SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 28, 2010)- As Skin Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close, Iconic™ Sport (www.iconicsport.com) is proud to announce its formal sponsorship and affiliation with the Sun SafeTee® Program, a non-profit organization dedicated specifically to the golf community.
“There were meetings about sun protection at the PGA Merchandise Show last January, and a few groups, including the Sun SafeTee® Program, were there to see what we could do collectively about increasing skin cancer awareness and UV protection for golfers,” said Iconic founder and designer, Leslie Chow. “We were particularly impressed with their program and its outreach for junior and college golfers, and wanted to work with them.”
One of the ongoing themes of the Iconic product mix is sun protection, and it remains as one the company’s underlying tenets. All of the Iconic garments feature permanent, non-chemical UPF 50+ or UPF 30 ratings – UPF 50+ is the highest possible with over 98% blockage of harmful UVA and UVB rays. UPF 30 garments block 97% of UVA and UVB rays.
“The Sun SafeTee® Program is very pleased to have Iconic™ Sport as a sponsor,” said Mark Wishner, President of the Sun SafeTee® Program. “We’re deep believers in using UPF rated garments as a non-chemical physical barrier to the sun, and you know when you have a former NASA engineer designing the product, you’re going to get the latest in technology. We look forward to working with Iconic for a long time.”
As an adjunct to Iconic’s main apparel line, Chow has created the del Sol collection of attractively priced, sun-specific accessories, which include the highly successful unisex detachable del Sol ultralightweight SunSleeves™. “Mark was big fan of our SunSleeves, both personally and because we have a junior sized version for kids,” said Chow. “The Sun SafeTee® Program has a focus on education, because sun damage and skin cancer are highly preventable, especially for golfers, so it all seemed like a great fit.”
Also included in Iconic’s del Sol group are an ultralightweight long-sleeve mock-turtle top; the del Sol SunShrug™; the del Sol Sun cardigan, all for women; plus the del Sol unisex SunDickie™, available in unisex sizes extra small to double extra large. “You just slip it on underneath an open collared shirt, and you’ve got sun protection without looking unfashionable,” said Chow. “They’re ultra lightweight, so they’re not hot, and they do wick and stretch along with everything else in the Iconic line.” The cardigan is a convenient topping piece, as is the sun bolero, covering shoulders and arms, and making for a dressier, yet highly sun savvy twin-set.
“I personally don’t care for lotions or spray sun screens – it’s difficult to put on enough and frequently enough, especially when you’re golfing, it’s too gloppy, sticky, or oily and interferes with your grip and comfort,” said Chow. “Whereas all of our products are permanently UV protective without chemical additives, as well as breathable and moisture wicking. Customers have said they’re cooler than not wearing anything because of the cooling from wicking and from heat reflection, so there are a lot of attributes which make sun protective clothing more attractive than just sunscreen.”
At the January PGA Merchandise Show, Iconic held a SunSmart Sunsleeve giveaway with a sun safety quiz and informational materials. Sponsorship of the Sun SafeTee® Program is another element in the continuation of that ongoing theme. And where many charities use golf as the vehicle to raise money, the Sun SafeTee® Program is a charity designed to take care of golfers.
About Iconic™ Sport
Founded and designed by former NASA engineer, Leslie Chow, Iconic is positioned for upscale golfers, emphasizing sophisticated style and performance enhancement. With degrees from both MIT and Stanford, Chow is an avid multi-sport athlete, and was featured in the “Member Spotlight” segment of the 2007 Bluebook edition of the Northern California Golf Association’s magazine, NCGA Golf. Iconic garments incorporate elements from both her engineering background, and an innate fashion sense. Once cited by a noted Silicon Valley recruiter, as “the coolest woman in the Valley,” Chow has created a high fashion statement, with functional design elements intended for the fashion forward, serious player.
About The Sun SafeTee® Program
The Sun SafeTee® Program is a 501(c)(3) non-profit sun protection and skin cancer awareness program designed specifically for the golf community. The program provides educational seminars to golf professionals and the public, and distributes sun protection information and sunscreen samples at various golf events. The organization focuses on Junior and Collegiate golfers, and is a partner with The Golf Coaches Association of America, The National Golf Coaches Association, and The American Junior Golf Association. To learn more or to make a tax deductible donation, go to www.sunsafetee.org.
Contact:
Barry Salberg
(650) 573-7500
salberg@mindspring.com
President/Designer
Leslie Chow
(415) 861-3603
lchow@iconicsport.com
Iconic™ Sport Inc.
4406 Eighteenth Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
www.iconicsport.com
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