User:Contributor06252009/Aegean Apparel, Inc.

Introduction
Aegean Apparel Inc. is an American wholesale clothing company that is strongly tied to the Turkish textile industry. The company was created in February of 1991 by Turkish born Mehmet Panayirci. As of 2008, the Ohio based company holds a client roster that includes Bon Ton, Dillards, Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom, Saks 5th Avenue, and Von Maur, bringing its all time client list to over 1,000 names.

Time Line
In late 1980, Mehmet Panayirci – a young man who had come from a strong family background in the Turkish textile industry – moved to Ohio to attend college and kick off his own company. By 1991, he had a degree in engineering and had just incorporated the name Aegean Apparel. Setting up a small store in Dayton and a showroom in New York City shortly thereafter, Aegean Apparel spent the next five years getting a small recognition for being a quality wholesaler that specialized in very basic cotton terry robes.

Taking a risk in 1996, Aegean Apparel started to produce samples of the first appliqué style bathrobes. It was this move that shot the company to the top of the market, and appliquéd bathrobes took the fashion sleepwear world by storm. Two years later, in 1998, Aegean Apparel became a household name when it launched a line of printed and solid pajamas in a variety of cuts. In the coming years, lines of beach towel, bath towels, shower wraps, printed tee shirts, and tote bags also became frequently praised products for the enterprise.

Press
The media has been playing a large role in this company’s success since 2001, when it made appearances at celebrity endorsed parties and began appearing in gift bags for award shows.

Actors are frequently seen wearing Aegean products in television shows (Friends, The O.C., and 7th Heaven) and movies (Legally Blonde I and II, Baby Mama) alike. In early 2004, their appliquéd bathrobes were introduced into the prize packs for game shows like the Price Is Right.

Contestants from Miss Universe and Miss USA can also be seen sporting Aegean Apparel bathrobes on trips and promotional ads.

Company Success and New Ventures
The garnered success relies on the company’s ability to simplify the wholesale cycle as much as possible. Aegean Apparel owns its own Turkish factories, so it does have the ability to design, manufacture, and distribute all goods rather than outsourcing and creating a middleman. The means to do private label business have added clients like DKNY, Calvin Klein, and Victoria’s Secret to an ever expanding list of satisfied customers.

Growing further, Aegean has launched its first retail venture in 2008 called GreenApple Production Studios, or www.gapsretail.com, which offers select bathrobes, towels, and tees shirts directly to the public for purchase.