Thursday, September 28
Coterie’s Wide-Ranging Mix of Apparel and Accessories
Trade Shows
More than 1,000 apparel brands came to the Coterie trade show, which took place Sept. 17–19 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York.
D&A NY: Focused on Specialty Brands and Independent Boutiques
Trade Shows
Though the news is rife with stories about internet retailers hammering bricks-and-mortar stores, at the Designers and Agents trade show, which took place Sept. 16–18, independent fashion boutiques—and the specialty brands they carry—were alive and well.
NetSuite Networks at NY Trade Shows
Technology
Designers weren’t the only ones showing their wares during New York’s September trade shows.
Shop.org Gages Power of Digital Commerce
Shop.org
With the star power of Tyra Banks and Kobe Bryant making speeches, National Retail Federation’s Shop.org convention made the case that digital commerce was on a course to grow even more prominent with the help of burgeoning technologies such as voice technology, artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
A New Fred Segal Takes a Bow
Fred Segal
A Fred Segal boutique emporium opened for business Sept. 26 at the edge of the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, Calif.
PacSun’s Schoenfeld, Macerich’s Coppola Talk Retail’s Fall and Possible Rise
Retail
Headlines say that fashion retail is being pummeled. Others believe a bright future is coming into focus.
How the Factoring Industry Has Adapted to a Changing Retail World
Finance
As the retail industry has changed into a split personality of online and offline shopping, so too has the factoring industry that finances manufacturers’ production and sales to clients.
Skingraft Goes For Wearable, Yet Extreme with Arrowhead
After a decade of working in the once blighted, now gentrifying downtown Los Angeles, Jonny Cota, creative director of the Skingraft label, was ready to talk about extremes.
Elyse Walker Spotlights Fall Trends
Elyse Walker
After more than 18 years of running an influential boutique on Los Angeles’ Westside, and dressing Los Angeles’ women in designers such as Balenciaga, Balmain and Bottega Veneta, among other labels, Elyse Walker produced her first presentation of Fall looks on Sept. 21.
Charney Teams With Tukatech
Technology
At American Apparel, founder Dov Charney worked with software and equipment from Los Angeles–based technology company Tukatech. For his latest manufacturing venture, Los Angeles Apparel, Charney is returning to Tukatech solutions.
Annual Urban Dinner Party in LA Fashion District Coming in October
Event
The annual Urban Dinner organized by the Los Angeles Fashion District BID coming to Rossoblu next month.
Wednesday, September 27
Los Angeles Fashion Week Spring 2018 Calendar
Los Angeles Fashion Week begins on Oct. 4 and runs through Oct. 15
UCLA Anderson Forecast Shines a Light on the Troubled Retail Industry
Finance
In one year, retail employment declined by 29,000 jobs. What had been the second largest private-sector employer in the United States has dropped to the fourth largest, according to the recently released UCLA Anderson Forecast.
Tuesday, September 26
Fred Segal’s West Hollywood Shop Opens
Fred Segal opened a 13,000-square-foot emporium in West Hollywood on Sept. 26.
Vitamin A Partners With Beek for Sandal Collection
Fashion
Swimwear label Vitamin A designs a sandal collection with SoCal Beek.
Monday, September 25
Queen Victoria: On Screen and IRL
“Victoria & Abdul” Designer Consolata Boyle
“Victoria & Abdul” costume designer Consolata Boyle recently dropped by the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and the FIDM Museum & Galleries to discuss her work.
Handcrafted LA Takes A Bow
Indie designers and labels get a platform at Handcrafted LA, it held a grand opening party Sept. 22 at The Bloc.
Michael Kors Outfits Artists for Trauma
Artists for Trauma helps people recovering from traumatic injuries. On Sept. 17, the group produced a runway show at Macy’s department store at Westfield Topanga,
Thursday, September 21
Merged Mojix and CXignited Hope to Digitize Stores
Technology
Bricks-and-mortar stores can gain the same technology advantages as e-commerce. They just have to use more RFID, or radio frequency identification technology, said Dan Doles, president and chief executive of Los Angeles–headquartered tech company Mojix.
Top Fashion Student Grads Walk Down the Runway at Supima Design Competition
Supima Design Competition
The idea behind the fashion show was this: Recent graduates from seven fashion design schools across the United States were given the assignment to take Supima cotton fabric and whip up capsule collections of women’s eveningwear for Supima’s 10th annual design competition, seen on the runway in New York on Sept. 7.
California Vibe at Art Hearts Fashion Week in New York
Art Hearts Fashion Week
There were plenty of West Coast designers on the runway during the Arts Heart Fashion shows, held Sept. 7–11 at the Angel Orensanz Center, housed inside a Gothic Revival synagogue in New York.
Students from the Academy of Art University Hit the Runway
AAU @ NYFW
For some 12 years now, the recent graduates from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco have displayed their designs on the runway during New York Fashion Week.
Lenzing’s Adds Traceability to its Sustainability Message With EcoVero Viscose
Textiles
Fiber maker Lenzing has launched a new line of viscose fibers that are both environmentally friendly and traceable.
Archroma Takes Another Stake in M. Dohmen SA
Textiles
Swiss color and specialty chemical company Archroma has taken an additional stake in M. Dohmen SA, a maker of textile dyes and chemicals for the automotive, carpet and apparel industries.
Fiber & Fabric: Textile Trends
Textile Trends
Military green and olive shades give florals, laces and abstract patterns—not to mention textured knits and solids—a fresh, sophisticated look.
Karmaloop’s Selkoe Unveils Wanderset
Retail
In 2015, entrepreneur Greg Selkoe left the Boston-headquartered Karmaloop, the online emporium for streetwear he founded in 2000. Relocated to the Los Angeles area, Selkoe announced Sept. 21 that he was going to unveil the e-commerce and content site Wanderset.
Mayor, NJAL Host Meeting With Apparel, Creative Community at City Hall
Retail
Mayor Eric Garcetti and Not Just a Label, the organization that represents independent designers, hosted a meeting featuring members of Los Angeles’ creative community.
Surf Expo Dodges Hurricane to Showcase Summer 2018 Collections
Trade Shows
There were no registration lines at 9 a.m. on the opening day of Surf Expo and few vehicles in the massive parking lots at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center.
Kandy Kiss Alleges a Former Executive Stole Its Business With Target
Legal
The clothing business can be a cutthroat industry, especially in these times of retail challenges and shifting consumer shopping habits.
Los Angeles Boutique Streets Undergo Change to Survive
Boutique Streets Seek Change
The shopping mall—once considered mini–town centers that attracted after-school teens and early-morning exercising seniors—has struggled to stay competitive after consumers did an about-face and altered their shopping habits.
Wednesday, September 20
South Coast Plaza's Exclusive 50th Anniversary Collection
South Coast Plaza has been celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with events that require invites. But throughout the 50th anniversary year, the luxe Costa Mesa, Calif.-retail center is offering ways to celebrate its golden anniversary open to anyone with a comfortable credit card account.
Uniqlo to Open Denim Concept Shop in DTLA
Retail
Fast Retailing Co. LTD opened a Uniqlo emporium at Westfield Santa Anita, about 30 minutes east of downtown Los Angeles Sept. 9, but the Japanese fast-fashion company announced it was going to open another unique store in Los Angeles.
Tuesday, September 19
Fronteer Takes A Hike at Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co.
Back to the nature means neutral colors, right? Not according to Fronteer's Jon Tang.
Fabletics Strides for More Business With Shoes
After four years of online sales, Fabletics adding shoes to activewear.
Eating Hall Opens in LA Fashion District
Fashion Foodies
A hip new food hall opens on the edge of the Los Angeles Fashion District.
Monday, September 18
Skid Row Denim & Apparel's Debut Party
Call it stylish activism. Skid Row Denim & Apparel is a clothing line and a project of the Skid Row Housing Trust, which has been building housing for homeless people in Los Angeles County since 1989. On Sept. 14, Skid Row Denim & Apparel made an official introduction of its premium denim line.
Friday, September 15
Twin Dragon Introduces New Denim With Performance, Sustainability Qualities
Gardena, Calif.–based Twin Dragon Marketing is rolling out new denim made with Unifi’s Sorbtek wicking fiber as well as with Unifi’s recycled Repreve fiber.
Need for Speed in PredictSpring New App for PacSun
In the fast-moving world of mobile apps, San Francisco Bay area–headquartered PredictSpring is betting on speed.
Mojix and CXignited Announce Merger
Los Angeles–based Mojix, a provider of RFID systems and IoT platform solutions, has merged with CXignited, a European company that is a leader in delivering real-time product and consumer data to retailers.
Thursday, September 14
Christian Audigier Documentary Coming Next Year
Fashion
Next year, a documentary about Christian Audigier, founder of Ed Hardy, will be available to watch on video-on-demand platforms.
Techday at The Reef
The third annual Techday LA ran on Sept. 14 at The Reef showroom and exhibition building near downtown Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Apparel Manufacturers Fined for Labor Violations
Manufacturing
The California Labor Commissioner’s Office cited 14 Los Angeles garment manufacturers and contractors for labor law and garment registration violations following inspections last month in the Los Angeles area.
Style Fashion Week Sees Three Days of Runway Shows During NYFW
Fashion
Style Fashion Week opened its three-day event on Sept. 7 at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, located aboard the aircraft carrier Intrepid at Pier 86 in New York.
LA Designer Tadashi Shoji Unveils Spring/Summer ’18 at NYFW
Spring Is In The Air
Los Angeles designer Tadashi Shoji went with a more informal vibe for his Spring/Summer ’18 collection, which was seen on the runway during New York Fashion Week.
Liverpool Jeans Debuts Higher-Priced Women’s Line
Manufacturing
Los Angeles–headquartered Liverpool Jeans Company is on the move.
Dunyah Takes the Runway at NYFW
Dunyah
Mustafa Wafa produced his second runway show for New York Fashion Week, unveiling his Spring/Summer 2018 collection for his Los Angeles–headquartered brand called Dunyah.
LA Manufacturer Launches Nonprofit Mobile Laundry to Aid City’s Homeless
Manufacturing
A chance encounter with a homeless woman sent apparel manufacturer Jodie Dolan on a path to connecting her 13-year-old manufacturing business with doing social good.
Nordstrom to Open Omnichannel Concept on Melrose Place
Nordstrom Gets Compact
For the past decade, Melrose Place has been an exclusive Los Angeles address for high-end designer boutiques. Now Nordstrom plans to join the crowd.
Snoopy’s Fashion Tour
The world knows about last week’s New York Fashion Week for stylish people. But what about a fashion event for the discerning cartoon character?!
Tuesday, September 12
MS.RPRSNTD: A Different View of Skateboarding
Adrienne D. Williams wants to show the world that skateboarding is not just for men.
Monday, September 11
Local Boogeyman Slips into Echo Park
It may be a little early to think about Halloween, but not for Local Boogeyman House of Horror, which recently opened in Los Angeles' Echo Park section.
Swaggy P’s Most Hated at American Rag
You could accuse the Most Hated label with false advertising. Scores of people demonstrated that they, in fact, liked the Los Angeles-headquartered label, when they lined up Sept. 9 at Los Angeles’ American Rag to buy the brand's new looks.
Friday, September 8
Containerized Imports Headed for a Record in the United States
Import/Export
Consumer confidence keeps shoppers buying as the economy chugs along.
'Fearless Genius' at Leica
On Sept. 6, Leica Gallery in West Hollywood, Calif., hosted an opening reception for an exhibition featuring American Photographer Doug Menuez’s latest body of work titled “Fearless Genius: The Next Generation.”
Thursday, September 7
Rosie HW X Paige – Style for the “On-Duty” Model
Rosie HW X Paige
For their Fall/Winter ’17 collection, Paige Adams-Geller and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley let their imaginations roam wild for their Rosie HW X Paige collection.
CIT Group Names New Chief Strategy Officer
Finance
Commercial lender CIT Group has named Kenneth McPhail as executive vice president and chief strategy officer, effective immediately.
Athletic Wear Maker Prana Names New President
Manufacturing
Prana has named a replacement for its longtime president, Scott Kerslake, who left last month to become the chief executive of Nixon watches.
Taiwanese Citizen Held in San Francisco on Charges of Bringing in Millions of Counterfeit Footwear and Apparel
Import/Export
A former Taiwanese national living in New York was charged with smuggling and conspiracy to traffic counterfeit goods that ranged from high-priced Nike shoes and Ugg boots to True Religion blue jeans after he tried to board an international flight in San Francisco.
August Business Mixed
Retail
The U.S. economy was good in August, but retail sales ranged from solid to soft.
Vecchiarelli’s Fashion Supplies Inc. Closing After 85 Years, Four Generations
Retail
For 85 years, four generations of the Vecchiarelli family have been selling apparel supplies to manufacturers in Los Angeles. But in December, owner Joe Vecchiarelli is closing the family’s retail operations.
After Tough Times, Gap Announces New Stores
Retail
After a long period of restructuring, Gap Inc., often described as the world’s largest specialty retailer, is charting a course for growth.
Getting Back Into the Apparel Business After a 20-Year Hiatus
Fashion
Step into Trishia Grace’s compact atelier in West Hollywood and you will see her world of fashion influenced by delicate fabrics and femininity.
How Many More Laps Are Left for the Athleisure Trend?
Fashion
Financial gurus around the United States have started to ask whether the prosperous athleisure trend is on its last run around the track.
Everystore Packages Universe of E-Retail
Technology
For many, shopping online feels like navigating a tsunami of choices and information.
More Than 200 Brands to Show at Centrestage in Hong Kong
Events
The Sept. 6-9 run of Centrestage at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre was expected to feature more than 200 international fashion brands and a lineup of events that includes runway shows, designer Q&As, B2B seminars and networking events.
OCFW: OC Opener
OCFW
OC FASHION WEEK: Gigi Hunter gained notoriety for her knits and glamorous crochet pieces that were seen on celebrities such as Halle Berry, Jada Pinkett Smith and Jasmine Guy.
Taking Screen Printing to the Streets
An artists’ collective in Berlin has found a way to put the “street” in streetwear graphics.
Wednesday, September 6
Tuesday, September 5
Michaud Opens Thread + Seed
In 2012, Melanie Michaud opened indie fashion shop Graffiti Beach in San Diego. Over the recent Labor Day weekend, Michaud opened Thread + Seed.
Friday, September 1
FBI Says Farewell with a Party
Since 1999, Fashion Business Inc has been an educational source for fashion entrepreneurs that also produced runway shows and events. It announced that it was shuttering in July. On Aug. 31, a farewell party was produced at the Fathom Gallery in California Market Center.
