By Megan Huffman
Masters of Science Graduate Student
College of Textiles
North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University College of Textiles’ students continue to build network relationships with the textile and apparel industry. The North Carolina Chapter of The Hosiery Association invited NCSU students to participate in a panel discussion as part of their suppliers luncheon series. Panel members spoke about their perspectives on current fashion trends, favorite brands, and the overall shopping experience. While interactive in nature, the luncheon panel gave students and industry members the opportunity to openly exchange ideas, thus enabling the hosiery industry to become more effective in marketing to and retaining customers in their age group. Several members spoke to their love of individual style, sock fetishes, useful marketing strategies, and the need to innovate hosiery for today’s young consumer market.

According the panel, fashion trends for the season include designer jeans, boots, and textured fabrics. Topics of discussion also included the controversy of national brands versus private brands, store preferences when purchasing hosiery and socks, the amount of money spent on hosiery, and the effects of promotional pricing and couponing. While hosiery is not a large percentage of money spent on apparel, students agree that it is important to have fashionable hose and different socks to meet their needs, from athletic events to knee high socks for their tall boots. However, the two panels disagreed on the best place to buy hosiery between off-price retailers such as Marshall’s and TJ Maxx or fashionable department stores with designer labels, such as Nordstrom. Students also noted that there is a large opportunity for hosiery with consumers their age. So, what would make young consumers buy more hosiery?? An innovative design, a designer label and package, a strategic location within the store (perhaps next to the boots), and an increased desire to wear hosiery. The answer is easier said than done!

(Greensboro Panel, top from left to right: Adrienne Fehr, Tiffany Williams, Holli Nelson, Kendall Smith, Kate Sykes; Bottom left to right: Brooke Stephens, Laura Sampson, Megan Huffman, Matt Berdine.)

Luncheons were held on September 22, 2005 in Hickory, NC and October 27 in Greensboro, NC. Hickory panel members included Emily Moore, Lauren Williamson, Juanyel Sheridan, Brittany Vogt, and Jesse Ross. Emily is a current College of Textile graduate student and Lauren and Juanyel are both NCSU alumni. The luncheon was held at the Hosiery Technology Center at Catawba Valley Community College. The second luncheon panel, held at the Pepper Tree Inn in Greensboro, was also very successful. Panel members include College of Textiles students: Matt Berdine, Adrienne Fehr, Holli Nelson, Laura Sampson, Kendall Smith, Brooke Stephens, Kate Sykes, and Tiffany Williams. Panels were coordinated by the moderator, Megan Huffman, College of Textiles graduate student; Dr. Nancy Cassill, College of Textiles' Professor; as well as Sally Kay, Mike Austell, and Dan St. Louis of The Hosiery Association.

College of Textiles
P.O. Box 8301
Raleigh, NC 27695-8301
Telephone: (919) 515-6646
FAX: (919) 515-3733
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