Bailey Boys Is U.S. Cotton Champion Award Recipient for 2002

The Bailey Boys, Inc., a nationally-known manufacturer of upscale children’s clothing, is the recipient of the U.S. Cotton Champion Award for 2002.

January 9, 2002
Contact: Marjory Walker
(901) 274-9030

ATLANTA – The Bailey Boys, Inc., a nationally-known manufacturer of upscale children’s clothing, is the recipient of the U.S. Cotton Champion Award for 2002.

The award was presented here today at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences by the National Cotton Council on behalf of the National Cotton Women's Committee (NCWC). The 2002 U.S. Cotton Champion Award is in recognition of The Bailey Boys’ commitment to the use of U.S. cotton in its Bailey Babies, Bailey Boys, Bailey Buddies and Chabre label apparel. A fifth label, Bailey Basics, is in the planning stage.

Diane Bailey, company owner and president, accepted the award from Cotton Foundation President Jimmy Dodson, a South Texas cotton producer, who commended Mrs. Bailey for her use of American-grown cotton fabric in her clothing lines.

"We are totally honored to receive this award," Mrs. Bailey said. "We get 60-70 percent of our fabric from Dan River Inc. in Virginia because their products are American made. Cotton is the frontrunner of fine fabrics, and we use it in our clothing because everybody loves cotton."

Bailey Boys was established in 1987 by Diane and Jim Bailey, and has grown steadily. The company name was derived from the fact that Mrs. Bailey designed and made clothes for her children, Chad Bailey and Brent Bailey. She and her husband acquired some industrial sewing machines and later went into full-scale production. The Bailey Boys’ line is distinctive for its traditional appliqued dresswear, playwear and casual wear and is particularly known for brother-sister coordinates. The company’s headquarters are on St. Simon’s Island, GA, and the factory is in Baxley, GA. Its products are sold primarily through specialty stores in the Southeast and Southwest. The first company-owned retail store opened on Amelia Island, FL, in 1999.

"The workmanship on The Bailey Boys clothing is clearly superior, and the designs are distinctive," said Beth Ivy, coordinator for the National Cotton Women’s Committee. "The U.S. cotton industry salutes Diane and her company for their use of U.S.-grown cotton and their support of U.S. cotton farmers."

Previous Cotton Champion Award winners include Painted Pony of San Antonio and New York City-based Joan Vass U.S.A.

Note: Contact T. Cotton Nelson at (901) 274-9030 or cnelson@cotton.org for interviews with or photos of Diane Bailey.