matty m.™ Rebrands with Evolved Product and Vision

matty m.™, the woman-founded, Los Angeles-based clothing brand inspired by the beauty of elevated style, announces a new brand direction honoring its legacy of intentional design while taking the next steps in crafting increasingly eco-friendly apparel.

It all started in the 1990s with four thousand dollars and a vision. Since then, loyal customers have loved the brand for its consistently great fits and exclusive novelty fabrics, allowing them to worry less when making fashion choices each season. Despite decades of recognition as a high quality fashion line, the company introduced matty m. as a direct-to-consumer brand for the first time earlier this year, and has seen exciting growth in its expansion into specialty boutiques.

matty m. is dedicated to producing compelling collections designed to be fashionable season after season, as women build out more responsible and thoughtful wardrobes. The brand is also committed to a long-term, modernizing transformation of its chain-of-custody processes.

"Fashion doesn't have to be bad for the planet. At matty m., we take our responsibility seriously," said CEO Eleanor Sanchez Meyer. "Now more than ever we're focusing on the future of our customers' lives by crafting our line with mindful materials and efficient production practices, so everyone feels complete confidence adding matty m. styles to their wardrobes."

While high quality materials and effortless designs are the foundation of the brand, Sanchez Meyer and her team are now setting their sights on growth. With a renewed vision of the brand's identity and aesthetic, matty m. is poised to reintroduce itself as a leader in conscious dressing to an increasingly sophisticated customer.

• New Brand Aesthetic: A refreshed identity that embodies the brand's new slow fashion vision, blending matty m.'s modern sensibility with stylish go-to pieces.
• Enhanced Product Line: The line is fashionable, elevated, and dedicated to offering versatile and creative solutions to the customer's evolving wardrobe needs while delivering luxurious quality and trend-relevant products at an affordable price point.
• Responsible Craftsmanship: A proven commitment to incorporating more eco-friendly practices, including the use of sustainable fabrics and prints, and an increased supply chain transparency. matty m. is Global Recycling Standard (GRS) certified, which means its entire supply chain – from material sourcing to manufacturing and delivery – meets the industry's highest recycling standards.
• Materials: matty m. believes in taking less and giving more, for a greener planet and happier customers, using eco-materials like:
• ECOVERO™, the superhero of responsible viscose fibers in the fashion world.
• Recycled polyester and nylons.
• Modal, a semi-synthetic form of rayon, another plant-based textile, made from beech tree pulp.
• Water-based dyes.
• Forest Stewardship Council-certified recyclable hang tags, garment labels. Even the twine that fastens the tag to the garment is made from recycled materials.
• Packaging: matty m. broke up with single-use plastic, opting instead for 100% recycled and recyclable options, from new eco-friendly shipping boxes and poly bags, to packing tape that contains no fiberglass material. In 2025, the brand will further its commitment to the planet, launching a new 100% compostable poly bag that leaves no trace of detectable microplastics.
• Factories: matty m. primarily partners with advanced factories and vendors that are GRS certified, share its love for the environment, and take care of their employees.
• Brand Headquarters: In 2020, the matty m. team reflected on their personal and professional values, and took its first steps in evolving through a total renovation of their headquarters to align with the earth-friendly goals that the company holds dear. Upgrades include a closed water recycling system and the use of sugar cane-based paper for printing office materials, among other environmentally conscious advancements.

"We're proud to be doing our part, aligning the looks and quality of matty m. fashion with our values, and transforming the company for the better, connecting with women beyond the clothing," said Sanchez Meyer.

By taking these steps towards sustainability, matty m. is committed to advancing its sustainability practices even further, and poised to remain a leader in women's ready-to-wear market for years to come.

ABOUT MATTY M.™:

matty m.™ believes that a great garment can change a woman's life. With deliberate yet effortless designs, matty m. makes getting dressed easier by meticulously crafting each piece for versatility, timelessness, and ethical style.

Source matty m.

Torrid Announces Winner Of 2024 Nationwide Model Casting Call

Torrid Holdings Inc. ("Torrid" or the "Company") (NYSE: CURV), a direct-to-consumer apparel, intimates, and accessories brand in North America for women sizes 10 to 30, announced Essence Sugar, a 29-year-old mechanical engineer from Jacksonville, Fla., as the grand prize winner of the 2024 Torrid Model Casting Call. This was the brand's largest ever nationwide model search with more than 11,000 applicants across U.S. and Canada.

"Essence impressed us all from the minute we met her at the Los Angeles Casting Event. Even with zero modeling experience, she is so natural and comfortable in front of the camera—and more importantly her vibrancy and authenticity really emulate the core values of Torrid," said Vivian Alhorn, Chief Marketing Officer. "We are absolutely thrilled to introduce her to the world as the newest member of the Torrid family."

The casting call lasted six months with in-store events at over 100 various mall locations nationwide and a selective review process. Initially narrowed down to a top 30, candidates were publicly voted to the top 10. The finalists traveled to Los Angeles last month for a professional model boot camp featuring a full day modeling mentorship and content creation workshop, where Sugar showcased her modeling abilities and secured the winning spot.

"I feel so overwhelmed with joy and excitement," said Essence Sugar, 2024 Torrid Model Casting Call winner, "to have this opportunity to continue to work with Torrid—and create spaces where I see people that look like me. There's this rare feeling you get when you are able to be comfortable and confident in yourself. If I can contribute to other people feeling this way, what more can I do with my life? I am just so grateful."

Sugar will be featured in a Torrid 2025 campaign photoshoot, receive a $2,000 cash prize and a full year's wardrobe from Torrid (valued at $15,000). She also has the opportunity to be signed with a global talent management agency. To learn more about Sugar and the 2024 Torrid Model Casting Call, please visit Torrid•com/CastingCall2024.

"We can't wait to work with Essence and continue to highlight the other finalists in our marketing. This has been such an amazing experience for all of us here at Torrid," said CMO Vivian Alhorn. "The positive feedback we've received from the Casting Call has been incredible, and we're already looking ahead to 2025…so stay tuned!"

About Torrid

Torrid is a direct-to-consumer brand of apparel, intimates and accessories in North America aimed at fashionable women who are curvy and wear sizes 10 to 30. Torrid is focused on fit and offers high quality products across a broad assortment that includes tops, bottoms, denim, dresses, intimates, activewear, footwear, and accessories.

Source Torrid

Cooper Flagg And Sadie Engelhardt Named Gatorade Best Players Of The Year

Gatorade named Sadie Engelhardt and Cooper Flagg as the 2023-24 Gatorade Best Female and Best Male Players of the Year, distinguishing the duo as the best high school athletes in the nation. Former Gatorade Best Female Players of the Year Candace Parker and Paige Bueckers presented the honors live on stage at the 2024 ESPYs. With their selection, Flagg and Engelhardt join an elite alumni group forged over 20 years that includes Jayson Tatum, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Gatorade Best Player of the Year announcement is the culmination of an unparalleled Gatorade Player of the Year Awards experience that brought the 12 Gatorade National Players of the Year, the best of the best in high school sports, to Los Angeles for a week-long celebration. From photoshoots and first access to the latest Gatorade iD Drop to an exclusive celebration with a performance by Lil Yachty and their favorite pro athletes and opportunities to give back to the next generation, the immersive week is designed to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments in a way only Gatorade can.

"Our Gatorade Player of the Year class embodies the future of sport, so we're energized to celebrate their accomplishments and bright futures during this one-of-a-kind experience," said Gatorade president and general manager Mike Del Pozzo. "For decades Gatorade Players of the Year have gone on to have incredible success both on the field of play and in their communities, and we can't wait to see what these athletes do next."

Through Gatorade's Equity in Sports initiative, each year, Gatorade brings some of its Players of the Year to local sports organizations across Los Angeles to advance access to sport for young athletes in the city. As part of this year's experience, a few of Gatorade's Players of the Year stopped by Hollywood High School to surprise LA Rec&Parks and Girls Athletic Leadership School. 2022-23 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year and USC guard Juju Watkins was also in attendance to present each organization with a $25,000 donation that will cover the cost of their sports programming, equipment, and fees for the next year.

Additionally, as part of Gatorade's commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Gatorade Player of the Year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. From there, each athlete may also submit a short video explaining why the organization they chose is deserving of a Spotlight Grant, which awards an additional $10,000 to give to the organization. This year's twelve Spotlight Grant recipients joined Gatorade in Los Angeles for the Player of the Year Awards celebration. To date, Gatorade Player of the Year winners' grants have totaled more than $4.9 million across more than 1,600 organizations.

The 12 National Players of the Year also received exclusive first-access to Gatorade's limited-edition Drop co-created with UNINTERRUPTED, with Engelhardt and Flagg as the first to model the collection. The Drop, made up of two capsules including a vintage-inspired Gatorade branded track jacket and towel and a t-shirt, limited-edition snapback and Gx bottle, will be available for sale on the brand's free membership platform, Gatorade iD, beginning on Friday, July 12 at 10 a.m. ET, with limited quantities available.

2023-24 GATORADE BEST PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS

Sadie Engelhardt: California's three-time Gatorade Girls Track & Field Player of the Year, Engelhardt finished as the national leader in four events this past season and sparked the Cougars to a second-place team finish at the state meet. She crossed the line in 4:28.46 seconds to break the national high school record in the mile at the HOKA Festival of Miles, and clocked a 4:08.86 in the 1500-meter run while competing against pros at the Portland Track Festival—that time ranks No. 5 in U.S. girls prep history and qualified her for the U.S. Olympic Trials. Below are additional facts about Engelhardt: 

• Also the Gatorade State Girls Cross Country Player of the Year from 2022-24, she broke the California record in the 1600 with a 4:32.06 at the state meet, the fastest time ever in the event in a meet with high school-only competitors.
• Earlier in the season at the Azusa Pacific Meet of Champions, she broke the tape in the 800 in 2:03.46, which is the nation's No. 1 time by a prep girl in 2024.
• Volunteered locally on behalf of Runners For Public Lands, helping to clean trails and other places to run around Ventura County.
• Engelhardt has maintained a weighted 4.59 GPA in the classroom.
• Made a verbal commitment to compete on scholarship at NC State beginning in the fall of 2025.

Cooper Flagg: The nation's No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2024 by ESPN, 247Sports and Rivals, Flagg led the Montverde Eagles to a 34-0 record and the Chipotle Nationals title. Also the 2021-22 Gatorade Maine Player of the Year, Flagg is a McDonald's All-American Game selection, the 2024 Naismith Award National High School Player of the Year and a member of both Nike Hoop Summit Team USA and the Jordan Brand Classic squad. Below are additional facts about Flagg:

• The 2021-22 Gatorade Maine Player of the Year averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 blocks and 1.6 steals this past season.
• In addition, he shot 55.1 percent from the field during the season.
• Participated in fundraisers for both the Ronald McDonald House and Donovan Kurt Memorial Cancer Fund, as well as volunteered at youth basketball camps and clinics in both Maine and Florida.
• Flagg has maintained a weighted 4.10 GPA in the classroom.
• Signed a national letter of intent to play basketball on scholarship at Duke University this fall.

About The Gatorade Portfolio 
The Gatorade Portfolio, a division of PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP), is a connected performance and wellness ecosystem built to fuel all athletes and exercisers. Bringing together Gatorade, Fast Twitch, Propel, Evolve and Muscle Milk, the Gatorade Portfolio is the most complete offering in the category today, with a broad range of personalized solutions at every stage of the athlete journey. This integrated system of brands is built on Gatorade's 59-year history of studying athletes and is fueling the future of athletic performance and wellness by delivering solutions across hydration, protein, energy and all-day nutrition to fuel consumers, no matter how or why they sweat.

About PepsiCo    
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people.

Source The Gatorade Company

 

 

Pacsun Team USA Streetwear Collection Celebrates the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024

Pacsun celebrates the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 with the launch of its new Pacsun Team USA Collection. Building on the success of its 2021 Olympic Games inspired collection, the dual-gender assortment celebrates the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games with a fresh, yet nostalgic retro twist. The collection will officially launch on June 20, with pre-orders available starting May 30. The new collection highlights the Olympic Games heritage with contemporary style, offering fans a unique blend of historical homage and modern fashion. Athleisure-inspired, the curated selection bridges the gap between sports and everyday wear, aligning with Pacsun's mission to provide versatile and stylish activewear and further solidifying Pacsun as a go-to retailer for a range of sports-inspired lifestyle apparel.

"We are excited to celebrate the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 with our new Pacsun Team USA Collection," said Richard Cox, vice president of men's and global partnerships at Pacsun. "Our goal was to create a collection that pays tribute to the heritage of the Olympic and Paralympic movements and also resonates with the style of today's youth. By combining nostalgic elements with more modern looks, we're offering our customers a versatile collection that can be worn during the games and beyond." The collection will feature three distinct capsules: International Olympic Committee Heritage, USA Heritage, and Team USA. The IOC Heritage capsule pays tribute to the Olympic Games Stockholm 1956 and the Olympic Games London 1948, and the USA Heritage capsule brings to life the vibrant spirit of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984 and the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996 with retro-inspired silhouettes and graphics. The Team USA capsule presents a trend-relevant approach, allowing fans to engage with the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 from home. "The Pacsun Team USA Collection is a testament to our commitment to deliver innovative and fashion-forward offerings under our key pillars, one being sports," said Addie Rintel, vice president of women's merchandising and design at Pacsun. "With this collection, we wanted to capture the spirit of the Olympics while bringing it to life in a way that feels fresh and relevant. There is something for everyone to enjoy and celebrate in style." Women's styles offer nods to track, tennis, soccer, and gymnastics, anchored by iconic leisure sets. The new fabrications feature lightweight knits, technical active fabrics, and staple fleece items. The men's collection introduces exciting new styles, including new cargo sweatpants, heavier weight fleece, and improved quality varsity pieces. To accompany the apparel, accessories including hats and bags will also be featured under the collection. Available at Pacsun, the collection ranges from $25 for accessories to $150 for apparel in sizes S-XL for men and XS-XL for women, with select styles offered only online. A second women's drop will be available to pre-order in early June and available to purchase later that month. A variety of Olympic-themed styles will also launch under Pacsun's Kids line, making the collection a great fit for the entire family. Source Pacsun

Pacsun and Anna Sitar Debut Swim Collection Inspired by Midwest Summers

Following the success of their first collaboration, Pacsun and Anna Sitar, podcast host and content creator, announced the launch of their second exclusive swimwear collection. This new line under ANNAXPACSUN is inspired by the warm, sun-soaked days of a Midwest summer, paying homage to Anna's Michigan roots.

Reflecting on the inspiration behind her new collection, Anna shares, "My first collection was inspired by the sunrise and sunset of the California Coast, somewhere I have grown to love unconditionally. For this collection, I wanted to return to my roots. When we knew this drop would be in August, the first thing that came to mind was how much I would have loved these suits in Michigan during that season while I lived there. The lakes would be warm from two full months of sunshine, and we'd be planning getaways to go camping, floating down the river, and climbing the sand dunes. The inspiration built itself once I knew exactly where I could see myself wearing a perfect, Midwest summer collection."

Anna carried forward key elements from the first drop that resonated with her audience, including popular styles and colors, including ombre, ribbed lettuce edges, bralette tops, and tie side bottoms, Anna's new collection also offers fresh colors and prints, including yellow, green, florals, as well as eco suits with more sustainably sourced materials, aligning with her commitment to sustainability. The swimsuits are available in sizes XXS - XXL, and prices range $26.95 to $32.95 for separates and $49.95 for the onepiece.

Choosing Michigan as the shoot location was a natural decision for Anna since it's home to her. The setting allowed her to paint the story of where she pictured herself in the suits and capture content that mirrored the color scheme and style, including the lake, pier, lighthouses, and ice cream shops.

Collaborating with Pacsun has been a dream come true for Anna. "It has been such a blessing to work with such a powerhouse of a brand like Pacsun. They not only produce affordable, quality suits but have a wonderful infrastructure for someone like me who has dreamed of creating swimsuits. They have so much experience to help me bring my dreams to life."

"We're delighted to continue our partnership with Anna Sitar," said Abbie Hutzler, Divisional Merchandise Manager at Pacsun. "Her creative vision and deep connection to her roots add an original touch to this collection. Anna retains elements that consumers loved from the first line while introducing unique features. We're proud to support her journey and offer our community even more styles designed by Anna."

ABOUT PACSUN

Pacsun is a purpose-driven, leading specialty retailer offering a cross section of emerging brands and trending fashion through the lens of youth culture. Delivering the latest contemporary, streetwear, and activewear, Pacsun partners with the best brands at the intersection of fashion, music, art, and sport to offer curated collections, rare and exclusive products, and creative collaborations on every level to inspire the next generation. Founded in 1980 in Newport, CA, Pacsun is now co-created in Los Angeles.

ABOUT ANNA SITAR

At 27 years old, Anna Sitar has an undergraduate degree in Engineering, a Masters in TV/Film Production, and is a digital megastar with over 13 million followers. Originally from Marshall, Michigan, she moved to Los Angeles in 2019 and downloaded TikTok to practice her storytelling while she was in school. Her relatable content, including her "I Don't Want It" series and lifestyle vlogs, has since garnered a loyal following and earned her the title of one of TikTok's fastest-growing stars. Now, Anna is further expanding her influence into fashion design and merchandising with her recently launched exclusive swimwear collection – ANNAXPACSUN. Anna is also expanding into the audio space with her recently launched podcast, Anna's Guide. She sees her platform as a way to share her authentic self and hopes to inspire others to find their confidence and tap into their creativity.

Source Pacsun

Hudson Jeans Announces Partnership With Brooks Nader, Launching Spring 2025

Hudson Jeans, a leading premium denim lifestyle brand, announces a new partnership and collaboration with supermodel and actress Brooks Nader, launching in Spring 2025.

Nader brings her one-of-a-kind aesthetic to the 17-piece collection that was designed to represent things she would want in her own closet. The offering has an elevated variety of denim and fashion silhouettes that also pair back to the essential basics in the line to take the Hudson woman from day to night.

"Brooks embodies what we look for in a partner. The platform and community she has built is incredible and the authentic love she has for the Hudson brand makes this a special collaboration. We are excited about the next chapter of the brand," said Jason Rabin, Chief Executive Officer, Centric Brands.

Nader's connection with the brand dates back when she was a teenager. She fondly remembers wearing Hudson during some of her favorite memories like riding horses with her sisters on their farm in Louisiana and wearing them for special milestones throughout her upbringing.

"Each piece in this collection has its own unique style and flair," says Brooks Nader. "We aimed to create more than just a selection of styles; we wanted a curated capsule of my personal closet must-haves. I designed each piece to be mixed and matched with one another; you can't make a mistake when pairing any of the pieces! The end result is a stunning array of wardrobe essentials that effortlessly blend into everyone's closet."

Nader worked closely with the Hudson team to bring her vision to life. As part of her collection, Nader collaborated to include a new denim fit, The Beth Straight featuring the Hudson signature Flap Pocket design.

The collection will launch in March 2025 with Nader featured in the campaign which includes outdoor advertising in major cities, an extensive digital program and a live shopping launch tied to the brand's e-commerce site. The partnership will also be celebrated with a launch event in Los Angeles. In addition to HudsonJeans.com, the collection will be sold at select global retailers.

Hudson Jeans is part of the Centric Brands portfolio. Centric Brands is a leading lifestyle collective that designs, sources, markets, and sells high-quality products in the kid's, men's and women's apparel, accessories, beauty, and entertainment categories.

About Hudson Jeans Founded in 2002, Hudson strives to create denim that transcends trends and improves with wear over time. Designer-led, Hudson is a Los Angeles based premium denim brand designing quality jeans and more for women, men, and kids. This irreverent, edgy and effortless cross-generational brand is available coast to coast at fine department stores and specialty boutiques in the USA and internationally throughout Europe, Asia, Canada and Australia. Website: hudsonjeans•com // Instagram: @hudsonjeans

About Brooks Nader Brooks Nader is a supermodel and actress, known for her impeccable style and captivating presence. Through campaigns, runway shows, branded partnerships, strategic collaborations, and more, Nader's career has continued to skyrocket since she made her debut in the 2019 edition of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. Throughout her career, Nader has worked with esteemed brands including but not limited to, Charlotte Tilbury, Clarins, Covergirl, Dolce & Gabbana, Stuart Weitzman, Victoria's Secret, and alice + olivia. Most recently, in May 2024, she was named a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Legend, and featured on the cover of the magazine for the second time, in celebration of the magazine's 60th Anniversary.

About Centric Brands LLC. Centric Brands LLC is a global leading lifestyle brand collective that has unparalleled expertise in product design, development and sourcing, retail and digital commerce, marketing, and brand building. Centric designs, sources, markets, and sells high-quality products in the kids, men's and women's apparel, accessories, beauty, and entertainment categories. The Company's portfolio includes licenses for more than 100 iconic brands, including Airwalk®, Calvin Klein®, Tommy Hilfiger®, Nautica®, Spyder®, and Under Armour® in the kid's category; Joe's Jeans®, Buffalo®, Hervé Léger®, and IZOD® in the men's and women's apparel category; Coach®, Kate Spade®, Michael Kors®, All Saints®, Frye®, Timberland®, Hunter®, and Jessica Simpson® in the accessories category; and in the entertainment category, Disney®, Marvel®, Nickelodeon®, and Warner Brothers® among many others. The Company also owns and operates Zac Posen®, Hudson®, Robert Graham®, Avirex®, Fiorelli®, and Taste Beauty® and operates a joint venture brand, Favorite Daughter, with Sara and Erin Foster. The Company's products are sold through leading mass-market retailers, specialty and department stores, and online. The Company is headquartered in New York City, with U.S. offices in Los Angeles and Greensboro, and international offices in Asia, Europe, Montreal, and Toronto. Centric Brands social impact efforts are centered around our commitment to serve and uplift the communities where we live and do business. Through our collective volunteerism and contributions, we are dedicated to making a caring and lasting impact on the world around us.


Source Hudson Jeans