Thursday, February 28
Deckers Brands to Close Camarillo Distribution Center and Lay Off Nearly 100 Employees
Manufacturing
Deckers Brands—parent company of footwear-and-lifestyle brands Ugg, Koolaburra by Ugg, Teva, Hoka One One and Sanuk—will permanently close its Camarillo, Calif., distribution center by Aug. 31.
Dirtymilk Label Rebounds With New Style and Attitude
Manufacturing
Designer Daniel Antonio is breathing new life into his Dirtymilk label, which is being resurrected after being dormant for several years.
A Weekly Farmers’ Market Comes to the California Market Center
Farm to Fashion
Tables stacked with carrots and celery. Bushel baskets filled with Cara Cara oranges and tangelos. A sea of strawberries packaged in white cartons.
Private Label Is Lending a Helping Hand to Retailers’ Business
Private Label in Retail
If you want to buy a pair of Levi’s jeans, it’s not too hard to find a store that carries them.
The Frances Austen Brand Elevates Ecologically Sound Classics to a Heritage Level
Responsible Heritage
Launched by Margaret Coblentz in 2017, the Frances Austen brand was founded in San Francisco to provide responsibly crafted, classic cashmere pieces to consumers who are concerned about how their clothing is made.
Intimates Company ThirdLove Completes a $55-million Fundraising Round
Manufacturing
San Francisco direct-to-consumer women’s intimate-apparel company ThirdLove announced the completion of a $55-million round of fund-raising.
Smartrac Brings Its Green Tag Program Initiative to LogiMAT
Tags & Labels
Following the January announcement that it would invest in producing greener products, Amsterdam-based RFID-product and IoT-solutions provider Smartrac,while exhibiting at the17th edition of LogiMAT, unveiledits plan to add environmentally friendly tag options to its offerings.
Edouard Macquin Appointed President of Lectra Americas
Manufacturing
Lectra, the French information-technology and digital-solutions leader that produces software and hardware to facilitate fabric cutting, appointed Edouard Macquin as its new president of Lectra Americas.
Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami Adds Events to Second Show
Trade Shows
Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami recently announced the lineup for its three-day show to be held May 28–30 at the same time as Miami Fashion Week.
A Cease-Fire in the Trade War Has the Apparel Industry Wondering What Will Happen Next
Import/Export
The recent lull in the trade war between the United States and China was good news for U.S. retailers, clothing manufacturers and importers who have seen their bottom line eroded by a 10 percent tariff on certain goods imported from China.
Gap Inc. to Split Into Two Separate Publicly Traded Companies
Retail
Old Navy to become a separate company from the rest of Gap Inc.'s brands.
Carroll & Co’s Newmark to Bespoke at Avedon
Venerable menswear shop Carroll & Co called it quits after a run of more than six decades. However, Carroll & Co’s veteran general manager, Stuart Newmark, has no intention of retiring.
Haggar Names Zachary Hall as the Winner of FIDM SuperLab Menswear Design Competition
FASHION
Following a selection process that began in August 2018, Dallas-headquartered Haggar Clothing Co. awarded Zachary Hall the top prize in the inaugural FIDM SuperLab menswear-design competition.
Wednesday, February 27
Privé Alliance Touches Down in L.A. with a Runway Show and Party for Social-Media Stars
Former fashion editor Danyl Geneciran took his fashion inspirations and media savvy to start direct-to-consumer brand Privé Alliance in 2018.
Tuesday, February 26
Kentaro Kameyama of "Project Runway" Composes Opera on Alexander McQueen
Currently in development is "The Passion of McQueen." It’s a new opera recounting the final hour of the designer’s life.
Monday, February 25
Maggie Barry's Mad Dash to Make Melissa McCarthy's Oscars' Bunny Cape
On the night of Feb. 22, Maggie Barry got a call from Oscars stylist Katja Cahill for a special favor.
Friday, February 22
PrettyLittleThing Takes A Bow on Melrose
For years, there was only one pink building on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, Calif.
Vans Collaboration Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Led Zeppelin Debut Album
FASHION
Joining forces with legendary rock band Led Zeppelin, Vans is celebrating the golden anniversary of the group's release of its self-titled, debut album.
Winnie Couture Parties for its New Beverly Hills Flagship
Winnie Couture owner Chris Lee wanted his new space to be a big billboard.
Thursday, February 21
Trims, Accessories & Branding
Trims, Accessories & Branding
University of Maryland Researchers Create Fabric With Environment-Dependent Insulation
Technology
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a new fabric that would make your body cooler when the weather warms up.
PI Apparel’s L.A. Conference Dispels Tech Fears and Promotes Innovation Collaboration
PI Apparel L.A.
Bringing its Apparel World Series brand conference to Los Angeles for the second year, event-and-conference producer Market Key invited apparel-and-footwear industry leaders to its Product Innovation Apparel (PI Apparel) event to discuss how the future of the business will be shaped by technology.
Planet Rehab Shows How Working Together Benefits the Planet
Textile
If it takes a village to raise a child, the same could be said about creating a sustainable capsule collection.
Polartec to Increase Recycled and Biodegradable Materials Across Entire Product Line
Polartec Goes Green
Building upon its Eco-Engineering process, which produces high-performance sustainable fabrics, Polartec has launched a new campaign to utilize recycled and biodegradable materials throughout its entire product line.
ATSM Changes 2019 Dates to Coincide with Miami Fashion Week
Trade Shows
Affording greater opportunities to apparel-industry professionals, organizers of the Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami (ATSM) show announced the event will now take place May 28–30 at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center, which is one week later than originally scheduled.
Los Angeles Designers on the Runway at Art Hearts Fashion in New York
California Love for NYFW
Fernando Alberto was one of the Los Angeles designers who showed at Art Hearts Fashion in New York
Sustainable Fashion Forum Will Examine How to Help the Environment
Trade Shows
A one-day Sustainable Fashion Forum looking at solutions for designers, manufacturers, factories and retailers to reduce their environmental impact, cut waste and maximize their profits will be held March 7 at the California Market Center in downtown Los Angeles.
New CEO Named for the National Council of Textile Organizations
Textiles
Kimberly Glas, a former deputy assistant secretary for textiles, consumer goods and materials at the U.S. Department of Commerce, was named the new president and chief executive officer of the National Council of Textile Organizations.
Barbara Fields Buying Office to Leave Downtown L.A.
Retail
Since 1984, the Barbara Fields Buying Office has been putting together trend forecasts on juniors and contemporary clothing from an office in the California Market Center in downtown Los Angeles.
Analysts Scratch Their Heads About the Missed Holiday Sales Forecast
Retail
Experts were wondering how the National Retail Federation could have been so wrong about its holiday sales forecast in late 2018.
Splendid Names New Creative Director
Manufacturing
The Los Angeles premium label Splendid, which was acquired by Delta Galil Inc. nearly three years ago, has named a new creative director to help grow the brand.
Wednesday, February 20
Serena Williams Appointed to Poshmark's Board of Directors
FASHION
Social-commerce platform Poshmark announced the appointment of tennis champion and entrepreneur Serena Williams to its board of directors.
LAEDC Economic Report Sees U.S. Growth Over the Next Two Years
Economy will slow down but will be on a positive path over the next two years.
Tuesday, February 19
Farmers' Market Coming to the CMC
Workers put up white tents in the plaza in front of downtown Los Angeles' California Market Center showroom building Feb. 19. It was a rehearsal for a farmers’ market that will mark its inaugural run on Feb.27.
Charlotte Russe Looking for an Angel to Buy the Retail Chain
Charlotte Russe is available to the highest bidder.
Monday, February 18
The BADD House Debuts
Located in the former space of celebrity hot spot—the original Spago—The BADD House unveiled its inaugural art show.
Friday, February 15
An Exciting NYFW for John Elliott Includes Unveiling of Lexus Partnership
FASHION
During New York Fashion Week, Los Angeles designer John Elliott had an exciting Fall/Winter 2019 show, which included the unveiling of the Lexus X John Elliott partnership.
Thursday, February 14
Doing the Las Vegas Shuffle Proves Challenging
Las Vegas Wrap
An earlier date and some location switches kept buyers hopping at the recent array of apparel, textile, accessories and footwear trade shows held Feb. 2–7 in Las Vegas.
Liberty Exhibitors Remain Steady But Buyers Down
Trade Shows
Despite a move to downtown Las Vegas, Liberty Fairs did not see a decline in the number of vendors exhibiting at its recent show, held Feb. 5–7 at the World Market Center, said Sharifa Murdock, Liberty’s co-owner and partner. But she estimated that there was a slight decline in buyer attendance from a year ago.
Curve Las Vegas Launches New Section for Emerging Lingerie Brands
Trade Shows
At Curve Las Vegas, held Feb. 5–7 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, organizers wanted to bring sexy back. With the addition of the Kinky Korner—an area devoted to showcasing luxurious, provocative lingerie from international and emerging brands—organizers introduced collections that did not have a booth at the show.
Xabi Jeans Helps Factory Focus on Rebuilding Local Denim Industry
Delivering L.A. Denim
After leaving Mexico for the United States in 1987, Javier Marquez spent 19 years learning about Los Angeles’ local denim industry.
Stitch Offers Eclectic Mix to Buyers, But Exhibitors Want More Traffic in 2019
Trade Shows
During this February’s Stitch @ Project Womens, held Feb. 5–7 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, buyers encountered an array of ready-to-wear offerings.
Conscious Fashion and Emerging Brands Reign at Project Womens
Trade Shows
While Project Womens was held much earlier than previous February editions of the show, buyers didn’t seem to mind the Feb. 5–7 dates for the event, held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Show organizers said registration was up 2 percent over last year.
Camaraderie Among IFJAG Members Brings In Buyers to Las Vegas
Trade Shows
Exhibitors at the International Fashion Jewelry & Accessory Group (IFJAG) show, held Feb. 2–5 at the Embassy Suites in Las Vegas, were able to meet with buyers on a more intimate and personal level.
Pool Promotes Independent Brands with an Array of Unique Offerings
Trade Shows
The eclectic mix of goods available during Pooltradeshow, held Feb. 5–7 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, excited buyers who were looking for unique items and artisan-crafted goods.
Beyond Yoga Hires Lynsey Cole to Lead Sales Strategy
Manufacturing
Athleisure brand Beyond Yoga announced the hire of Lynsey Cole as the director of key accounts and sales strategy.
Magic Mens Appeals to a Diversity of Styles
Trade Shows
Along the fringes of the MAGIC Mens show, held Feb. 5–7 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Dean De Costa of Cotton Heritage exhibited his brand’s blank T-shirts.
Business Good for Many at Agenda Despite the Move
Trade Shows
When Agenda moved off of the Las Vegas Strip for its Feb. 5–7 show, it stepped into uncharted territory.
The Tents Attracts Major Buyers to the Boutique-Style Show
Trade Shows
Veterans and new vendors exhibited at The Tents, which is devoted to designer and contemporary men’s styles, cultivating a boutique environment with white-walled booths.
Project Tries On New Looks
Trade Shows
The sprawling Project, devoted to men’s contemporary styles and premium denim, introduced a new section called N:OW that focuses on new and emerging brands with a streetwear edge.
L.A. Becomes the Largest U.S. City to Ban Fur
Retail
The fur has been flying with the news that fur products cannot be sold in Los Angeles after 2020.
WWDMAGIC Puts the Fun Into the Trade-Show Scene
Trade Shows
Walking into WWDMAGIC is like walking into a warehouse of elaborately decorated stores with a huge party scene going on.
Sourcing at MAGIC Celebrates Chinese New York With a Dragon Parade on the Show Floor
Trade Shows
Sourcing at MAGIC has always been like a mini version of the United Nations. Countries from all over the world exhibit a wide-ranging collection of clothing, shoes, accessories, textiles and machinery.
OffPrice Adds New Section to Discount-Merchandise Trade Show
Trade Shows
New to the longstanding OffPrice show this year in Las Vegas was a section called Boutique Buyer.
Womenswear In Nevada Filled With Buyers Who Gathered for A Surprise Announcement
Trade Shows
Inside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, the various ballrooms with exotic names such as Amazon, Brasilia and Tropical were packed with clothing and accessories that painted a vivid portrait of the vast apparel offerings sold in the United States.
Tadashi Shoji Looks to Southeast Asia for His Fall/Winter 2019 Collection
Tadashi Shoji at NYFW
L.A. designer Tadashi Shoji had his fashions on the runway during New York Fashion Week for his Fall/Winter 2019 collection, which carried influences from Southeast Asia.
Odaingerous’ The Niado Hotel Capsule Collection
Odain Watson opened a new atelier for his outerwear brand Odaingerous at 349 S. Los Angeles St. He recently produced a presentation for a capsule collection called The Niado Hotel.
Wednesday, February 13
Jessica Simpson’s New Maternity Line
Jessica Simpson, singer, reality star and sex symbol of more than a decade, ago makes more headlines for being a mom than for her entertainment ventures.
Levi Strauss Files IPO to Trade on New York Stock Exchange
Levi Strauss & Co. is going public with filing of IPO.
Tuesday, February 12
Naeem Khan to Headline LAFW
Fashion
The first night of LA Fashion Week will see New York designer Naeem Khan's creations on the runway.
Monday, February 11
Nats Getty Makes A Statement With Strike Oil
Nats Getty recently introduced streetwear inspired line Strike Oil. the name is inspired by her prominent family's heritage. However the line's style is the domain of her personal story, as well as the inspiration of the LGBTQ community.
H. Lorenzo Parties for Kapital Sings Bob Marley Talkin’ Blues
Japanese denim brand Kapital and Cedella Marley,sought to distill the sartorial style of Bob Marley, yet view it through a new lens in the collection Kapital Sings Bob Marley Talkin’ Blues.
Friday, February 8
NYFW to Feel SoCal Beach Vibes with Hola Swim 2019 Resort Debut
FASHION
Fresh off of its win as 2018's San Diego CityBeat Bestie Awards for "Best Swimsuit Shop in San Diego," swimwear brand Hola Swim, will debut its 2019 Resort Collection Feb. 10 during New York Fashion Week.
Trade Show Veteran Mike Sampson Unveils Commotion
The weather was unseasonably cold, but Sampson wasn't going to let a little bad weather get in the way.
Thursday, February 7
Rodarte Debuts Fall 2019 Collection in Southern California
Rodarte Collection
Kate and Laura Mulleavy are home-grown designers who grew up in Pasadena, Calif. But their careers and their fashion shows for their Rodarte label have taken them mostly to New York, where their creations are seen on the runway during New York Fashion Week.
FIDM Unveils Some 100 Movie Costumes at its Annual Costume Design Exhibition
Movie Costume Exhibit
More than 800 people attended the Feb. 2 preview opening of the annual “Art of Motion Picture Costume Design” exhibition, which features more than 100 movie costumes from some 25 films released in 2018.
Markdowns Cost U.S. Retailers $300 Billion in 2018
Retail
Who doesn’t love a sale? Consumers do, but for retailers the idea of discounting merchandise by 10 percent to 25 percent adds up.
U.S. Retail Sales on Strong Footing for 2019 With Job Growth Continuing
Retail
Despite rumblings of a trade war with China and an up-and-down stock market, the National Retail Federation said it expects retail sales for 2019 to be up from 3.8 percent to 4.4 percent, totaling more than $3.8 trillion.
Levi Strauss Sees Substantial Growth in 2018
Manufacturing
Levi Strauss & Co., the San Francisco clothing company known for its Levi’s jeans, had a solid year of growth with net revenues increasing a healthy 14 percent in its fiscal year ending Nov. 25, 2018.
Charlotte Russe to Close Approximately 94 Stores in Voluntary Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Plan
Retail
Charlotte Russe Holdings Corporation filed a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition on Feb. 3 in United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
New Study Reveals Impact of Creative Jobs on L.A. County’s Economy
News
In the latest study of Los Angeles County’s creative economy conducted by the Otis College of Art and Design, the fashion industry was the only one of the creative industries that saw a decrease in employment. The decrease came even though the fashion industry has the second-largest share of creative-industry jobs in Los Angeles County.
Vegan Fashion Week Launches in L.A. With Fashion and Activism
Vegan Fashion Week
The very first Vegan Fashion Week kicked off in Los Angeles on Feb. 1 with a private event at the Natural History Museum and then two days of public events at the California Market Center.
Wednesday, February 6
Las Vegas Apparel and Footwear Shows Announce Big Location Moves
Trade Shows
MAGIC and WWIN announce big moves.
Tuesday, February 5
Sourcing at MAGIC Kicks Off in South Hall of Convention Center
Sourcing at MAGIC returns to its old location in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Monday, February 4
Verte Luxe Produces a Sustainable Market
Vegan Fashion Week was not the only sustainable fashion event going on in Los Angeles last week.
Dept. of Good Takes A Bow
Venice, Calif. -based Dept. of Good will run an online market where consumers can find sustainable and fair-trade businesses.
Charlotte Russe to Close Approximately 94 Stores in Voluntary Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Plan
RETAIL
Charlotte Russe Holdings Corporation filed a voluntary Chapter 11 Bankruptcy petition in United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
Friday, February 1
21 Savage Named the Face of F21 x Honda Moto-Streetwear Collection
FASHION
Through a partnership with Honda, Los Angeles-headquartered retailer Forever 21 developed a moto-streetwear-inspired line, which features 21 Savage as the face of the collection.
Hurley and Carhartt Launch Collection to Outwork The Water
FASHION
Celebrating the spirit of people whose passions and careers rely on bodies of water, such as oceans, rivers, and lakes, surf brand Hurley and workwear manufacturer Carhartt launched a new line of clothing.
