California: Aug. 31, 2001
Los Angeles-based junior and tween manufacturer Ace Ross recently led a seminar for budding apparel entrepreneurs as part of the Learning Annex; the three-hour course, titled “How to Create Your Own Clothing Company,” drew more than 50 students looking to glean insight from Ross and guests attorney Steve Wasserman, accountant Larry Jacobs and public relations consultant Bob Rooney...The newly named Wet Seal president and chief operating officer Christopher G. Staff has stepped down from the position he assumed less than three months ago, according to the company, which said that Staff’s decision to leave was mutual and amicable...Banana Republic, the contemporary division of San Francisco retailer the Gap, has launched a line of women’s petites on its Web site; the company offers plus sizes on the site as well...San Diego-based International Licensing Corp., owners of the Hang Ten brand, has signed a licensing agreement with Miami-based Dynasty Apparel to manufacture junior and young men’s apparel under the Hang Ten label...Hayward-based retailer Mervyn’s has partnered with Burbank-based Warner Bros. Consumer Products to launch a line of gifts, apparel and home furnishings for Holiday featuring “Frosty the Snowman,” the iconic holiday character featured in the 1969 cartoon based on the 1950 book by Ann Bedford...Burbank-based Woodbury University has a new program designed to provide support for Hispanic students enrolled in the university, thanks to a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education; approximately 30 percent of the student body at Woodbury is of Hispanic decent; over the next five years, the university plans to use the funds to upgrade academics, student advising, student services, library resources, campus facilities, technology, student retention and graduation rates.
