B&B Press Coverage

Printwear & Promotion: Fashion sense, July 2008

Printwear & Promotion: Underwear, July 2008

B&B Leisurewear, which although more well known for its leisurewear collection offers a small selection of underwear, also feels that there is an oportunity for decorators within underwear.

It believes that generally underwear is considered more as an add-sale than being specifically requested, although says it does get some orders specifically for underwear.

BBL's underwear is made from cotton lycra to combine elegance and comfort. The items available are: the BB418Y-Front set available in chalk/vinyl, vinyl/chalk, racer/vinyl, marshmallow/fuchsia, fuchsia/marshmallow; and the BB425 hot pant set available in racer, vinyl, chalk, fuchsia.

Printwear & Promotion: Organic and Fairtrade made clear, July 2008

Organic and fair-trade have become buzz words in the garment decoration industry of late, says B&B Leisurewear (BBL). But with more and more companies 'jumping on the bandwagon', customers are confronted with a wide range of expressions all suggesting high environmnetal and ethical standards, it says.

"This makes it quite difficult for customers to distinguish between all these different phrases and to understand the meaning behind them, especially as one really needs to pay attention to slight differences in the words. For example fairly traded instead of Fairtrade - the first one is obviously just an euphemism, the second refers to a certification of the major organisation in this sector, the Fairtrade Foundation", says BBL.

Because of this, BBL has marked its catalogue in different sections, clearly differentiating between the Soil Association certified items and the normal range. There is also a seperate section for the Fairtrade items certified by the Fairtrade Foundation, although BBL points out the rest of the range is produced in the same audited factories.

"This means working conditions at the factories are in line with government regulations", says BBL.

"Additional advantages are also provided for the workforce. BBL also supports local authorities' environmental and infrastructure projects".

Garments that are certified by the Fairtrade Foundation are more expensive than others in the range, because the workers that make them receive extra payment, explains BBL. "Obviously you cannot have high salaries on the one hand and cheap garments on the other hand - we all have to be aware of that", it says.

BBL expects demand for organic and fairtrade garments to steadily grow and as such it plans to get certifications for its whole range for 2009. Currently it offers the ladies' style BB577 in vinyl, chalk, midnight and marshmallow and the men's style BB576 in vinyl, chalk and midnight. Both are 165gsm fitted t-shirts in a single jersey quality, made out of 100% Fairtrade organic cotton. They are certified by the Fairtrade Foundation.

Printwear & Promotion: Eight new menswear styles, July 2008

B&B Leisurewear's (BBL) collection has been extended this year with eight new items for men. The new garments are enhanced, original and fashionable, says BBL, and have been designed by professional designers.

Customer feedback plays a large part in the development and evolution of its ranges, says BBL, and styles are adapted to suit customer needs wherever possible.

With this in mind, the 2008 menswear collection comprises:

- vintage wash garments: the BB326A enzyme vintage wash tee in single jersey, the BB564 vintage wash pullover, and the BB565 vintage wash zip hoody. The funky hoodies are made from loopback cotton;

- organic garments: the BB570 100% Soil Association certified organic tee, and the BB576 certified Fairtrade organic tee in single jersey, to adopt an eco-friendly attitude and one of only a few t-shirts to be certified Fairtrade Organic cotton, says BBL;

- bigger stripes on tees: the BB508 in single jersey;

- trendy jackets: the BB080 pipping collered track, in interlock, two-coloured fabric to be at the peak of fashion;

- new cuts: the BB212A sweatshirt in cotton sweat and the BB575 long sleeve coverstitch;

- classic ttes: the BB085 coverstitch in single jersey, available in all colours shows that fashion means not only the style or the colour but also the fabric and the way the product is sewn, says BBL. "This is our signature t-shirt and performs well all year, and we are consistently upgrading it in keeping with current fashion trends", it says.

Style, comfort and fit are the three main priorities for B&B Leisurewear, whose garments are certified by Wrap and Oeko-Tex. It also offers a bespoke service.

Images: Sweatshirts, June 2008

B&B Leisurewear's new vintage wash styles are now available from stock and proving very popular, according to the company.

The BB550 Pullover Hoody for Ladies and the BB564 Pullover Hoody for Men are made in loopback cotton, 360 gsm, have a washed out appearance, and offer a "perfect soft surface" for printing and embroidery suggests B&B. The BB550 has raw edges and is available in vinyl, midnight, racer, marshmallow and chocolate colourways; the BB564 is available in vinyl, midnight and racer.

Other vintage wash hoodie styles include the BB565 Zip Up Hoody, available in vinyl and midnight; and the BB566 Zip Up Hoody for Ladies, in chocolate, vinyl, racer, midnight and marshmallow.

B&B's Classic hoodies and sweatshirts range includes the BB046 Zip Up Hoody for Ladies - available in ten colours; the BB174 Zip Up Hoody for Men - in seven colours.

New for 2008, the hooded BB572 ladies' Open Front Hoody, in 220 gsm interlock, offers a choice of vinyl and midnight colours.

B&B also offers hoodies in 100% organic cotton, 220 gsm. The ladies' BB571 and men's BB569 each come in three colours.

The company's children's collection features the BB340 in 'cotton sweat', and the BB341 in interlock. The ladies' BB046 can also be produced in children's sizes.

"B&B Leisurewear stands for elegant, trendy and noteworthy garments, fashionable colours and unique, eco-friendly styles", the company states.

Printwear & Promotion: Womenswear boom, June 2008

The womenswear market is booming, says B&B Leisurewear (BBL), and with particular strong growth during the past year is now BBL's most important collection.

BBL offers a range of T-shirts, hoodies and underwear in a variety of fabrics, but says single jersey and organic cotton are the most popular. Its bestsellers are the single jersey garments but as consumers become increasingly aware of environmental and ethical issues, BBL says interest in Fairtrade and Organic garments is growing.

In terms of colours, BBL says Denim, Coral and Pistachio are currently very popular, but that consumers' colour choices tend to vary with the seasons.

"For instance, dark or light colours like Vinyl, Midnight tend to be ordered in winter, while the primary, pastel colours are popular during summertime" it says.

BBL claimes to follow the high street fashion trends, and as such has introduced longer t-shirts this year, such as the BB551, BB558 and BB567.

Printwear and Promotion: Made to measure, June 2008

B&B Leisurewear (BBL) also reports a growing demand for its bespoke service, which is based on 11 fabrics, 40 colours, a delivery time within three weeks and a next day stock service. Pantone dyeing is also available, as well as neck labelling and kimballing. The company also offers a complete logistics service.

When designing a bespoke range, BBL believes it is important to have face to face interaction with customers, rather than a wholly online service. "A virtual service does not replace the service quality of a face to face meeting, where any questions or issues can be dealt with immediately," it says.

Images: Ladieswear, April 2008

  Longer women's T-shirts are all the fashion in 2008, according to B&B Leisurewear, whose new BB559, in single jersey, with scoop neck and puffed sleeves, is heavily influenced by bestselling retail brands and spot on styling-wise. The new BB567 Vest also adopts the longer body length design.

B&B's 2008 Collection offers six Ladies ranges: Ladies Organic, Ladies Urban, Ladies Underwear, Ladies Jackets, Ladies Vintage and Ladies Classics. The company is known for producing high quality fashionable garments and is also consistently striving to manufacture fabrics that are better for the environment, using fair and ecologically acceptable methods audited by Fairtrade and the Soil Association. The BB577 T-shirt, for example, is made in Fairtrade cotton, single jersey, features a raw edged layered neck, and carries a Fairtrade label. The BB424 T-shirt and BB571 hoody are made in organic cotton, single jersey, which is certified by the Soil Association.

New styles in B&B's Ladies Urban range include the BB424S T-shirt and BB507 vest, both featuring a knitted stripe. The BB503 three-quarter sleeve top has a pronounced scoop neck and fashionable cut. The BB562 is notable for its long placket button front and button tab on the sleeves, whilst the BB561 is described as a collar insert tee - essentially, a scoop neck T-shirt with the appearance of a formal collar shirt layered underneath. The BB554 in burnout fabric is designed to be loose and light to wear. All of these garments are made in single jersey.

The BB555, a new racer long vest, uses B&B's 1x1 rib fabric, which affords a welcome degree of stretch, and the BB552 T-shirt in cotton/Lycra, "has a smooth fabric inside and polyster outer".

B&B's Ladies Classics range includes the company's best-selling BB083 T-shirt, in single jersey, and BB001 T-shirt, in interlock. Other popular styles include the BB083 long sleeve tee, BB091 ringer tee, BB373 polo shirt, BB417 marl tee, and the BB424 stripy tee - now with new narrower stripes.

The BB572 ladies' open front hoody in interlock is new for 2008, as are the BB550 pullover hooody and BB566 vintage wash yip hoody - both members of the B&B Vintage range, and made in vintage-washed loopback cotton. The Vintage range is completed by the BB502 distressed wash tee and BB553 short sleeve vintage wash tee, in single jersey.

Images: What's new, January 2008
Urban Times 2008

B&B Leisurewear is now regarded as one of the top contemporary wholesalers of T-shirts and jackets. The company is also renowned for its experience in bespoke garment manufacture, offering a complete beginning- to-end service. “We can, therefore, be confident that we offer a top quality service and high quality garments at an affordable price, without losing our ethical principals,” says B & B Leisurewear, which has always been “a pioneer of producing ethically sourced garments”. After a year out of the limelight, the company is coming back stronger to give its customers more variety, and is tailor-making solutions to help those customers. New for 2008, B&B offers Urban Bespoke Culture, including customised labelling at source. Also new for 2008, every garment can be produced in the entire B&B colour range, on minimums of 30 per size and colour. “The key to our success has always been the ability to mould our services around the needs of individual clients creating truly individual garments,” the company explains. The Urban Times 2008 brochure is split into six sections for ladies and four sections for men. The sections include Urban Wear, Classics, Jackets, Organic, Vintage Wash and Underwear. B&B comments that there has been a lot of talk about ‘nearly organic’ or ‘organic conversion’, and is pleased to announce two brand new ranges: 100% certified organic and 100% certified Fairtrade organic.

“According to our aim to invest in the environment, we have introduced an enhanced range of organic cotton made garments. We have invested much effort to ensure our products conform to the internationally recognised Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), from the Soil Association.

“We are pleased to announce B&B Leisurewear has been awarded both the Soil Association Licence No. DK 19297 with items certified 421 and 570; and the Fairtrade Licence No. FFLicRef B0430 with items certified 576 and 577. This is a first for a company to have both accreditations,” reports B&B.

“Also, we only produce in factories that follow ethical production standards, and that are certified.

“In addition, to offer not only the best quality to our customers, but also to guard against harmful ingredients, we produce only eco-friendly garments that are awarded the Oeko-Tex-Mark licence,” adds the company.

B&B is also implementing recycling processes in-house by using less packaging and recycling boxes; and cutting down on its carbon footprint by using deliveries by road and sea, whilst cutting down on air transport.

Printwear & Promotion: Urban Bespoke Culture, January 2008

New for 2008, B&B offers Urban Bespoke Culture, including customised labelling at source. Every garment can also now be produced in the whole colour range (minimum 30 per size and colour).

“The key to our success has always been the ability to mould our services around the needs of individual clients, creating truly individual garments,” says the company, which has also launched two brand new ranges: 100% certified organic and 100% certified Fairtrade organic.

“We only produce eco-friendly garments, which are certified with the Oeko-Tex-Mark,” states the company, adding: “As one of the leading wholesalers of leisurewear we feel responsible for fair trade and therefore we offer now the BB421 tshirt for women and the BB570 t-shirt for men under the Fair Trade Licence.

“We only produce in factories which follow the standards of ethical production and we are also implementing recycling processes in-house.

“After a year out of the limelight, B&B is coming back stronger to offer customers more variety and tailor making solutions.”

Printwear & Promotion: B&B joins the organic brigade, January 2008

B&B Leisurewear has become one of only a handful of UK promotional companies to receive organic certification from the Soil Association, the UK’s largest organic certification body.

The company’s factories in India and Turkey have also achieved the Global Organic Textile Standard, with a Fairtrade licence pending.

“With all the industry announcing new ethical principals in the way they work this achievement highlights what B&B has been doing for the past 20 years,” it said. B&B Leisurewear will be exhibiting at Printwear & Promotion 2008, where visitors will be able to view the new brochure, Urban Times 2008, which features many new styles. “This year we are using a 100% certified organic cotton for selected styles, as well as showcasing vintage wash t-shirts and hoodies using new techniques,” said the company. B&B Leisurewear specialises in bespoke leisurewear. It now offers a complete beginning to end service with qualified staff on hand to help the increasing number of customers demanding wash care labels, Kimball’s, neck labels and individual packaging. The full range will be shown at the Printwear & Promotion Exhibition.