Friday, August 31
Revolve Celebrates Launch of Karl Lagerfeld x Kaia
Parties
Celebrating its collaboration with the Karl Lagerfeld x Kaia collection, Los Angeles-based online retailer Revolve welcomed more than 200 guests for a party to launch a pop-up shop at its Revolve Social Club last night.
Thursday, August 30
Major Executive Departures at Parent Company of Men’s Wearhouse
Retail
Tailored Brands Inc., the Fremont, Calif., parent company of several menswear-store chains, said its chief executive as well as its president and chief operating officer are leaving.
The Key to Building a Better Brand Website
Technology
U.S. online retailers made more than $100 billion in sales during the first quarter of this year, according to Adobe Analytics’ Digital Dollar Report.
Forever 21 Unveils AI Search Engine With Visual Angle for Shoppers
Technology
Technology company Donde Search recently partnered with Forever 21 to introduce a visual search and navigation system, which the retailer said has boosted its sales.
Trina Turk Reaches for Harmony in Her Resort 2019 Collection
Garden of Color
Harmony and color were front and center in the Resort collection created by Trina Turk, known for her styles that are always colorful.
Guess Stores in the U.S. Make Major Improvements During the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2019
Retail
Victor Herrero, a Spaniard who had worked for Inditex for more than a decade, came on board three years ago as the new chief executive of Guess? Inc. to turn things around.
Apparel Production in Mexico Will Change Slightly Under NAFTA 2.0
Import/Export
The renegotiated free-trade deal between the United States and Mexico has a new name and a new set of rules that will make it a little more difficult to manufacture apparel in Mexico.
Macy’s Rolling Out Pop-Up Shops Around California
Retail
Macy’s is getting into the pop-up shop business. Emerging and new brands are encouraged to pitch the department-store chain to display their merchandise in this new venture.
Major L.A. Architect Branches Out to Fashion Line for Men
Building Men’s Fashion
Mark Rios is a Los Angeles architect who has worked on high-marquee projects that include building downtown Los Angeles’ Grand Park, developing the industrial-chic look of the Row DTLA retail and creative-office center and the upcoming remodel of Los Angeles’ Music Center plaza.
San Francisco Creativity Meets Italian Artistry for Flora Dancia's Sleepwear
Manufacturing
In June 2017, Elizabeth Spiering launched her luxury sleepwear line with her sister and mother. The San Francisco brand is designed in the Bay Area but relies on Italian fabrics and manufacturing.
Destination: Denim City, Los Angeles
Denim City LA
Denim City is an impressive educational institution that has a jean school that incorporates a three-year denim-development program to train people in all aspects of the blue-jeans industry with courses, workshops, access to the showrooms of world-renowned denim designers and a retail space for consumers.
Hybrid Apparel Names a New President
Manufacturing
Hybrid Apparel, the Cypress, Calif., company that does all kinds of casual clothing, announced it has a new president.
Moss Adams Resurrects Its MAFI Award
Fashion
After a two-year hiatus, the Moss Adams Fashion Innovator award will return with the coveted honor being presented on Oct. 6 at the opening night of LA Fashion Week at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
Wednesday, August 29
Joe's Jeans Launches Fall Winter '18 Campaign
Premium denim brand Joe's Jeans launched its Fall Winter 2018 campaign, which was shot by Mike Rosenthal with model Sara Sampaio wearing the brand's fresh pieces.
GQ's Jim Moore Talks Fashion at The RealReal
Jim Moore, GQ magazine’s creative director at large, and menswear guru, held court Aug. 28 at the men’s shop at The RealReal, which recently opened in West Hollywood, Calif.
Tuesday, August 28
Fly the Friendly Skies at Peekaboo Gallery
Fashion
The Pasadena art gallery takes a look at some of the fashion designers who made uniforms for flight attendants when its was more fun to fly.
Monday, August 27
Ripndip Gets Serious on Fairfax
After running a pop-up shop on Los Angeles’ Fairfax Avenue, skate brand Ripndip made a commitment.
Friday, August 24
Diamond Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Basquiat Collection
Fashion
For its 20th anniversary, Diamond Supply Co. wanted to create a line that celebrated the rebellious street spirit of the skate world and found inspiration in the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Thursday, August 23
Liberty Fairs Absorbs Capsule for Its 11th Las Vegas Show
Trade Shows
Liberty Fairs saw a number of debuts for brands attending the Aug. 13–15 show at the Sands Expo and Convention Center.
Agenda Brings In the New and the Familiar
Trade Shows
The Aug. 13–15 run of Agenda at the Sands Expo and Convention Center was marked by change, but many of the show’s familiar elements remained the same.
Old Navy Boosts Gap Inc.’s Second-Quarter Earnings Results
Retail
Same-store sales for Gap Inc.’ssecond quarter of 2018 increased 2 percent compared with the same period in 2017, said Art Peck, Gap Inc.’s president and chief executive officer.
According to The NPD Group, Athleisure Is Here To Stay—For Now
Manufacturing
A recent report by The NPD Group shows that 24 percent of total apparel sales are made in the athleisure segment.
FIDM Unveils the Art of Television Costume Design Ahead of Emmy’s 70th Anniversary
Art of T.V. Costuming
The art of TV costume design was the focus of a new exhibition that opened at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in downtown Los Angeles. Many of the costumes are up for Emmy awards.
WWIN Does Well for Boutique Business
Trade Shows
Reporting more than 500 first-time attendees, the Aug. 13–16 Womenswear in Nevada (WWIN) show at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino connected retailers with exhibitors from misses and contemporary brands.
More Moves Toward U.S. Resources During Sourcing at MAGIC
Trade Shows
At the Aug. 12–15 edition of Sourcing at MAGIC, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the aisles that led through international suppliers seemed quiet this year.
Bargain-Basement Prices Bring Orders to Offprice
Trade Shows
Discounters, retailers and boutiques were looking for below-wholesale steals during Offprice, which ran Aug. 11–14 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center.
WWDMAGIC Creates Experiences for Bricks-and-Mortar to Align With Online
Trade Shows
As buyers and exhibitors grow increasingly interested in blending business with new experiences, organizers are expanding the reach of WWDMAGIC by offering more ways for buyers to learn and connect.
Project: Big Show and New Sections
Trade Shows
Project introduced new sections to the sprawling Aug. 13–15 show devoted to men’s styles at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
The Collective Has Steady Business
Trade Shows
Sequined tuxedo jackets, rock ’n’ roll T-shirts, leather belts and basics. The Collective gave space to a myriad of different men’s styles when it ran Aug. 13–15 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
The Tents Makes a Show for Designer + Contemporary Menswear
Trade Shows
The Tents, the Aug. 13–15 boutique event devoted to designer and contemporary menswear brands, gave vendors at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center a chance to catch up on deals they had started at other shows.
Curve Las Vegas Appeals to Retailers From Across the Country
Trade Shows
Loungewear and swimwear were front and center at Curve Las Vegas, a compact show held Aug. 13–15 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
Pooltradeshow Attracts Creative Companies
Trade Shows
Matt Fellows is an artist who takes his sketches and transfers them onto blank T-shirts, which wholesale for $16. He started his MNKR Brand label in Los Angeles 15 years ago and has been a regular at the Pooltradeshow ever since.
Project Womens Takes Off With Lots of Business and Buzz
Trade Shows
It was pajama-game time at Project Womens for Ban.Do, a 10-year-old Los Angeles accessories label that has been branching out into lifestyle items, apparel and, now, pajamas.
New and Old Lines Exhibiting at Stitch
Trade Shows
Priscilla De Leon didn’t decide to exhibit at Stitch, the womenswear show, until three days before the event opened at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
Good Times Might Be Coming Back for Surfwear
Surfwear Enjoys Rebound
The surf industry might be catching a big wave for the rest of 2018, said market-research company ActionWatch.
European Brands Are the Main Focus at FMNC
Fashion Market NorCal
Even though the Fashion Market Northern California show was right after the big shows in Las Vegas, the three-day event in San Mateo, Calif., was a time to focus on European lines.
Wide-Ranging Shows in Las Vegas Keep Retailers Busy
Trade Shows
Sustainability and combining e-commerce with bricks-and-mortar stores were topics that were front and center at the recent Las Vegas trade shows, which opened on Aug. 11 and closed on Aug. 16.
Bandolier’s 5th At Fred Segal
It was the fifth anniversary for the Bandolier label recently. The only sensible thing to do was throw a big party at Fred Segal Sunset.
Wednesday, August 22
ArtCenter Students Showcase Their Photographic Works
Art and Fashion
Students present their works from the summer semester.
Tuesday, August 21
The RealReal Reveals Top Luxury Resale Brands
Fashion
Offering insight into the rapidly growing luxury resale market, The RealReal released its "State of Luxury Resale" mid-year 2018 report Tuesday, showing marketplace trends, most popular brands and the segment's emerging designers.
Kappa x Gumball Ride Into L.A.
So street racing, competitive video gaming got together and did a couple of capsule fashion collection.
Monday, August 20
Quentin Thrash "There's No Such Thing As Being Overdressed!"
Quentin Thrash wears gold grills on his teeth, an idiosyncratic coif that he dubs Congo Dread, and when he opened a downtown Los Angeles showroom for Thrash’s Stylehouse on Aug. 17, he had a challenge for the men’s suiting biz.
Bella Hadid Is the New Face of True Religion
Fashion
True Religion taps model Bella Hadid for its new campaign.
Friday, August 17
Anti-You Adds Artistry to Apparel During Sourcing at MAGIC
Trade Shows
During Sourcing at Magic--which was held Aug. 12-15 in Las Vegas--artist Michelle Ganani painted original designs and recreated famous works of art on denim jackets at a booth within the Denim District.
AYR Opens Abbot Kinney Boutique
Formerly pure play e-commerce brand AYR opened its second physical store recently. This one is located at 1350 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Los Angeles' Venice section.
Vivienne Westwood’s Position on Yoga
Tablas, sitars and devotional songs. It’s not the soundtrack I expected to hear at a boutique for Vivienne Westwood, considered an originator of the style for brash and loud punk rock.
Thursday, August 16
Atelier & Repairs Opens L.A. Boutique
You may have seen Atelier & Repairs sold at high end stores such as Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan and Fred Segal in West Hollywood, Calif. But the space this clothing venture has staked out is unconventional.
Dolls Kill to Los Angeles' Fairfax Ave.
San Francisco-headquartered e-tailer Dolls Kill tags itself as offering clothes for the misfits, but it found some prime real estate for its second physical store.
Hyosung to Bring High-Performance and Sustainable Technologies to Munich Fabric Start
Textiles
During the Munich Fabric Start fair, which will be held Sept. 4-6, creora brand manufacturer Hyosung will launch its new line—creora Fit2.
National Retail Federation Boosts 2018 Forecast
Retail
The National Retail Federation revised its 2018 economic forecast, saying retail sales are expected to increase by at least 4.5 percent this year compared with 2017 after an earlier forecast saying retail sales would increase 3.8 percent to 4.4 percent, said Jack Kleinhenz, the NRF’s chief economist.
Irvine Spectrum Unveils Its Big Expansion Project
Retail
The Irvine Spectrum shopping center just got bigger.
A Better Economy Means Better Orders at the Las Vegas Trade Shows
Leaving Orders in Las Vegas
The conglomeration of apparel, footwear and accessories trade shows, which twice a year invade this city in the middle of the desert, filled the town with thousands of visitors from all over the world under a blistering sky where the temperatures reached up to 105 degrees during the day.
Differential Brands Reports Second-Quarter Earnings Results
Manufacturing
Differential Brands—the Los Angeles company whose labels include Hudson Jeans, Robert Graham and SWIMS—said its second-quarter sales for the period ending June 30 were down 1 percent from the same period last year to $36 million.
Technology Changes Are Driving LA Fashion Industry
Manufacturing
Fashion-industry leaders in Los Angeles far prefer to use Instagram as their social media of choice than any other digital outlet, with most gravitating toward making their social-media decisions in-house rather than using outside consultants.
What's Checking: Celebrating the Difference in Silver Lake
Silver Lake's Retail
When a lease ran out on a boutique run by Deborah Brosenne, she didn’t want to move out of the Silver Lake/Echo Park neighborhood. So she grabbed a chance to open a store in the area, moving to Sunset Junction by the intersection of Sunset and Santa Monica boulevards in Silver Lake.
Denim Tops for Martial-Arts Athletes
Manufacturing
Mike Dytri’s puffy, cauliflower ears are badges of honor he got after years of gaining expertise in the martial art of jiu-jitsu.
Wednesday, August 15
Fred Segal Going International With New Stores
Retail
Fred Segal has its sites on Europe and Asia for new stores.
Monday, August 13
Agenda and Liberty Fairs Moving to Downtown Las Vegas
Agenda and Liberty Fairs are packing up their bags and moving out of the Sands Expo and Convention Center.
Friday, August 10
Marilyn Monroe Costumes on Display Before Auction
EVENTS
Beginning August 18, The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills will display a collection of Marilyn Monroe's costumes and artifacts until September 30, which precedes an October auction of the items.
Gump's San Francisco Sells Off Merchandise Following Bankruptcy Filing
Retail
Gump's San Francisco could be closed by the end of the year.
Thursday, August 9
Fashion Week Organizers Keep Los Angeles on the Fashion Map
Fashion
Fashion Week is always a hectic time in Los Angeles, especially with all of the different forces around town organizing runway shows in disparate locations.
The Store and On:Line Launch to Enhance Buying Experience in Las Vegas
Trade Shows
Visitors to the UBM-produced Las Vegas shows WWDMAGIC and Curve Las Vegas will find new shopping experiences for women’s apparel during the Aug. 13–15 run of the shows.
Friar Tux’s Evolution of Style
A lot of stuff going on at Friar Tux, a family owned retailer of more than 30-stores, which focuses on special occasions clothing for men.
DSTLD: Big Dreams From Small Investors
Manufacturing
The forces behind the denim line DSTLD dream in black and white and believe that less is more until it comes to crowdfunding.
Active Trends for Fall Take On a Rugged Look
Fashion
Active influences take on a high-function turn for next Fall. Utility details and shelter-like proportions offer support in uncertain times, while pops of color and exuberant attitude show optimism.
Keeping Up With Sustainability Demand
Textiles
Building sustainability aspects into products and figuring out ways to serve the particular mindset of millennials are among the challenges facing fiber manufacturers.
Style Fashion Week Is Growing Into a Global Fashion Portfolio
Fashion
After launching more than eight years ago at the Vibiana event center in downtown Los Angeles, Style Fashion Week has become a global brand of luxury fashion shows that includes productions in New York, Palm Springs, Miami and Dubai, with more cities on the way for 2019.
A Label of Love at Erik Rosete’s Art Hearts Fashion
Fashion
The concept of organizing Art Hearts Fashion began, in some ways, as a fluke for Erik Rosete, who for many years had been a manager at IMG, the agency behind numerous fashion-show events around the world.
A Cohesive Space Spells Success for Swim and Active Shows
Swim and Active in SoCal
During the first summer installment at their new location, organizers of Swim Collective and Active Collective reported a lot of positive feedback regarding the space at the Anaheim Convention Center, with early reports of increased attendee traffic.
Ruby Ribbon Expands Its Collection Bringing Greater Comfort to Its Clientele
Activewear
Launched in 2012, Burlingame, Calif.–based Ruby Ribbon has expanded over the years from manufacturing foundation pieces to last year introducing swimwear.
July Retail Sales Up
Retail
The back-to-school season started on a robust note in July and beat analysts’ forecasts, according to market research company Retail Metrics.
LA Fashion Week Lands a Permanent Home to Expand Its Events
Fashion
When Arthur Chipman decided to organize his first LA Fashion Week, he set out to find a venue that would be artistic but also reflect Los Angeles’s heritage.
Quality Basics Is the Idea Behind November Six
Manufacturing
The idea of basic clothes made of quality material was the impetus behind November Six, a new Los Angeles label sold exclusively online by two sisters who felt their clothing could fill a niche.
Macerich Partnering With Co-Work Offices for its Malls
Retail
Co-working office spaces are familiar sights in the downtown areas of almost any big city. Soon these shared office spaces will be at Macerich-owned malls.
Ron Herman's Next Step Is More Japan
Retail
Ron Herman has spent his career introducing some of the world’s most famous denim brands from his self-named Ron Herman store, which for decades has been a pioneer in the Los Angeles boutique business.
LAFW Takes Petersen Museum with Escada & Porsche Design
Runway and Roadway
After a few years of producing runway events around the city, LA Fashion Week now has a permanent home at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Herschel Opens the Look Forward Pop-Up
Herschel Supply Co worked with retailer Nordstrom to produce the Look Forward pop-up shop at The Grove
Tuesday, August 7
Parent Company of Fallas Paredes and Factory 2-U Files for Bankruptcy Protection
National’s Bankruptcy Filing
Bankruptcy filing for parent company of Fallas Paredes, Factory 2-U and Anna's Linens
Conlogue Win An Upset at Vans US Open of Surfing
There was a comeback and an upset at the 2018 Vans US Open of Surfing, which wrapped up Aug. 5 in Huntington Beach, Calif. The Swatch brand held court at the Open with a brand tent.
Monday, August 6
AG Decamps To Le Box Blanc
The AG brand traveled to downtown Los Angeles’ South Park neighborhood recently for a denim and cocktails party at independent boutique Le Box Blanc.
Thursday, August 2
Levi Strauss Commits to Greener Supply-Chain Process With 2025 Target
Technology
Not only has Levi Strauss & Co. made a commitment to invest in energy-saving operations at its own properties, but it has also announced that it is approaching its supply-chain partners to commit to more sustainable practices.
Apparel Would Benefit From Propose U.S. Free-Trade Agreement With EU
Import/Export
After months of talking about slapping tariffs on various imports from China, Canada and Mexico, the Trump administration announced it would like to start negotiations with the European Union to eliminate tariffs between the two regions.
Cotton Inc.'s New Anti-Wrinkle Technology
Textiles
To meet consumer demand for apparel that fits within a modern lifestyle, Cotton Incorporated recently introduced its patent-pending Purepress resin finish.
Tanner Goods Says Farewell to DTLA
A downtown Los Angeles boutique pioneer, Tanner Goods, closed its boutique recently.
Los Angeles City Council Considers a Ban on Fur Sales
Retail
Retailers are prohibited from selling fur in the California cities of West Hollywood, Berkeley and San Francisco. Los Angeles may be next.
Marciano Collection Goes for Chic Look
La Dolce Vita
Sophistication was in the air for the Marciano brand, which recently launched its Fall 2018 campaign.
FIDM Names New Co-Chairs of Fashion Design Program
Fashion
The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising has named two designers and longtime school supporters to become the co-chairs of FIDM’s fashion design program, which encompasses four campuses.
Large Asian Contingent Populates Texworld USA Despite Tariff Threat
Trade Shows
Tariffs and the threat of a trade war with China have been making headlines. But did they make an impact at the Texworld USA trade show?
Both Buyers and Exhibitors Make the Most of a Quiet Los Angeles Fashion Market
LA Fashion Market
Summer is the time to be on vacation, and that seemed to be the case for buyers at the recent Los Angeles Fashion Market, where traffic was much sparser than at other shows.
The Real Real Brings Its First West Coast Location to West
It’s Real
With a lot more space than its New York City flagship store, which opened in November, luxury consignment company The Real Real opened its first West Coast bricks-and-mortar location on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, Calif.
ReMode Adds More Speakers to Discuss Responsible Fashion
Trade Shows
Pierre-Nicolas Hurstel, the founder of the fashion-sustainability event called ReMode,announced an additional list of speakers participating in his inaugural event scheduled for Nov. 13–14 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Instagram and Social Media Make a Stronger Play for Fashion
Retail
Could Instagram become the shopping mall of the future?
Agenda Names Chief for its Las Vegas Show
Trade Shows
The Agenda trade show, held twice a year in Las Vegas, has gotten a new event director.
Coalition LA and PETA Celebrate Go with the Faux Collaboration
Parties
Womenswear brand Coalition LA joined PETA yesterday to celebrate the launch of the PETA x Coalition LA Go with the Faux vegan leather jacket.
Wednesday, August 1
Forget Candy Bars, Here's Uniqlo's Vending Machines
Some people struggle with buying a candy bar in a vending machine. How about buying a down jacket?
Beverly Hills Shopping…After Hours
Shopping is a glorious activity for many. So how about doing it with a fireworks show in the backdrop?
