IN FORM®

By Adam Welsch
Cupid Intimates

Over the past decade nothing’s fueled rumor and speculation more than the explosion of emails, blogs, and social-media postings found on the web.  Stories that used to be shared among friends and acquaintances in local communities now make their way around the world in a matter of minutes, their credibility bolstered by appearances in digital print (it must be true since someone took the time to write it down).  Questionable stories about even intimate apparel have gained currency and achieved “fact status” as a result of being told, retold, and referred to an innumerable number of times across the internet.  Four such stories involving bras have been particularly pervasive, so much so that they’ve attained notoriety as urban legends. (more…)

By Adam Welsch
Cupid Intimates

If you’re like most people from around the world, over the past couple of weeks you’ve been watching the XXI Winter Olympics being held in Vancouver, Canada.  During the Summer and Winter Games, the events themselves are the primary attractions of course, but there are always many other interesting features for fans to absorb.  There are the personal stories of the athletes themselves; the sights, sounds, and histories of the host venues; and the international political tensions that sometimes arise among the disparate group of competing nations.  But, let’s face it, all of that can get a bit tiresome.  There’s been another topic of conversation, throughout these and previous Olympic Games, which merits some attention as well.  And that topic is underwear. (more…)

By Adam Welsch
Cupid Intimates

Periodically, the news media expose unethical labor practices being used in factories throughout the world.  Sometimes the problems involve child labor; other times, unsafe working conditions, unreasonably long hours or low pay, or even the physical abuse of workers.  Often, such stories are publicized because they involve world-renowned companies, celebrity owners, or well-known endorsers.  However, for every case connected to a famous brand or entertainer, there are likely a multitude of others involving companies and products of which most people have never heard.  And while such cases today, more often than not, occur in less-developed nations, we shouldn’t forget that unsafe factory conditions, as exemplified by the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911, were common in the United States until the early part of the 20^th century.  And unfortunately, sweatshops can still be found in America today. (more…)

By Adam Welsch
Cupid Intimates

It’s awards season.  Perhaps you’ve already seen the 2010 Golden Globe®, People’s Choice, Screen Actors Guild, and/or Grammy® Awards shows.  Few people will miss the Academy Awards® in early March.  But how many of you know that the 2010 Femmy Awards were presented last week?  “The Emmy® Awards?” you say.   No, not the Emmys® – those for Primetime TV will be presented at the end of August.  The Femmys. They’re presented each year by The Underfashion Club, Inc. to members of the intimate apparel industry for their achievements.  This year’s Femmy Gala took place at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan on February 2nd. (more…)