Press Release

For Immediate Release - March 3, 2001

Contact:
Mr. A. K. G. Nair
Director, Pearl Academy of Fashion
akgnair@giasdl01.vsnl.net.in
www.pearlacademy.com

Vikas Kohli
VP-Sales & Marketing (South Asia)
vikas@worldfashionexchange.com
www.worldfashionexchange.com

Globally all business are transitioning to e-business models (moving to a click and mortar format) - because they offer huge benefits to organizations not only financially by reducing process costs but also

• Enable better customer service,
• Reduce lead-times,
• Provide access to current information,
• Remove geographical & physical barriers
• Allow seamless collaborate working
• Rationalize manpower requirements
• Streamline workflow

But what about the Fashion Industry - which is truly global, widely dispersed, highly fragmented and has many intermediaries. How can the fashion business where margins are under tremendous pressure due to increasing global competition derive benefits of e-commerce

• To make itself more efficient
• Service the needs of the customer better
• And in the shortest possible time !!

Fusion of Technology & Fashion

E-fashion merchandising (36 week Professional Programme)

• Training in fashion business processes - merchandising planning and execution
• Emphasis on practical training through case studies, store/factory visits
• Exposure to supply chain management concepts with a focus on the fashion industry
• Elementary product training (apparel specifications, fabric types, etc.)
• Understanding the evolution of the internet
• Benefits that business to business solutions offer to the fashion industry
• Productivity enhancement tools using the World Fashion Exchange Application
• Creating Virtual Showrooms and company Web Sites
• Creating dummy cyber businesses and trading using the World Fashion Exchange application

This course is being offered by putting together the resources of Pearl Academy of Fashion (PAF) and World Fashion Exchange Inc. - USA (WFX).

The e-fashion merchandising programme is the only of its kind in the world. No other institute currently offers a course that blends the technology of fashion and offers it in a practical, realistic, easy to comprehend format to the industry. The objective is to train students who are updated with the most current technologies in the world and are practical to use which can provide immediate benefits to organizations.

Short term programmes are also being conceived for industry professionals who wish to upgrade their skills.

Pearl Academy of Fashion (PAF): Established under the aegis of the Pearl Global Ltd., the Pearl Academy of Fashion attained national and international repute for its pre-eminent status as an industry oriented, state-of-the-art training centre. The Academy is the only institution in India in the field of apparel technology certified under ISO-9001, which evidences internationally benchmarked standards and systems for curriculum development, delivery, teaching and learning process, including assessment systems. PAF has established a new campus with world-class facilities and has tie-ups with reputed international institutes such as

• Nottingham Trent University (NTU),
• Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT),
• Hong Kong Polytechnic University,
• London College of Fashion,
• London Centre for Fashion Studies,
• Chelsea College of Art and Design,
• German Retail Institute

World Fashion Exchange Inc. (WFX): is a New York based global leader in providing B2B supply chain management solutions, developed specifically for the apparel and textile industry using the hub and spoke architecture. The objective of WFX technology is to enable its members to increase their profitability and reduce operating costs through effective communication and information management in collaboration with global business partners.

The WFX Advisory Board boasts of some of the most prominent professionals from the fashion industry, including Mr. D.Michael Barnes, former Vice-President & Board Member, Kurt-Salmon Associate (KSA); Mr Pierre Buuron, former President & CEO, Toys "R" Us (Central Europe); Mr Dinesh Hinduja, CEO, Gokaldas Exports; and Mr. Drish Paul, CEO, World Fashion Exchange.

For more information about World Fashion Exchange Inc. and learn more about the solution please register for free at www.worldfashionexchange.com or call us at (212) 465 3183.