Suisse Organique by Longing International
Environmentally conscious customers are flexing their spending power to effect change, and manufacturers have perked up to the requests.
Recognizing a gap in the market, Longing International, the lingerie and sleepwear design and import company, is launching the organic cotton line named Suisse Organique and developing a line with bamboo fabric.
Though Longing International’s operations are based in Los Angeles, the firm’s parent company is a vertically integrated Hong Kong–based conglomerate. Suisse Organique is the first endeavor outside private label for the 6-year-old company.
Trevor Riewer, a sales representative for Suisse Organique, notes that the company “saw the importance of natural or ’green’ fibers in the European market. It’s a niche that they feel is going to be important [to the U.S. market].”
Its use of “Swiss organic cotton”— a combed-cotton yarn made from organic Supima—distinguishes Suisse Organique from other cotton sleepwear in the market. Styles for the line are basic and classic, including lace-trimmed bras, camisoles, panties and sleepwear sets. One organic cotton bra features a layer of ventilated cup padding for breatheable comfort.
Riewer cites the increasing popularity of environmentally friendly alternatives for living, such as hybrid cars and organic food, as a driving force to bringing organic cotton clothing into the mainstream.
“It’s not really just for the Whole Foods [customer] and organic stores,” Riewer said. “It’s for everyone. hellip; It may have started out that way, but not any longer. The public is becoming more aware of what’s going on on the planet.
“Even Wal-Mart is talking about doing organic goods now,” he said. “If they’re interested, then it’s becoming mainstream.”
Wholesale price points for Suisse Organique range from $3.70 for a bikini thong to $40 for a longsleeved shirt and pajama-pant set.
Longing International’s new lines will be available to specialty stores under the Suisse Organique label or can be developed for private label.
For more information, contact the Vestiny/Trevor Riewer Showroom in the Gerry Building, Suite 502, at (213) 892-8794. —R.C.
