Canadian marine company turns from survival suits to isolation gowns for health professionals.
FREE WEBINAR: “Fashion Technology – Finishing the digital transformation”
THURSDAY, APRIL 3RD 10AM
Hosted by: Ruth Kelly, BCAG
Presented by: Stacy Holt, Holt Consulting
In light in recent global events, the apparel industry has had to take stock of how they will weather managing everything from supply chain to sales. One of the long term solutions is to move to using digital tools and resources. Explore how moving to a more digital world can impact everything from design, product development, sourcing, sales and distribution. Strategizing how to transition from 2D to 3D will also be reviewed.
About stacy
Stacy Holt is a 30+ Year veteran of the BC apparel industry has been leading the digital revolution of product development. Stacy embraced 2D to 3D in the early 2000’s, training many global companies on the use of Optitex EFI. More recently, she led a team to develop a whole body scan to custom fit clothing solution with Size Stream LLC. Her deep knowledge of fit and sizing systems has set her up for success with virtual prototyping and 3D digital asset management. Stacy envisions the fashion world of the future where video, augmented and virtual reality tools will be the new norm through the entire product lifecycle.
PORTAL TO COORDINATE THE SUPPLY OF EMERGENCY PRODUCTS
The BC government announced the launch of a portal to help coordinate the supply of emergency products to help fight Coronavirus.
Due to COVID-19, the B.C. government is facing massive challenges in ensuring the province’s front line healthcare workers have the personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep them safe as they tend to the health and well being of our community.
Did you know the BC Provincial government is looking for a supplier of:
N95 Masks
Disinfectant Wipes (Tubs and Cans)
Disinfectants (liquids - bulk)
Exam Mask (Earloop)
Exam Mask Pediatric
Face Shields
Head Hood Covers (Balaclava)
Isolation Gowns
Knee-high Shoe Covers (Impervious)
Level 2 Gowns
Level 3 Gowns
Level 4 Gowns
N95/FIT testing supplies
Nitrile Gloves (exam) - powder-free
Safety/Protective Goggles
Surgical Mask with attached shield
Surgical Masks
Hand Sanitizer
Hand Sanitizer Foam
Thermometer
Vinyl Gloves – Latex Free – 3G
Viral Swabs
Coveralls (Full suit, with or without hood)
Surgical Gloves
Zip Lock Bags
If you can supply these items, please fill out the form at the provincial portal here: https://bccovid19supplyhub.force.com/s/
FREE WEBINAR "Work, in our New World"
FREE WEBINAR
Thursday, March 26th 12 noon - 1pm
"Work, in our New World"
Presenter: Eleven Eleven Talent Collective
Eleven Eleven Talent Collective is a global recruitment agency that specializes in the retail, apparel and consumer goods industries. With passionate expertise and real results, we empower individuals and companies that value flexible work environments, unlimited income potential, and time to achieve what matters.
Topics covered:
Working from Home - Our Top 5 Tactical + Mindful Tips
What to do if your work is on pause, creative ideas to make an impact
Communicating Remotely
Join Zoom Meeting at 12 noon tomorrow, Thursday March 26th, 2020
https://zoom.us/j/8590608218
Call in option: 1-647-558-0588
Personal Meeting ID
859-060-8218#
This webinar has been created for the apparel community in partnership with BC Apparel & Gear Association and ApparelCamp Vancouver.
URGENT NOTICE TO BC APPAREL AND GEAR COMPANIES
The BC Apparel and Gear Association has been approached by Vancouver Coastal Health to get ahead of the increased demand for gowns for health care workers. This is a great opportunity for us to come together as a local BC industry and provide our community with a valuable service.
The BC Apparel and Gear Association is working with the government to provide a picture of local supply solutions to the potential gown shortage. In light of the outbreak of COVID19, and in an attempt to be proactive, they wish to secure a reliable LOCAL source for gowns to protect healthcare workers, should the need increase. Over the weekend we sent out a survey to understand the local industry's capabilities and available material stock. Thank you to everyone who answered the call to action.
We will compile the data, share it with Vancouver Coastal Health and provide everyone that participated in the survey with an update on the next steps.
If you missed the survey and want to support, send us a note to hello@bcapparelandgear.com
Membership and AGM sign up live!
Kindly register here on eventbrite if you intend to attend the BC Apparel & Gear Association Annual General Meeting. If you intend to vote during the AGM, you must be a member.
You are a member if you have paid membership dues.
How do I pay?
Option 1) Call in your Credit card and speak to Nylah or Andrew at: 778-765-8868 from Mon-Fri, between 10:00am and 4:00pm.
Option 2) Snail Mail your check by February 10th, 2020 to: BC Apparel & Gear, suite 220 - 333 Terminal Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6A 4C1
Option 3) Show up to AGM at 5pm to pay in person.
How do I nominate myself to join the Board?
Check out https://www.bcapparelandgear.com/2020-call-for-board-nominations
AGM - Save the date | 18th February 2020
Mark your calendars for our inaugural Annual General Meeting.
Join us 5-7pm for an update on the BCAG three-point plan that focuses on launching the BC Apparel & Gear Association, investing in developing and attracting world-class talent and scaling the growth and achieve sustainable global competitiveness.
Not a member yet? Sign up to be eligible to vote for the next serving board and bring forward issues of general concern for discussion.
Location: Emily Carr, 520 East 1st Avenue, Vancouver BC V5T 0H2, IMC Room, level 1
We are launched!
Tonight we welcomed future members from brands, factories and professional services all across the BC apparel and gear space to kick start our journey!
Highlights and updates are coming!
Launch Party
On the 3rd of October we’ll be hosting a special VIP invitation event for CEOs, Founders and company leaders of Apparel Brands, Gear Brands and suppliers to the industry. Attending the event is not a commitment to join the association, it is an opportunity for the current board to share the vision for growing the industry together.
BC Apparel & Gear Launch
Thursday, Oct. 3rd, 2019 @ 6pm
Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue located at
580 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3
Minister Ralston tours Mustang Survival
Founded in 1967 by Irv Davies—the inventor of the world’s first Floater™ Coat—in Vancouver’s Gastown, Mustang Survival’s roots in what it takes to survive in harsh marine environments are 50 years deep - and firmly planted on Canada’s West Coast.
From day one, being at the epicentre of the environment Mustang Survival gear was being engineered for was crucial to success.
The story goes that while building the first FloaterTM Coats, Irv would head down to the docks and test the jackets with tugboat drivers and deck crews. Going straight to the source and iterating through real-time feedback from people navigating work and life on the water was immediately baked into the Mustang DNA .
From the shores of the Burrard Inlet—a busy hub of shipping and cargo movement where tugboat drivers, ship mechanics, and safety personnel spent their days exposed to the water—in the late 1960s to the current head office and Waterlife Studio in Burnaby, BC, the company’s proximity to water hasn’t changed, because it drives everything they do.
Choosing to keep the headquarters in British Columbia has been a commitment to staying in and near the environment, and the elements, Mustang gear ultimately protects its wearers from.
Their ability to purposefully design and obsessively engineer every item—whether for the military and public defense communities or our recreational users—comes from understanding the nuances of the many bodies of water Mustang’s gear goes to work in.
Being situated with access to rivers, oceans and lakes, in a climate that can test even the most rugged expeditioner’s will to continue is at the core of Mustang’s research, innovation and development.
A team of highly skilled and innovative problem solvers and waterlife advocates use the access to water as development grounds to test theories, explore possibilities, iterate ideas and expand what they know about building world class PFDs, dry suits, flotation coats and water-life apparel that help real-world superheroes live life beyond land.
From Maritime Professionals to Special Operations Forces, Airforces to Navy Seals, NASA astronauts to recreational offshore and inland marine adventurers, and everyone in between, Mustang Survival gear is the trusted sidekick for those chasing the feeling of freedom that comes from being on the water.
Yes, there’s water, and people living the water life all around the world. Which may beg the question: ‘Why BC?’
For Mustang Survival, it’s about heritage—being in the backyard of where the business started—and keeping their solutions real, and well crafted; honouring their Canadian roots and building gear that can take any adventurer out onto the water with confidence, knowing its grit and performance has been tested by real people in some of the toughest waters and weather.
We shared our story and toured our facility with MLA: Hon. Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology this week. We appreciated the opportunity to showcase what we do and engage in dialogue on the achievements of our companies and our industry. We hope that these tours have reinforced the importance of the apparel industry to the province’s economy.
Mark and the team meeting with Minister Ralston.