Friday, December 30
Post-Holiday Sales Surge, but Season’s Profits May Be Mixed
The day after Christmas was one of the biggest shopping days of 2011, wrapping up the year with a big bang, mall managers and market analysts said.
New California Laws Affect the Workplace in 2012
California companies will be kept on their toes in 2012 trying to keep up with the flurry of new laws and regulations that go into effect on Jan. 1.
Poshmark App Takes Fashion Sharing Mobile
Reselling your clothes online or to a thrift store is a great way to clean out your closet and rid yourself of unwanted impulse buys, but Poshmark founder and Chief Executive Officer Manish Chandra wanted to make the ...
Stitch Labs Integrates With Etsy
San Francisco–based software company Stitch Labs has launched a new integrated platform with Etsy, the popular online marketplace for individual sellers selling handmade and vintage arts, crafts and apparel.
Tough Retail Year Still Comes Up With Big Deals
The economy was struggling in 2011, but retailers in every fashion segment found a way to open new stores in California.
Robertson: Lisa Kline Out, Cavalli, BCBG In
Lisa Kline Men shuttered.Lisa Kline was one of the entrepreneurs who pioneered Robertson Boulevard into a high-profile retail street. But she recently closed her last shop on the thoroughfare, Lisa Kline Men, which was located at123 S Robertson...
Apparel News Daily Reader
Sparkly dresses for New Year’s Eve (Washington Post)Best Dressed of 2011 – the Royal Fashion Divas (Nick Verreos blog)R.I.P. Filene's...
American Apparel Adds New London Store
American Apparel Inc. announced it will be opening its 18th store in Great Britain in one of Europe’s largest malls, Westfield London.
Thursday, December 29
Apparel News Daily Reader
Street Fashion: Downtown LA (Image)Top Models Reveal Their New Year’s Resolutions (The Telegraph)Santa Anita's opening day brings out some hats...
Nike Debuts New Hi-Tech Football Uniforms
Nike unveiled its new hi-tech uniforms for the University of Oregon’s football team this week, just in time for the Rose Bowl on Jan.2.In what Nike calls “the most...
Wednesday, December 28
Peru to See Seven Free-Trade Pacts Go Into Effect in 2012
While the United States has been busy putting together the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, Peru has been active in its own free-trade negotiations.
Trans-Pacific Partnership Shaping Up as New Negotiations Scheduled
U.S. clothing makers are eagerly watching how a new free-trade agreement between the United States and eight other countries plays out as negotiators get ready to meet again in March in Australia.
BeachMint Goes from Seaside to Canada Side
The Olsen twinsThe twins and everyone else on BeachMint are headed for Canada.The Santa Monica-based social commerce site opened up its membership this week to Canadian residents who want to buy the site's latest...
Free Trade with South Korea, Colombia and Panama Grows Closer
The office of the United States Trade Representative announced that talks were held Dec. 19–20 with South Korea on implementing the free-trade agreement signed between the two countries and passed by Congress on Oct. 12.
Apparel News Daily Reader
Women's Designer Pajamas (Wall Street Journal)The Best in Women’s Trends in 2011 (The New York Times)Beyond Bridal: Vera Wang's New Look (Wall Street Journal)Macy’s,...
Tuesday, December 27
Apparel News Daily Reader
Street Style: Winter Hats (The New York Times)Florence Opens the Harrods Sale (Stylist.co.uk)Hostesses Slip Into Something Practical...
New Digs for Rachel Zoe & Scoop
Rachel Zoe via blog Fashion Fiend.Fashion guru and reality show star Rachel Zoe recently signed a deal to open a showroom and headquarters close to the store of her BFF Marc Jacobs, said Jay Luchs, the CBRE executive VP who brokered the deal.Rachel Zoe’s new...
Friday, December 23
2011 in Review
Apparel employment picked up this year—as did port traffic. China remains the No. 1 supplier for U.S. imports, but Vietnam is rapidly catching up. ...
Quiksilver Names New Retail Chief
Wall Street reaction to Quiksilver Inc.’s new retail executive, Paul McAdam, ranged from approval to wait and see.
No More Dirty Trucks at L.A. Ports
Starting Jan. 1, only trucks with clean-burning engines will be allowed to pick up cargo at the Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex.
Happy Holidays from California Apparel News
Beverly Center's holiday festivities included an Ice Princess, who was played by Amanda Fields. She entertained kids from non-profit LA's Best on Dec. 13. Photo credit Bryan To Photography.Wishing you a peaceful prosperous holiday, and may...
Thursday, December 22
Counterfeit True Religion, North Face and Gucci Goods Seized by L.A. Customs Officials
Suspicious paperwork led customs inspectors to pry open a 40-foot container at the Port of Los Angeles, revealing a stash of fake True Religion jeans, N...
Jan. 1 Deadline for SB657, California’s Human-Trafficking Law
Beginning Jan. 1, California manufacturers and retailers are required to let their consumers and suppliers know what they’re doing about human trafficking. ...
Apparel News Daily Reader
Dos and Don’ts for Dressing for the Aspen Slopes (The Telegraph)PFDC L'Oréal Paris Bridal Week: Day 3 (Daily Times)Fashion's most...
Happy Holidays... from Riviera Club
Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!It's the holidays and my inbox has been filling up with a slew of cards. Today, the best Christmas card EVER....has arrived. Holiday wishes with some SoCal humor from those...
Wednesday, December 21
Dassault Systèmes Launches New 3-D FashionLab
Paris-based 3-D and PLM-solution company Dassault Systèmes has launched FashionLab, a new technology package for fashion designers and stylists to test new concepts using 3-D.
Online Sourcing Websites Offer More Options to Protect Buyers
Online sourcing is a lot like online shopping. You can do it day or night, weekday or weekend.
Haulerdeals Launches Online Marketplace for Fashion Haulers
Kenn Henman, founder and chief executive officer of Haulerdeals, has launched a website (
Apparel News Daily Reader
Forbes Top Fashion List of the Under 30 Crowd (The Telegraph)Nina Garcia Gives Fashion Advice about Crocs (Gather)Princess Diana’s...
Hammering Man Never Far from the CMC
The "Hammering Man" in Seoul, South KoreaHow is it that you go on vacation but never get far away from your work place?For me it was stopping off in Seoul, South Korea, while on a two-week vacation in Asia. The first...
Tuesday, December 20
Apparel News Daily Reader
Behind the seams: Fashion plays a starring role in five trendsetting TV shows (Boston Globe)Green is this season's color at Nigeria...
Hanger Appeal: Ditto Recyclable Paper Hangers at The Gap
Imagine seeing all these paper hangers, on repeat, at The Gap at The Grove.In the last minute Christmas shopping rush at The Grove, I noticed that The Gap had these cool cardboard hangers made by Ditto throughout the whole store....
You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile
Tilda Swinton is so fresh!Gen Art is teaming up with toothpaste brand Crest for a design competition inspired by Crest’s new product: 3D White. The “Little White Wardrobe” design competition to decide who gets to showcase their capsule...
Snark With Style
Oh, wow. How have I missed this? In the spirit of
Monday, December 19
Meet the Daddy of Cute
Dance cute! Dancers at debut of Rune Boutique. Photo credit Diane GarciaBlame it on Rune Naito.The Japanese illustrator became the inspiration for seemingly thousands of T-shirt, fashion and toy brands when he started drawing...
Apparel News Daily Reader
Beads rule at Hyderabad Fashion Week (The Times of India)The Craziest Nail Art (The Daily Beast)First Look: Karl Lagerfeld Shoots Alice Dellal...
Friday, December 16
Calling all Factory Girls and Boys!
The Factory is now open--for designers and retailers, that is. The Factory is the e-commerce platform and fashion network created by Ronda Walker, the woman who launched the Pooltradeshow. For now it’s open to designers and retailer only. Come...
The World According to Patsy and Edina.
Patsy and Edina are ba-aack--and they're addressing fashion's most pressing news. Already airing in Great Britain, the “Absolutely Fabulous 20th Anniversary...
Timberlake, Renaissance Man
Justin Timberlake (riiiight) with Jimmy Fallon in GQ Pop star, actor, golfer, designer, Mouseketeer. Justin Timberlake can now add creative director to his list of titles. Callaway Golf Co.—based in Carlsbad, Calif., you know, named...
Apparel News Daily Reader
Pre-Fall Collections Popping Up in New York (The New York Times)Who Made the Best-Dressed List for 2011? (The Telegraph)Kate Upton brings classic, voluptuous...
Banana Republic Opens in Paris
San Francisco–based retail giant Gap Inc. opened its first Banana Republic store in France. ...
Salute to Services and Suppliers Resource Guide
Fashion students at The Art Institute of California–Los Angeles work toward becoming tomorrow’s newest professionals, the next generation of skilled fashion employees. Our fa...
Divine Design Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Divine Design toasted its 20th anniversary of Hollywood star power supporting the charity Project Angel Food at its Dec. 6 fund-raising gala at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. ...
Boot Barn Acquired by Investment Firm
Boot Barn Inc., one of California’s top purveyors of Western and cowboy fashions, announced it had been acquired by affiliates of Freeman Spogli & Co., which maintains of...
2011 Newsmakers
The economy did not rebound as quickly as many would have liked in 2011—but it did rebound. The news of the year included clear signs of economic recovery, including the sale of Volc...
Thursday, December 15
Apparel News Daily Reader
Fashion Week Scheduling Battle Resumes as Paris Refuses to Move Show Dates (Fashionista)Athens fashion week shimmers, but looks can be deceiving (New...
I Know What Girls Like
Unicorns and rainbows. And you know what? Maggie Berry knows it, too. The Los Angeles designer created this AWESOME ensemble, shown on the runway at the recent Style for Haiti Benefit Show at La Maison De Fashion in...
Groceries Shopping
Groceries is very ambitious. According to the 20-something-year-old boy founders, they aspire to the environmental responsibility ethos like Patagonia, a vertical production chain like American Apparel and locally sourced...
Wednesday, December 14
Apparel News Daily Reader
Liz Taylor’s Collection Breaks Records at Christie’s (The New York Times)Lagerfeld doesn't let reality get in the way of a good fashion show (Sydney Morning Herald)...
Kingpins Lines Up Designers to Demo Waterless Denim Wash, Bows Eco Concept
A Spanish company is taking the water out of the wash, and visitors to the Jan. 10–11 run of the Kingpins trade show in Los Angeles will get to see the company’s methods in person. ...
Former Baby Phat Licensee Files for Bankruptcy Protection
BP Clothing, the Los Angeles–area apparel company that, until recently, held the license to make Baby Phat clothing, primarily for Wal-Mart, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy p...
McCluskey Promoted at Warnaco
Helen McCluskey, chief operating officer of New York–based The Warnaco Group Inc., was named president and chief executive officer of the company. She succeeds Joe Gromek, who is retiring afte...
Peru Group Visits L.A.
A delegation of Peruvian designers and manufacturers specializing in items made from alpaca fiber recently visited Los Angeles on a five-day mission to learn about the U.S. market. ...
Tuesday, December 13
Bikinis Galore at New Ashley Paige Store
Ashley PaigeAshley Paige has been crocheting bikinis for years out of her Los Angeles studio.Now, for those who have only had a chance to see them on the runway, you can get a closer look at them at her new store, which is...
Apparel News Daily Reader
Spence Watson recognized for excellence in lingerie design (Fibre2fashion)More Talk about that Dior Job (The New York Times)Looking Back at 120 Years of US...
Monday, December 12
Apparel News Daily Reader
Street Style: Velvet and Velour (New York Times)Amy Childs Morphs into Kate Middleton (The Telegraph)Exotic India Wrapped in Chanel (New York Times)SNI may not stop...
Nvrbrkn Skates To A Debut
Conveyor boutique's display of a Nvrbrkn sneaker.No skateboarder will tell you anything different.Skateboarding is a contact sport. Hop on that skate deck, you’ll probably scrape yourself up or even break a couple of bones. The sport’s true fanatics try to laugh...
Port Protest in Long Beach Has Minimal Impact
Protesters planning a day of disruptive behavior Monday at West Coast ports were relatively unsuccessful in shutting down cargo traffic in Southern California....
Friday, December 9
Melrose: New Era In, DC Shoes Out
New Era's Los Angeles flagship set aside space for different artists' takes on the New Era cap.Streetwear’s place on the corner of Melrose and Fairfax avenues is assured.On Dec. 8, one of the favorite cap manufacturers of the streetwear set, New Era, held a...
Apparel News Daily Reader
Tangerine Tango: Pantone’s color of the year in fashion (Washington Post Arts Post blog)Eight designers for NEWGEN MEN (Fibre2fashion)Goa debuts on the...
RAW:natural born artists
Fashion, art and music converged on Dec. 1 at the Playhouse in Hollywood when independent arts organization RAW:natural born artists hosted an event that showcased a wide range of talent. The...
Carhartt Selects NedGraphics' CAD Software
Premium workwear manufacturer Carhartt has signed on to use NedGraphics CAD software for design and product development....
Fashion Retailer FJ Benjamin Signs On to WFX PLM On-Demand
Singapore-based luxury and lifestyle brand FJ Benjamin has adopted WFX’s Web-based on-demand PLM (product lifecycle management) to manage...
IDNYC Holiday Style
HOLIDAY STYLE: West Hollywood, Calif.’s Boa Gallery turned to fashion Dec. 1, whenLos Angeles–headquartered fashion label IDNYC, pictured above, and French designer Marie Fran...
OptiTex's Daz 3-D Draping Tool Released for Mac OS
Israel-based OptiTex recently released a new version of its Dynamic Cloth Engine plug-in for Mac OS and updated its version of the Dynamic Cloth Engine plug-in for Windows, enabling it to sup...
Webinar to Explore the Impact of RFID
The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) and nonprofit supply-chain standards organization GS1 US are sponsoring a webinar on Dec. 14 to share research results from a study assess...
NSF Expands Women's Collection With a Luxury Chic Aesthetic
NSF is designed with a luxuriously casual look that can only be described as California chic. Launched in 2005, the brand is set to evolve and expand....
Big L.A. Counterfeit Bust Rings in the Holidays
Consumers may be out in full force scouring stores for holiday gifts, but law...
Unless You're on a Bike, Keep Off the Green!
Bicycle! Bicycle! I want to ride my bicycle! I want to ride my bike! There’s a new bright green line running through downtown Los Angeles—and this week it reached the L.A. Fashion District. The bright new bike lane on Spring treet starts at Cesar...
Rebecca Taylor In L.A. & On The Run
Rebecca Taylor,left, and Emmy Rossum, both clad in Rebecca Taylor of course.Rebecca Taylor’s first self-named Los Angeles boutique opened a couple of weeks ago, but Taylor made her first visit to the Rebecca Taylor shop at 107 S. Robertson Blvd.for a...
Thursday, December 8
Shopping for Charity, Divine Design
Costume Designer Patricia Field received the Iconic Fashion Visionary award from Darren Star, producer of Sex and the City.As the auctioneer Vanessa Thanos at Divine Design said, you can’t take it with you to the grave. Thankfully for Project...
Apparel News Daily Reader
A Guidebook Based on Michelle Obama’s Style (The New York Times)Kirsten Dunst’s Greatest Fashion Hits (The Telegraph)Designers Take a Fresh Look at Africa...
Weisman to Open L.A. Office of Ritholz Levy
Los Angeles attorney Greg Weisman will lead the new West Coast office of New York law firm Ritholz Levy Sanders Chidekel & Fields LLP....
Tonight, Big Holiday Party on W. Third St
Last night there was a holiday shopping party at West Hollywood’s retail district The Avenues. Tonight, Dec. 8, another prominent shopping district, Los Angeles’ West Third Street, will be producing its Annual NeighborhoodHoliday Party.It...
Insight + Blackbox Distribution Sample Sale
A look from Insight’s Holiday 2011 line.Hello sample sale season for the holidays! For those in the shredders all way south, Blackbox Distribution is cleaning (ware)house in Carlsbad. They will be selling samples, overstock, and limited...
Monika Chiang Hits L.A.
Monika ChiangMonika Chiang aspires to go higher.Case-in-point, the New York-based designer is 5’10 and prefers to wear boots with heels. “I still want to be taller,” she said.Her self-named Monika Chiang label made a splash this year when...
It's Bienvenue for Banana Republic in Paris
Just in time for the holidays, Banana Republic today threw open its doors for its first flagship store in France, located on the renowned shopping boulevard, Champs Elysees Avenue in Paris.The San...
Wednesday, December 7
Apparel News Daily Reader
Chanel’s Homage to India (The Telegraph)Turtlenecks Out in Force (The New York Times)India Resort Fashion Week begins today (The Times of India)India...
Grand Opening for Hale Bob's First Store
The Hale Bob label, known for its flirty tops and dresses made of rich silks and velvets, has been around for several years. It's found in specialty stores around the world.Now the Los Angeles brand has...
Chapman: No Recession, but Slow Go for California Economy in 2012
California consumers will pry open their wallets a little more next year. Exports will chug along, and there will be a very slight improvement in the state employment picture....
PacSun to Cut Up to 200 Stores in Next 14 Months
In a dramatic conference call, long-suffering
The Longest Yard: Production Planning Is a Team Effort
When I consult with owners and management, I find some companies have a continuing problem of shipping product late. They literally tell me, “We do everything right, we just don’t ship on time...
Tonight, Big Shopping Event in WeHo, Fashion Society Pops Up
Exterior of The Fashion Society pop up shop.West Hollywood shopping always was pretty good, but it became red hot over the past few years, what with top flight designers such as Alberta Ferretti and Vivienne Westwood coming to town and...
Tuesday, December 6
Apparel News Daily Reader
Valentino Virtual Fashion Museum Opens Its Doors (New York Times)Designer cotton balls? Chanel sells $20 cleansing pads (MSNBC)Fashion editor, 23, has...
Glendale Galleria Remodels With Upscale Look
The Glendale City Council unanimously gave design-review approval for an extensive remodel of the Glendale Galleria retail center Nov. 29.The council will further review plans and give its fi...
Retail's Horizon: Catching Up With Technology
For many, the retail forecasts for holiday 2012 are conservative, ranging from flat to modest increases over last year. But Kurt Salmon Associates is taking a more bullish stance. The global ...
American Apparel Reports Improved Monthly Retail Performance
Los Angeles–based vertical retailer and manufacturer
Old Navy Goes Techno Hip
If you haven't noticed, there doesn't seem to be a "must-have" item this holiday season. Sure, cashmere sweaters are still popular, but how long have those been around? Fancy scarves? So last...
Monday, December 5
Apparel News Daily Reader
Italian Vogue Removed This Karlie Kloss Image From Their Website (The Cut)Madonna Ready to Tackle the Super Bowl (eonline)The Gap Is Letting...
Goldsmith & Klein for Robertson
Eva Longoria in Goldsmith Klein gown.In September, Los Angeles-based Goldsmith Klein atelier opened at 511 N. Robertson Blvd., and one of the label’s first clients was actress Eva Longoria. Soon she was seen wearing one of the label’s form fitting gowns for...
Put the Pepper Spray Down, People
There’s been another pepper-spray shopping incident, 10 days after Walmart shoppers in Porter Ranch, Calif., were attacked in what was described as a case of Black Friday “shopper’s rage.” Now, we’re hearing about a new incident,...
All the News That's Fit to Knit
You know what’s been missing from Christmas sweaters? The news.Abbie Heppe (pictured above via Reddit) knit this brilliant sweater which combines the nativityscene with the recent UC Davis pepper spray incident. (Hat tip to....
Friday, December 2
Tel Aviv Fashion Week Debuts With Eye on L.A., Milan and More
Organizers include Beverly Hills Fashion Week co-founder....
Come on and Zumba, Zumba, Zoom!
Zumba is actually nothing like ’70s PBS kids’ show “Zoom” (pictured above). Instead, it’s Latin dance-inspired fitness—and it’s coming to the LA Fashion District. Energystas will host a free introductory event for its Zumba classes on Dec. 5...
A Current Affair: The Holiday Edition
If you need a shopping fix this weekend, head over to the holiday edition of A Current Affair: Pop Up Vintage Marketplace. Held three times a year, the two-day pop-up has quickly become the premier stop for vintage shopping in Los Angeles....
Sweeney Todd on Rodeo
Not Sweeney Todd: Candice Powell seemed sweet as she shaved actor Emanuele Secci.Fictional barber/serial killer Sweeney Todd used straight edge razors, right? Maybe that’s why I was a little wary watching the hipster barbers at The Art of Shaving flagship just...
London Calling All LA Designers!
Victor Wilde, the founder and head designer of Bohemian Society, is one of the designers trying to get in on the action. (Photo: Victor Wilde/Bohemian Society)The Los Angeles Fashion Council...
American Apparel Opens In-Store Shop in Lille
Los Angeles–based vertical manufacturer and retailer American Apparel opened an in-store shop in the Galeries Lafayette in Lille, France. The 322-square-foot in-store shop features American Apparel’s...
Waterless Dyes: The New Green Technology
For apparel and textile makers looking for ways to conserve water in the apparel-production process, Bill Grier thinks he may have found a solution....
San Francisco's Growing Design Hub in Dogpatch
Design and manufacturing find a new home in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood....
Sports Authority to Open in Northridge
Sports Authority Inc. will move into the former Borders bookstore space at Northridge Fashion ...
Retailers Looking to Hold On to Black Friday Sales Momentum
Black Friday and Cyber Monday broke records for crowds and sales, and retailers are now challenged with keeping the momentum going until Christmas Eve. ...
Maven Ronda Walker Brings the Factory People Together
Pooltradeshow founder Ronda Walker is anticipating launching her latest project—a virtual trade show—this month and predicts that by 2012, the site, called The Factory, will have 3 million users. Walker, who sol...
Filene's Basement and Syms Among Assets for Sale at Auction
Needham, Mass.–based advisory firm Hilco Streambank will auction off the intellectual-property assets of Syms Corp. and Filene’s Basement in a yet-to-be-scheduled liquidation auction of bankrupt Syms Corp. and Filene’s Basement. In addition to the Syms and Filene’s Basement trade names, the sale will include internet U...
AMH Showroom to Distribute Australian Brands in America
Australian surf brands have a winning track record of resonating with the California market, as evidenced by Billabong, Ripcurl and Quik...
Swatfame Goes Live on New Generation Computing's Extended PLM Software
Los Angeles–based global multi-brand Swatfame has implemented New Generation Computing (NGC)’s combination extended PLM (product lifecycle management) software. The ...
La Jolla Group Launches Lectra Fashion PLM
Irvine, Calif.–based action-sports apparel manufacturer La Jolla Group has streamlined its production processes with the new integration of Lectra Fashio...
Billabong Signs With Lawson Software
Australia-based action-sports brand Billabong International Ltd. is adopting Lawson QuickStep Fashion to help manage its manufacturing a...
November Sales Mixed
American retail-chain sales increased by 3.2 percent in November, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers, a result that was called “mixed” by the chief econo...
Louis Verdad Returns With New Collection
Louis Verdad fecirc;ted the relaunch of his eponymous brand with a cocktail soiree and runway presentation on Dec. 1. It was an intimate affair as editors and attendees gathered to see the designer’s n...
Thursday, December 1
Rodarte Collection Heading to LACMA
All photos © 2011 Museum Associates/LACMAA collection of ten extraordinary gowns by Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte will be coming to LACMA this month. The pastel-colored, silk dresses were inspired by frescoes painted by...
Apparel News Daily Reader
Designer Charles Nolan’s New York store lives on without him (New York Times)At Auction, Winehouse Beats Vivier (Elle)Inside Gaga’s World at...
