Friday, December 31
Applied DNA and Stratum Reservoir (Isotech) to Leverage Isotopic Analysis for Cotton Authenticity
TRANSPARENCY
Applied DNA Sciences, the polymerase chain reaction–based DNA manufacturer, and Stratum Reservoir (Isotech) announced they have entered into a memorandum of understanding in which Applied DNA will use Isotech’s isotopic analysis (IA) to confirm cotton genotypes.
Stitch Fix Predicts 2022 Styles and Shopping Trends in Inaugural Forecast Report
Stitch Fix Forecast
Stitch Fix, a leading online personalized-shopping company, has released its inaugural Style Forecast report, which reveals key trends for 2022 including a category called “Business Comfort” as the new workwear.
WVN Launches With Eco Focus on Responsibly Made Fashion
ECO WVN
Approaching sustainable-clothing manufacturing with greater commitment, industry veteran Kate Fisher recently launched WVN through an eco mindset and appreciation for garment artistry.
Seaweed Yarn Maker AlgiKnit Launches Innovation Hub in North Carolina
TEXTILES
New York–based startup AlgiKnit has announced the opening of its innovation hub in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina.
Wednesday, December 29
26Red Opens Flagship Store in New York City
RETAIL
Iconic '90s streetwear brand 26Red has opened its first flagship store since its 2021 resurgence under original founder, John Bernard.
Hyosung’s Fashion Design Center Introduces A/W ’22/’23 Textile Trends
TRENDS
The Fashion Design Center, an interactive fashion studio established by textile-solutions provider Hyosung, has released its new Autumn/Winter 2022/2023 textile trends, giving a sneak peek into what major brands will be using in their collections.
Tuesday, December 28
Forever 21 Launches at JCPenney Stores and Online
RETAIL
JCPenney has announced it has added Forever 21 to its portfolio of national fashion brands available at JCPenney stores nationwide and online.
Monday, December 27
Rakuten Reports Success With Personalized Rewards
Technology
In just a little over a year after its announcement, the Personalized Rewards platform by Rakuten has demonstrated success for both the e-commerce site and the retailers using its technology, the company recently reported.
Student Designers Afford a Glimpse Into the Next Generation of Menswear at LATTC
Fashion
Among the categories on which students may focus during the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College Gold Thimble Fashion Show, one area that is showing immense growth and ingenuity is menswear.
Gold Thimble Fashion Show at LATTC Showcases Fresh Designs
Gold Thimble
Now in its 68th year, the semiannual Gold Thimble Fashion Show at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College returned to campus on Dec. 10 to unveil the latest creations of the school’s student designers who comprised the Fall 2021 Gold Thimble class.
KlearNow Raises $50 Million to Alleviate Global Supply-Chain Constraints
SUPPLY CHAIN
KlearNow, a logistics-as-a-service company founded in 2018, announced it has raised $50 million in new funding to provide supply-chain solutions that simplify and provide real-time cargo visibility.
Brikl Closes New Funding Round Aimed at Hypergrowth
E-COMMERCE
E-commerce software platform Brikl announced it has secured additional funding from Saffelberg Investments.
Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation Launches Scholarship Programs for HBCUs
FASHION CARES
The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation announced a $2 million commitment to support scholarships for students at Morehouse College, Spelman College and 10 other historically Black colleges and universities through the United Negro College Fund.
Friday, December 24
Alpargatas Announces Strategic Investment in Rothy’s
FOOTWEAR
Brazilian lifestyle brand Alpargatas S.A., and sustainable lifestyle brand Rothy’s Inc. have announced that Alpargatas will make a strategic investment in Rothy’s to fuel global growth and vertically expand.
Thursday, December 23
Informa Markets Fashion Announces Edwina Kulego as VP of International and Business Development
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS
Informa Markets Fashion, producer of industry trade-events Project, MAGIC, Coterie and Sourcing at MAGIC, has announced the appointment of Edwina Kulego as vice president of international and business development.
Wednesday, December 22
Fred Segal and Subnation Partner for Artcade, a Physical Retail Pop-Up Featuring NFTs
RETAIL
Iconic retailer Fred Segal has partnered with Subnation, a media tech-holding company that creates engaging live and Metaverse-based programming, to launch Artcade, the first dynamic retail experience featuring curated collectibles, limited product drops, an NFT gallery and streaming studio.
Tuesday, December 21
MISA Los Angeles Opens Its First-Ever Retail Store
Contemporary women’s fashion brand MISA Los Angeles has announced the opening of its first-ever bricks-and-mortar store at Palisades Village in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
Monday, December 20
Silver Jeans Announces All-New Infinite Fit Jean
DENIM
Winnipeg-based Silver Jeans Co. has announced the launch of a line of high-tech jeans that can fit up to four waist sizes.
Friday, December 17
More than 18,000 Fans Celebrate Vans Checkerboard Day and Raised Over $1 Million
FASHION CARES
Actions-sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand Vans has announced that, with the help of over 20 non-profit partners, the brand was able to encourage more than 18,000 fans of the label to use their creativity to better their communities around the world on Vans Checkerboard Day.
Thursday, December 16
More Than 148 Million Americans Plan to Shop Super Saturday
Retail
An annual survey from the National Retail Federation and Proper Insights & Analytics revealed that more than 148 million consumers plan to shop on Super Saturday, the last Saturday before Christmas.
Civile Leads the Way in Pickleball Culture With Message of ‘Playing Nicely’
Manufacturing
During 2020, golf was thought of as the most pandemic-friendly sport, but enthusiasts of pickleball beg to differ.
2021 Sees a Bounceback in the Apparel Industry as COVID-19 Recedes
2021 FINANCIAL REVIEW
After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic decimated many industries and cost millions of jobs, many were left wondering how the country would respond in the following years. Although 2021 was full of its own new challenges, such as supply-chain issues, rising inflation and new variants of the virus, the retail sector saw growth, bringing promise as the country continues to navigate into a new normal.
Fashion for Good Cooperative Launched by Ecovative With PVH, Bestseller
Sustainable
Mycelium-technology company Ecovative has announced the launch of its Fashion for Good international sustainable-fashion cooperative, as Bestseller and PVH Corp. joined as founding members.
Marque Luxury Opens Re-commerce Hub in Houston
Sustainable
Marque Luxury has announced the opening of its newest Re-commerce Hub in Houston designed to cater to the needs of current and future wholesale partners in the region.
Liberty on Hiatus, Offprice to Co-locate With New Closeout Show
Trade Shows
As trade-show organizers make preparations for the 2022 calendar, major announcements were made recently regarding two major apparel-event players. With the first shows of the new year only weeks away, both Liberty Fashion & Lifestyle Fairs and Offprice have revealed major changes to their programming.
Merchant & Gould Launches New International Trade Commission Group
Legal
National intellectual-property law firm Merchant & Gould P.C. has announced its new International Trade Commission Group.
Enchantment and Wonder Found in Dalia MacPhee’s Holiday Collection
Holiday Dream
For Holiday 2021, designer Dalia MacPhee designed her collection for celebration with a campaign that relays feelings of dreamlike wonder.
Moving Beyond Denim, Midheaven Rebrands to Include Other Categories
Heavenly Lounge
After launching in 2017, the Kathryn Brolin–founded Midheaven Denim brand set off on a mission to create denim pieces for tall women. Standing 5 feet, 11 inches, Brolin is familiar with the struggles tall women encounter when shopping for the perfect jeans.
Labor Shortages Continue Through the Holiday Season
Retail
Retailers, restaurants, warehouses and other businesses are still in the midst of experiencing labor shortages that have affected many industries throughout much of the year. While 2021 has yielded a record-breaking holiday-shopping season, many businesses have continued to face staffing problems despite this time period usually ushering in increased hires.
Industry Focus: Technology—As 2021 draws to a close, what types of technology should apparel businesses consider investing in to successfully navigate 2022?
Industry Focus: Technology
With the new year arriving in a couple of weeks, a sense of opportunity and new beginnings has been felt as businesses look back on the progress made and lessons learned during 2021. Entering 2022, the apparel industry is looking toward a fresh start. To support this optimism that has been cultivated through overcoming challenges and applying hard work, businesses will need to continue to invest in technologies that allow them to remain agile, ready to shift direction with solutions when an obstacle lands in their path.
Wednesday, December 15
Public Enemy Collaborates With Defend Brooklyn and Rue 21 for New Collection
FASHION
Iconic hip-hop group Public Enemy has collaborated with clothing brand Defend Brooklyn for a new limited-edition streetwear collection, Public Enemy x Defend Brooklyn for Rue 21.
Tuesday, December 14
Foot Locker Workshop Calls on Creative to Build Community Together
FASHION CARES
In celebration of the new All City by Just Don collection, created in partnership by Foot Locker and streetwear designer Don C, Foot Locker held several workshops for creatives and designers to come together and build a community of people who want to help each other succeed.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Book Inspires Change in the Fashion Industry
SUSTAINABILITY
Leaders from across the fashion industry have joined together with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to create a new book that aims to inspire a transformation of the fashion industry.
Monday, December 13
Soorty Launches Newest Denim Laundry Innovation
DENIM
Pakistan-based denim company Soorty has announced its newest innovation, Zero Stone, which aims to revolutionize traditional denim stonewashing.
Tukatech Introduces New Version of TUKA3D
FASHION IN 3D
Fashion-technology-solutions provider Tukatech has announced the release of its latest version of TUKA3D, the company’s popular 3D system that is used by operations around the globe.
Saturday, December 11
BAFA Buy Black Bazaar Affords Alternative to Traditional Black Friday
HOLIDAY 2021
This year's Black Friday saw many shoppers return to stores in person, but the social-justice group Black Allies for Our Advancement hosted an alternative event in Los Angeles' Leimert Park neighborhood Nov. 26 to encourage patronage of Black-owned businesses.
Friday, December 10
Cerqular Secures Early-Stage Investment to Launch Sustainable Commerce Platform
SUSTAINABILITY | TECHNOLOGY
Cerqular, the quickly growing e-commerce platform with a focus on sustainable and ethical brands, has announced the successful close of its pre-seed round of financing.
Poshmark Launches NFT to Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary
TECHNOLOGY
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, social marketplace Poshmark announced the launch of its first collection of nonfungible tokens.
Thursday, December 9
Pantone Creates New Color for COTY 2022
Pantone COTY 2022
Inspired by creativity and the spirit of invention, Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri has been announced as the color authority’s Color of the Year 2022, with the tone resembling a periwinkle blue that features a violet-red undertone.
The Women In Denim Converge in L.A., Discuss State of Industry and Muses For Education
FASHION CARES
When The Women In Denim hosted its intimate brunch last month in Los Angeles, members of the collective discussed their own journeys within the industry, in addition to a new initiative that can help support others.
Wednesday, December 8
Lids Opens First European Stores
RETAIL EXPANSION
Leading sports retailer Lids has expanded its brick-and-mortar retail footprint by opening its first set of standalone stores in Europe.
Tuesday, December 7
Outerknown Launches Project Vermont
FASHION CARES
Inspired by Bernie Sanders’s viral sweater mittens from President Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony in January, sustainability-focused brand Outerknown has launched Project Vermont, a collaboration with a community of Vermont handcrafters, led by Lise-Anne Cooledge.
Friday, December 3
TravisMathew Cloud Collection Expands With His & Her Line
ATHLEISURE
Entering the women's category, lifestyle and performance brand TravisMathew introduced its His & Her Cloud Collection made of micro fleece.
Thursday, December 2
Newsmakers 2021
Newsmakers 2021
During 2021, the apparel industry forged through the wake of COVID-19 from 2020, emerging stronger with many lessons learned. California Apparel News highlights the work of some of the innovators, visionaries and veterans who fortified the industry this year.
Newsmakers 2021: Retailers Bounce Back Post-COVID
Retail
Despite the pandemic ravaging many businesses and forcing closures, retailers are beginning to bounce back and thrive in the post-COVID-19 climate.
Newsmakers 2021: NuOrder Turns in Strong 2021
Technology
Business-to-business e-commerce platform NuOrder saw an eventful year as the company continued to expand to offer new services and serve more retailers than ever before.
Newsmakers 2021: Kevan Hall Returns to Runway Events
Fashion
Veteran fashion designer and co-founder of Black Design Collective Kevan Hall made a return to on-site runway shows this year and also expanded his creative endeavors by making his directorial debut.
Newsmakers 2021: Commerce-as-a-Service Platform Nogin Names Jay J. Ku as Executive VP, CCO
Technology
CaaS platform Nogin announced Jay J. Ku as its new executive vice president and chief commercial officer. In the new position, the veteran marketing executive will lead Nogin’s brand-management and creative teams, which include e-commerce specialists, performance marketers, planners, buyers, retention marketers, writers and designers, who will aid brands including Hurley, Kenneth Cole, bebe, FRYE, Kendall + Kylie, Justice and Honeywell.
Newsmakers 2021: FashionGo Expands to Include Drop-shipping, More Virtual Trade Shows
Technology
Leading B2B wholesale online marketplace FashionGo has grown its platform to include services that help businesses develop their online presence.
Newsmakers 2021: Sustainability Continues to Expand Its Reach and Meaning
Sustainable
Pushes toward sustainability across industries and within fashion reached a higher level over the course of the year as apparel businesses examined how they source, create, sell and promote their goods. While sustainable approaches to business practices have been examined at greater length over the last decade, the meaning behind sustainability has also evolved.
Newsmakers 2021: Trade Shows Open for a Welcome Return to Apparel-Focused Expositions
Trade Shows
By the end of 2020, the virtual-trade-show model had been tested, applied and experienced, but event producers, exhibitors and attendees were craving the personal interactions with products and people that had been on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Newsmakers 2021: SFI Fortifies Los Angeles Denim Industry With Launch
Manufacturing
After announcing its acquisition of a Los Angeles laundry earlier this year, Pakistan global denim firm Artistic Milliners saw its new West Coast arm flourish. Star Fades International hit the ground running with a blend of denim wash-and-finish veterans and design innovators.
Newsmakers 2021: Ilse Metchek Leads California Fashion Industry Through Guidance, Partnership
Fashion
Continuing the work that has maintained her fashion-industry status as the omniscient leader of the business within California, Ilse Metchek worked to influence the position of the region’s apparel business and the policies that impact operations.
Newsmakers 2021: Fashion-Forward Swiminista Focuses on Protecting the Earth
Swim/Surf
At the beginning of 2021, Andréa Bernholtz, founder of the Calabasas, Calif., swimwear brand Swiminista,forecasted how consumers would begin moving away from the seclusion that defined 2020, drawn outdoors by nature’s beauty.
Unifi Announces Achievement of Sustainability Goal Ahead of Target
Textiles
As 2022 approaches, many people are considering the resolutions they will make ahead of the new year, but for fiber innovator Unifi, Inc., a major milestone that was originally planned as a 2022 target has already been achieved.
Kinona Releases Expanded 2021 Resort Collection
Green-worthy Golfwear
Adhering to its mission of providing golfwear styles that women will want to wear on—and off—the course, Kinona recently released additional 2021 Resort pieces.
Supply-Chain Issues Beginning to Ease Up
Import/Export
After months of long wait times, out-of-stock items and a feeling of uncertainty surrounding the holiday season, supply-chain issues around the world are slowly beginning to ease up.
Black Friday Attracts Consumers Who Embrace In-Store Shopping
2021 Holiday Retail
The 2021 holiday shopping season was predicted to break all sorts of sales records, with both online and in-store sales expected to increase significantly.
Centric Software Acquires Armonica Retail
Technology
Centric Software has announced the acquisition of end-to-end retail-planning-solutions provider Armonica Retail.
Boardriders Inc. Appoints New Global Chief Operating Officer
Swim/Surf
Boardriders Inc., the company that designs, produces and distributes apparel under the brands Billabong, DC Shoes, Element, Quicksilver, ROXY, RVCA and VonZipper, has announced the appointment of Deborah Palmer Keiser as global chief operating officer.
'House of Gucci' Exhibition at FIDM Museum 'Completes Picture'
FASHION
On display at the FIDM Museum until Dec. 4, a selection of costumes from the film "House of Gucci" tie together the dramatic tale of the venerated heritage Italian fashion brand.
Wednesday, December 1
Virgil Abloh, Fashion Designer and Innovator, 41
OBITUARY
On Nov. 28, the global fashion world was stunned to learn of the passing of Virgil Abloh, Off-White founder and artistic director and Louis Vuitton men’s artistic director.
