THE BEST OF INTIMA – BIANNUAL – JULY 2008 - (Page 138)

Interview broadens its target Wacoal Firmly established as a major presence in the field of high quality lingerie in the US, the internationally-renowned brand Wacoal has over the last year strided ahead with the launch of the Wacoal Luxe limited distribution line and the newly launched b.tempt’d line for Spring 2009. Robert J. Vitale, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Wacoal America, talked to The Best of Intima to give us a full insight into where the company stands and where it is heading. How is Wacoal structured in the US? Our US headquarters are in New Jersey, while we have sales offices/showrooms in New York, Dallas and London. We have a strong sales team of 27 for Wacoal and the new b.tempt’d line while roughly 75 sales consultants and their management team service individual stores. The company has undergone major changes over the last 12 months, can you tell us more? The significant structural changes we have undergone are related to servicing our specialty stores. In order to provide top notch service we have added 4 sales rep positions to supplement our highly efficient telemarketing department. Additionally, we have created a new position and named Joe Smith as our Specialty Store Sales Manager to spearhead this important effort. What sales outlets does the Wacoal distribution focus on and what is your target clientele? Luxury and department stores, specialty stores, and internet. Our target clientele is any woman who can appreciate the comfort afforded by the best fit and a high quality product that lasts. The age range for Wacoal is primarily 30s and up while b.tempt’d is aimed at women in their 20s, 30’s, and youngminded 40s. What are Wacoal’s distinguishing characteristics? The absolute best fit, high quality materials and workmanship and the highest standards in service. What will be the main innovations of the Spring/Summer 2009 collections and can you tell us something about the newly launched Luxe and b.tempt’d collections. As concerns Wacoal, animal pattern jacquard fabric is used in a seamless contour, to provide differentiation and a reason to buy in this important category. The launch of a state of the art Sport Bra collection will offer Wacoal comfort to the active woman. We have great new push ups in lace and jacquards for the woman who desires enhancement. Shapewear with heat sealed panels allow great control without the usual seaming for a sleek look. Wacoal Luxe, our limited distribution line, got off to a great start this Spring and initial stores are increasing door count. For early Spring 09 we offer a striking embroidery on mesh contour and our first Luxe full figure style to DDD. B.tempt’d by Wacoal, our latest range, caters to the younger contemporary customer with Wacoal quality and fit. Five bra collections and four table panty collections for the Spring 09 launch are available in a variety of silhouettes in great fashion looks to satisfy many figure types. A fully integrated marketing plan with national print advertising, on line marketing and a com-

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of THE BEST OF INTIMA – BIANNUAL – JULY 2008

Cover
CONTENTS
EDITORIAL
SHOP SCOUTINGWORLDWIDE - Boi’s selection from Asia to Europe
NEWER NOTABLES - Kiki de Montparnasse
- Isabella’s Fine Lingerie
- Etam Lingerie
- Coeur Pistache
- Tanya Bulhoes
- Arthur
- Taye Brasil
- Balls
- Le66
PHOTO SHOOT - Summer in the city
TETE-À-TETE - John Galliano
PHOTO SHOOT - Private Room
PORTRAIT - Wendy Glez
LAUNCHING - Nicole Miller, Marie Jo
- Hale Bob, Niki shapewear
- Jezebel
- Claire Pettibone
LINGERIE TRENDS S/S 09 - Delicate innocence
- Air of refinement
- Blooming cocktail
- Eco poetry
- Ethnic modernity
TALENT - Maud and Marjorie
BEACHWEAR TRENDS S/S 09 - Precious glimmer
- Fresh clear water
- Enchanted gardens
- Vernissage
- Exotic lands
THE BEST SHOP AWARDS
EVENT - Komar
- Chantelle, Radici
- Hug Award
INTERVIEW - Bob Vitale, Wacoal
- Anthony Verbaeys, Marie Jo
- Sophie Drouad, Lou
WHO’S WHO
EXCLUSIVE - Secrets
BUSINESS NEWS - Ea Lingerie
- Donna Karan, Fashion Ribbon
- Samantha Chang, Armani
EVENT - The Femmy Awards
EXPERT - Growing your business during hard times
MARKET OVERVIEW - Russia for everybody
EXHIBITION UPDATE - Lingerie Americas
- Curve
- Mode City
EXCLUSIVE - Intima’s T-shirt no.5
NETWORK EXPRESS - Network Dessous’ 10 worldwide magazines
CALENDAR - Major trade fairs around the world
BEST SELLERS - Brands’ best-selling items for F/W 08
EXCLUSIVE - The Green Factory
FABRIC NEWS - Eurojersey, Dow Fibers, Aquafil
FABRIC TRENDS F/W09 - Sweet glamour
- Sensual skin
- Red passion
- Baroque allure
- Light & shadow

THE BEST OF INTIMA – BIANNUAL – JULY 2008