Friday, February 28
Alé by Alessandra Takes A Bow
Victoria’s Secret Star Model Alessandra Ambrosio conquered the world of lingerie long ago. In March she’ll try her hand at boho contemporary styles when the Alé by Alessandra fashion line is released by Santa Monica-headquartered retailer Planet Blue.
New Designers - Don't Quit!, Producers Say
Don’t quit! That was one piece of succinct advice given to the new designers who took part in the Emerging Designers Showcase at WWDMAGIC in Las Vegas last week.
Real-Life Paper Doll
Cute Couture
Four-year-old “Mayhem” Keiser designs paper copies of some very high-profile dresses.
Hollywood Toile
Textile Trends
Los Angeles–based Robert Kaufman Fabrics has a new design called Urban Toile, which features sights of LA.
Thursday, February 27
Nick Verreos and David Paul's Nikolaki Collection at FIDM
Red Carpet Runway
In anticipation of the March 2 Academy Awards red carpet, designers Nick Verreos and David Paul hosted a red-carpet runway presentation of their Nikolaki collection
Amy Adams Among Honorees at Event in Beverly Hills
Costume Designer Gala
The Costume Designers Guild celebrated its 16th awards ceremony with a Beverly Hills gala Feb. 22 featuring plenty of celebrities and costume designers—and plenty of shared jokes between the two.
Positive Mood at Las Vegas Trade Shows
Trade Show
The outlook is encouraging after the recent run of apparel, accessories and sourcing trade shows in Las Vegas, where many exhibitors reported upbeat buyers ready to place orders for Immediate through Fall deliveries.
Ross Gives Mixed Forecast for Q1 of 2014
Retail
Off-pricer Ross Stores Inc. announced results for its fourth quarter and fiscal 2013 results on Feb. 27, and Michael Balmuth gave a mixed forecast for Ross’ first quarter for its 2014 year.
Gap Reports Good 2013 Biz and Growth in 2014
Retail
Gap Inc. reported results for the fourth quarter of its 2013 year and its overall fiscal 2013 results on Feb. 27.
Established lingerie brands and start-up lines at CurveNV
Trade Show
Amid the more than 130 lingerie, sleepwear and loungewear brands exhibiting at theCurveNV Las Vegas show Feb. 17–18 at The Venetian were 30 new companies.
WWIN is a Winner
Trade Show
A certain buzz of activity permeated the Women’s Wear in Nevada (WWIN) trade show, which caters primarily to misses and updated contemporary clothing exhibitors selling to specialty stores.
Upscale Merchandise at MRket, Accessories the Show at Stitch
Trade Show
Buyers looking for upscale menswear, womenswear and accessories turned out for the Feb. 17–19 run of MRket, Stitch and Accessories The Show at the Sands Expo & Convention Center.
Capsule: Busy Traffic at Progressive Show
Trade Show
Capsule continued its commitment to being a forum for independent designers and high-end lines with a unique point of view when it ran Feb. 17–19 at The Venetian.
Concerts, Comebacks and Good Business at Agenda
Trade Show
Agenda’s second show in Las Vegas mixed business with pleasure when it ran Feb. 17–19 as one of the Modern Assembly family of shows at Level 2 of the Sands Expo & Convention Center.tk
The Tents at Project: Inside Job
Trade Show
The Tents at Project, a curated show devoted to designer and luxury brands, was moved to a space in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, adjacent to Project.
Liberty Fairs: Mixing Fashion Community and Commerce
Trade Show
Aspirations for the second Liberty Fashion and Lifestyle Fairs were high when it ran Feb. 17–19 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center.
ENKVegas: New Business for Vendors
Trade Show
For Greg Garrett of the Black Swan fashion label, ENKVegas was a great show. The women’s show exhibited at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, and his label’s sales increased 35 percent compared with last February.
Project: A Giant at MAGIC
Trade Show
Project is one of the giants of MAGIC Market Week. It took up more than half the space of the gargantuan Mandalay Bay’s South Convention Center, which hosted 1,500 brands.
Sourcing at MAGIC Focuses on USA Products
Trade Show
Approximately 1,500 booths with 1,100 companies stretched out under the bright lights of the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
WWDMAGIC draws returning, new and international retailers
Trade Show
Exhibitors at the Feb. 18–20 run of WWDMAGIC at the Las Vegas Convention Center reported upbeat retailers from across the country and the world turning out to place orders for Immediate, Summer and Fall deliveries.
Pooltradeshow: New Location Divides Vendors
Trade Show
Freddie Rojas said retail traffic was slow, and he estimated that his sales might decline compared with the Pooltradeshow last February.
Offprice: Vendor Space Sold Out
Trade Show
Vendor space for the Offprice show was sold out for the Feb. 16–19 show, held on the lower level of the Sands Expo and Convention Center.
Pacific City to Open Luxe Waterfront Center in Huntington Beach
Seaside Development in the OC
There are few retail centers currently in construction across America, and the upcoming Pacific City development in Huntington Beach, Calif., is ranked among a more select class.
William Rast Label Headed to Europe for Big Expansion
Import/Export
The Los Angeles–centric William Rast label hit Canada last year and was in all of the Hudson’s Bay department stores, now it is headed to Europe, where it will be in stores in Germany, Switzerland, England and Italy.
James Campbell Brands Acquired by Hampshire Group
Finance
Los Angeles–area menswear maker James Campbell Brands has been acquired by New York–based Hampshire Group Ltd. from Maverick J LLC, a Rick Solomon Co.
Bond Holders Pressure American Apparel to Repay Hundreds of Millions
Finance
According to press reports, American Apparel has hired lawyers Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP to provide restructuring advice on $206 million it owes bondholders.
Swimwear Label Bleu/Rod Beattie Sold to Amerex Group
Manufacturing
The California swimwear label is only 3 years old, but already Bleu/Rod Beattie has changed hands, being sold by New York swimwear manufacturer A.H. Schreiber Co. to Amerex Group.
U.S. Apparel Makers Forgo Free-Trade Production
Import/Export
The United States has free-trade agreements with 20 countries around the world, but only 14 percent of the apparel imported into the United States actually takes advantage of them.
Check Out Who Will Be Showing at Orange County Fashion Week
Fashion
Five-day line-up at Orange County Fashion Week, starting March 3
Infor Introduces New PLM Solution for Brands, Manufacturers and Retailers
Technology
New York–based business application software provider Infor has launched Infor Fashion Product Lifecycle Management to help apparel makers connect all product development functions along the supply chain.
Italian Brand Imperial Expands With Lectra PLM
Technology
Bologna, Italy–based men’s and women’s collection Imperial has been on a growth track since its launch in 1978 by Adriano Aere and Emilia Giberti.
Gerber Launches New Leather Cutting System
Cutting Technology
When field testing its newly introduced Taurus II leather-cutting system, Gerber Technology found the system improved yield results by as much as 10 percent over manual or die cutting.
The Pre-Spring Sale Will Never Die
The world of retail is rapidly changing, but one practice of the business hasn’t changed; the pre-spring sale.
Wednesday, February 26
What Did Old Navy Donate to the Philippines?
Old Navy makes a donation to help the Philippine victims of Typhoon Haiyan.
Make Way for Pugs Atoms & Shamon
Some people just stand out, even in a place like Capsule trade show where you gotta look different. Meet Shamon and Pugs Atoms
Meister at Liberty Fairs
Check the time, Meister, a new watch label, exhibited at the Liberty Fashion & Lifestyle Fairs trade show in Las Vegas.
Monday, February 24
Who Will Be Inducted to the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style?
Film
Catherine Martin is being honored for her costume designs for "The Great Gatsby."
The Gurus of Costuming
The costumers for TV shows Mad Men, Scandal and The Mindy Project kibbitz on costuming
Friday, February 21
Banana Republic Looks to California for Spring Collection
Retailing
Banana Republic injects California cool into its Spring collection.
Swimwear Label Bleu/Rod Beattie Sold to Amerex Group
Acquisition
Bleu/Rod Beattie has been sold by New York swimwear manufacturer A.H. Schreiber Co. to Amerex Group.
Thursday, February 20
Busy Start to Las Vegas Shows
Show Coverage in Las Vegas
Domestic and international retailers navigated the more than 20 events held across the city at this week's Las Vegas apparel, accessories and sourcing shows.
Gap Increases Minimum Pay
Retail
Chief Executive Officer Glenn Murphy, the San Francisco–based specialty retailer and owner of Gap stores, Old Navy and Banana Republic will raise the minimum wage for its U.S. employees to $9 this year and $10 in 2015.
California Economy Predicted to Improve Next Year and Grow Modestly
Finance
California’s economy next year should be on a positive path, growing slightly more than the U.S. economy as the housing market and other industries forge ahead and grow, according to a recent economic forecast released by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp.
Goldwin Ski and Running Apparel Company Opens First US office in Manhattan Beach
Retail
Goldwin Inc., a Japanese company founded in 1951, has opened its new U.S. headquarters in the Los Angeles area.
Juniorswear Label Launches Medical Scrubs Collection
HeartSoul's New Line
HeartSoul is joining up with Strategic Partners to make HeartSoul Scrubs, workwear designed for young women who want to look fashion-forward while at their jobs in the healthcare industry.
Première Vision Acquires Leather and Fur Show Cuir à Paris
Textile Trade Show
Première Vision S.A. is growing its portfolio of upscale textile and trim trade shows, which includes Première Vision, Indigo, Expofil, Modamont, Tissu Premier and Fatex, with the addition of leather and fur trade show the Cuir à Paris.
E-Commerce Site FlyPeeps.com to Introduce Unique Discount Deals
Retail
In April, Irvine, Calif.–headquartered men’s shopping site FlyPeeps will open for business in the crowded market for e-commerce.
SIMA Image Awards
Surf Industry
Surf Industry Manufacturer’s Association (SIMA) hosted its Image Awards on Feb. 13 at The City National Grove of Anaheim.
T-Shirt Comedy Hour
Spotted on the Showfloor
Los Angeles brand Sub_Urban Riot recently got a nice shout out for one of its new T-shirt styles when Beyonce posted a Twitter selfie wearing Sub_Urban Riot’s “Kale” shirt.
Wednesday, February 19
Vince Relaunches Web Site With Story About Melrose Place
Contemporary
Vince website talks up local neighborhoods, like Melrose Place, to get a sense of community for its online and in-store customers.
Tuesday, February 18
Gap Inc. Unveils Its New Spring Look
Retail
New creative director at Gap Inc. goes for the well-worn look.
Cone Serves Up Denim With Ketchup and Mustard
Recycled Textiles
Cone Denim is in Las Vegas this week with the latest in its lineup of denim made from recycled plastic bottles.
Friday, February 14
Trend Scouting: T-Shirts
Trend
The Agenda trade show is a prime spot to scout for T-shirt trends, with exhibitors and attendees decked out in their most distinctive tees.
Private Party: Hip-Hop-Inspired
Designer Profile
Music plays a huge influence in Private Party’s ethos, which features graphics produced from a fan’s point of view.
Mine Is Yours: Art in Every Strand
Designer Profile
When launching Mine Is Yours last autumn, it was very important to Megan Dorien, artist and founder, to be responsible about her impact on the earth when starting a business.
Crown Jewel: Fit and Fabric Are the Secret Ingredients
Designer Profile
If you happened to see Detective Kate Beckett wearing a form-fitting T-shirt on the television show “Castle,” it just might have been made by Crown Jewel, a 10-year-old T-shirt and lifestyle brand that makes all its clothes in Los Angeles.
The Inspiration of Kelly Cole
Designer Profile
There’s a million ways to break into a fashion career. For Kelly Cole of the Kelly Cole USA brand, entry was the vintage concert T-shirt.
Project Social T: Season for Trends, Quick Turnarounds and Customization
Designer Profile
For Los Angeles tops manufacturer Project Social T, 2014 is the year of customization.
Thursday, February 13
New York Fashion Week: California Collections
New York Fashion Week
Tadashi Shoji showed his finesse with red-carpet glamour at the Los Angeles designer’s Fall ’14 runway show at Mercedes-Benz New York
Heading to MAGIC? What to Know Before You Go. A Q&A With Hal Rubenstein
Trade Shows
At the center is the massive MAGIC Market Week, the multi-show lineup taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
Koral Activewear
Fitness Gear With Brazilian Style
Designer Ilana Kugel launched a new activewear line with a focus on high-tech fabrics and fashion-forward style.
Put on Your Pantone
Colorful Launch
Color forecaster Pantone unveiled a new line of menwear called Pantone Colorwear during the recent New York Fashion Week.
Loving Las Vegas: Retailers Share Tips for Navigating the Las Vegas Trade Shows
Retail
With 20 apparel, footwear, accessories and sourcing trade shows taking place in Las Vegas market at the same time in February, thousands of brands are competing for attention, and the ambiance can be thrilling, festive and, ultimately, exhausting.
Bebe Going Private? Not So Fast, Analyst Says
Retail
Bebe Stores Inc. is just a year into its turnaround campaign, but media reports indicate that the publicly traded contemporary retailer is investigating a sale and going private.
Ruhi: On-Trend and Quick-Turn
Made in America
Retailer-turned-designer Silke Labson moved from New York to LA to launch her latest line Ruhi.
FIDM's Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition
Celebrating Film Fashion
The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising kicked off its 22nd annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition.
Roar Clothing to Abbot Kinney
Retail
For its 20th anniversary, Los Angeles–based fashion label Roar Clothing will open its first boutique. The two-story shop will be located at 1410 Abbot Kinney Blvd., at the corner of California Avenue, according to Deepak Vasandani, founder and chief executive of the label.
Industry Voices: California Fashion Association: Measuring the True Scope of L.A.’s Creative Economy
Fashion News
The latest “Otis Report on the Creative Economy of the Los Angeles Region,” released Feb. 6 by Otis College of Art and Design, is certainly well intended. However, it shows an inaccurate picture of the California fashion industry and conflicts with other analyses and reports currently in release.
Changes at the the Fashion Bookstore at the CMC
New Ownership
Fashion Bookstore founders Bill and Linda Golant sold the business to longtime employees Yolanda Bragg and Rina Castro.
South Coast Plaza Has a Scotch & Soda
Retail
Dutch brand Scotch & Soda opened a 2,700-square-foot store at 1340 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in 2013. In May, it is scheduled to open its first shop in Orange County at upscale shopping center South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Zadig & Voltaire to Malibu Village
Retail
French basics line Zadig & Voltaire opened a shop in West Hollywood, Calif.’s Sunset Plaza shopping district in 2006 but just started a growth spurt in the past year.
Industry Voices: Strategies for Avoiding Copyright Infringement
Legal
The prolonged contraction/softness of the apparel industry has forced apparel companies to take drastic actions to try to remain profitable. One unfortunate byproduct is the rise of copyright-infringement lawsuits, many of which appear to have been filed in an effort by a few companies to find alternate income streams
Satine Kawaii Takes a Bow in Venice
Retail
Los Angeles boutique chain Satine typically represents stylish fashions, and now it represents cute in its new store, Satine Kawaii.
Tanner Goods Opens Doors Near Ace Hotel in Downtown LA
Retail
Happening leather and clothing store Tanner Goods debuts on up-and-coming Broadway.
Jami Lyn Clothes Downsizes to New Store
After nearly 25 years on the same section of Robertson Boulevard, the well-known Jami Lyn Clothes store is moving one block south, which technically moves the store out of Beverly Hills and into Los Angeles.
Obituary: Mary Burroughs
Remembering FIDM’s Mary Burroughs
Mary Burroughs, director of special events at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, died Jan. 13 after a long battle with cancer.
Retail CFOs Optimistic About 2014
Retail
Despite a less-than-stellar holiday season, chief financial officers at retail organizations across the United States were upbeat about 2014, predicting a 5.1 percent increase in total sales and a 4.8 percent increase in same-store sales.
Apparel Finance Experts Give Advice on How to Weather the Economy
Finance
Financial experts weigh in on how apparel manufacturers will fare in 2014 and what challenges to expect in the months ahead.
Elliot Evan's Midnight in a Perfect World
Downtown Los Angeles' Elliot Evan's Midnight in a Perfect World collection takes a bow.
Cargo Container Imports Will See a Rising Tide This Year
Import and Export
During the first half of this year, cargo-container activity at the nation’s ports is expected to inch up 4.3 percent over last year, according to the recently released “Global Port Tracker” report, prepared every month for the National Retail Federation.
Ralph Lauren Looks to the USA for Winter Olympic Uniforms
Manufacturing
It didn’t take designer Ralph Lauren long to learn that any Olympics uniforms worn by U.S. athletes need to be “Made in the USA.”
FastFit360 Launches Burst Video Sharing Tech for Retailers
Technology
At the upcoming Sourcing at MAGIC show, FastFit360 will debut Burst, a mobile technology that allows retailers to capture and share image and video information throughout the supply chain.
T-Chip: Transparency at the Textile Chemical Level
Textiles
Brands and retailers looking at the transparency of their supply chain often hit a stumbling block when it came to their chemical suppliers.
Federation Design Studio: Premium Fashion Made Here, Not There
Premium Fashion Made Here, Not There
The Federation Design Studio outline the new company’s Made-in-America ethos
Hemp: From Outlaw Fabric to Legal Threads
Textile
After 20 years, Rob Jungmann, president of the Los Angeles–headquartered Jungmaven hemp T-shirt brand, might be seeing his business turned upside down.
Uniqlo to Open at South Coast Plaza, Beverly Center
Fast Retailing
On Feb. 13, Fast Retailing, the parent company of the popular Japanese clothier, announced that it will open Uniqlo stores this fall in top malls South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Calif. and Beverly Center, a mall owned by Taubman Centers in Los Angeles.
Fashion Dispute Resolution Makes Legal Disputes a Win-Win Proposition
Legal
It’s a typical story in the apparel industry: A dispute arises between Party A and Party B. Both feel the other side is wrong, one side feels he or she has suffered monetary damages, the other is defensive and outraged at the accusation.
Wednesday, February 12
Los Angeles Shoe Line Gets a Grip on Things
Innovation
Los Angeles shoe makers come up with a better shoe for bad weather.
Tuesday, February 11
Street Art Mary Poppins Shops at Kitson
Street art is about satire and protest. But what do you do if a street artist enigmatically supports a brand?
Checking in on LA’s Larchmont Boulevard
Retail
Tucked away in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, Larchmont Boulevard is a friendly street with a small-town feel.
Torrid Selects New Plus-Size Model for Swimwear Collection
Retail
Plus-size retailer Torrid spices up 2014 swimwear collection
Friday, February 7
Levi's New Website
The Redesign!
evi Strauss & Co is one of the oldest stories in the fashion biz, but the denim brand which started in the Victorian era just launched its 21st century redesigned website; www.levistrauss.com
Thursday, February 6
CGS Releases New POS Application
Technology
New York–based Computer Generated Solutions has introduced a new point-of-sale application for Microsoft Dynamics AX Retail, which is compatible with Apple iPod and iPhone mobile devices.
Tough January Showed Bright Spots
Retail
Extreme weather made the traditionally low sales month of January even tougher for retailers. However, businesses rallied, said the International Council of Shopping Centers, and sales increased 3.5 percent, according to its tally of comparable-store sales.
La Tres Lingerie: Bringing a Feminine Touch to Downtown LA
La Tres Lingerie
When Tray Hayslette decided to open a lingerie store in Southern California, she chose a space on Main Street in downtown LA.
MAGIC Promotes Griffin and Gallin
Trade Show
Advanstar Global, the company that produces the MAGIC Market Week trade shows, announced a pair of executive promotions.
Vestar to Acquire, Redevelop The Village at Orange
Retail
Vestar, a privately held real estate company headquartered in Phoenix, recently announced plans to acquire and redevelop regional mall The Village at Orange in Orange, Calif.
Catherine Martin to be honored by Rodeo Drive Walk of Style
Retail
Catherine Martin, a costume and production designer who gained note for working with Miuccia Prada on costumes for the 2013 film “The Great Gatsby,” will be inducted into the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style, it was announced on Feb. 5.
Gap Closes 1969 Design Studio in Los Angeles
Retail
When The Gap Inc. opened its artsy denim design studio in the heart of downtown Los Angeles nearly four years ago, the company later went on a big media campaign touting the creative spirit wrapped up in the new locale.
Legendary Surfer Shaun Tomson Buys Back Solitude Label From Oxford
Tomson Buys Solitude
The legendary world-champion surfer has bought back the surfwear label he sold to Oxford Industries.
End of the Mall? Retail And Real Estate Experts Weigh In on the Future of the Shopping Center
Retail
The traditional mall is losing relevance. It might already be a dinosaur.
Billabong Extends Pat Tenore’s Contract
News
Billabong International Ltd. signed RVCA founder Pat Tenore to a contract that will guarantee his employment through 2018, it was announced on Feb. 6.
Denim Developments From the Kingpins Show
Kingpins Show
At the recent Kingpins boutique denim trade show, denim makers showcased the latest developments in fabrications.
Showcasing New Textile Developments at Texworld USA
Texworld USA
Textile mills and trim suppliers showcased some of their recent developments at the Texworld USA show in New York.
Rodeo Drive Gets Into the Year of the Horse
Retail
Parade celebrating Chinese New Year and the Year of the Horse to take place on ritzy shopping street.
Wednesday, February 5
Styku Predicts This Will Be a Perfect Fit
Apparel Tech
Los Angeles tech company Styku has a Fit Visualizer widget, which retailers can add to their existing e-commerce site to help consumers "visualize" the correct size and fit of a garment.
Simparel Hires John Robinson as SVP Sales and Marketing
Technology
New York–based business solutions provider Simparel Inc. named fashion-industry veteran John Robinson as senior vice president of sales and marketing.
German Denim Brand Mustang Taps Centric for PLM
Technology
German denim brand Mustang Jeans has selected Los Gatos, Calif.–based Centric Software Inc. for its new product lifecycle management system.
Lectra Names Macquin to Executive Committee
Technology
French technology solutions and equipment provider Lectra named Edouard Macquin to its executive committee.
Gap Closes 1969 Design Studio in Los Angeles
Downtown LA
Gap Inc. closed its denim design studio in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, where designers worked on the company’s 1969 brand, named for the year the company was founded.
Lighting: Rules of Attraction
Retail is theater, or so the old adage goes, but the adage is more than conventional wisdom, said Joanna Brace of San Jose, Calif.-lighting firm Xicato.
Tuesday, February 4
Giugliano To Eva Franco
The Eva Franco label has been making dresses with a whimsical elegance and a tailored style since 2003, on Feb. 4, Eva Franco announced that Debbie Giugliano was named as the label’s salesperson serving the West Coast and Dallas regions.
Monday, February 3
‘Shark Tank’ Coming to Vegas
“Shark Tank,” the reality show competition that pairs entrepreneurs with investors (a.k.a. “the sharks”) is heading to the WWDMAGIC show in Las Vegas later this month.
Chinese New Year: Retail Centers Celebrate In A Big Way
Chinese New Year has always been a big deal in California, but now retail centers are celebrating in a big way.
