Golf Fitness Magazine Performance Apparel Rankings winners, others impress in the fashion aisles

This year's PGA Show was the most Fashionable to date due to some fabulous new collections and the show stopper this year... Ashworth’s new urban environment (booth).

With apparel playing a more important role every year at the show, some brands pulled out all the stops with great collections and cocktail parties galore. My choice for best collection was Tehama's women's collection. A bold and bright collection in TECH fabrics and an elegant and sophisticated offering in classic fabrics.

In men's Peter Millar featured their colorful southern elegance with rich colors and superb displays. The single item that got my attention is the new "classic" shoe by adidas. A very modern interpretation with great design.

The Dunning booth (winner of the TECH category) was packed the entire show. Ralph Dunning is capturing the performance market with great product and Zach Johnson as the face of the brand.

Ahead (winner of the Hybrid category ) continues to make very strong inroads into men's apparel, from the beginnings of a head wear company. The Kate Lord women's collection is a must for every pro shop with a very street smart edge and great design and styling features. The tulip sleeve is one of the coolest style features I have ever seen in women's.

Let's talk about presentation ... The new Ashworth booth is just in a league of it's own! A very modern urban environment showcasing the four new directional collections. You can see John Ashworth's signature ALL over it! The new Calvin Klein collection was presented in a typical Calvinesque palette of Black-White-Gray....the collection was high Fashion in Golf with numerous highlights....the women's dress pants are exquisite. How about personal presentation... Germaine Bolds-Leftridge is the infectiously passionate owner and designer for 18th Couture, a first time Fashion entry in women's ... mark my words ... you will here a lot more of them in the near future. Great color scheme's, elegant dresses with a decidedly urban flair.

The two Fashion events of the year to look forward to? The JPC Golf and Gala in DC on May 12th and 13th and the Grand Opening of the Payne Stewart Golf Club the week of July 1st.
This will also be the year where the mundane demo day concept will be transformed into the...

Apparel and Equipment Demo Day Extravaganza ... for more information e-mail us at auke@golfmarketinginc.com.

To a most Fashionable year where we create a WOW experience ... World Class Only Wins!

Customization will be among top three apparel trends for 2008

First of all let me wish you a healthy, happy and most Fashionable 2008. The Tour is already underway in Hawaii and the PGA show is around the corner.

The yearly get together of the world of golf in Orlando promises to be bigger and better than ever. In equipment there will be most certainly a plethora of introductions.

In apparel we will see the offerings for Fall 2008. I predict that the customization of apparel will garner significant attention this year due to more companies offering custom made apparel and accessories. I have been scouring the Fashion landscape for the finest companies in custom shoes, slacks, belts, shirts, hats, weather wear, golf bags and grips.

For the very first Apparel and Equipment Custom Demo Day Extravaganza Feb. 9 at The PGA Golf Club a unique cadre of companies will be featured, never before presented at one venue. Otabo will be featuring custom golf shoes, produced right here in Florida www.otabo.com. Elevee will feature custom hats and slacks manufactured in Los Angeles www.elevee.com. Martin Dingman will feature custom belts hand crafted in Diamond City Arkansas www.martindingman.com. 59Belts will feature custom belt buckles www.59belts.com. Marbas will feature Italian custom golf apparel www.marbasgolf.com, Peter Millar will feature custom golf apparel created stateside www.petermillar.com. Pro Quip will feature custom weather wear www.proquipusa.net. MacKenzie golf bags will feature the finest walking bags www.mackenziegolfbags.com.

While custom fitting in equipment has long been established as the benchmark for the finest equipment, so will custom made apparel and accessories redefine the standard for golf apparel, as we know it. In the luxury retail environment custom suits, shirts and shoes have a long history of the preferred choice of the most discerning clientele.

With a national roll out planned for the A&E Custom Demo Day Extravaganza, the golfer that demands the finest in custom apparel will have access to the very finest in custom golf apparel at a host venue nearby.

I can say from experience, there is nothing more rewarding than owning attire custom made for the individual.... it is one of the finer joys of life. The personal touch that you can infuse in your wardrobe with your own taste level, gives you the greatest expression of individuality possible. Decide to match your custom clubs with custom attire in 2008, because the golfer that is dressed to kill has always had the advantage.... and always will.