Put It in the Books

AMERICAN GROWN | SUPERIOR | RARE | AUTHENTIC NOVEMBER 2020 In This Edition

PAGE 1-2 Put It In The Books Supima Harvest Symposium ------PAGES 3-4 Supima Holiday Shopping Guide ------PAGE 5 Memoriam: Supima Photographer William Helburn Market Update ------PAGE 6 Put It In The Books Licensing Update STAY CONNECTED

or the past 15 years, SUPIMA® has been inviting brands and retailers to the cotton fields for an experience like no other. With a worldwide pandemic and strict social distancing measures in place, this year’s harvest celebration looked a 66TH SUPIMA little different. ® ANNUAL MEETING FSUPIMA just wrapped up its first-ever virtual Supima Harvest Symposium. The three-day event was an immersive experience that saw over 150 viewers from Supima’s family of licensed Please join us for the 66th Supima Annual brands and retailers across the world participating in a comprehensive workshop chronicling the Meeting. Given the current challenges we all Supima growing and processing cycle from seed to bale. face with the pandemic and social distancing, With Supima’s President & CEO, Marc Lewkowitz opening the symposium with a keynote ad- Supima will be holding this year’s meeting via dress, the overriding themes of this year’s program were authenticity, partnership and change. Zoom on Tuesday, December 8 from 1 p.m. Lewkowitz recognized the challenges the industry faces and reinforced the company’s commit- to 3 p.m. PST. Members and all segments of ment to working with its partners across the supply chain to help drive the conversation to fair the industry will have the opportunity to learn about Supima’s current and future activities. business practices, sustainable fashion and consumer engagement. The program will include an update of our pro- Day one began with a virtual visit of a Supima cotton farm, Cauzza Growers in Buttonwillow, motional and licensing activities along with an California. Jake Cauzza brought viewers to the fields where his great-grandfather farmed almost ELS market update and other pertinent news. 90 years ago. Cauzza went into detail on his farm’s best farming practices and the year-long Virtual registration is open now by emailing process of growing Supima cotton. From crop rotation that insures soil health to flood irrigation Nancy Boyd by Monday, December 7 at nancy@ that fills the soil with much needed nutrients and reduces the amount of water used later in the supima.com. Instructions for the Zoom call will growing process, Cauzza hit on the many challenging facets that go into growing Supima cotton. be provided upon registration. Day one also featured and in-depth panel on sustainability – “From the Farm”. Moderated When: Tuesday, December 8th by Jason Thompson, Brand Development Manager of Supima, the panel included Kirk Gilkey, Where: ZOOM Gilkey Five and Jake Cauzza from Cauzza Growers. Business, quality and sustainability were Meeting: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. continued on page 2 RSVP by Monday, December 7th Put It In The Books continued from page 1

qualities are measured. The last panel of day focused on Authenticity – Exploring the Finger- print, moderated by Supima President, Marc Lewkowitz and featured Ben Tomkins of Oritain and Daniele Arioldi of the Albini Group. The panel covered a multitude of topics including partnerships across the supply chain focusing on authenticity and traceability. Using forensic science, Supima’s partner Oritain discussed its process of mapping the entire the underlying topics addressed during the panel. Gilkey and Cauz- U.S. growing region of Supima cotton and its ability to test products za gave attendees insight into the Supima cotton growing cycle from across the supply chain to trace back to its point of origin. pre-planting decisions and preparation through to harvest and ginning. The final day of the Symposium featured three sessions, which included The panel highlighted the challenges and multiple decisions growers a Supima 101 – It’s in the Fiber - that focused on the history of Supima make to produce the world’s finest cottons along with all the efforts in cotton and the premium attributes of the extra-long staple fiber hosted place to reduce their impact on the environment and promote more by Supima President Marc Lewkowitz; We’re Social, a presentation sustainable farming practices. on brand messaging and consumer engagement from Supima’s VP Day two began with a virtual trip to the Cross Creek Gin in Corcoran, of Marketing & Promotions, Buxton Midyette; and the Great Big Story California. Hosted by Supima Chairman and President of Cross Creek breakout panel featuring Edward Hertzman, Founder and President, Gin, Kirk Gilkey, attendees received a front row seat to painstaking Sourcing Journal, Stephane Cremieux, CEO, Cremieux, Peter Drago, process of cleaning the cotton fiber, removing the seeds and stems Co-Founder and Managing Director, Original Favorites and Marc Lew- and baling the cotton for shipment. Built in 1962, Cross Creek Gin has kowitz, President & CEO, Supima that covered brand success stories, been operating continuously for 58 years and currently boasts a solar best marketing strategies and consumer marketing initiatives. field that produces electricity offsetting close to 70% of the gin’s power The 3-day symposium gave Supima the opportunity to share all the needs. Discussions focused on the care that goes into maintaining the different aspects of the Supima harvest to its brand partners across premium fiber quality, as well as the value of the seeds and plant material the country and the world. In closing Marc Lewkowitz stressed the that are removed during cleaning. importance to embrace change and how to work in the new normal. From the gin, attendees were brought to the main USDA Classing From authenticity to transparency, Supima’s impact is in partnering Office in Visalia, California. Hosted by Greg Townsend, Area Director with its family of licensees across the supply chain and engaging in for the USDA-AMS, the virtual tour featured a tutorial on the procedures meaningful conversations. As consumers continue to ask real questions taken to classify the fiber qualities that make Supima cotton an extra-long about quality, sustainability and accountability, Supima is able to support staple fiber and the top 1% of the world’s cotton. Every single bale of their partners around the world and provide a story of authentic Amer- Supima cotton produced is classed for quality at the USDA facility in ican-grown, premium cotton that is not based on price and resonates Visalia. Attendees learned how Supima cotton is tested and the different with the end consumer. v PAGE TWO Supima Holiday Gift Guide

he holidays may look a bit different this year, but one thing remains the same - your gift shopping list is a mile long! We’ve gotT enough to be stressed about this year, so take the guesswork out of holiday shopping with favorites made with Supima cotton. We picked some of our favorite brands so you can give the gift of quality, luxurious Supima cotton that lasts long past this holiday season. Check out our holiday gift guide and you’ll check off everyone from your list - these picks are guaranteed to please everyone from your boss to your bestie.

Teddy & Bear Gold medalist Shawn Johnson and husband Andrew East just launched this fun and functional children’s sock brand with an innovative concept made with Supima cotton. Inspired by their one-year old, Teddy & Bear marries sock puppet characters with wearable children’s socks. Made in the USA with American-grown Supima cotton, these super-soft socks are offered as a single set of eight individual mismatched socks. So whether it’s a sock puppet show or keeping those cute little toes warm, Teddy & Bear is the perfect gift for little ones and parents in your life! www.teddyandbear.com

Brooks Brot hers This cozy cardigan would warm up Dad, boss or boyfriend this holiday season. Crafted from pure Supima cotton, this button-down cardigan features a mock-neck and cable design. Finished with two slant pockets and rib trim, the Mock-neck Button-Front Cable Cardigan hits on all the right style notes for him, and the premium extra-long staple cotton ensures comfort and quality. www.brooksbrothers.com

Banana Republic This Supima Cotton Wrap Top by Banana Republic brings elegance to an otherwise ordinary top. Designed with a crew neck, center front and back seam detail and wrapped peplum hem, this top adds a flattering fit, and can easily be dressed up for work or dressed down with jeans for play. Offered in navy, white, red and black, and made with 100% Supima cotton, Banana Republic’s Wrap Top is super-soft and durable, resisting pilling and shrinkage. Put this on the top of your gift list for that special woman in your life. www./bananarepublic.gap.com v PAGE THREE Supima Holiday Gift Guide His and Her’s Undies by Uniqlo Since the best gifts are the ones we buy for ourselves, be sure to snag Supima undies for both you and your significant other. The Women’s Light Wireless Bra is extra-comfy thanks to the extra-long fibers of Supima cotton, yet still supportive for any shape. Uniqlo’s Men’s Supima Cotton Boxer Briefs make for the perfect stocking stuffer. Featuring anti-microbial and anti-odor properties these boxer briefs are crafted with a sleeker fly-front design a hint of stretch that makes for the perfect fit. www./www.uniqlo.com

Cremieux What man doesn’t need a top notch tee for the holidays and Cremieux answer the call with its Supima Cotton Jersey t-shirt. The luxurious soft silhouette redefines the basic tee and pays homage to the brand’s French origins with a subtle French flag ribbon trim. Offered in navy, charcoal or a navy/grey strip, the Supima Cotton Jersey tee by Cremieux will easily become the go-to tee for anyone lucky enough to unwrap it this holiday. www./www.cremieux.com

Standard Text ile Give the gift of a good night’s sleep this holiday with Standard Textile’s premium percale sheets. Woven with 100% Supima cotton, these sheets proved premium strength, an incredible soft-hand and will keep their color wash after wash. The earth-toned color options will work with any bedroom design and tight, flat wave creates a crisp, cool sleeping experience - no restless nights here. www./standardtextilehome.com

v PAGE FOUR Market Update Report

November 19 — There were (4,600) bales in net new sales reported for the week versus (20,300) bales reported the previous week. Current registered Supima Holiday Gift Guide export sales for the 2020/21 crop year now total 452,200 bales. This level of sales is 161.4% of the sales level at the same time last year when 280,200 bales in sales had already been registered. Current IN MEMORIAM shipments stand at 176.5% of last year with 201,700 bales shipped versus 114,300 bales shipped at William Helburn the same time last year. There were 4,600 bales in new purchases made this week from Turkey (1,600), Thai- t is with great sadness that we report on the passing of land (1,200), El Salvador (600), legendary photographer William Helburn. Peru (500), Taiwan (400), Japan IBill was an American fashion and advertising photographer, (200), and Indonesia (100). best known for images published in magazines including Harper’s There were no bales in destination changes this past week. Bazaar, Vogue, Life, Town and Country, Esquire and Charm. A There were no bales in cancellations this past week. Madison Avenue darling, Bill was instrumental in early ad cam- Export shipments this past week totaled 19,100 bales versus 21,700 paigns for Coca-Cola, Helene Curtis and Ladies Home Journal bales the previous week. Shipments this past week went to China to name a mere few, and was honored with more than 46 pro- (4,600). India (3,200), Vietnam (3,200), Peru (2,700), Bangladesh (2,300), fessional awards for magazine and television ads. Pakistan (1,300), Greece (500), Austria (400), Germany (300), Guatemala With its first print campaigns in 1950s, Supima partnered with (200), Thailand (200), and Indonesia (100). Bill to produce an advertising campaign that captured the luxury The top five leading importers for the 2020/21 crop year are led by of Supima cotton. Bill chose model Barbara Mullen as the face of India with purchases of 174,600 bales. China, Pakistan, Vietnam and the Supima campaign, introducing Supima as a premium luxury Bangladesh round out the top five with purchases of 91,900 bales, cotton brand to the fashion world. The initial campaign won the 45,300 bales, 37,400 bales, and 27,800 bales respectively. These five coveted AIGA award in 1956. nations account for 83.4% of all the export-based purchases of American Year’s later Supima was fortunate to reconnect with Bill and Pima made to date this year. contribute to the launch of his book, William Helburn: Seventh & There were no bales in net new forward sales reported this week. The Madison. Bill’s images, including his famed “Red Canoe”, now current new crop sales totals stand at 700 bales and 0 bales respectively adorn Supima’s headquarters and with the gracious permission for the 2021/20 and 2022/23 years. of Bill’s family, were included in the book Supima: World’s Finest Cottons published by Rizzoli.

v PAGE FIVE All In the Family

Supima is excited to introduce our newest group of licensees for the month of October. Supima continues to focus on expanding its network of manufacturers, brands and retailers in an Licensing effort to ensure that each and every product that carries the SUPIMA® label is sourced from a recognized supplier. With an all-time high of over 550 licensees across the global supply chain, interest in becoming a Supima partner continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. Update Aman Spinning Mills Ltd. (Bangladesh) - Importer/Exporter, Manufacturer, Spinner, Trader - Yarns Brandzstorm India Marketing Pvt. Ltd. (India) - Brand Samil Vina Co., Ltd. (Vietnam) - Dye House, Fabric Finisher, Importer/Exporter, Knitter Saya Weaving Mill Pvt. Ltd. (Pakistan) - Manufacturer - Home Textile

Be sure to visit our supplier directory for a full list of licensed companies at www.supima.com/suppliers.

To learn more about Supima’s consumer initiatives, industry news and updates, please visit SUPIMA.COM

PRESORT FIRST CLASS U.S. POSTAGE PAID PHOENIX, AZ 1710 W Ranch Rd, Ste 205 PERMIT NO. 1662 Tempe, AZ 85284

Return Service Requested

IMPORTANT WEB LINKS FOR AMERICAN PIMA CROP INFORMATION

Supima offers a variety of reports for growers, manufacturers and retailers of American Pima cotton in the areas of specific product information, overall market data, and background research. The reports are updated frequently with the release of new data and are available for use by anyone interested.

USDA - AMS Pima Spot Price (Daily): USDA - FAS Export Sales Report (Weekly): http://bit.ly/AMSPimaDailySpot http://bit.ly/FASWeeklyExportSales

USDA - AMS Cotton Reports: Classing Reports: http://bit.ly/AMSCottonReports By Office: http://bit.ly/AMSPimaClassingOffice By State: http://bit.ly/AMSPimaClassingState USDA - NASS U.S. Production Estimates (Monthly): http://bit.ly/NASSCropProduction U.S. ELS Competitiveness Payment Report (Weekly): http://bit.ly/FSAELSCPPReport

PAGE SIX