Friday, February 28
Misa Los Angeles Produces First Pop-up
RETAIL
After years of manufacturing contemporary dresses, skirts and tops in Los Angeles, the Misa Los Angeles label, produced its first pop-up shop in its hometown.
Thursday, February 27
Guess? Goes for Another Round with J Balvin
FASHION
Guess? has been working with Latin Grammy winner and music star J Balvin for a couple of years. In March, the vocalist and the fashion company will be releasing something new.
Wednesday, February 26
Skechers Teams Up With Goodyear Tires
MANUFACTURING
This might be a new angle on the saying “where the rubber meets the road.”
H&M’s Daniel Kulle to Lead Forever 21
Retail
Just a few days after the bankrupt retailer Forever 21 was acquired by a new ownership group, Daniel Kulle, a veteran fast-fashion executive, was tapped to lead the Los Angeles–headquartered company as its chief executive officer.
VF Corp. Recognized as a Top Ethical Company
Manufacturing
VF Corp., the Denver-headquartered parent company of Vans, The North Face, Dickies and Timberland, was named one of the world’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere.
PacSun Opens Landmark Store in DTLA, NYC to Follow
Retail
Once one of the leading mall retailers, Pacific Sunwear of California is opening two standalone landmark stores, it was announced on Feb. 25.
Tuesday, February 25
FIDM Designers Make "Frozen 2" Styles
FASHION
The Disney feature "Frozen 2" is still playing in theaters and it is also coming to a store window in the Westfield Field Century City retail center.
Tilly’s Names New Chief Digital Officer
RETAIL
Tilly’s Inc., a multibrand, casual-clothing retailer, named Jon Kosoff as its chief digital officer on Feb. 24. He will direct the Irvine, Calif.–based company’s e-commerce business.
Applied DNA Sciences Receives Patents From Canada, China
Manufacturing
As consumers place greater value on quality goods available through a transparent supply chain, Stony Brook, N.Y., Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., announced its receipt of a Chinese patent and notice of allowability for its Canadian patent application for its Encrypted Optical Markers for Security Applications.
Greenpeace Names Lithuanian Mill As A Sustainability Standard Bearer
Manufacturing
The influential environmental group Greenpeace challenged the apparel industry in 2011 to eliminate hazardous chemicals from its manufacturing and supply chain by 2020, and on Feb. 24 Greenpeace formally recognized a Lithuanian company as the only mill in the world that adheres entirely to Greenpeace’s textile-procurement rules.
Monday, February 24
No Sesso Makes An Artful Return to L.A.
FASHION
The Los Angeles-based No Sesso has emerged as a critical favorite when it produced a triumphant fashion show at New York Fashion Week in September.
Vans Opens L.A. Fashion District Flagship for Locals and Global Visitors
Retail
The cradle of the sport and lifestyle of skateboarding is located in Los Angeles’ Venice section, Santa Monica, Calif., and parts of Orange County, Calif. But Vans, the Costa Mesa, Calif.-based brand credited for making the first skateboarding shoe, chose downtown Los Angeles’ fashion district as the location for its new flagship concept store.
Otis College of Art and Design Unveils Creative-Economy Report for California
Finance
Findings in the “2020 Otis Report on the Creative Economy,” commissioned by the Otis College of Art and Design and generated through the work of Beacon Economics, revealed that of California’s 2.68 million creative-industry jobs, 797,075 are located in Los Angeles County. Now in its 13th edition, the report provides insight regarding the growth of California’s creative economy.
Byer California Acquires KWDZ
Manufacturing
Byer California, a major supplier of juniors and misses clothing to major department stores, recently announced its acquisition of KWDZ Manufacturing, LLC, which is based in downtown Los Angeles.
Friday, February 21
Vegan Fashion Week and Red Carpet Green Dress Collaborate for Awards-Season Eco Garments
FASHION
From Oscar speeches promoting environmental and social responsibility to sustainable garments worn on the red carpet, green glamour was trending during awards season, setting the stage for a collaboration between Vegan Fashion Week and Red Carpet Green Dress.
Thursday, February 20
L.A. and California Economy Strong, But Might Take Small Hit from Coronavirus
L.A. Economic Forecast
California and Los Angeles County are forecasted to enjoy moderate yet sustained growth throughout the next two years, according to a Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation forecast released on Feb. 19.
Keeping Fashion in the Family at Kenneth Nicholson’s NYFW Presentation
Home-style NYFW
Named “From Grandma’s Couch,” the New York Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2020-21 show by Kenneth Nicholson blended cultural references and featured elements that could be found in a living room from a bygone era.
New Magnet Zipper Unveiled by YKK
Notions
Aiming to bring greater ease to consumers, the Tokyo-headquartered YKK Corporation announced a new magnetic zipper product launch Feb. 20.
The Tipping Point for On-Demand Fashion
Technology
On-demand fashion continues to grow as consumers increasingly look for personalized and customizable products. In fact, indications show that this is less of a trend than it is a tectonic shift in the way the fashion industry does business, from marketing and design to product development, manufacturing and logistics.
Las Vegas Buyers Find Variety
Trade Shows
The first week of February saw the apparel industry come together for the biannual Las Vegas trade shows. Informa-produced trade shows—led by the MAGIC brand—were hosted at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
Outdoor + Snow Show Unites Two Sports Segments for an Alluring Show Model
Trade Shows
During its Jan. 29–31 run at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Outdoor Retailer’s Outdoor + Snow Show saw attendees from the outdoor and snow-sports industries who were searching for the latest products in apparel for these closely related segments.
Zadig & Voltaire Sunset Unveils Remodel
RETAIL
On Feb. 22, the French brand will unveil a remodel of its Sunset Boulevard store.
Stadium Goods’ Run at Fred Segal Keeps Going…and Going…This Time with Travis Scott
RETAIL
Earlier this month, Stadium Goods produced a section devoted to Travis Scott. The hip-hop musician will be headlining the second night of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this year.
Wednesday, February 19
Forever 21 Acquired by ABG, Simon and Brookfield
Retail
Forever 21 is now owned by the Authentic Brands Group, the Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners, it was announced on Feb. 19.
Tuesday, February 18
Carl's Atelier Makes Art Splash With Susan Kleinberg
Susan Kleinberg exhibited some of her sculpture at the Frieze Art Fair recently. Kleinberg also took her art out of a gallery format.
Friday, February 14
WWIN Attracts an Array of Buyers From Bricks-and-Mortar to Social-Commerce Sites
Trade Shows
Hosted at the Rio Convention Center for its final show in the space, Womenswear In Nevada saw business from buyers who value personalized attention during its Feb. 3–6 run.
Sourcing at MAGIC Exhibitors From Around the World Report Traffic After China Ban
Trade Shows
Hosted in a tent across from the Mandalay Convention Center, Sourcing at MAGIC opened one day earlier than its sibling Informa-produced trade shows when it began on Feb. 4.
Finding a Wholesale Fix at Stitch
Trade Shows
As the sibling show to the larger women’s show, Stitch @ Project Womens afforded options in resort and contemporary lines.
Consumer Demand Is Queen at Project Womens
Trade Shows
At the Mandalay Bay Convention Center Feb. 5–7, Project Womens saw buyers searching for unique goods that would draw in their customers.
MAGIC Mens Aims to Complete Every Man’s Wardrobe
Trade Shows
Spanning 55,000 square feet of vendor booths, the MAGIC Mens trade show ran Feb. 5 –7 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Lizette Chin, president of men’s fashion for the show’s owner, Informa, said that MAGIC Men’s aimed to fulfill every facet of menswear.
IFJAG Allows Buyers to Focus on Business Through Showroom-Style Setting
Trade Shows
Hosted at the Embassy Suites Las Vegas Feb. 2–5, the International Fashion Jewelry & Accessory Group’s most-recent show attracted buyers who were interested in serious business without the hassle of competing for the attention of buyers.
Liberty Works With New Schedule and Other Changes
Trade Shows
The 14th season of the Liberty Fairs trade show was shaped by change when it ran Feb. 4–6 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Bargains Attract Buyers to Offprice
Trade Shows
Providing options for discount buyers, the Feb. 3–6 edition of the Offprice show saw attendees from around the world at the Sands Expo Convention Center.
Pooltradeshow Features Debuts From Established and Emerging Brands
Trade Shows
Pooltradeshow was conceived as a forum for emerging and art-inspired brands, but the trade show, which ran Feb. 5–7 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, also serves as a forum to unveil new lines.
WWDMAGIC Mixes Sizzle and Business
Trade Shows
WWDMAGIC flexed its entertainment muscles when the sprawling show focusing on juniors and young contemporary styles ran Feb. 5–7 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Daniel Patrick Hits the Court with New Adidas-James Harden Collaboration
FASHION
The Los Angeles-headquartered Daniel Patrick brand has worked with street, military and fashion inspirations. For his next collection, Daniel Patrick is trying basketball with the Houston Rockets star James Harden.
Project Rolls Out Denim Room
Trade Shows
Project rolled out the 12,000-square-foot Denim Room section at the Feb. 5–7 run of the contemporary trade show at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Thursday, February 13
Baja East Unveils Fall 2020 Show; Midnight at the Mojave
FASHION
Baja East unveiled its Fall 2020 show, inspired by disco and the desert, in addition to lace, French terry and Swarovski crystals.
Tuesday, February 11
Mall Giant Simon Acquires Taubman for $3.6 Billion
RETAIL
Simon Property Group and Taubman Centers Inc., two titans of the American mall market, will join forces in a deal where Simon acquires Taubman for $3.6 billion or $52.50 per share, it was announced Feb. 10.
Kingpins Hong Kong 2020 Canceled Due to Coronavirus Outbreak
TRADE SHOWS
Denim-focused trade show Kingpins announced that it would cancel its Hong Kong 2020 edition, which was scheduled for May 13-14, amid coronavirus concerns.
Surf Industry Manufacturers Association Announces SIMA Awards Finalists
EVENTS
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association recently announced finalists for its 16th Annual SIMA Awards Feb. 11. It’s the only awards show where people in the surf biz get to honor surf-shop operators and those who design boardshorts, surfwear, and, yes, surfboards.
Monday, February 10
Tom Ford Makes Los Angeles Statement With Autumn/Winter 2020 Runway Show
FASHION
Rules were broken when Tom Ford produced his Autumn/Winter 2020 runway show in Los Angeles Feb. 7.
The Webster Makes A Hollywood Party for New Beverly Center Store
RETAIL
On Feb. 6, the independent, multibrand retailer The Webster threw itself a party for the debut of its sprawling 11,000-square-foot space at Los Angeles’ Beverly Center.
Friday, February 7
American Contemporary Ballet Steps Into Glamour With "Astaire Dances III" Performances
EVENTS
For its latest performance, Los Angeles' American Contemporary Ballet revisits the glamour of jazz-infused choreography from Fred Astaire with costumes to complement the recreation of the magical movements.
Collaboration Between H&M and Ruth E. Carter Celebrates Costume Designer's Work
RETAIL
Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter and Swedish clothing brand H&M have partnered on a new collection of apparel that will launch Feb. 13.
Thursday, February 6
Oonana To Develop New E-Platform for DTLA Manufacturers
Technology
Amazon.com has made billions of dollars in revenue by offering a direct-to-consumer marketplace for vendors and manufacturers.
Buyers Return to Las Vegas with Serious Intent, Vendors From China Sidelined by Virus
Las Vegas Shows
Trade-show season is in full swing, with exhibitors reporting good traffic and buyers taking their time but remaining optimistic. With a travel ban implemented on citizens coming to the United States from China due to the coronavirus outbreak, some shows experienced a fewer number of exhibitors from that country.
Kindom Plans To Expand By Making Less
Kindom Closes Loop
For its second collection, the Los Angeles–headquartered brand Kindom decided against buying more fabric to produce the line yet adding more categories to the label.
Trinidad3 Plans to Serve Wounded Warriors With Fashion and Function
American Pride
Former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant and founder of the denim brand Trinidad3, Trinidad Garcia III, recently expanded his collection with a fresh take on jeans that are beautiful to wear but also ease daily life for leg amputees such as Marine veteran—and the campaign’s latest model—Josue Barron.
Small-Business App Introduced by OneWest Bank as Company Invests in Entrepreneurs
Technology
For regional Southern California financial institution OneWest Bank, small business has inspired great investment. The retail-bank division of Pasadena, Calif.’s CIT Bank, N.A., announced last week that it had launched a small-business mobile application.
FIDM Museum & Galleries Gala Honors ‘Art of Motion Picture Costume Design’
Events
Now in its 28th year, the annual preview of the “Art of Motion Picture Costume Design” at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising’s FIDM Museum & Galleries honored the work of designers from 30 films.
CALA S.F. Delivers Amid Full Trade-Show Calendar
Trade Shows
From its San Francisco home at the Fort Mason Center, the Bay Area edition of the CALA trade show enjoyed a strong showing from buyers and attendees during its Jan. 28–29 event.
Swim Collective and Active Collective Forecast Trends as Crossover Registration Grows
Trade Shows
At the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., sibling shows Swim Collective and Active Collective held their biannual events Jan. 29–30 as focus on creating a lifestyle experience continues to distinguish successful retail businesses.
Wildfox Acquired By Fam Brands
Manufacturing
Wildfox Couture was acquired by Fam Brands, it was announced on Feb. 3, just a few days before the bankrupt Wildfox was scheduled to be auctioned off.
Forever 21 Bankruptcy Names Stalking Horse Bidders
Retail
The Simon Property Group and Brookfield Properties have joined forces to acquire the assets of their bankrupt tenant Forever 21 Inc.
Macy’s Plan Calls for New Direction and Closing 125 Stores
Retail
Macy’s Inc. outlined sweeping changes on Feb. 4 that called for the elimination of 2,000 jobs and the closure of 125 stores over the next three years, said Jeff Gennette, the giant retailer’s chairman and chief executive officer.
Tuesday, February 4
Missoni’s Big Fashion Show at Pink's Hot Dogs Stand
Just a few days before Tom Ford’s highly anticipated Los Angeles fashion show, the Missoni fashion house drove scores of models on a double decker bus to Los Angeles landmark Pink’s Hot Dog on Feb. 4.
Parley For The Oceans & Fashion Make A Run Against Plastics
German designer Cyrill Gutsch made it his job to turn plastics into a fashion fabric. He also recruits brands in a campaign to stop choking the world’s oceans with plastics.
Monday, February 3
Materials Shows Postponed Due to Coronavirus Fears, but Première Vision Sport to be Held
Trade Shows
Due to continued concerns regarding the Coronavirus, trade-show producers American Events Inc. and Première Vision made major announcements today regarding scheduling of the NW Materials Show, NE Materials Show and Première Vision Sport, which had been organized for this and next week.
Vans Gets Comfy in Art Show
Vans introduced its ComfyCush footwear last year, but the Costa Mesa, Calif.-headquartered company only recently got around to partying for ComfyCush.
Vans Opens L.A. Fashion District Flagship for Locals and Global Visitors
RETAIL
The cradle of the sport and lifestyle of skateboarding is located in Los Angeles’ Venice section, Santa Monica, Calif., and parts of Orange County, Calif. But Vans, the Costa Mesa, Calif.–based brand credited for making the first skateboarding shoe, chose downtown Los Angeles’ fashion district as the location for its new flagship concept store.
