The Intimate Apparel Council
A trade council for the lingerie and underwear business, organised as a division of the American Apparel & Footwear Association.
What it said about itself
The Council's website, as archived in August 2012, described the IAC as "one of the most prestigious organizations in the industry," made up of designers, brands, retailers and suppliers of intimate apparel products. Its stated purpose was "to stimulate the growth of the intimate apparel business by creating a network and a forum" to identify and act on matters of interest to the industry.
The same page says the Council gathered information "of special concern to intimate apparel design houses" with consultants and others, and ran public relations programs aimed at consumers, retailers and manufacturers. The site had sections for events, press and news, membership and a member directory.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 2000 | The American Apparel & Footwear Association is formed by merging the American Apparel and Manufacturers Association, Footwear Industries of America and The Fashion Association. The IAC operated as one of its divisions. |
| 2010 | The Council's site lists the New York intimate apparel market dates: February 1–4, May 3–6, August 2–5 and November 1–4. |
| August 2010 | A Council spokeswoman tells HelloBeautiful that the biggest mistake shoppers make is not getting fitted for a bra. |
| 2 May 2012 | The IAC hosts "Retail Mobile Engagement," a panel on mobile marketing for lingerie brands at the Union League Club in New York, reported by Lingerie Briefs. |
| 2016 | The last archived snapshots of the Council's website date from around this year. |
Market weeks
The four 2010 market dates above follow the New York intimate apparel buying calendar: February, May, August and November, when retailers visit showrooms and trade shows to place orders for the next seasons. For how that calendar works today, see trade shows and market weeks.
Who represents the industry now
AAFA describes itself as the public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry. It says it represents more than 1,100 brands, retailers and manufacturers, supports more than 3.24 million US workers and is linked to more than $561 billion in annual US retail sales. Lingerie companies deal with the same trade, sourcing and labelling rules as the rest of the apparel industry; the labels guide covers the ones specific to intimates.