California Apparel News

Seven Licensing Company LLC/ Tarrant Apparel Group will debut corporate showroom space for contemporary brands in an 8,000-square-foot showroom space in Los Angeles’ bustling Fashion District, possibly as early as March, said Julian Medina, sales manager for the new showrooms.

The new showrooms will be constructed at the Corner Center building, located at 200 E. Ninth St. at the corner of Ninth and Los Angeles streets, across from the showroom buildings Cooper Design Space and California Market Center. Seven Licensing Co. took a five-year lease on the three-story Corner Center, said Sean Far, the building’s owner. The lease was signed in December.

Medina will make the first floor a sleek showroom compound for several of Seven Licensing’s and Tarrant’s up-and-coming contemporary brands. Seven Licensing Co. is an independent company owned by Gerard Guez, chairman and interim chief executive of 27-year-old Tarrant Apparel.

Brands under the Seven Licensing Co. banner include Chevignon, Indian Rock Culture, ReRock, Seven7 and KitsonLA, which is a license with high-profile Robertson Boulevard boutique Kitson. The showroom will also house Tarrant’s Marisa K collection.

International sales for American Rag will also be handled in the showroom, according to Medina. (Tarrant produces a licensed apparel line under the American Rag brand, under a partnership agreement struck with retailer American Rag in 2003. Macy’s has the exclusive right to sell the American Rag brand in the United States.)

Paris-based restaurant Buddha-Bar will have a lounge area in the new showroom space, which will serve drinks and appetizers to showroom guests.

The Corner Center building was formerly the address of three retailers, including building owner Far’s shop, called Fashion Corner. The other two floors housed buying offices for the now-defunct May Co. department store.

In October 2007, Kitson owner Fraser Ross signed an agreement with Guez’s Seven Licensing Co. to redesign the line. “He is going to build it into a lifestyle brand,” Ross said. He forecasted that the contemporary line of women’s T-shirts, jeans and outerwear could become a $100 million business by 2012. Since 2004, Kitson licensed a footwear and jeans line through Manhattan Beach, Calif.–based Skechers USA.

The KitsonLA label will make its debut Seven Licensing/Tarrant’s booth at the Feb. 13–15 run of the Project Global Trade Show at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. The line’s looks include denim stirrup leggings, T-shirts, track suits and military-style outerwear.

Medina will help reintroduce French label Chevignon to the American public at Project. The 29-year-old line of men’s and women’s clothing is inspired by California styles and vintage fashions. Wholesale price points for its leather jackets range from $220 to $250.