Fashion Clothing About the Export & International Tailored that stay wrinkle free, MACY'S Cooperation Institute fabrics that can be laundered at home, and high-performance clothing made of the BLOOMINGDALE'S The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute, supported by over newest breathable fabrics are all becoming 2,600 member firms, private-sector bodies, and the government of Israel, Israel’s signature in fashion clothing. Israeli MARKS & SPENCER advances business relationships between Israeli exporters and overseas manufacturers are gaining a reputation businesses and organizations. By providing a wide range of export- across the industry for being among the POTTERY BARN oriented services to Israeli companies and complementary services to early adopters of these cutting-edge the international business community, the Institute helps build successful BANANA REPUBLIC technologies, which are already penetrating joint ventures, strategic alliances, and trade partnerships. The Institute's ISRAEL'S American and European markets. Today, a THE GAP website (www.export.gov.il) provides information about the services that Fashion & Textile Industry dynamic group of talented young Israeli businesses need in order to succeed in commercial ventures with Israeli designers is “branding” the industry with SEARS companies in the Israeli marketplace. an exciting new image, marketing their impressive pacesetting fashion designs WAL-MART independently under their own designer TARGET labels in both the United States and the European Union. VICTORIA SECRET

Fabrics and Threads NIKE Israel is known worldwide for its quality woven and knitted fabrics. Due to massive EDDIE BAUER investments in the past, Israeli exports of J. CREW nylon and non-woven textiles have seen exceptionally dramatic growth. Today, SPIEGEL For further information: they represent about 70% of all textile exports. The rapid growth in these sectors RALPH LAUREN Mira Geshel, Executive, Cosmetics is due to new uses for Israeli products Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute in the manufacture of intimate apparel, CALVIN KLEIN 29 Hamered St. 68125, Israel hosiery, and assorted hygiene and supply +972-3-514 2878 HUGO BOSS products. +972-3-514-2881 International Cooperation TOMMY HILFIGER [email protected] www.export.gov.il A quick look at Israel cooperation agreements and private label manufacturing reveals an impressive list of who’s who This publication is for informational purposes only. © November 2006 While every effort has been made to ensure that the The Israel Export & International of international fashion houses, leading department stores, information is correct, the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute Cooperation Institute assumes no responsibility Production: Media & Productions Unit well-known clothing retailers, and mail-order catalog houses for damages, financial or otherwise, caused by the Copywriting: David Nordell that enjoy the Made in Israel tag. information herein. Design: Trager Background Why Israel? Key Segments Recognized the world over as a high-tech innovator, Israel puts its expertise to Technology Makes the Difference Knitwear work in the dynamic realm of fashion and textiles. The “Made in Israel” tag has come to stand for creativity Israeli fashion and textile companies benefit from Israel’s standing as an Exports of knitted clothing reached $385 million in 2005. and imagination in design and international center of high-tech innovation. Sometimes, to meet a specific This sector, which includes intimate apparel and outerwear, breakthroughs in production Israel’s Fashion and Textile Industry design or overcome a long-standing industry challenge, they develop their has emerged as a major sector in recent years. by the Numbers methods. own novel solutions. Israel set the fashion pace Number of exporting approx. 100 New, leading-edge ultrasonic bonding equipment that cuts and seals fabric Home Textiles companies pieces without the need for conventional sewing - known industry-wide as Textiles for use in the home are rapidly becoming an in the late 1960s with its Market size (2006) $2.9 billion seamless construction - has propelled Israel to the forefront of the intimate important, fast-growth sector. Made in Israel products Beged Or leather goods and Exports (2006) $1.1 billion apparel industry sector. Sophisticated high-tech equipment is also used in are known for their eye-catching designs, achieved using Gottex swimwear - companies Textiles $370.1 million fabric printing, dyeing, and processing, as well as for manufacturing ultrathin that established Israel’s Clothing $670.0 million advanced printing, dyeing, and processing techniques internationally acclaimed Leather goods $38.8 million nylon threads for use in pantyhose. to produce very high quality, high thread count, woven reputation. Over the last 40 Number of employees 30,000 Due to the prevalence of advanced production technology and the country’s fabrics. The country exported $205 million in home textile years, these veteran companies willingness to try new methods and techniques, Israel’s textile manufacturers merchandise in 2005. have been joined by others can readily produce original designs and patterns (and customize them for third that have given Israel prestigious standing in the fashion and textile industry. parties). The industry’s ability to resources quality raw materials, adhere to the Israeli manufacturers are regularly invited to exhibit The industry continues to strengthen its strict quality assurance standards of Western markets, and promise on-time at prestigious trade shows in Europe and the United international presence in those sectors delivery all contribute to the industry’s worldwide reputation. States. Over the years, they have won numerous prizes for excellence in home textile design. where Israeli products have received A Cosmopolitan Sense of Fashion acclaim and recognition as high-quality, Over the years, Israeli manufacturers and designers have developed a knack for innovatively designed merchandise. Swimwear and identifying and targeting specific niche markets around the world. Many Israeli Today, the country boasts some of the As one of the country’s first internationally recognized manufacturers have strong relationships with leading international fashion world’s leading manufacturers of intimate fashion exports, Israeli swimwear says chic, glamorous retailers and mail-order catalog houses. They often produce private label lines apparel, swimwear, fashion clothing, high fashion. Most Israeli swimwear is marketed through developed through joint cooperation. home textiles, and high-performance upscale department stores in the United States and threads. Free Trade Agreements around the World Europe. Israel’s annual swimwear exports totals about The 1990s saw many Israeli companies $50 million. Israel is the only country to have free trade agreements with Canada, Eastern relocating their production facilities to High-performance activities demand high-performance fabrics. Europe, EFTA, the European Union, Mexico, Turkey, and the United States. In countries where manufacturing is more Seamless athletic wear developed by Zensah Performance addition, both Israel and Jordan benefit from a special QIZ agreement that cost-effective in order to remain more was used by the Israeli judo team at the 2004 Summer enables them to jointly manufacture textile and apparel products and market competitive in world markets. While a Olympics. The high-tech fabric the company developed them in the United States duty and quota free. significant number of layoffs have occurred also kept athletes cool and dry. Athletes participating in the country’s textile industry since Designs That Make Their Mark in track and field events, baseball, and the marathon in the 2004 Olympic Games sported EFP (Engineered for the mid-1990s, the country has seen a “Original.” “Creative.” “Trendsetting.” All describe Israel’s fashion and textile Performance) activewear from Tefron, one of Israel’s reduction in the price of clothes due to apparel industry. Israeli designers have propelled their industry to world renown leading textile and clothing manufacturers. the increased numbers of imports. and acclaim with that are sought by trendsetters around the world.