Susan Black of Apparel Magazine
Star Profile
By John Temple Ligon Temple@TheColumbiaStar.com

Susan Black

What was known as the Columbia- managed Bobbin Show at the World Congress Center in Atlanta has evolved into Apparel Magazine. Susan Smarr Black, a 21- year veteran of Bobbin

International and Apparel Magazine

, began work as a receptionist and a free- lance business writer.

ApparTeol dMaayg sahzein ies the publisher of , a source of competitive, actionable information for executives representing the world's most successful apparel brands, retailers, and manufacturers.

Black was born at Providence Hospital on Forest Drive. After six months, her father moved the family to Michigan. But the family moved back to the northeastern corner of Columbia while she was in elementary school.

Black's father worked in both sporting goods and real estate. Her mother was a professional singer. Black's sister Lisa works in parks and recreation. Both sisters are serious distance runners.

Black got her first taste of journalism as the editor of Dent Middle School's newspaper, Pen & Sword. She joined the newspaper staff at Richland Northeast High School, where she was also senior class president.

She knew in her freshman year at USC she would major in journalism. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate, Black went to work with Cox Advertising. She soon joined Bobbin International when its founder Ron Seigal was still in charge.

At Bobbin, Black worked her way in publications from staff writer to editor and then to editor in chief. She shifted responsibilities to become an associate publisher, and 10 years ago, she became the publisher.

In her 21 years at the firm, the business has been sold four times. It is owned by Edgell Communications of Randolph, New Jersey, a privately held media company known for its technical publications and online digital mediaA. pparel Magazine subscribers are roughly split into two camps, retailers and manufacturers. There is no charge for the subscriptions, but the subscribers must qualify within industry standards.

When Black started working there, Bobbin International was on Shop Road near the intersection with George Rogers Blvd. The firm moved to Hampton Street and then to its current location at the corner of Gadsden and Gervais Streets, where Black has a staff of seven. She answers to the company's chief operating officer in New Jersey.

Black and Apparel Magazine run three major industry events. One is an executive forum in October typically at a resort such as the Four Seasons in Palm Beach.

The other two gatherings are full- scale conventions, one in Orange County, Calif., and another on Seventh Ave. in New York City. The conventions have niche trade shows, technical vendors, education workshops, and keynote speakers.

There is no charge to the convention attendees because fees are collected from vendors.

The conventions are attractive to all apparel industry players, but they are evolving into affairs most appreciated by retailers.

Black ran a sourcing event in Shanghai for three years, ending in 2006 because her company's Chinese partner never secured full endorsement from the Chinese government.

Black's position as publisher requires her to travel, but some trips can be combined with pleasure and intellectual interests. Besides many major cities in the U.S., Black has seen China, Mexico, Turkey, Germany, France, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

Black's seven- year- old daughter, Kate, doesn't take many trips, but she is No. 2 chef at the house.