. This is another push to look after the environment.” However, much of the talk on the stand was the closure of the Sussex factory of Coolflow’s partner, Charles Kirk. By the end of this year, all of Charles Kirk’s manufacturing will have moved to Coolflow’s base in Leicester David Luke celebrated its 10-year “eco-versary ” Juco Delivered by David Luke Chadwick’s new cricket range Russell is adding children’s organic T-shirts for 2020 William Turner presented new Eco products but otherwise, for customers, “essentially nothing will change”, Sunny added. Russell presented clothing from across its portfolio, with a focus on children’s styles, as well as its Jerzees Schoolgear range. The line-up included T-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies from its new Pure Organic collection, made from 100% organic combed ringspun cotton, as well as its Authentic garments. “The Authentic range has been very well received so we’re adding kids’ styles as well,” pointed out Russell Europe’s country manager, Andrew Clark. These include hooded sweatshirts, zipped hooded sweatshirts and raglan sweatshirts. Children’s organic T-shirts, available in five colours, are also being added to Russell’s offering for January 2020. With more than 90 leading brands, including Next Level Apparel and Original FNB, distributor PenCarrie showcased all kinds of garments suitable for schools, including its leavers’ hoodies for children finishing primary school. Its stand also featured plenty of accessories too, such as book bags and bottles from Quadra. To provide retailers and suppliers with ideas for school uniforms, Amaya Sales UK demonstrated the TexJet Echo 2 , the Melco EMT16 Plus and Oki Pro8432WT printers and the Hotronix Fusion IQ heat press. “We have had a lot of interest,” said sales director Julian Wright. “Schoolwear providers are coming to us for garment embellishment ideas.” Ideas were also offered on the stand of TheMagicTouch whose transfer printing technology can be used on products ranging from clothing to bags and bottles. More ideas for finishes were offered by thread brand Madeira, which exhibited at the show for the first time. Innovations included its new metallic CR threads and a new hi-vis reflective thread. “Tiny shards of glass in the thread make it reflective but this has been a challenge to develop so that it runs smoothly in embroidery machines,” explained head of sales Andrew Maylor. “The Schoolwear Show has been a good place for us to network. Retailers specify the colours that they want the embroiderers to use.” After the successful introduction of seminars at last year’s show, this year’s