Monday, September 29
Wet Seal Announces New Digital Czar
Executive Moves
The Wet Seal Inc. created a new position, chief digital officer, to increase its e-commerce, which is one of the brightest spots if its business.
American Apparel Names Interim CEO and CFO
Executive Shift
American Apparel Inc. has a new interim chief executive officer and a new chief financial officer following the resignation of John Luttrell, who took over the two positions in June after the company’s board asked founder Dov Charney to step down.
A Decade of G-Star on Melrose
Jeremy Steenblik and his partners have run the G-Star boutique on Los Angeles' Melrose Avenue for 10-years. He tells us a little about what got his boutique through good---and bad times.
Friday, September 26
Textile Show Starts on Monday
The Los Angeles International Textile Show gets underway on Sept. 29 at the California Market Center.
Miss Me Jeans Collaborates With Jewelry Designer
Manufacturing
Miss Me jeans collaborates with jewelry designer Dominique Cohen.
Thursday, September 25
Designer Evolves Brand from Prints to Printed Fabric to Finished Garments
Josi Severson
Josi Severson’s original prints feature mid-century graphics in a sunny palette. The Minneapolis-based designer has designed fabrics for companies such as Crate & Barrel, Thibaut, Joseph Abboud, Richloom Fabrics and Blu Dot.
Relaunched Mill Has American Heritage and Italian Know-How
American Woolen Co.
A 19th-century textile mill in northern Connecticut is currently humming with the activity of 40 looms making woolen and worsted fabrics for the American luxury market.
Adding to Cargo Congestion Problem
Port of Los Angeles Fire
A fire that engulfed an old wooden wharf nearly the length of three football fields at the Port of Los Angeles was completely contained by early morning on Sept. 24, port officials said.
Designers and Agents Suspends Paris Show
Trade Show
Designers and Agents, which organizes curated trade shows for contemporary fashions, has decided to suspend its Paris show, which took place for several years in the Marias district of the French capital.
L.A. Men’s Market at 1: New Brands, Wide Range of Styles
Trade Show
The LA Men’s Market trade show forecasts growth and filling a unique niche when it rolls out its first-anniversary show at the Area 4 section of the California Market Center Oct. 13–14.
Feds Want to See increased Scrutiny of Cash Transactions in LA Fashion District
Manufacturing
After raids in the LA garment district revealed more than $90 million in cash has been allegedly laundered by apparel importers for Mexican drug cartels, federal officials are calling for a special order to reduce the dollar amount in cash transactions that can be done without having to report them to the government.
Proposed Retail Pay Hike: Pols Campaign, Businesses Divided
Retail
Cities all over California are discussing or taking legislative steps toward raising minimum wages, which could add a few more dollars to sales staffs’ paychecks—or drive retailers out of business, depending upon whom you ask.
Kanye in Fashion
Musician, celebrity, fashion icon and provocateur Kanye West was recently spotted teaching a fashion class at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College in downtown LA.
Wednesday, September 24
Construction Ramping up For A.P.C.in DTLA
Call it a forecast come true. Since the beginning of this year, blogs and interviews with Jean Touitou noted that his highly anticipated A.P.C. boutique was scheduled to open in downtown Los Angeles. Recently, a public note confirmed that the French denim and ready-to-wear boutique will open in downtown's fashion district.
Tuesday, September 23
A Different Approach to LA Fashion Week?
Fashion
Maybe designers should take to the LA streets to show their new collections.
Monday, September 22
L.A.’s Suitably Enough in Vancouver
While another Los Angeles Fashion Week is scheduled to run next month, Michaela Mendiola of the Suitably Enough fashion label in the Los Angeles area produced a runway show for her fashions in Vancouver Fashion Week in British Columbia. Here’s a couple of looks.
Get Your Sample Sale Shoes On
The 3.1 Philip Lim sample sale is coming back to downtown Los Angeles.
McCartney Car Couture
Luxury auto maker Jaguar teamed up with designer Stella McCartney to create fleet of Jaguar XE model cars inspired by the designer and featuring her Superhero print from her Spring 2015 collection.
Fashion Industry Spotlight
Ilse Metchek, president of the California Fashion Association, was featured in the Los Angeles Times “How I Made It” column.
Friday, September 19
New Sam Edelman Flagship Store in Southern California
Retail
The West Coast gets its first Sam Edelman flagship store.
In Heroes We Trust Stays Up Late
In Heroes We Trust, one of Abbot Kinney Boulevard's newest shops, stayed open late on Sept. 18 to party with the designers and artists represented in the shop. Check it out.
50 Ways To Shop DTLA
Last year the map counted 36 stores. This year they found 50 boutique style stores in downtown Los Angeles. When they publish another edition of “50 Reasons To Shop DTLA,” probably around Black Friday, Cinnia Finfer and Kuo Yang expect to find more high end boutique shops. Meet the mapmakers of downtown Los Angeles' burgeoning boutique market.
Thursday, September 18
Same-Day Service to Give Edge to Macy’s and Others
Retail
From recommendation algorithms to drones, Amazon.com and other major e-commerce sites branded themselves as the go-to places for new retail tech and convenience, but Macy’s Inc. and other big mall companies are pushing back.
The Celect: Dramatic Style for Multi-line shop
Retail
Independent, multi-line retailer The Celect prides itself on its diversity and trying out new ideas, but some things don’t seem to change this six-month-old boutique.
Straight Out of Austin
Stag
Abbot Kinney Boulevard has become one of Los Angeles’ top fashion streets—a place where unique brands from Los Angeles, New York and around the globe go to make a statement. But the latest boutique on Abbot Kinney hopes to give the street an Austin point of view.
Making a Los Angeles Bow
Montreal’s M0851
Since 1987, Montreal brand M0851 has been making leather jackets and bags for men and women in a workshop in Montreal. Other than its New York shop, it had no other branded stores in the United States—until now.
Avant Garde Paris Store L’Eclaireur Opening in LA, Tranoi Heading to NY.
Retail
In 2015, the French retailer intends to open a location for his avant-garde-inspired boutique, L’Eclaireur, in Los Angeles, according to a spokesperson.
Beverly Center’s Ferragamo Scheduled to Reopen
Retail
On Oct. 10, Salvatore Ferragamo is scheduled to unveil a redesign of its boutique in Los Angeles’ Beverly Center, according to a Ferragamo statement.
CFA Members Event Discusses Private Label and Branded Manufacturing
Manufacturing
There’s no magic formula for striking the right balance between producing your own brand and producing private-label products for retailers. But having a mix of both can be a good strategy for growing a brand as you maintain a steady stream of production work.
Customs Officials Ease Back on Changes for First-Sale Rule
Import & Export
Customs officials have stopped pushing for major adjustments to the so-called “First-Sale Rule,” which would have required handing over a boatload of documents to validate where goods were made and at what price.
How Mounting Congestion at Local Ports Is Affecting Apparel Importers
Import & Export
Bob Wysocki of Sears Holdings complained that sometimes it takes as long as one to two weeks to extract his merchandise out of the port complex in Los Angeles and get Sears’ cargo containers on a train, where it might take another two weeks to reach a warehouse.
Allen Schwartz's Store Celebrates Big Anniversary
Retail
ABS by Allen Schwartz store celebrates big anniversary in Santa Monica, Calif.
Ethereal Designs
Vivian Chan
Vivian Chan dresses women in feminine clothing adhering to structure and clean lines. Her collection combines splashes of color with subtle pastel hues in billowy skorts, short to long full skirts and deep V-shift dresses.
First Retail, Then Collection
Leylie
In Spring 2011, Leylie Aghili made a bold move, opening a bricks-and-mortar store at a time when economic stability was uncertain.
Mad Rabbit Kicking Tiger’s SUPR FELT
Shaun Nath started the Mad Rabbit Kicking Tiger accessories brand in Shanghai five years ago. He moved to Los Angeles this year. His welcome home gift? SUPR FELT.
Wednesday, September 17
SIMA's 1st Stokes Me Bowl-A-Rama
Surf industry Manufacturers Association introduced the Stokes Me Bowl-A-Rama, to raise funds for the SIMA Humanitarian Fund on Sept. 16. Brands sent their best bowlers to compete. Top surfers and rock star Tré Cool of band Green Day also showed up.
Monday, September 15
The Hundreds X Haiti
Streetwear loves satire, but that doesn't mean it is fashion for jerks. Enter The Hundreds X Haiti.
Friday, September 12
New Market For Fashion Crafters
Described as ‘Etsy meets brick and mortar,” the Odd Market at Casa Vertigo will take a bow on Sept. 21, at Casa Vertigo at 1828 Oak Street in downtown Los Angeles.
Cooper’s Art Above The Streets
Homeowners, businesses, aesthetes have all registered mighty complained about billboards as blocking their views, causing car crashes or being eyesores. But London-based artist Robert Montgomery sees beauty in the billboard. A show of his billboard art was curated in Cooper Design Space's Gateway Gallery.
Thursday, September 11
Spring Forward
New York Fashion Week S/S ’15
The Sept. 4–11 run of New York Fashion Week had a handful of California designers on the roster, including Skingraft, Clover Canyon, Mark and Estel and the students of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
Apple, Macy’s Debut Digital Wallets
Technology
To great fanfare, Apple introduced its digital wallet, Apple Pay, on Sept. 9. However, more retailers are getting into the mobile payments market.
West Hollywood’s Fur Ban to Be Changed
Retail
The city of West Hollywood, Calif., passed the first municipal fur ban in the United States in 2013, and since then the ban has been the subject of legal action.
Clubbing at Macy’s Glamorama 2014
Nightclub in Hollywood
After playing at the Burning Man festival in the harsh Nevada desert over the Labor Day weekend, Paul Oakenfold performed trance music Sept. 9 at the Create Nightclub in Hollywood, Calif., for Macy’s Passport Presents Glamorama 2014.
Announcing Outerknown Brand
Kelly Slater
Kelly Slater, surf champ and former public face of Quiksilver, announced his new brand, Outerknown, which will debut for Fall 2015.
Making a Comeback
Amanda Shi-Werts
Amanda Shi-Werts recently announced the debut of her self-named line, Amanda Shi. The Spring ’15 line is manufactured in Los Angeles and hopes to eventually sell across the globe.
Twitter Launches the Buy Button
Retail
Twitter’s move into business has been anticipated for more than a year, and on Sept. 8, it became official. The social-media site unveiled a “buy” button, which will allow people to make online purchases without leaving the site.
Shawmut Wraps Up Rodeo Projects With Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Gucci
Retail
Boston-headquartered construction company Shawmut Design and Construction has worked on many projects on iconic shopping street Rodeo Drive over the years, including the building of shops Tory Burch, Tom Ford and Jimmy Choo.
Thomas Announces Plans to Re-merchandise Wet Seal
Retail
A week after juniors retailer Wet Seal Inc. announced that Ed Thomas would return as its chief executive officer, Thomas presided over a conference call with Wall Street analysts on Sept. 10.
What a Proposed $13.25 an Hour Minimum Wage Would Mean for LA’s Apparel Industry
Manufacturing
On Labor Day, Sept. 1, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti proposed raising the city’s minimum wage to $13.25 in the next 2½ years.
The Hundreds Gets Huger
Retail
The Hundreds’ 400-square-foot boutique was closed for renovations and expansion, said Bobby Kim, a co-founder of the popular brand. It is taking over the two adjacent storefronts and will reopen in the fall.
Kitson to Open New Stores
Retail
After opening a 15,000-square-foot Las Vegas emporium on March 28, Los Angeles–headquartered boutique chain Kitson is on the move again.
Project Runway Winner & Belk
Reality (TV) to Retail
Dom, the collection designed by "Project Runway" season 12 winner Dom Streater is now in Belk stores.
Bitcoin for Your Thoughts?
Salt Lake City offprice e-tailer Overstock.com has updated its international checkout system to include payment by Bitcoin.
Lectra Names New Managing Director for Germany, Eastern Europe
Technology
French technology solutions and equipment supplier Lectra has named Chris Nicolaes managing director for Lectra Germany in Ismaning, Germany.
Infor to Host ‘Meet-n-Learn’ at the CMC
Technology
Apparel technology solutions provider Infor will host “Infor Fashion Meet-n-Learn” on Oct. 15 at the California Market Center in Los Angeles.
Yunique Solutions Now Integrated With Pointcarre Textile Design Software
Technology
Yunique Solutions, an apparel solutions unit of Gerber Technology, has integrated its YuniquePLM (product lifecycle management) solution with Pointcarré textile-design software to better assist clients with reducing sampling costs, speed-to-market and enhancing merchandising presentations.
Lenzing Begins Tencel Production at New Facility with “Jumbo” Line
Textiles
Lenzing, the Austrian maker of Tencel fibers, is on track to meet its planned production target of 30,000 tons of Tencel fiber at its new production facility at the Lenzing headquarters in Austria.
McCord Joins Buhler Sales Team
Textiles
PJ McCord, former global sales manager for Coats PLC, has joined the team at Buhler Quality Yarns in Jefferson, Ga., as sales executive.
UCLA Anderson Forecast Sees California’s Economy Inching Ahead
Economic Forecast
The latest UCLA Anderson Forecast, released on Sept. 11, shows California's economy making slow progress with the operative word here being “slow.”
Wednesday, September 10
Uniqlo's Collab Comeback
+JX2
Uniqlo is offering a second chance to pick up some of the most popular pieces from the +J line originally designed by Jil Sander.
Planning a Santa Monica Store at South Coast Plaza
Uniqlo Takes A Bow
With a performance by Taiko drummers, Larry Meyer, chief executive officer of Uniqlo USA, opened the doors of the Uniqlo emporium on Sept. 5 at South Coast Plaza retail center in Costa Mesa, Calif.
UPDATE Feds Raid LA Garment Companies in Mexican Drug Money-Laundering Scheme
LA Fashion District
Scores of federal and local law enforcement agents early Wednesday swarmed dozens of residences and apparel businesses in Los Angeles to crack down on a long-running money laundering scheme benefiting two drug cartels in Mexico.
Tuesday, September 9
Levi's Gets into the Body-Shaping Jeans Game
Retail
Levi's Launches a Line of Body-shaping jeans at Walmart, Kmart and Meijer stores.
Monday, September 8
The Game Visits Boyz NY
Hip Hop star The Game visited the storefront of streetwear brand Boyz NY on Los Angeles’ Fairfax Avenue on Sept. 6,
Marciano’s Big 10
Marciano, a brand of Guess?, recently celebrated 10-years of biz with in-store events across the US. Here’s a look at a couple of the store parties.
Thursday, September 4
Duarte Gives Activewear a Fashionable Edge
New Line Nor
Henry Duarte is joining the ath-leisure movement, but the Los Angeles designer is putting his signature rock ’n’ roll stamp on the growing trend.
Back to School’s Retail Surge
Retail
The Back-to-School season made business surge in August, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Patagonia Introduces New Nano-Air Products That Are Extremely Light
Manufacturing
Most outdoor athletes know that when the going gets tough, you start to heat up and have to shed layers of clothing.
Making Sales on Social Media Elusive, But Intriguing
Retail
After a decade of building audiences and communities, many think that social-media sites should be able to transform into a giant cash register.
More Services Jump In to Bring Apparel Production Back to Los Angeles
Made in LA
When Mike Basteguian was growing up in Los Angeles, his family’s garment factory was one of 80 clothing contractors in the early 1990s. Today, there are only a handful of factories.
Reed Plans New Trade Show Axis, Taps Agenda’s Chiu to Lead the N.Y. Event
Trade Show
After producing four Agenda Wmns sub-shows at the popular Agenda trade show, Vanessa Chiu will helm her own event, which will be called Axis, it was announced on Sept. 4.
Bebe Hires Jimenez for New Direction
Retail
For more than 30 years, Bebe Stores Inc. has cultivated a niche as the mall-based clothier for the woman who loves nightclubs and la dolce vita, but during a Sept. 4 conference call, Jim Wiggett said that his company planned to expand its offerings beyond clothes for going out.
FashionWeekLA.com Relaunched
Fashion
LA Fashion Week is scheduled to start on Oct. 6, and the producers for the Fashion Week LA calendar website, which officially relaunched Sept. 2, hope that designers and fashion show producers will start planning for it on the relaunched website ASAP.
Fashion Industries Guild to Honor Tech/Chemistry Entrepreneur at Annual Gala
Events
The Fashion Industries Guild of Cedars-Sinai will honor technology entrepreneur Michael Lefenfeld at its annual gala on Sept. 20 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles.
Cirrus Files Brings CRM Data Directly to the Inbox
Technology
Running a sales team can be complicated business, but a lot of salespeople still work with pen and paper rather than employ tech-savvy programs such as customer-relations management, according to Cirrus Path Inc. which recently released its Cirrus Files cloud-based customer-relations management application.
VF Collaboration Pledges $10 Million to Building and Safety Upgrades in Bangladesh
Manufacturing
Greensboro, N.C.–based apparel giant VF Corp., in partnership with International Finance Corp., will provide up to $10 million in financing to VF vendor factories in Bangladesh.
Wet Seal Hoping to Turn Fortunes with New Executive Team
Retail
The Wet Seal Inc. will start the Back-to-School season under new leadership with the Foothill Ranch, Calif.–based retailer’s second major change in 18 months.
Neiman Marcus to Anchor Hudson Yards Development in New York
Retail
Hudson Yards, the mixed-use $20 billion development on the west side of New York’s Manhattan borough, will have a high-profile anchor when Neiman Marcus opens its first New York store in the center in 2018.
Heist’s 10 on Abbot Kinney
Heist has been selling designer and better contemporary fashion on Los Angeles' Abbot Kinney Boulevard for 10-years. Nilou Ghodsi, Heist's owner, gives some advice on surviving and staying independent.
Along Came a Spider Sweater
Textile Tech
Researchers at Japan's National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences and Shinshu University created silk fibers from silkworms that had been engineered with spider genes.
Wednesday, September 3
Surf Style Through the Eyes of Art Students
College Collab
Visitors to LCAD’s gallery in Laguna Beach, Calif., can check out the work of students in LCAD’s Design + Digital Media Action Sports BFA program in LCAD + Thalia + Vans Collaboration Exhibition.
When Football Met Fleece
Zooop iT Up, the maker of fleece onesies for adults recently relocated to Los Angeles.
ModCloth Is Calling All Models
E-commerce
ModCloth co-founder Susan Koger believes that models should come in all sizes.
Wet Seal: New CEO, New Chairman
Executive Shift
The Wet Seal Inc. announced on Sept. 3 that John D. Goodman, who has served as the Foothill Ranch, Calif.–based retailer’s chief executive officer since January 2013, will leave the company and be replaced on Sept. 8 by Edmond Thomas, who is returning to Wet Seal for a second term.
Tuesday, September 2
Hey Doll
Fashion Collab
The new Barbie collection for Forever 21 arrives this week in stores and online.
It’s an Origami Bird – Over The Bloc!
Months before its anticipated 2015 opening, The Bloc retail center in downtown L.A. gave a preview of its new attitude. A flock of 2,000 origami birds was affixed to the mall's 7th Street entryway.
