Friday, October 30
Calzedonia Group Expands West in U.S.
RETAIL
During its expansion throughout the western United States, Italy’s Calzedonia Group recently opened storefronts shared with its Intimissimi brand.
Shopify Announces Advertising Partnership With TikTok
SOCIAL COMMERCE
Shopify, a global digital-commerce platform that includes a focus on small businesses, recently announced it was going to take a deeper dive into social media.
Innovator Keith Hufnagel Eulogized With a Memorial Gallery Show
EVENTS
The skateboarding and action-sports world grieved at the untimely death of Keith Hufnagel at age 46 from brain cancer last month.
Thursday, October 29
Levi’s and Star Stylist Karla Welch Continue Collaboration
FASHION
Levi’s continued its collaboration with Karla Welch, a star stylist who has dressed performers ranging from Justin Bieber to Tracee Ellis Ross.
3D-Focused Discussions Deliver Optimism and Education at PI Apparel EU
Trade Shows
As the apparel trade-show industry continues to incorporate virtual experiences into major events and smaller productions, many of the major players in this arena have returned to the calendar in some capacity.
As Golf Interest Booms, Kinona Welcomes Women to the Green
Style on the Green
As golf enjoys a skyrocket in popularity due to its outdoor, socially distanced structure, for its Fall 2020 campaign Kinona welcomed new players and remained authentic to the seasoned athletes who seek a female presence in the sport by featuring real golfers, such as Cindy Lohman, pictured above.
Transformers Foundation Releases Report That Reveals Supplier Challenges
Manufacturing
Established early in 2020, the Transformers Foundation was launched by Kingpins founder Andrew Olah of Olah Inc. to support denim supply-chain professionals by affording them opportunities to engage in discussions of creating more-responsible manufacturing.
Retail-as-a-Service Business Re:store Acquired by b8ta
Technology
Expanding its retail-as-a-service reach into a heavier fashion presence, San Francisco–headquartered b8ta announced its acquisition of Re:store.
Sustainable Fashion Forum’s Frank Talk on Diversity and Environment
Manufacturing
Fashiondex, a New York–headquartered source-book publisher and consulting company, recently produced a series of Sustainable Fashion Forum panel discussions at the Oct. 7–9 virtual edition of the LA Textile trade show called CMC Uploaded.
SML Group To Put Trims on a 3D Spotlight
Trim in 3D
Virtual showrooms have been increasingly popular since the COVID-19 pandemic put in-person meetings and events on hiatus. The SML Group has developed another way to virtually browse a garment’s details with its recently released Digitiz3D platform; however, its service will specifically focus on trims, labels, tags, buckles, buttons and packaging.
Spirit Jersey Aims To Write a New Chapter in Love Letter to Los Angeles
L.A. Love Letters
After making signature tops for partners such as Disney, various top tourist destinations, as well as college sororities for more than two decades, the Los Angeles–based Spirit Jersey opted to make a solo project inspired by its hometown.
High & Mighty Plans to Elevate Big-And-Tall
Manufacturing
In the past few years, advocates of women’s plus-size fashions have demanded respect for their fashion category. Swet Tailor, a Los Angeles–based knits brand, has similarly demanded equal time for the men’s big-and-tall category.
Basketball Player Alex Stepheson Aims For Slam Dunk With El Crew PE
Manufacturing
Alex Stepheson has shot hoops for the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies National Basketball Association teams as well as several overseas sports leagues. He has also started a clothing brand, El Crew PE, a label that doesn’t venture too far from his life on and off the court.
California Proposition 15 Roils Retailers
Legal
Gabrielle Zuccaro has guided her contemporary boutique Bleu through times of harsh economic downturns and, in May, a time of civic unrest. However, the veteran boutique owner has been particularly wary of the ballot measure Proposition 15, on which Californians will cast their vote Nov. 3.
Nordstrom To Open Two More Nordstrom Local Shops In Southern California
RETAIL
Nordstrom Inc’s omnichannel concept Nordstrom Local is on a roll.
Wednesday, October 28
IMC Unveils a Slate of In-Person Trade Shows
TRADE SHOWS
Showroom-space operator International Market Centers, announced a slate of in-person trade shows for 2021.
Some DTLA Stores Vandalized Following Dodgers Victory
RETAIL
A number of stores in downtown Los Angeles were vandalized the night of Oct. 27 following the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series victory in Arlington, Texas.
Tuesday, October 27
Vans To Roll Out 2nd Annual Vans Checkerboard Day
EVENTS
In 2019, Vans, the Costa Mesa, Calif.-based brand that pioneered skateboarding’s sartorial style, introduced Vans Checkerboard Day. It was intended to be a special day devoted to creativity and for service to creative projects. Get ready for a sequel.
IMC Rolls Out Immediate-Delivery Markets
Trade Shows
International Market Centers, which runs 20 million square feet of exhibition space for furniture, gift, home décor, rug and apparel markets in Las Vegas, Atlanta and High Point N.C., has raised the curtain for last-minute buying for the holidays, said Bob Maricich, IMC’s chief executive officer.
Susan Merrill Named President of NPD’s U.S. Apparel Division
RETAIL
Susan Merrill, a vice president of business and client development for prominent market-research company The NPD Group, was named president of the group’s United States apparel practice, according to Joanne Sackett, president of The NPD Group’s soft-lines sector in an Oct. 27 announcement.
Aetrex Unveils Albert 2 3D Foot-Scanning Technology
TECHNOLOGY
New 3D-scanning technology introduced Oct. 26 by Teaneck, N.J., footwear-solutions company Aetrex Worldwide, Inc., has led to the launch of the brand’s Albert 2 scanner. Features including 3D measurements, pressure gauge, FitHQ software, and a voice-activated learning center affords greater profitability for retailers, in addition to aiding in the cultivation of customer loyalty.
Monday, October 26
Gerber Releases Atria Digital Cutter, 'Its Smartest Machine'
TECHNOLOGY
Gerber Technology has been developing automated cutting systems since the 1960s, and in November it will write a new chapter in its history of cutting systems when it releases the Gerber Atria Digital Cutter, which it calls the smartest machine to be manufactured in the company’s history.
Friday, October 23
Loonar Brand Starts As a Social-Media Sensation
FASHION
Los Angeles-area high-school students and Loonar founders Jack Schwartz and Mateo Santamaria got their brand’s face masks to influencers and celebs such as Post Malone.
Thursday, October 22
Italian Brand Iceberg Works With Kailand Morris On T-shirt for Watts Empowerment Center
FASHION
Italian high-end sportswear company Iceberg made an Oct. 21 donation to the Watts Empowerment Center, a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization serving children, youth and families at the Watts Housing Project in South Los Angeles.
VFW Launches Vegan Fashion Library With a Showroom in DTLA
FASHION
As the Spring 2021 fashion weeks around the world were produced using limited-capacity and outdoor runway shows, filmed presentations, and virtual garment showcases using digital models, Vegan Fashion Week founder and producer Emmanuelle Rienda bypassed the production of an October event. Instead, Rienda prepared to unveil her next new venture to promote vegan work within the fashion industry.
Unkosher Market: Yiddish, T-shirts, Nail Polish and…Laughs!
FASHION AND BEAUTY
This year, apparel-and-lifestyle brand Unkosher Market released nail polish inspired by the colors of a bagel and lox. For the 2020 election, the brand will release a tote bag with the slogan, “If you don’t vote, you can’t kvetch.” Oy! The Chutzpah!
Wednesday, October 21
True Religion Out of Bankruptcy
RETAIL
The True Religion brand emerged from a Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 19, according to a statement from Michael Buckley, the company's chief executive officer.
Gap Unveils Dream The Future
RETAIL
The holidays are approaching and specialty-retail giant Gap typically releases a holiday commercial that pundits call heartwarming.
Tuesday, October 20
Los Angeles Retail Real Estate Shows Slight Recovery
RETAIL
Omni-channel retail tossed a lifeline to commercial real estate in Los Angeles and other U.S. cities during the second and third quarters of 2020, according to a recently released report from CBRE, a commercial-real-estate and advisory firm.
FIDM Fashion-Design Co-Chairs Introduce 'Vote! It's in Fashion' Campaign
FASHION
As the 2020 election season entered its final two weeks, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising saw its fashion-design co-chairs develop a campaign that is aimed at encouraging students to vote.
Z Supply Unveils Digital Wholesale Platform
TECHNOLOGY
Z Supply, the Costa Mesa, Calif., manufacturer of contemporary women’s styles, is getting into the technology game.
Monday, October 19
Amazon Says It Raked in Billions on Prime Day, Focusing on Small Businesses
RETAIL
Billions of dollars were spent on goods ranging from vacuums to card games during the sixth annual Amazon Prime Day, which ran Oct. 13–14.
Friday, October 16
Informa Markets Fashion Promotes Helfman, Peskin and Rudow
TRADE SHOWS
More than a month after Informa Markets Fashion unveiled digital trade shows for its MAGIC anchor and sibling shows such as Project, the trade-show producer announced the promotions of executives who helped direct the digital trade shows.
H&M Releases Denim Collection to Promote Circularity
Sustainability
Aligning its denim production with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Make Fashion Circular initiative, H&M launched its H&M Jeans Redesign men's denim collection on Oct. 15.
JustFab Introduces Kelly Rowland for JustFab
FASHION
Kelly Rowland released a music single and a fashion line.
Thursday, October 15
Em:body Works With the Human Body to Achieve Fitness Goals
Manufacturing
“Almost every single one of them either said something about their lower stomach, bloating or water weight, or it was about looking good naked,” Vollarth said. “There are waist trainers and waist belts, but they tried them and didn’t like the way they looked or they just felt too bulky.”
For LA Textile, CMC Experiments With Talk Show Style Presentations
LA Textile Uploaded
Following its debut during the August edition of L.A. Market Week, the CMC Uploaded virtual platform was used again by the management of the California Market Center to host the CMC’s popular biannual textile-and-fabrics show, LA Textile.
Thom Browne Produces Science Fiction Fashion Film at L.A Coliseum
Spring Victory
For his Spring 2021 ready-to-wear presentation, New York designer Thom Browne hosted a global event for Paris Fashion Week by producing a show filmed at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
FMNC Wraps Up Last Show of 2020
Trade Shows
While many trade shows reacted to the COVID-19 rules against in-person gatherings by producing virtual shows, the regional Fashion Market Northern California took a different path. It reacted against COVID by producing its first open-air show, which ran Oct. 4–6 in San Mateo, Calif.
After Building Brand in Taiwan, Vast Hopes To Bring Back Business to USA
Manufacturing
Growing up in Los Angeles, Sam Yang surfed and aspired to design his own surf-and-lifestyle brand that would be sold in California’s core shops in the category. He started a brand called Vast, which was inspired by the vastness of the oceans and exotic vistas where he hoped his travels would take him.
Entrepreneurs Forecast What Will Be in Factory of The Future
Trade Shows
The entire business of fashion has been undergoing major changes in the past decade. The Virtual Symposium, a webinar series produced by the TechTextil North America and Texprocess Americas trade events, charted what may happen next with manufacturing. The Zoom panels were webcast on Oct. 7 and 8.
Industry Voices: Fashion—Finding a Path in Fashion: Where are we now and where are we going?
Fashion
We have watched the gradual decline of brand loyalty, a development borne of fast-fashion’s demand for new products all the time and the rise of influencer peddling. This reality has posed real threats to established brands that are not as agile due to legacy assets and their own bureaucracies.
Bolt Threads Makes Big Partnership Announcement
Textiles
Weeks of teaser posts appeared on the Instagram account for Bolt Threads, the biotechnology materials company founded in 2009, prior to the company’s big announcement on Oct. 2 that it would be joining forces with a few enormous brands to form The Mylo Consortium.
In Its New L.A. Site, the Rudholm Group Leads a Sustainable-Label Shift
Notions
By the end of 2019, the Rudholm Group had added a Los Angeles–based printing operation to its list of centers around the globe. The Sweden-headquartered manufacturer of notions, labels and packaging set its sights on Los Angeles as part of a United States expansion plan that began four years ago with the opening of its New York City development-and-sales office.
Onsite and Online, L.A. Market Week’s Hybrid Model Sees Success
L.A. Market Week
Buyers descended on downtown Los Angeles’ fashion district in person and virtually Oct. 12–14 for L.A. Market Week.
GrooveNStyle Aims To Offer Digital Showroom With Human Touch
Technology
Over the past decade, there has been a demand for virtual-showroom platforms. Despite their success, all of these platforms have missed a crucial element of the business—sales, according to the founders of GrooveNStyle, a virtual-showroom platform scheduled to make its official debut on Oct. 19. The platform can be found at groovenstyle.com.
Fashion Week San Diego Rolls Out Virtual Runway for Emerging Designers
FASHION
On Oct. 17, Fashion Week San Diego is scheduled to unfurl a virtual runway for a group of emerging San Diego designers.
NMOE Enters GV Black x Coachella Partnership
FASHION
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Goldenvoice Black are supporting the Black community through a GV Black x Coachella partnership that includes showcasing the Black Lives Matter–inspired fashion designs of creatives including Nicholas Mayfield, whose work is being presented under the branding Nicholas Mayfield Over Everything.
Wednesday, October 14
'Mad Men' Designer Janie Bryant Makes Suiting Line with Inherent Clothier
FASHION
It could probably be argued that AMC Network show "Mad Men" was responsible for a spike in interest surrounding suiting. Taylor Draper, co-founder of suiting company Inherent Clothier, hopes that "Mad Men" costume designer Janie Bryant can work some magic into a world that has adopted casual dress because of COVID-19.
Tuesday, October 13
Intimates Brand Ruby Ribbon Welcomes Two New Hires
MANUFACTURING
The intimates-and-athleisure brand Ruby Ribbon has announced the hiring of two executives to its Burlingame, Calif., company.
Marcela Martin Appointed as Squarespace Chief Financial Officer
TECHNOLOGY
The brand-building platform Squarespace has announced that Marcela Martin will join the company as chief financial officer on Nov. 1.
This Season’s Fashion Puts Politics on Its Sleeve
FASHION
In a few weeks, American voters will participate in one of the most highly anticipated elections in the nation’s history. People are literally wearing it on their sleeves.
Monday, October 12
Eggplant Unveils New Cloud Platform
TECHNOLOGY
Technology company Eggplant has announced the launch of a new cloud platform.
eBay Expands Its Resale Authenticity Guarantee to Include Sneakers Priced Over $100
TECHNOLOGY
On the heels of its Authenticity Guarantee for timepieces, which launched in September, eBay announced the expansion of the program to include coveted preowned sneakers.
Robertson Boosters Hope New James Perse Flagship Rejuvenates Street
RETAIL
After a couple of years in the works, the James Perse Robertson Home flagship at 143 N. Robertson Blvd. in Los Angeles opened recently.
Friday, October 9
Dries Van Noten Makes A L.A. Splash With New Store
After long months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles seems to be slowly coming back to life. Malls are reopening, Curbside dining at restaurants seems to be busy, and a prominent designer opened his first Los Angeles store.
After Closing Bricks-and-Mortar Store, Ron Robinson Stays in Game
Ron Robinson closed his Los Angeles-headquartered, self-named pioneering Ron Robinson boutique in 2019. However, he’s didn’t leave the game.
Thursday, October 8
Consumer Sentiment More Optimistic, Recent Surveys Report
Finance
Confidence in the U.S. economy is growing, according to a couple of recently released surveys.
After Digital Debut, Afterpay to Take Payments Services In-Store
Technology
Afterpay got its start by offering layaway-style payment plans to Millennials when they were shopping for fashions and goods online. Recently, the payments company, announced that it had made a deal with the mall company Simon to take the service to bricks-and-mortar shops.
Surf Hero Rob Machado to Represent Vuori
If you paid attention to the surfing world for the past 25 or so years, you’ve heard of Rob Machado.
Wednesday, October 7
NRF, AAFA Urge President to Restart Talks on COVID Relief
The National Retail Federation and other prominent trade associations implored President Donald Trump to restart negotiations with congressional leaders to make a deal for a relief package for the COVID-19 economic slowdown.
Los Angeles Malls Reopen After COVID-19 Closures
After long months of COVID-19 closures, a number of Los Angeles County indoor malls reopened Oct. 7, but they were required to reopen at a limited capacity.
Reebok’s Forever Floatride Grow Shoe Rooted in Natural Ingredients
Running is a natural high, but running shoes are typically made out of elements criticized as hurting the environment.
Tuesday, October 6
OVO Flagship To The Grove
After a more than four year run on Los Angeles’ La Brea Avenue, October’s Very Own, a brand created by hip hop star Drake, moved its Los Angeles flagship.
Monday, October 5
Venmo Releases Credit Card
TECHNOLOGY
The PayPal-owned mobile-payment service Venmo announced the release of its new credit card, which is issued by Synchrony Bank and powered by Visa.
Kenzo Takada, Influential Paris Fashion Designer, 81
OBITUARY
Influential fashion designer Kenzo Takada died Oct. 4 in Paris due to complications stemming from COVID-19, according to an announcement from his self-named Kenzo fashion brand, which is owned by the luxury conglomerate LVMH.
Digital Commerce Forecasted to Skyrocket for 2020 Holiday Season
TECHNOLOGY
The COVID-19 pandemic put digital sales on a giant growth spurt, and digital commerce is forecast to continue to gobble up more of the retail market for the upcoming holiday season, perhaps 34 percent year-over-year growth, according to a study released Oct. 1 by Salesforce.
The RealReal and Gucci Partner to Observe National Consignment Day
FASHION
As part of its sustainable effort to contribute to the circular luxury-fashion supply chain, The RealReal and Gucci have partnered to launch an online shop on National Consignment Day.
Friday, October 2
Ron Herman Changes Hands, Charts Next Steps
Ron Herman Retail Revival
After more than 40 years, the red, white and blue letters of the Fred Segal sign that had graced the ivy-covered brick building at the corner of Los Angeles’ Melrose Avenue and Crescent Heights Boulevard was recently taken down. The navy blue–and–white lettering of Ron Herman was posted in its place on Oct. 2.
Charlotte’s Web Takes Its Hemp Message to Its Source
MANUFACTURING
This summer, hemp-based CBD pioneer Charlotte's Web unveiled a sprawling farm art installation in a hemp field in McPherson, Kansas.
Thursday, October 1
Curve Connect Launches to Afford a Virtual Home to the Intimates Community
Intimate Connections
Establishing a virtual space for the lingerie and intimate-apparel category, events producer Comexposium Group USA launched its Curve Connect event through a partnership with event-software provider Grip for an online trade exposition that was held Sept. 13–25.
Industry Voices: Fashion—Making a Thoughtful Statement With Fashion
Fashion
2020 has been a doozy of a year—from the COVID-19 pandemic to politics, race relations, horrendous fires, tropical storms and scorching temperatures. These issues throughout the year have affected all of us. Throughout most of history and especially during trying times, fashion has traditionally played a dual role.
Boyish Jeans Celebrates the Century-Long Evolution of the ‘Boyish Look’
Boyish Beginnings
Within its Fall 2020 Guardians of Nature collection, Boyish Jeans maintained its ecologically sound fashion focus while paying homage to the women who offered protection in the name of love as they started a fashion revolution toward the boyish look that began to take shape a century ago.
Lenzing Announces Tencel Carbon Zero During Climate Week NYC
Textiles
Expanding on its commitment to cultivating a responsible supply chain within the apparel industry, Lenzing announced during Climate Week NYC that in September it launched carbon-zero Tencel fibers.
Liberty Fairs Panel Talks on New Normal of Omnichannel
Trade Shows
During the past six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have greatly accelerated rollouts of digital services. A panel discussion produced by trade show Liberty Fairs on Sept. 25 gave advice on what fashion retailers need to do to produce successful omni-channel businesses.
RHOBH Star Sutton Stracke’s Shop Celebrates Anniversary, With COVID Restrictions
RETAIL
The COVID-19 business shutdown has forced almost everything to go digital, and, in the case of West Hollywood, Calif. boutique Sutton, first-year anniversary parties.
The L.A. Rams Start Season With Knot Standard Custom Suiting
FASHION
Sports-team merchandise such as caps and jerseys is estimated to be a multi-billion dollar business. But will sports fans also buy suiting endorsed by their favorite team? New York-based custom menswear company Knot Standard will find out.
Informa Markets Fashion Unveils FIT Student Showcase
FASHION
The COVID-19 shutdown inspired celebrated fashion designers to go online and produce digital runway shows. Now, student designers are following.
