Friday, February 27
Street Scene: Scene in L.A.
Photographer Russell Lee hit the streets of Southern California in search of the stylish crowd. Here's what he....
WWIN Promos Buoy Sales
The Women’s Wear In Nevada (WWIN) show, held Feb. 16–19 at The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, was another sell-out for exhibitors. Although some exhibitors reported retailer attenda...
Forever 21 Goes to 11
Los Angeles–based fast-fashion retailer Forever 21 will open 11 large-format stores in former Mervyns locations by the end of March...
New CFO for Perry Ellis
Anita D. Britt was named chief financial officer for Miami-based Perry Ellis International, owner of the Perry Ellis, Jantzen, Laundry...
Pool Trims Size, Gains New Business
Pooltradeshow had a new look, new location and trimmed-down footprint at its Feb. 17–19 run at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Show Director Stephanie Seeley said she hoped the updat...
U.S. Retail Downturn Takes Toll on Central America
Texas co-op buys stake in Guatemalan jeans factory....
Tarrant Apparel to Go Private
The publicly traded Los Angeles–based private-label manufacturer Tarrant Apparel Group has announced plans to go private through a merger deal with Sunrise Acquisition Co. an...
Project Debuts Smaller Format, New Location
Curiosity ran high going into the Project Global Trade Show’s Feb. 18–20 run at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. It was the first show since Project, and its parent company, MAGIC Internat...
New Quiksilver Concept Store Is Girls-Only
On Feb. 20, Huntington Beach, Calif.–based surf giant Quiksilver opened QSW Mercer, a new concept store in New York’s SoHo neighborhood designed to showcase the brand’s fledgling women’s...
CFA's Metchek, SIMA's Baker at Irvine Tech Conference
Mike Fralix of [TC]2, Ilse Metchek of the California Fashion Association and surf-industry pioneer Dick Baker will lead the keynote presentations during the second Tech Con...
Nordstrom Rack in Lakewood
Seattle-based specialty retailer Nordstrom announced plans to open a 33,400-square-foot Nordstrom Rack store in the Lakewood Center in...
Better Results Than Expected in Las Vegas
In the days leading up to the many apparel and textile trade shows in Las Vegas, many exhibitors feared the slow economy would translate into equally slow traffic and sluggish sales. ...
Guild Show Doubles in Size
Guild held the second edition of its upscale menswear show at Palms Place in Las Vegas Feb. 17–19. The show doubled in size since its debut last August, according to Jason Fischer, wh...
Capsule Debuts at Hard Rock
Capsule, BPMW’s buzz-heavy boutique menswear show, made its Las Vegas debut Feb. 18–19 at the ...
MAGIC, WWDMAGIC Find Good Sales in Bad Times
Sam and Dimple Bajaj manufacture fashion with a risqueacute;, Goth edge at their Dead Threads label, based in ...
New Location for Ecollection
Vendors at eco-fashion trade event Ecollection at MAGIC reported good business at the sophomore show. ...
Good Move for Sourcing at MAGIC
For its Feb. 15–19 run, Sourcing at MAGIC moved from the Las Vegas Convention Center to the nearby Hilton Convention Center. ...
Feeling the Pinch at ASAP
This season, the ASAP Global Sourcing Show set up its exhibition off the main corridor of The Venetian with a lineup of 11 exhibitors from Korea; Macau, China; Hong Kong; Pakistan; a...
Avita Co-Op Flees Moldy Building
On Feb. 27, pioneering eco-fashion boutique Avita Co-Op moved out of its address at 8213 W. Third St. in Los Angeles because the building is contaminated with mold, according to Mark Werts, owner of the American Rag chain of boutiques and...
No Bankruptcy Bonuses
A trustee of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware rejected a request from Gottschalks’ attorneys for up to $1 million for bonuses...
Ed Hardy Parties in D.C.
A party is planned—complete with NFL players, deejays and a performance by the Washington Wizards’ Wizard Girls—when...
Price, Novelty at Accessories The Show and Moda LV
Price and novelty were top requisites on buyers’ shopping lists during the Feb. 16–18 run of Accessories The Show and Moda Las Vegas at The Venetian. Among the dress-dominated...
Price Shopping at Curve NV
More than 1,700 buyers came to the Curve NV lingerie show ready to write brands that would add a burst of fashion to their sales floors. Buyers from Neiman Marcus, Nordstro...
Off-Price Specialist Show Bucks Trends
The Off-Price Specialist Show moved to a new venue—the grand ballrooms of The Venetian hotel—for its Feb. 15–18 run, but that did not hamper traffic, as attendance was up 10 percent ove...
New Software Boosts Marker Technology
In the current economy, most apparel manufacturers are looking for ways to trim expenses. High on the list of expenditures is fabric, which accounts for about 45 percent of the production costs for th...
WIMYM Narrows Focus on Brands
When Christian Audigier took to the stage to perform a song with musician/collaborator Dave Stewart during When I Move You Move, there was little doubt who was the star of the show. ...
ENK Vegas Now at Wynn
ENK Vegas moved to a new location for its second edition, held Feb. 17–19 at the Wynn Las Vegas. ...
Retail Traffic Up at MRket
The MRket menswear show, held Feb. 16–18 at The Venetian, continues to grow, as retail attendance for its third edition leaped 15 percent over last year, according to Show Director Li...
T-Notes Resource Guide
Alstyle Apparel manufactures a wide variety of high quality tees for men, missy, juniors, youth, and toddlers as well as fleece, organics, and performance athletic apparel. Alstyle now features te...
Congress Proposes Monitoring of Apparel Made in China and Vietnam
Apparel importers are opposing a proposal by Congress to monitor clothing made in China and Vietnam to make sure it’s not dumped into the United States at below-market prices....
Thursday, February 26
Gen Art to Kick Off BOXeight
Los Angeles Fashion Week will officially open on March 13 with a runway show presented by Gen Art at BOXeight’s L.A. Fashion Week at the Los Angeles Theater in downtown Los Angeles. The show will feature the work of three local designers, Raquel...
Wednesday, February 25
OptiTex to Release Arabic-Edition Software
CAD/CAM supplier OptiTex USA is releasing its design software in Arabic-language versions....
One Love, One Brand; Bob Marley's Family Inks Licensing Deal
Bob Marley’s children signed a contract Feb. 10 with Toronto-based Hilco Consumer Capital to help manage licensing opportunities for the deceased reggae star. The deal will include ventures such as s...
Monday, February 23
Texas Cooperative Buys Major Share of Largest Central American Jeans Factory
Plains Cotton Cooperative Association announced on Feb. 23 it has purchased the cutting, sewing and laundry equipment of Koramsa, a gigantic factory located in the heart of Guatemala...
Sunday, February 22
Lingerie the French Way
LAS VEGAS—As Parisian–based lingerie designer Fifi Chachnil holds up one of her sheer black corsets with an extra-pinched hourglass waist, she sums up the difference between the casual American way and high-fashion French way of lingerie dressing. “I like pieces...
Saturday, February 21
Guess What Company These Girls Work For?
LAS VEGAS—During the trade shows in Vegas, it’s sometimes easy to spot who works for what company without even looking at their badges. The uniform says it all.
Friday, February 20
Going Solo
Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. announced that starting at the beginning of 2010, luxury retailer Dickson Concepts will no longer be worki...
L.A. Apparel Exec Signs With Canadian Company
Ron Perilman was recently appointed senior vice president for French Dressing Jeans and Boca Performance Athleisure for the United States and Europe....
Cutting Back
Triumph Apparel Corp. in New York, which sells women’s dance, yoga and athletic wear under the Danskin label, is laying off...
Pacific Sunwear Rebuffs Takeover
A small Florida company that has been mounting a campaign to take control of surfwear retailer Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. has been thwarted again....
More Executive Changes at Frederick's
Los Angeles lingerie wholesaler and retailer Frederick’s of Hollywood has been realigning its executive staff lately....
European Rendez-Vous Returns With Expanded Exhibitor List
European Rendez-Vous, the boutique textile trade show featuring European resources, will house its fourth edition March 4–5 at the downtown Standard Hotel in Los Angeles....
Velvet Heart: Carving Out a New Niche in Contemporary
Moshe Tsabag’s newest venture, Velvet Heart, wraps the apparel veteran’s expertise in the juniors, young contemporary and contemporary markets into one tidy package of denim-driven fashion. ...
Las Vegas Shift: New Players, Smaller Shows, More Venues
LAS VEGAS—Attendees at the recent round of apparel and sourcing trade shows here found a much-changed environment, with new shows, new venues and a new focus on business. ...
Tumbling Trade
In 2008, the U.S. trade deficit for goods and services dipped as the economy stumbled along. Exports of goods and services totaled $1.8 trillion while imports totaled $2.5 trillion with a deficit of $677.1 bi...
Bundling Up
Just in time for the Fall 2009 season, Phillips-Van Heusen has granted its Izod outerwear license to Free Country Ltd., a 19-year-old...
California's Economy Won't Be on the Mend Until 2010
California is headed for tough financial times in 2009 with a bottoming out toward the end of the year and then a slight improvement in 2010....
L.A. Times Magazine's Goldstein Debuts Line for QVC
QVC returned to the runway in New York with a collection designed by stylist Lori Goldstein for the shopping TV network.
Mideast Bound
Gap Inc. is going to Israel. The San Francisco–based retailer has signed up with franchise partner Elbit Trade & Retail Ltd...
California Designers on the Runways at NYFW
Several West Coast designers are showing at New York Fashion Week, which officially kicked off Feb. 13. The shows range from catwalk appearances at the Bryant Park tents at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week...
Real Estate Burdens Grow for Apparel Wholesalers, Landlords
It was not so long ago that real estate in the Los Angeles Fashion District was an easy sell. But with the economic downturn during the second half of 2008, real estate has become a major expense burd...
N.Y. Garment District Named to Historic Register
The 251 buildings that make up New York’s Garment Center Historic District have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The designation allows contributing property owners to be eligi...
Friday, February 13
In-Fighting at UNITE HERE
UNITE HERE, the trade union that encompasses the apparel and textile industries—as well as hotel, laundry, restaurant and casino workers—is seeking a split. ...
Malls Turn to Solar Energy for Efficiency
Mall owners, faced with increasing operating costs, are turning to renewable energy sources as a way to beat the high cost of living....
USC Law to Host IP Event
Copyright, counterfeiting and the Internet will be among the topics discussed at a March 17 event sponsored by the University of Southern California’s School of Law. ...
OptiTex Introduces Avatar for Childrenswear
OptiTex has added a 3-D mannequin, or avatar, named Tim to its growing stable of virtual tools for the sewn-products industry....
FIDM Student Wins at OR With O-Wool
Using O-Wool, a washable wool fabric, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising student Curt Sousa landed the “People’s Choice” award at “Project OR,”...
Retailers Don't Believe Stimulus Bill Is Enough to Work
A stimulus bill may be on its way to helping the United States dig out of its economic mess, but the National Retail Federation would like to see more....
Iconix Sues Larry Hansel Clothing
New York–based Iconix Brand Group has filed suit against former Rampage licensee Larry Hansel Clothing for allegedly competing with the apparel giant while still under contra...
Cargo Volumes Will Drop Considerably During First Half of 2009
Economists are predicting that cargo-container traffic at the nation’s major ports will drop 11.8 percent during the first six months of 2009....
Life Is Good Adopts Remote Order System
Boston-based lifestyle brand Life Is Good is trying to make life easier for its retailers and sales reps after installing a new remote sales system that allows them to place and track orders ...
Di Lascia's Bakery: Old-School Inspiration, Modern Style
Showroom owner Patrick Di Lascia found inspiration for his new men’s line, Di Lascia’s Bakery, in an unlikely place: the family business...
Recall on Harajuku Hoodies
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a voluntary recall of 1,200 Harajuku hooded sweatshirts made by Jerry Leigh of ...
New Partnerships Key to Keeping MyShape on Its Growth Track
Pasadena, Calif.–based e-tailer MyShape (
MEK: From Denim to Sportswear
Los Angeles–based denim brand MEK Denim has added a sportswear category to its offerings. The collection, which includes men’s and women’s apparel, debuts at the Project Global Trade Show in La...
Paige Teams With Dow, Bloomingdale's for 'Shopaholic' Promotion
Los Angeles–based Paige Premium Denim has partnered with Bloomingdale’s and Dow Fiber Solutions for a promotion tied to the release of Touchtone Pictures’ “Conf...
Capital Business Sells TempFunds
Capital Business Credit LLC sold its Capital TempFunds business, which funds staffing companies, to Wells Fargo & Co. Accordin...
Finance Resource Guide
Support and protect your enterprise in this uncertain economic climate with backing from financial institutions dedicated to the apparel industry. They bring expertise and experience to a host of fina...
Sourcing & Fabric Resource Guide
February’s apparel trade week in Las Vegas offers comprehensive sourcing for manufacturers as well as retailers. At the Las Vegas Hilton, Sourcing at MAGIC represents hundreds of companies from more than 30 co...
New Stores For JCP
Plano, Texas–based retailer JCPenney opened new stores in Central Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Virginia. The two Texas sto...
Designers Compete for Oscars Opportunity
Seven designers are vying for the opportunity to have his or her original evening gown worn at the 81st annual Academy Awards. ...
Evans Group Launches New Production Venture
The Evans Group has undergone a reinvention....
Roar Launches Ferrari Promotion
Los Angeles–based Roar Clothing is giving away an F1 430 Ferrari to a lucky customer this summer....
EU Pursues Trade Agreements With South American Countries
The European Union had hoped to negotiate a free-trade agreement with a bloc of four Andean countries....
Dreamlife: Fashionably Folkloric
CRAFTWORK: Los Angeles–based Dreamlife’s cheerfully bright item tops, skirts and dresses offer the mixed media folkloric look at an affordable price. The line was created by Bob Harris...
CFA Seminar: How to Deal With Chargebacks for Better Business Management
In these tough economic times, chargebacks are taking on increased importance for apparel manufacturers trying to guard their profit margins....
Promotions at Directives, Doneger Group
Janine Blain, Directives West merchandise manager and director of client relations, has been named vice president/general merchandise manager for the Los Angeles–based buying office. ...
Trade Pacts Jostle in Line for Approval
When President Bush’s term expired in January, three free-trade agreements were left with a semi-uncertain future....
Software Vendors Address 10+2, CPSIA
Software vendors may have the answers to deal with the complexities of the new Importer Security Filing regulation, also known as 10+2....
Transprint Chief Executive Boyd Retires
William Boyd, chief executive officer of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.–based Transprint USA, announced his retirement from the company effective immediately....
24 Seven Names CFO
Anthony Donnarumma has been promoted to chief financial officer for employment agency 24 Seven....
More Opportunities, More Competition for Off-Pricers in '09
American consumers once demanded luxury, but in the past year, they’ve increasingly demanded a deal. This sort of market should be tailor-made for off-price retailers such as Ross Stores Inc. ...
Coton Blanc: Simple Comfort
Elisabeth Weinstock’s line of cozy cotton sleepwear, Coton Blanc, is making a comeback. At its peak, Weinstock’s sleepwear line had $5 million in annual sale...
Tuesday, February 10
Las Vegas Trade Shows' Seminar & Events Schedule
The seminar and event lineup at the upcoming
Saturday, February 7
Guest Blogger Andrae Gonzalo Muses on 21st-Century Style
Over the past year, along with several of my friends in the design world, I've been entertaining a conversation about whether it is yet possible to pinpoint the "look" of the 21st century's first decade. For the most part, the question...
Friday, February 6
Denim Gods Los Angeles
The husband-and-wife team of Anthony Quiroz and Deborah Ceballos takes inspiration from vintage jeans for Denim Gods, their new line of premium denim. The couple took a unique appro...
Mettler, Georgiadis Join Jones
New York–based Jones Apparel Group named Robert L. Mettler and Margaret H. Georgiadis to the company’s board of dire...
Clean Trucks Fees Begin
After
Bankruptcy Leads to New Owner for G-Squared
Nearly three months after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, G-Squared Fashion Inc. has been sold for $550,000....
New Counsel for American Apparel
Los Angeles–based American Apparel Inc. named Glenn A. Weinman as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary for the vertical manufacturer and retailer. Weinman was previously a partner at Dongell Lawrence Finney LL...
Eco Resource Guide
Alstyle Apparel is proud to introduce its certified organic cotton products. The organic cotton is grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. In addition, Alstyle’s dyes are biodegradab...
Blue Shares Floor With Collective
Blue, ENK’s boutique trade show aimed at the premium-denim sector and its related categories, shared floor space with the larger Colle...
New High (M)art Takes Pop-Up Store Online
The owners of the New High (M)art pop-up boutique have created a more permanent space with their new online venture (
A Few Bright Spots in January
U.S. chain-store sales declined 1.6 percent in January, according to the New York–based International Council of Shopping Centers. It marked the fourth consecutive month in which retail sales ...
Layoffs at Liz
New York–based apparel giant Liz Claiborne Inc. announced it is eliminating about 725 positions, or 8 percent of its workfo...
Frederick's Parent Co. Names New CEO
Thomas Lynch was named chief executive officer of Frederick’s of Hollywood Group Inc., the New York–based public company that directs wholesale operations for Los Angeles–based Frederick...
Anvarian Joins Three Dots
Designer Pegah Anvarian has joined Los Angeles–based contemporary brand Three Dots as its creative director. ...
Hanes Opens Mega Warehouse in Inland Empire
Winston-Salem, N.C.–based Hanesbrands Inc. has opened a 1.3 million-square-foot distribution center in the Inland Empire city of Perris, Calif. T...
By Trashy Lingerie
DRESS YOU UP IN MY LOVE: Los Angeles–based retailer Trashy Lingerie follows up the debut of its wholesale costume collection in 2008 with the launch of its wholesale lingerie line, ...
Chico's Cuts Back
Fort Myers, Fla.–based retail chain Chico’s FAS Inc. will eliminate about 180 positions, or 11 percent of its employee base, at its Florida headquarters. ...
Cuts at Eddie Bauer
Seattle-based Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc. announced plans to cut 193 jobs from the company’s headquarters in Seattle; its inf...
Sweeping Changes, Job Cuts at Macy's Inc.
Macy’s Inc. announced Feb. 2 sweeping changes to the way the national department-store chain does business, including a measure that will transform Macy’s California operations....
Tool Box Showroom Closes
The Tool Box showroom, which specialized in contemporary and denim brands, has closed its doors after 14 years in The New Mart. ...
Glamour and Decadence Rule at Salon International de la Lingerie
Lingerie buyers are scaling back on travel expenses, creating an impact on attendance at the 45th edition of the Salon International de la Lingerie show in Paris, which saw a 22 percent decline in tu...
It's Not Easy Being Green
Since its inception more than two decades ago, Peace Frogs has made great leaps toward helping the environment....
The Proof Is in the Packaging
To find Earthpack’s eco conscience, you don’t need to look beyond the bag....
Shapewear, Meet Fashion
Ready-to-wear and lingerie companies add a fashionable spin to body-shaping underpinnings ...
Premium Denim Designers Maneuver for New Reality in '09
After years of robust growth, skyrocketing price tags and seemingly endless hoards of hot new brands, premium denim has stalled. Pushed by the weight of its own teeming ranks and the recession that is...
Licensing Executives Discuss What's Next for Their Industry
When a popular, but trademarked, cartoon character appears on a stylish T-shirt, we have the licensing business to thank, and licensing has become big fashion business. It is an estimated $9.61 billi...
Retailers Cautiously Optimistic at Class
Retailers are still suffering under the weight of a harsh economy, but vendors and retailers reported being bullish about sales during the Class trade show, held Feb. 2–3 at the Santa...
Las Vegas Resource Guide
The fashion industry will converge in Las Vegas this month for the most vast and comprehensive fashion marketplace in America (
Lingerie Briefs
Biatta Intimates, a manufacturer of contemporary and junior daywear, sleepwear, and panties, is pleased to announce the addition of Karen Nobler as an in-house account executive. A 25-year veteran of the industr...
Thursday, February 5
Non-News Notes From the Newsroom: Fashion-Smashion
I’m a writer. I write about fashion, specifically the business of fashion in and from California. It’s a good gig, and I like it a lot. Work can be anything from going to Miami for a week of fashion shows or touring denim factories and seeing jeans being born.
Cast Your West Coast Vote
Cable network Bravo is casting its new fashion reality show, “The Fashion Show,” and there’s at least one Los Angeles designer in the running....
Wednesday, February 4
L.A. Times Says IMG Could Return to L.A.? Discuss.
The fashion press was abuzz today with the news that IMG, producers of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, will move its biannual event from New York’s Bryant Park a few blocks north to Lincoln Center.
Tuesday, February 3
WSA Seminars Calendar
The World Shoes & Accessories Association’s WSA Show in Las Vegas officially opens on Feb. 12, but the National Shoe Retailer Association k...
Los Angeles Is Ready for Its Close-up, Gary Leonard
Photographer Gary Leonard spent his life racing to be ahead of the next explosive, historic or offbeat moment in Los Angeles history. After more than 35 years shooting photos professionally, Leonard has captured Los Angeles on its best civic behavior—and at it...
Kangol Apparel: Clothing Line Takes on the Kangaroo
Kangol berets and hats have been around since the late 1930s, when an enterprising Polish immigrant in England started making military berets....
