SGS Reminds the Clothing Sector of the Importance of Working with the Right Testing Laboratory
The financial benefits of capitalizing on the publicity generated by the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remind manufacturers of the importance of using the right ancillary service provider.
- (1888PressRelease) February 19, 2019 - The recent wedding of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, to Meghan Markle is a reminder to manufacturers and suppliers of clothing and footwear of the importance of working with independent laboratories that can offer accurate and effective testing solutions in fast turnaround times.
The publicity generated by a globally reported event, such as a royal wedding, can quickly alter fashion trends on the high street. To capitalize on the hype surrounding new design features or ‘looks’, manufacturers must quickly bring safe and compliant clothing to stores. With a global network of over forty specialized Softline laboratories around the world, SGS offers cost-effective solutions to help producers exploit changing demand.
The recent marriage of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle was watched by an estimated 24 million viewers in the UK and a further 29 million in the US. Part of the attraction was the list of invited ‘A’ list celebrities from around the world. Dressed by some of the world’s most famous designers, this provided the perfect opportunity for people see the latest fashions in clothing, footwear and accessories.
Famous in her own right, Meghan Markle was recognized as a fashion icon even before her engagement. Her engagement to a member of the British Royal Family has only elevated what has become known as the “Meghan Markle Effect.”
On the high street, the couture clothing worn by Meghan Markle and her A-List guests will directly influence consumer purchasing choices in 2019. For example, wedding dresses on offer in 2019 already follow the more sophisticated example set by her dress – clean lines and little sign of appliqué, beads, lace or frills.
High street fashion almost immediately re-adopted Givenchy’s Bateau or Sabrina neckline of her dress and, after several guests wore polka dots, this has seen a resurgence. The affect can be profound. It is estimated the Meghan Markle Effect will generate around GBP 150 million in revenue for clothing and footwear manufacturers in the UK.
Before products can be offered for sale, manufacturers and suppliers must ensure their products are safe and fit-for-purpose. For example, a wedding dress offered onto the UK market must be capable of withstanding rain. Therefore they must be tested for color fastness. In addition, it should also be examined for tear resistance, seam slippage, seam strength, and strap or fastener strength.
For the groom and groomsmen, most wedding attire is hired. It therefore needs to be durable. To ensure it can withstand repeat wear, it must be tested for abrasion resistance, pilling, color fastness and smoothness of appearance or crease recovery.
To quickly place new items onto the market and thereby fully benefit from the Meghan Markle Effect, manufacturers and suppliers need to have short turnaround times. It is therefore vital for them to recognize the importance of working with support laboratories that have sufficient capabilities to be able to provide highly accurate results in short time periods.
SGS Solution
With a global network of more than 40 specialist state-of-the-art laboratories focusing on softline products, SGS is ideally placed to help manufacturers bring clothing, footwear and accessories to market. Their committed, multi-disciplinary team offers a comprehensive range of physical, chemical and functional testing services for components, materials and finished products. They provide cost-effective solutions with efficient turnaround times to help you ensure quality, performance and compliance with international, industrial and regulatory standards worldwide. Learn more about SGS’s Softlines Services. [www.sgs.com/softlines]
For more information, please contact:
Tricia Zourmand
UK Softlines Manager, CRS
SGS United Kingdom Limited
Tel: +44 203 008 7860
Email: crs.media ( @ ) sgs dot com
Website: www.sgs.com/softlines
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 95,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,400 offices and laboratories around the world.
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