“So, the scarf just came at the right time,” Tomer commented.

“Yes, I actually wore it to work today,” I answered as I was admiring the 300 count brown scarf in my hand. “I did not see this in your Fall 2005 collection. Was this a special item added later?”

“Oh, the scarf is actually a test of how fast an item can go from the drawing board to the end user,” Tomer answered.

“UPS asked me to participate and it was the scarf that was my contribution. I designed the scarf, sent it to jobber and then a manufacturer. When the end product, which is 2000 scarves in total, was done, it was sent out via UPS. It took 6 to 8 weeks from the drawing board to you and 1999 other recipients, meaning the moment you signed for the delivery,” Tomer explained.

“Wow, that was fast!” I exclaimed.

“Yes, with the technology today, it can really make things so easy. Everything was done via telephone and faxes, and of course, courier service, which is UPS. I sent the design via fax. The jobber sent me samples of materials, which I approved via phone. Product samples were exchanged the same way. I approved the final two products and it went on the manufacturing floor. The scarves were delivered and then of course, it was sent to the 2000 names on the list,” Tomer related.

“We even know when you received your package,” Tomer added with a laugh, understanding that with tests like this, everything has to be tracked.

The two of us could have gone on talking. The phone call was not an interview from both our points of view. We were two friends who just happen to work in the fashion industry. But, my assistant came in with Mr. Brown, delivering a package!

I told Tomer, and we both put down the phone laughing, with the UPS delivery guy wondering what was so funny about the brown package in his hand.

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