August 2: President Barack Obama reiterated his strong support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership during a news conference with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday, predicting his efforts to persuade Democrats and Republicans in Congress to pass the deal would ultimately be successful. (Source: Politico)

August 3: The 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal might not be dead but it’s certainly on life support. ..."When you have all of the candidates against it and all of the leaders in Congress hedging their bets, anyone who doesn’t say it’s on life support is misleading their members. You can use it as cue time to fight harder if you want to win, but you don’t paint a rosy picture," said Rick Helfenbein, president and chief executive officer at the American Apparel & Footwear Association. (Source: Women’s Wear Daily - login required)

 

August 9: Trade organizations representing shippers and transportation organizations on Monday sent a letter to ILWU President Robert McEllrath and PMA Chairman and CEO James McKenna, requesting discussions begin on either a contract extension or a new contract. (Source: American Shipper)

August 8: The Sustainable Apparel Coalition, an industry-wide group of over 180 leading apparel, footwear and home textile companies and associations, has opened use of the Higg Index to non-member small and medium-sized (SME) brands and retailers. (Source: Innovation in Textiles)

August 4: Just one week after factories proposed a wage freeze for garment workers in Vietnam, labor unions and businesses have agreed to a wage hike. If the government approves it, Vietnamese workers will see a 7.3% increase to the minimum wage starting in 2017, Thanhnien News reported. (Source: Sourcing Journal - article unlocked)

August 9: Fashion designers are coming to the defense of Apple Inc. as the consumer electronics maker battles Samsung Electronics in the United States Supreme Court over alleged patent infringement. ...As the case has gained momentum in the U.S.’s highest court, fashion designers have spoken out in support of Apple, as the final ruling on the patent infringement allegations may speak volumes for brands battling counterfeiting. (Source: Luxury Daily)

August 5: A long-running dispute between the U.S. and China over the ability to vet auditors of Chinese companies listed on American exchanges could be edging toward a breakthrough. (Source: Dow Jones Newswires)

August 5: ... A U.S. judge on Thursday dismissed part of a lawsuit filed last year by Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and other luxury brands accusing Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Group of promoting the sale of counterfeit goods. (Source: Fortune)

In Brief
West Coast ports contracts: On August 8, AAFA signed on to a letter with more than 110 other associations urging the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association to begin early discussions so that a contract extension or new long-term contract can be put in place well before the current contract expires.
Just announced - American Image Awards partners with CFDA! Last week, AAFA announced the Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI) – part of the Council of Fashion Designers of America Foundation, Inc. (CFDA) – as the beneficiary for the 2017 AAFA American Image Awards! See the press release here.

Making the most of membership: Did you know that the Government Relations Committee hosts a conference call every month for Committee members to discuss recent trade, legislative, and political developments, and identify how they may affect your business?  There’s still time for Committee members to sign up for next month’s call on September 13.

AAFA members get the most out of membership when they participate in our events and committees – join committees here. 

 

Member Welcome: Shoes of Prey
Shoes of Prey is a global, multi-channel retail brand that enables shoppers to design their own shoes online. The company is changing the way women shop for shoes, and is on track to become a significant international retailer over the next five years. In case you missed it, see our Q&A with the Shoes of Prey co-founders.