The very significant coalition between the US textile industry and the US cotton industry, its most important raw material supplier, represents an alliance masterfully crafted long before "strategic partnerships" came into popular business vernacular. However, the factors contributing to its success are not altogether appreciated nor fully understood by its participants. Our success going forward will require new insight and bold new commitments. Our collective stewardship of this visionary initiative requires that we take pause to examine the economic realities and to consider the new dimensions of consumer demand that will shape our future.