The Tiger Letter: Spring 2004

• Past fashion trends hip   again • Letter from Linda • New Licensees • Launched: Website set   to serve • Football 2004 Spotlight: • Missouri Cotton Exchange

Who says old is out of style?
By Tiffany Anderson

Who says you have to let bygones be bygones? This season take retro cues from the past to be in style. History often repeats itself and in today's fashion industry nothing could be more true, especially in the collegiate market.

At the University Bookstore the hottest selling items have vintage flair of their own. Distressed prints, Reverse weave sweatshirts, flock twill, plaid, split letters and letterman style jackets are just a few of the latest looks to hit the retail market and give a resurgence to old school fashion in today's marketplace.

This spring at Mizzou, the focus has been on fabric, color and graphics. Terry cloth warm-up suits in a variety of bright hues such as turquoise and hot pink were a must-have for spring break-goers. Mesh trucker caps of a time before are standard uniform for both girls and guys this spring season. Retro-inspired graphics cover the variety of tees, sweatshirts and other garments that the Bookstore carries.

Welcome to the University of Missouri! NEW LICENSEES Eagles Wings Inc. Gel Team, Inc. dba Gelscrubs Jardine Associates N Zone Sportswear Vantage Custom Classics Cargo by 5th and Ocean Page & Tuttle

Parents, faculty and staff are buying clothing that lets them reminisce while students are in a frenzy over the new fashion trends with an allure of old.

Students in college are finding out who they are, a new sense of independence is granted and it shows in the fashions they are choosing to purchase. Vintage looks that mom and dad might have worn become popular in mainstream and then carry over in to collegiate retail. If it is at the mall and can translate into college then it should be represented in the product mix of collegiate retailers.

The University Bookstore has become a source for not only basic Mizzou apparel but also the latest in fashion for our diverse clientele. Each week new arrivals ensure that customers can find what is hot in retail with a Mizzou flair.

Even right now, the trends are changing, and buyers and retailers have to be looking for the next big seller. Whatever style comes next, you can be guaranteed that Mizzou will be represented.

Thanks to Tiffany Anderson, apparel buyer at the University Bookstore, for this article. Visit them at www.mubookstore.com.

Missouri Cotton Exchange displayed its screenprinting line, Cotton Cargo, at the annual CAMEX tradeshow in February..

Over the past six months, Missouri Cotton Exchange has developed four new printing techniques that have been catching people's eye. The new techniques add pop and pizzaz to Missouri Cotton Exchange's pre-print line, Cotton Cargo.

"The only reason you put anything on a t-shirt is to get it noticed," Jeff Glenn, president of Missouri Cotton Exchange said. "I haven't shown these to anyone yet who hasn't liked them."

Missouri Cotton Exchange's shirts have been getting noticed since 1971, when the screenprinting and embroidery business started.

Besides the University, Missouri Cotton Exchange also creates custom screenprint and embroidery creations for local groups, the Missouri State High School Athletics Association and more than 20 colleges and universities in Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas, including KU and K-State.

Missouri Cotton Exchange is located across from Hickman High School in Columbia at 601 Business Loop 70 East and on the Web at www.mocotton.com.

The 2004 ICLA Winter Symposium has come and gone but handouts and pictures from the meeting can be viewed at www.iclanet.com. Steve Rich of Eastern Illinois, ICLA's second vice president, and the Symposium Committee provided the attendees many opportunities to learn, network and meet other licensing professionals from around the country.

Next up is ICLA's Annual Workshop, June 11-14 in Dallas, Texas at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel. The NACMA, NACDA, and NAADD workshops will also be held at this time, allowing ICLA's attendees to attend topics in the licensing area along with a variety of other athletic-related topics. Matt Dyste, University of Oregon and ICLA's first vice president, and the Workshop Committee have put together an outstanding agenda that will include: Advanced Licensing Basics and Beyond; Retail Marketing and Trends; Legal Issues of Licensing (Trade Dress, Web Enforcement, etc.) along with round tables and the popular Town Hall meeting.

ICLA's website includes workshop and hotel registration, printable agendas for ICLA and the other Associations' meetings along with other valuable information.

Remember that you can't stop the waves but you can learn to surf.

Hope to see you in the Big "D"!
Linda

In February, the LT office launched its new website, http://licensing.missouri.edu.

We hope this site will be a resource for licensees, retailers, student groups and Mizzou fans. Forms for the Mizzou-RAH! retailer program and web permission can be submitted online. The art approval/royalty waiver form can be filled out online and printed out before faxing it in.

A PDF file of all current licensees will be kept up-to-date and an interactive map will show where Mizzou retailers are located in the state. Links to retailers' and licensees' websites provide a quick access for interested fans.

Current and past issues of the Tiger Letter are available as well. In a few months, the Tiger Letter hopes to be completely digital.

Amy Reeter, an Internet Administrator with MU's Information and Access Technology Services, and her team designed the website. Check us out online: http://licensing.missouri.edu.

Mark your calendar for this fall's Mizzou football games and get ready to cheer on the Tigers!

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