MNfashion welcomes Jay Arbetman of Chicago, IL for our first Open Studio industry event and MNfashion Membership Drive  Friday, December 4th from 6-9pm.

Individual 30-minute appointments for Saturday, December 5th between 10am and 6pm can be made by contacting info(at)mnfashion.org.

Location: MNfashion’s new headquarters! 79 13th Ave NE #212 Minneapolis, MN 55413 (Grainbelt Studios)

Jay represents an impressive amount of fabric and trim suppliers listed below, many of which have small minimums. He also carries handbag components.

About Jay, in his own words:
Grew up in a family coat making business and showed at my first show in 1971 and continued as a road salesman for Arbetman Bros. and Blair until 1975 when I went to work as a store supervisor for Foyer’s, a women’s specialty store group in the Chicagoland area.  In 1980 I moved to New York and worked on Seventh Avenue as a sales manager, piece goods buyer and executive for Arbetman Brothers and Blair, Global Clothing Industries and Misty Harbor Originals.  I attended night school at Fashion Institute of Technology from 1981 to 1986 studying textile science, accounting and marketing management.  In the 1990’s I imported jackets and sportswear selling to national chains, specialty stores and various catalogs for ten years.

In 2001 I started Arbetman and Associates, selling zippers and buttons to uniform companies and independent designers.  Since 2008 I have sold a wide variety of fabrics, zippers, buttons and sewn product services.  I also broker sample making and production and produce hang tags and labels.

I have (by far) the largest selection of fabric, zippers, buttons and sewn product accessories in the MIdwest.

I live in Oak Park, IL with my wife, two teenage daughters and the world’s smartest dog.  I play guitar, support West Suburban PADS (public action to deliver shelter) and root for all of my indy designers!!!

misterzipper.com

Here is a list of what I will be bringing to Minneapolis.  I carry fabrics from “A” (Amana Woolen) to “Z” (Zentex)!!!

Amana Woolen Mill was begun in 1857.  When you use Amana Woolen piece goods, you can feel proud that it was made in the heartland of the USA and represents a legacy handed down for generations.  Check out their new washable wools.  www.amanawoolenmill.com/

Zentex is the premier collection of Japanese organic cotton textiles.  Huge selection.  Moderately priced.  Sensational quality.  www.zentextiles.com

Beautiful Button is an amazing line of fashion buttons and closings.  Also included here is hand bag hardware and sew on snaps in several varieties.  Huge selection.  Reasonable minimums.  www.beautifulbuttons.net

Barbie International imports and sells buttons, zippers and various trim items.  Tremendous value.  In business almost 100 years.  Fourth Generation!  Huge high value in stock inventory at amazing prices.

JN Zipper is also a zipper importer.  Tremendous style and quality.  A favorite among many designers.  Novelty and high end polishes that are incomparable.  In stock supplies of elastic, twill tape, velcro and sewing thread and more.  www.jnzipper.com

Acker and Jablow is the world’s largest converter of synthetic linings.  100’s of lining choices.  Customized interlining solutions.  In business 85 years.

Pine Crest Fabrics is the #1 name in active, dance and all kinds of stretch.  Amazing Pick a Print program.  Great stretch velvets and novelties.  www.myhotprintfabrics.com

George Bobrick imports silks.  Highest quality.  Silk linings starting at $13.50.  Amazing burnouts and prints.   Custom heavy duty buttons for winter coats, parkas and more.  georgebobrick.com

Textile City is a Los Angeles jobber of moderate sportswear fabrics.  Lots of poly, cotton and stretch.  Chiffon, charmeuse, double georgette, stretch poplin, stretch twill, Jersey and more.  Deadly prices.  Immense inventory.  Good guys!  $5.00 to $9.00 fabrics for $2.00!!!!

J. Lefkovits shows incredible values in wool suitings and silks.  Low minimums.  Great service and selection.  Deadly prices.  Immense inventory.  Good guys!  $20.00 luxury suitings for $5.50 to $7.50.  www.jlefkovits.com

Novelty Bias Binding provides bias binding (thus, the cleaver name), twill tape, Bengaline tape, sleeve heads, waistbands and more.  Handy guys to know! noveltybiasbinding.netfirms.com/

Forsythe Trading is the foremost trader in the textile secondary market.  Tremendous resources with low minimums.

Mona Slide Fastener manufacturers shoulder pads in the Bronx.  Well priced.  They deliver in less than a week.

W and W Assoc. is a fine label and hang tag company in Lake Zurich, IL.  Excellent selection and a highly skillful staff.  They also print care and content labels in house, fast and cheap!  wnwinc.com

Hemp Traders is the foremost name in Hemp, Hemp and  Organic Cotton and Hemp and Silk Blends.  No minimums.  Large in stock position.  Hemp shirts for printing.
www.hemptraders.com

I also broker domestic production, Asian production, technical assistance and who the heck knows what else!!!!

All in all, I represent 16 lines, two sample makers, two factories in Chicago and other entities.