Connect with us

Sports

Van Heusen Releases Men’s Dress Shirt with Magnets Instead of Buttons

Published

on

PHILADELPHIA—It’s being called “stress-free shirting” by its creator.

But its magnetic technology replacing traditional buttons could also be a boon to those whose hand movements are limited.

In September, PVH Corp., launched a Van Heusen men’s dress shirt designed with MagnaClickTM adaptive technology. The shirt began rolling out at some JCPenney and Kohl’s stores and online and on Amazon.

Hidden inside the front placket and cuffs of the MagnaClick dress shirts are magnets that connect and perform the function of buttons.

“We believe this is a game-changing product that offers a stylish, high-quality solution for consumers with limited dexterity or those seeking an alternative to buttons,” said David Sirkin, president of the dress furnishings group at PVH.

Last year, PVH generated more than $8 billion (U.S.) in revenue. The company also owns Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Izod, Arrow, Speedo, Warner’s and Olga.

“This is truly a major milestone, for retailers to carry adaptive clothing at national chains and help this underserved market,” said Maura Horton, CEO of MagnaReady LLC and founder of MagnaClick.

“It is truly revolutionary,” Horton said of the technology. “Buttons have long been a mainstay as a way to close clothing. Velcro was introduced and patented in early 1950s. This is the first hands-free closure mechanism in over 60 years … to be patented and mainstreamed.”

Like many creations with impact, this was a deeply personal one for Horton.

“My husband was unfortunately diagnosed at an early age with Parkinson’s disease,” she said. “He was a career college football coach and one day after a game he was stuck in a locker room trying to change … but was unable to button his shirt in time to catch the team plane.”

One side effect of Parkinson’s is limited dexterity. Horton recalled that it could sometimes take her husband, Don, 20 minutes to button his shirt.

A player by the name of Russell Wilson (who now plays quarterback for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks) saw her husband’s struggle and buttoned his shirt in silence.

“Needless to say, my husband was humbled by needing assistance with something that is so personal and most people take for granted,” she said. “When he relayed the story to me, I could hear the frustration and sense of defeat in his voice.”

Horton said she conceived of MagnaClick to help make life easier for him and others.

There are some who buy the shirts just because they are easy to wear, she said.

But clearly, “the largest groups that are helped by our technology are what I call the ‘Silver Tsunami’ — the aging baby boomers,” Horton said. “Our oldest customer is 96 and the youngest is 18.”

“Baby boomers or the aging population aren’t familiar with casual Fridays,” she said. “They still like to dress and maintain their dignity and style as they had previously.”

Parkinson’s affects up to one million people; arthritis affects more than 55 million. The magnetic technology might also help stroke survivors, wounded service members, the visually impaired and those with ALS, tremors or neuropathy.

“This is definitely a growing category for us,” Horton said. (MagnaReady is working on other products, she said, though she wouldn’t elaborate.) “The market potential of the Silver Tsunami, combined with those that are differently abled, is tremendous.”

Deborah L. Weinswig is the managing director at New York-based Fung Global Retail & Technology. She focuses on where the two groups intersect. She said the “silver” market, ages 65 to 84, is rapidly expanding.

“A lot of retailers are adapting to make it easier for that consumer to shop — such as changing the height of shelves,” she said, “because as we age, we tend not to be as tall, or if a person uses a walker or wheelchair, then they also need to change the width of the aisles.

“Retailers are more sensitive to the silvers because that is where the wealth is as far as buying power. They’re very active, and you’re seeing a lot of magazines with a lot of marketing” toward them, she said.

On average, she said, silvers shop 2.1 times per week. And “a lot are still working and I think what we are seeing are more apparel and beauty products for that consumer. There’s a growing need to really cater to that customer.”

That’s where a product like MagnaClick comes in.

“I would definitely get these (shirts) for somebody that has trouble with buttons, or anyone with any kind of disease that affects their hands,” said Anastacia Rosales, 41, who was recently shopping at a Philadelphia-area Kohl’s that carries the Van Heusen shirts.

Area resident Dave Bontempo, 59, said he will soon check them out. He has arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

But he said they also would have come in handy for caretakers of his father, Dante, before his death at 84 in April 2014. His father suffered from dementia and lung cancer in his final six months.

“I was frequently dressing my father,” Bontempo said. “This would have been miraculous in saving time because, as a caretaker, you are constantly trying to balance them so they don’t fall over while you’re trying to dress them.

“I would have bought my dad a ton of these.”

Read More..

Continue Reading

Sports

Up and Coming Sports Stars to Look Out for in 2020

Published

on

Every year, a raft of exciting new players come onto the scene across all of the major US sports. With the MLS season getting underway and the NFL and MLB drafts not too far away, now is a great time to look at the young sports stars that could have a very bright future ahead of them, and the ones that are already proving they are destined for greatness.

Theo Bair (MLS)

This MLS season is looking like it could be one of the best yet, with David Beckham’s Inter Miami team adding some extra dazzle to the league. Whilst Beckham might be able to attract a lot of new players to his MLS team, there are a lot of young stars on their way through such as Theo Bair at Vancouver Whitecaps. Bair has already made an impact on the first team and after impressing at under-20 and under-23 level for the national team, he has made two appearances for the senior team, well before his 21st birthday. This year could see Bair make a real name for himself in the MLS.

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/11/29/07/06/bleachers-1867992_960_720.jpg

Source: Pixabay

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (MLB)

Montreal-born Vladimir Guerrero Jr has one MLB season under his belt but it looks like the best is still yet to come from him at the Blue Jays. He was heavily backed to take the league by storm but he failed to live up to the hype that surrounded him. Without the pressure of being the top-ranked prospect, this season could see Guerrero play with some weight lifted off his shoulders. He has been working very hard on his fitness over the offseason, something that his manager Montoyo has been quick to comment upon.

Baseball by andrewmalone, on Flickr


Baseball” (CC BY 2.0) by andrewmalone

Connor McDavid (NHL)

McDavid has already established him as a top hockey player but at 23, he has the potential to go on to do so much more. The player was born in Ontario and was the first overall draft pick, showing how much expectation was already on him at that stage but he has gone on to prove that he is one of the best players in the NHL. McDavid could go on to be one the NHL’s best-ever hockey players and this season could be the year that he shows the world, not just the NHL.

Chuba Hubbard (College Football)

The Oklahoma State Cowboys running back has been making the headlines for several years now. He continues to improve and grab more attention for his impressive stats and performances. He was close to being a sprinter and nearly made the Canadian Olympic team before switching over to football. He is passing up the 2020 NFL draft to play his senior season at Cowboys. He should give them a good chance of winning the College Football Championship, though they’re trailing at the seventh spot in the latest American football odds at +2400.00, with Clemson as the current betting favorites.

2020 will definitely be a very exciting time with some of these young stars looking to breakthrough in their respective sports and show the world what they are capable of.

Continue Reading

Sports

Bob Baffert is back at the Kentucky Derby – and looking to break the Curse of Apollo

Published

on

Bob Baffert is back at the Kentucky Derby with early favourite Justify after watching the race from his sofa in Southern California last year.

The Hall of Fame trainer’s ability to produce Derby contenders year after year is an enviable feat and why his absence a year ago stood out. It was just his second since 2009 and occurred because his lone candidate got hurt.

Baffert will saddle Justify and 30-to-1 shot Solomini in Saturday’s Derby.

Justify is one of the greenest colts Baffert has brought to Churchill Downs. He’s won all three of his starts by a combined 19 lengths. If Justify wins, he’d be the first to do so since Apollo in 1882 without racing as a two-year-old.

“The thing about the Kentucky Derby, you have to have the right horse. It just happens. You can’t force it,” Baffert said. “All of a sudden, you have good horses and you’re there. So I’ve been really fortunate to have some really good horses.”

Baffert’s four victories are tied for second-most in Derby history. He’s finished second three times, too, including in 2012 with Bodemeister, also the last time he had two starters in the same year.

Like Justify, Bodemeister didn’t race as a two-year-old. He set a blistering pace and led the Derby until the final 150 yards when I’ll Have Another overtook him to win by 1 1/2 lengths.

Magnum Moon, the 6-to-1 third choice, also is unbeaten and didn’t run as a two-year-old.

“It’s going to happen,” Baffert said, referring to the curse being broken. “Whether it happens this year or whatever, but it will happen because Bodemeister almost got away with it. But I don’t really worry about that.”

Baffert almost had a third starter this year until McKinzie developed a hind-end issue that knocked him off the Derby trail.

“When McKinzie got hurt, I wanted to throw up,” he said. “I really think McKinzie would probably be second choice here. We’d really have a 1-2 here.”

Justify cleared the biggest pre-Derby hurdle by drawing the No. 7 post. Jockey Mike Smith can use the colt’s early speed to position him well for the long run to the chaotic first turn. Solomini ended up in the No. 17 post; no horse has ever won from there.

Baffert turned 65 in January, making him eligible for Medicare and retirement at most other jobs. However, he entertains no such thoughts.

“I work hard at it. I just don’t give up,” the white-haired trainer said. “I’m constantly meeting people. They’re sending me horses. If you don’t have success, you’re not going to get those opportunities.”

After a successful run in the quarter horse ranks, Baffert switched to thoroughbreds. He started with one horse.

“After 25 years, I’m finally getting horses that I don’t have to buy,” he said. “The big guys are sending me horses.”

None was bigger than American Pharoah in 2015. The colt swept the Derby, Preakness and Belmont to become racing’s first Triple Crown winner in 37 years.

Baffert has compared Justify to American Pharoah, citing the colt’s imposing physical presence and big stride. Still, Justify has yet to encounter the kind of traffic the Derby’s 20-horse stampede creates and the talent as he’ll run against on Saturday.

“I’d rather have a really talented horse than one who’s seasoned and just on par with the rest of them,” Baffert said.

Early on, Baffert knew Justify had the goods.

“The first time I worked him at Santa Anita, I knew he was a really good horse,” he said. “The track was really deep that morning, and he went around there effortlessly. His first race, he ran incredibly and showed how special he was.”

That kind of intuition is what separates Baffert from his rivals, fellow Hall of Famer trainer D. Wayne Lukas said.

“Bob’s got a great feel for it,” he said.

Read more…

Continue Reading

Sports

Matthews ready to return to Maple Leafs lineup after missing a month

Published

on

NASHVILLE — The hurtin’ tune that Auston Matthews has been singing for the past four weeks finally can be put in the remainder bin in Music City.

The Maple Leafs’ top centre on Wednesday declared himself set to return to the lineup after recovering from a right shoulder injury.

Wonderful timing, of course, considering the Leafs will take on the No. 1 club in the National Hockey League, the Nashville Predators, on Thursday night.

“In my mind, I think I’m ready to go and taking it as I’m getting ready to play (Thursday),” Matthews said after resuming his normal role, between William Nylander and Zach Hyman, during practice at Bridgestone Arena.

“It felt good, nice to get in all the reps and everything. (Wednesday) was a good step forward in that process, going through the line rushes.”

It seemed probable that the Leafs also will have defenceman Nikita Zaitsev, who missed the past five games as he recovered from an illness, against Nashville. Zaitsev was paired with Jake Gardiner, his regular partner, at practice.

For Matthews, it has been 10 games as a spectator with his latest injury, his third of the 2017-18 regular season after he missed four games in November with a back issue and then sat for six in December because of a concussion.

Thursday will mark four weeks since Matthews was hurt when he was sandwiched by the New York Islanders’ Cal Clutterbuck and Adam Pelech in a game at the Air Canada Centre.

A major bonus for Matthews in his recovery has been the fact he has been able to skate though much of his recuperation. That was not the case when he was out with his previous two injuries.

It’s worth noting that Matthews scored two goals versus the Montreal Canadiens upon returning on Nov. 18 from his back injury; in his first two games upon coming back from a concussion, he scored a goal in each.

Mike Babcock said a final decision on the participation of Matthews and Zaitsev against the Predators would be made on Thursday morning, but the Leafs coach was talking as though it would be a rubber stamp.

“This is going to be the best opportunity for (Matthews) because he has been able to skate and compete,” Babcock said. “The other times he was not able to do anything.

“To get him back … it’s still going to be going way faster than he has been practising, so there is going to be an adjustment period, but he’s a good player and he will figure it out.”

Defenceman Morgan Rielly didn’t think Matthews will take long to find his footing. Rielly missed six games in late January/early February with an arm injury, so knows what Matthews could be feeling.

“You’re nervous and you just want to get back into it,” Rielly said. “You play your first shift a bit hesitant, but after that it’s important you get back to yourself.

“It’s never easy, but Auston is one of those guys that I will imagine it won’t take long for him to get back into a rhythm.”

And there’s the trickle-down effect through the forward lines with Matthews in uniform.

“Guys are used to playing with certain players and when everyone is healthy, I think you get better chemistry throughout the entire lineup,” centre Nazem Kadri said. “Certain guys don’t have to play with different guys constantly and it’s just more of a set group, so I think it’s going to help us.”

Continue Reading

Trending