Sourcing Journal Conference Recap

By Michael Londrigan

Industry veteran Michael Londrigan is the Dean of Academic Affairs of LIM College and former Chair of the Fashion merchandising Department.  He was promoted to the position of Dean in January 2013. 
Professor Londrigan arrived at LIM College in 2008 with nearly 30 years of experience in the apparel industry focusing on retail, wholesale and textiles. He holds an MBA in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Professor Londrigan is the author of the textbook Menswear: Business to Style, published by Fairchild Books. 

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On Wednesday June 15th 2016 the Sourcing Journal (SJ) hosted an educational workshop at LIM College’s Townhouse in NYC.  Over 85 industry executives from leading fashion companies as well as students from LIM College and the Fashion Institute of Technology attended the workshop.  The level of executives included folks from logistics, sourcing, manufacturing, design and legal to name a few and titles from assistants to vice presidents.  The workshop was kicked off with a breakfast at 8:30 am with the program starting at 8:55am.  There were four main presentations covering the following topics: conflict minerals, product safety, made in U.S.A., and prop 65. 

The speakers included Barbara A. Jones whose expertise in conflict minerals and her interaction with the Conflict Minerals Compliance Initiative provided a great update on compliance and regulatory issues surrounding this important topic.

Ben Mead, Managing Director for Hohenstein Institute Americas has responsibility for OEKO-TEX in the United States and promotes Hohenstein’s expertise as a globally recognized leader in textile research and testing.  Ben’s insight into textile research and testing was very interesting especially given all that is happening with high tech fabrics in today’s fashion products.

David Callet is a principle in CalletLaw where he provides comprehensive client representation on all aspects of consumer product safety compliance.  This was especially helpful to all those representing the children’s wear industry as we all know those regulations can get complicated.

James Kohm is the Associate Director for the Enforcement Division of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. Very knowledgeable and provided invaluable practical information as to how to stay out of trouble!

All and all a nice way to spend the morning and learn more about the fashion industry and its various working parts.