Tuesday, April 29
Customs Bust at Port of L.A. Nets $1.3 Million in Counterfeit Goods
Customs officials inspecting two cargo containers at the Port of Los Angeles recently came across hundreds of counterfeit hats, shoes, blankets, wallets, wearing apparel and jewelry all beari...
Rosemount Australian Fashion Week: Fashion Rising From Down Under
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA—
Monday, April 28
Tarrant Apparel Founder Wants to Take the Company Private
After years of being a publicly traded company, the two top executives in Tarrant Apparel Group want to convert the company into a private entity....
Friday, April 25
Lingerie Entrepreneurs Jump In to Address a Petite-Size Market
Ellen Shing’s store, Lula Lu in San Mateo, Calif., caters to a niche within a niche....
Ludwig: Streetwear with an Iconoclastic Streak
Designer Mike Dytri has found an unusual muse for Ludwig Van the Man, his new line of grown-up streetwear. Inspired by the composer Ludwig van Beethoven, who wrote his best work after losing his sense of hearing, Dytri stri...
Apparel Contractors Ordered to Pay Back Wages
Three downtown Los Angeles garment contractors were mandated to pay scores of employees back wages and overtime after an investigation by the U.S. Labor Department....
Kate Spade, Marciano to Join Nordstrom at The Oaks' Opening
Guess? Inc.’s new contemporary concept, Marciano; Kate Spade; and 25 other specialty retailers have signed leases to take space at The Oaks shopping center in Thous...
Lira Finds Currency in Streetwear and Active
The Lira Clothing line has nothing to do with Italy’s pre-euro currency, said Todd Kellogg, the brand manager for the Chino, Calif.–based label. But it has everything to do with finding new ang...
Levi's Goodwill Campaign
San Francisco–based denim giant Levi Strauss & Co. kicked off a fund-raising campaign on April 24 to benefit Goodwill Industries. The campaign, dubbed “Take Your Jeans Off,” asks Levi’s customers to bring ...
Lauren Moshi: Detail-Driven
Inspired by fine-art galleries, sculpture, jewelry, literature and photography, the brother-and-sister team of Michael and Lauren Moshi launched contempora...
quot;What Not to Wearquot; at Macy's
Clinton Kelly, co-host of TLC’s “What Not to Wear” reality show and author of “Dress Your Best: The Complete Guide to Finding the Style That’s Right for Your Body,” will ...
Second Time for Dan River
Danville, Va.–based Dan River filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Wilmington, Del., marking the textile maker’s second bankruptcy filing in four years. The company employs 165 employe...
Nouvolution: New Player on the ERP Front
Apparel companies looking to streamline back-office operations have another softwareresource to consider in Los Angeles–based ERP (enterprise resource planning) specialist Nouvolution....
Image Awards Nominees
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association has announced the nominees for its 2008 “Image Awards.” The awards, which honor the most-influential brands in the surf ind...
Treatment: Truly Vintage-Inspired
With a decidedly feminine design sensibility and a flair for vintage prints, Testament founder and designer Terry Perlman brings a casu...
L&T's Sluss Retires
Earl Sluss, longtime retail executive and executive vice president of stores for New York–based retailer Lord & Taylor, is retiring. Sluss, who started his retail career in 1967 atMay Co., has been...
Wet Seal Debuts Ashlee Simpson Line, New Company Direction
The Wet Seal Inc. debuted the Ashlee Simpson Designs for Wet Seal celebrity tops and T-shirts line on April 22, as leadership for the Foothill Ranch, Calif.–based juniors chain has un...
Branding Machine Bathing Ape Debuts L.A. Store
Tomoaki “Nigo” Nagao’s branding moxie has inspired legions of hip-hop musicians and American streetwear designers. On April 23 he touched down in Los Angeles to open a flagship s...
Wal-Mart Growth Facing Challenges in San Diego
A citizens group hoping to halt the expansion of a San Diego County Wal-Mart store has filed a lawsuit against the city of Vista, Calif., and named the Bentonville, Ark.–based retailer as the ...
The Americana Debuts: New Opportunities for L.A. Region
Even in a weak economy, Vickie McConnell believes that The Americana at Brand could bring a much-needed shot of business to what some might call a sleepy town....
Filippa Sweet/Calla; New Divisions of Charm and Luck
Charm and Luck built its 4-year-old business with flashy leather handbags dressed to the nines with glitzy hardware, studs and rhinestones. Now the company is extending its detailsaturated style in...
Friday, April 18
Long Beach, Calif.: New Looks on a Vintage Street
For those on a quest for Elvis Presley–era biker jackets, one place to search is Retro Row in Long Beach, Calif. But Graham Day thinks the Southern California city’s venerable vintage ...
Customization for the Masses
It is no longer an off-the-rack-world, with computer programs making custom fashions available to all...
Levi's, Hirst Land at Fred Segal Man
BLUE PERIOD: The Warhol Factory X Levi’s X Damien Hirst capsule collection and book launched April 3 in a pop-up store at the Fred Segal Man store in Santa Monica, Calif. The coll...
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
An international fashion-house consulting firm partners with Avery Dennison to bring you the latest technology to a store near you...
BPMW Launches Men's Footwear Show
Media agency BPMW, the organizer of Capsule, the new boutique menswear show in New York, is focusing its aesthetic on shoes. Compass, a men’s footwear show, will debut July...
Claiborne to Cole
Kenneth Cole is stepping down as the long-time chief executive of his company, Kenneth Cole Productions Inc., handing over the reins to Jill Granoff, executive vice president of direct brands...
Booming Brand
Calvin Klein
By the Numbers
Cherokee Inc., which licenses brands for clothing and shoes, said its fourth-quarter earnings dove by 86 percent to $2.8 million on $8.7 million in net revenues. The Los Angeles–based company attribute...
S.F. Design Schools Partner for Charity Fashion Show
Sustainably chic fashion and philanthropy will merge at the upcoming Discarded to Divine charity event in San Francisco....
Sourcing at MAGIC Moves to Four-Day Format
Earlier this year, MAGIC International announced plans to switch its apparel trade show, the MAGIC Marketplace, from a four-day to a three-day format beginning in August in Las Vegas...
Hunting for Newness at L.A. Textile Show
Designers and fabric reps turned out for the April 14 –16 run of the Los Angeles International Textile Show atthe California Market Center with a realistic outlook....
L.A. County Bar Takes on Design Copyright Debate
The Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law section and the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers will tackle the issue...
Penney's Plans
J.C. Penney Co. has been boosting its label count and expanding its product mix to counter a tough selling season. It is launching a new juniors label called Decree just in time for the Back-...
New Vegas Project to Replace Sands Expo Center
The developers of The Venetian and Palazzo resorts in Las Vegas have filed plans with Clark County, Nev., to build a 1.2-million-square-foot convention center just south of ...
Latin American Manufacturers Make a Pitch at Material World
MIAMI BEACH, FLA.—Western Hemisphere manufacturers showing at the April 8–10 run of the Material World trade show in Miami Beach, Fla., are still confident that they can make a differe...
Headhunters Merge
24 Seven Inc., an employment agency for the fashion industry, has completed its acquisition of Gromwell Group LLC. Gromwell declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January after it lost a lawsuit with rival...
Deckers Leases Distribution Center
Santa Barbara, Calif.–based Deckers Outdoor Corp., which markets the UGG Australia, Teva and Simple footwear and accessories brands, has leased almost 500,000 square...
Quiksilver Lands Latest Victory Over Roxy Name
After a six-year tussle over competing trademarks, Quiksilver Inc. has won the latest and perhaps last legal round in its case against a small Los Angeles apparel manufacturer that had a simi...
PLM: The Next Generation
Efficiency-process software evolves to fit the needs of apparel makers...
The Lab Developer Plans Organic Foods Center in Portland, Ore.
The Lab founder and niche-market developer Shaheen Sadeghi has set his sights on organic foods for his latest project....
Kashou Honored by L.A. City Council
Los Angeles designer Rami Kashou was on hand at the opening of the Los Angeles City Council on April 10, where he was honored by City Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmember Jan Perry for h...
Economy Has the Apparel Industry Cooling Its Heels
With the winds of recession blowing over Southern California, many apparel makers and retailers are battening down the hatches until the economic outlook improves. Clothing makers and store owners are...
Friday, April 11
SPESA Conference at Myrtle Beach
Donald L. Rheem of RheemMedia will be the keynote speaker at the 2008 SEAMS/SPESA Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference, set for April 25–27 at the Marriott Grande Dunes Resort in ...
Directives West: 'Fashion Loves L.A.' Contemporary, Juniors and Girls' Fa
Los Angelesshy;–based retail consultancy Directives West tackled Fall 2008 trends with...
Longshore Worker Talks Progressing
Contract talks between the Pacific Maritime Association and longshore workers have made some progress after the first month of negotiations....
Coke's Trash-2-Tees
Wal-Mart and Coca-Cola are teaming up to launch the Coca-Cola Drink 2 Wear line of men’s and women’s T-shirts, made from a blend of cotton and recycled plastic bottles, or PET. The tees are screen-pri...
Manufacturers Bank Founder Leonard Weil
Leonard Weil, the founding president and chief executive of Manufacturers Bank for 24 years, has died. He was 85....
Directives West: L.A. Blueprint
Whether it was woven plaid trouser pants or a chunky cowl-neck knit sweater, the key items shown in Directives West’s “L...
Graydn: Modern Romantic
Fall 2008 will see the return of designer Todd Magill.Best known for his vintage-inspired collection, Wyeth, Magill has partnered with Tony Graham, chief executive ...
Blue Holdings Sets Turnaround Plan
After a disappointing year, blue-jeans maker Blue Holdings Inc. is hoping to turn the company around with a new five-point plan that should put the Commerce, Calif., venture on profitable gro...
Barbara Fields' Fall 2008 Back-to-School Fashion-Show Seminar
Tweed is coming back, fake fur will be the detail of choice and plaid will be the most dominant pattern....
Lucky Time
Los Angeles–based Lucky Brand Jeans struck an exclusive global licensing agreement with E. Gluck Corp. for a collection of Lucky Brand watches that will debut for Fall 2008. Ranging in retail ...
Patagonia's Eco Opening
When Ventura-based Patagonia opened its new store in Boulder, Colo., the outdoor and active apparel maker announced the winner of its “Voice Your Choice” eco campaign. Patagonia asked it...
TALA Extends Hand to Korean Community
The Textile Association of Los Angeles is reaching out to the Korean textile community locally and overseas....
True in San Francisco
Vernon-based premium-denim lifestyle brand True Religion Apparel Inc. opened a 1,146-square-foot store in the San Francisco Centre, located near San Francisco’s Union Square and SOMA (South of Market) ...
Cautious Buying at L.A. Majors Market
After several months of weak retail sales, exhibitors and buyers kept expectations—and budgets—low at the April 7–9 Los Angeles Majors Market at the California Market Center....
New Retail Developments at Irvine Spectrum, South Coast Plaza
The Irvine Spectrum is on the move. In late April, fashion board-sports boutique chain Active is opening its 25th store at the Spectrum, owned by The Irvine Co. Both the dev...
Polo's Perfect 10.0
New York–based manufacturing giant Polo Ralph Lauren landed a contract to outfit the U.S. Olympic team for the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing....
March '08 Sales Weak Despite Easter Holiday
March was the weakest month for sales since 1995, according to the New York–based International Council of Shopping Centers. The sales charted in the ICSC’s index of 37 chain stores dropped 0.5...
Apparel Companies Turn to Tech Help During Down Cycle
During a challenging economy, companies tend to tighten up their budget strings, but cutting technology investments out of the picture could lead to even more problems, warned execut...
Friday, April 4
Steven Alan, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Ports 1961 Open on L.A.'s Westside
Los Angeles is attracting a slew of retailers....
New Owner for Neil's Apparel
Neil’s Apparel, a longtime fixture on Palm Desert, Calif.’s tony El Paseo Drive, has changed hands for the first time in its history. Businesswoman Karen Billings recently purchased the 36-year...
The Pursuit of Harmony
Los Angeles–based
Alexander McQueen Takes Melrose
Alexander McQueen will be joining the ever-expanding lineup of high-end designers on Melrose Avenue when the British designer opens his first Los Angeles store later this month....
Container Traffic Rebounding Slowly at Nation's Ports
Retail container traffic at the nation’s ports continues to be in a go-slow mood, which is expected to last through August....
CIT Extends $90m
New York–based CIT Group Inc. provided a $90 million revolving line of credit and term loan to Como Fred David Group, a maker of women’s apparel based in Montreal. Como Fred David will use the funds to facilita...
Dickies Buys Kodiak
Fort Worth, Texas–based Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Co., makers of Dickies brand apparel, acquired Kodiak Group Holdings Inc., a Canadian manufacturer and distributor of work and outdoor footwear. ...
New Homeland Security Rules Target 'No-Match' Immigrant Workers
A new federal rule aimed at eliminating illegal immigrants from the American workforce is poised to affect employment drastically for many California apparel manufacturers in the coming months. ...
New Sareen at Tukatech
Los Angeles–based technology provider Tukatech Inc. has named Raj Sareen as director. Sareen, son of company founder Ram Sareen, is responsible for product development and worldwide sales....
L.A. Garment Factories Fined in Raids
State officials recently visited 21 apparel factories they said were operating illegally in Los Angeles County, issuing 35 citations totaling more than $163,000....
Avery Buys DM Label
Pasadena-based label and tag company Avery Dennison Corp. acquired DM Label Group for an undisclosed amount. Based in Taipei, Taiwan, DM has 11 manufacturing facilities in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan ...
Perry Ellis Plans Aggressive Growth for C&C Laundry
When George Feldenkreis, a Cuban immigrant living in Miami, started out in the apparel industry, he was known as the “guayabera king,” the person who imported thousands of those boxy ple...
Talbots' New Plan
Hingham, Mass.–based The Talbots Inc. will become a design-led company, according to the company’s new strategic plan, recently announced at its 2008 investors’ meeting. Plans call for streamlining oper...
Americana at Brand: Grand Scale, Old-City Feel
Trolleys and fountains helped greet big crowds at Caruso Affiliated’s The Grove retail center in Los Angeles when it opened in 2002. The influential developer hopes to find i...
Peligrosa Moves Knits Production to California
Los Angeles–based eco-friendly contemporary knitwear brand and private-label manufacturer Peligrosa built its business on its overseas-production connections. Now, the owners are bucking the o...
Otis to Honor DreamWorks', Warner Brothers' Globe and Globe
Otis College of Art and Design hosted its annual benefit kickoff reception on March 19 with a cocktail party at DreamWorks Animation Studio in Glendale, Calif....
Quiksilver Looks to Drop Rossignol Tighten Retail and Focus on Strategic Sourcing in 2008
On March 28, shareholders of Huntington Beach, Calif.–based surf giant Quiksilver gathered for the company’s annual shareholders meeting. Held at the company’s headquarters, the only item on the ballot was the ...
Incubating the Indie Design Spirit
Operating under the sanguine view that “every great designer is usually a great artist,” the brother-and-sister team of Lara and Alex Matthews launched its company, Thread Indep...
Miriam: Latest Boutique in Affluent Valencia
Valencia, Calif., is a growing town of $1 million homes and seemingly endless housing tracts that is located 34 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Independent retailers have only begun to prospe...
