IDI Launches New Programs

The Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) today launched the third stage in its “Together Works” strategic marketing plan.

Being rolled out throughout 2009, “Together Works” provides support to Israeli diamond manufacturers and exporters while offering real-time assistance and services to the Israeli Diamond Industry’s international trading partners. Stage 3 of the program introduces an unprecedented service especially geared to the Asian markets, a key export target for Israeli diamantaires.

Stage 3 also launches a new seasonal magazine called "Reflections – Diamonds. Fashion. Trends. Clearly." to promote the beauty of diamonds, focusing on jewelry retailers and their customers for 10,000 readers in the US.

In other IDI news, the group also announced a Russian version of the Israeli Diamond Industry Portal (www.israelidiamond.co.il), the definitive B2B website for the Israel trade. The Russian language website comes on the heels of successfully launching English, Hebrew and Chinese version of the website since 2003.

The Israel Diamond Industry Portal, www.israelidiamond.co.il creates a B2B marketplace for the exchange of business contacts and diamond requests that lead to actual transactions. With 7,500 registered users in 125 countries, the portal is a dynamic site, with content being updated throughout the day.

The informative section of the portal is open to all users. Russian members of the diamond and jewelry trade are invited to register as members, free of charge, to gain access to the secure section of the portal which offers information about Israeli companies, and entry into the diamond supply and demand platform.

Source: http://www.jckonline.com/

Fashion show with tinges of green

FDPC and Apparel Brain Connect hosted a fashion show, by paying tribute to the green revolution in the burgeoning fashion industry. Katharine Hamnett, the renowned fashion designer, who is considered “Queen of Green”, was also present along with Mr JN Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles.

Ms Hamnett has been closely involved with organic apparels since 1989 and has tied up with an Indian company to promote the cause of sustainable fashion and apparels in India.

Mr Raghavendra Rathore, the doyen of the fashion industry in India said, “This fashion show along with the presentation of Ms Katharine will go a long way in the development of the green revolution in the fashion industry of India.

FDPC, is a government owned body, which is helping fashion designers across the country, by giving them a platform. Mr Vijay Singh CEO of FDPC said “This is a correct platform to promote young designers who propagate and believe in preserving mother’s nature bounty and ethical fashions”.

Along with Katharine, leading designers like Raghavendra Rathore, Varun Bahl, Jai & Parvesh, and California based designer Kareena showcased their collection and promised support for ethical fashion.

Source: http://www.fibre2fashion.com/

Fashion jewelry maker sues Kohl's

A New York-based manufacturer of fashion jewelry filed a lawsuit against Kohl's Corp, alleging the department store chain breached certain contracts.

Bijou International Corp, which said it entered an agreement with Kohl's in July 2007 to supply it with fashion jewelry as part of the chain's "Apartment 9" product line, is seeking to recover not less than $75,000 in damages.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Wisconsin on April 2.

Kohl's was not immediately available for comment.

Bijou also said in the lawsuit that it had been selected to make the "Simply Vera" Vera Wang jewelry for Kohl's, but the retailer decided to severe both agreements through a series of steps.

Kohl's launched the Simply Vera brand exclusively in its stores in September 2007. The company, like other department store operators, has faced steep declines in sales as consumers cut back on shopping for discretionary items.

Source: http://uk.reuters.com/