2016 Newsmakers: American Apparel Could be Sold Off in Pieces
Manufacturing
For the second time in a little more than one year, American Apparel headed to bankruptcy court while it searched for a buyer.
Two New Sections Planned for Upcoming Hong Kong Fashion Week
Trade Shows
The upcoming Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter, to be held Jan. 16–19, 2017, at the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Centre, will be introducing two new apparel zones: fashionable sportswear and casualwear.
American Apparel Workers Get a Slight Reprieve
Manufacturing
American Apparel workers might have a few more days to work at the huge factory in downtown Los Angeles and two other facilities.
American Apparel Employees Get a Slight Reprieve
Auction of American Apparel assets postponed a few days.
UCLA Anderson Forecast Predicts the Fallout from ‘Trumponomics’
UCLA Anderson economists got caught by surprise when Donald Trump was elected to be the 45th president of the United States.
American Apparel Factory Workers Given Notice of Layoffs, Hope for A Reprieve from New Owners
Manufacturing
Hundreds of workers inside the American Apparel factory near downtown Los Angeles have been given written notices that they will have jobs until Jan. 7 and then they will be laid off unless the new buyer of the company decides to continue manufacturing in the building.
Major Retailer Leaves Hollywood & Highland
Retail
Right before the holiday season seems like an odd time to close a store.
American Apparel Factory Workers Given Notice of Layoffs, Hope for a Reprieve from New Owners
Hundreds of workers inside the American Apparel factory near downtown Los Angeles have been given written notice that they will have jobs until Jan. 7 and then they will be laid off unless the new buyer of the company decides to continue manufacturing in the building.
Bomb Threat at Hollywood & Highland
Retail
Bomb threat called into Hollywood & Highland on Monday morning.
How Would the End of NAFTA Affect the LA Apparel Industry?
Import/Export
Ever since the presidential elections ended, people such as Daniel Barcenas have been fielding calls from Mexican apparel companies asking what is going to happen to free trade under a Trump administration.
Trade Show: Shop&Dine
Trade Shows
Traveling to trade shows means three things: making big sales, eating out and discovering a new store to provide a nice pick-me-up. Here are a few suggestions on some of the newer restaurants and fashionable boutiques found in the major cities on the trade-show circuit.
Ship at Port of Long Beach Picking Up Empty Hanjin Cargo Containers
Import/Export
With some 6,000 Hanjin-leased cargo containers sitting empty in the wake of the Hanjin Shipping bankruptcy, the result is that some 6,000 chassis attached to the containers are not circulating throughout the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and stalling pickup times and deliveries.
Steady Increase in Merchandise Arriving at U.S. Ports for the Holidays
Import/Export
As the holiday season approaches, shipping import volumes at the nation’s leading ports are ramping up rapidly.
How Los Angeles Shopping Centers Are Targeting the Millennial Customer
Retail
This summer, Two Rodeo Drive—the tony Beverly Hills shopping destination that looks like a faux European thoroughfare—set up an exhibit with Galerie Michael of 12 Salvador Dali sculptures that attracted hundreds of thousands of people.
Nasty Gal Files for Bankruptcy Protection
Retail
Nasty Gal, the Los Angeles online shopping site founded in 2006 by Sophia Amoruso, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with millions in debt.
American Apparel to Wind Down UK Clothing Stores After the Holidays
Retail
After Christmas, 13 American Apparel stores will be closed in Great Britain.
Pam & Gela Contribute to Wear LACMA Collection
Fashion
Pam and Gela, the founders of Juicy Couture, use Japanese-art inspiration for their Wear LACMA Collection.
Forever 21 Closing Hong Kong Store
Retail
After five years, Forever 21 is shuttering its huge store in Causeway Bay.
Gap’s Chief Financial Officer Is Stepping Down
Retail
After 15 years working at Gap Inc., Sabrina Simmons is stepping down from her job as executive vice president and chief financial officer.
Trina Turk Marches Forward With New Store and New Looks
Retail
Trina Turk, the contemporary lifestyle designer known for her bright colors and mid-century–inspired prints evoking a resort vacation, is opening her 12th store next February in the Larchmont Village area of Los Angeles.
Longshore Workers and Employers Meet for Early Talks on Contract Extension
Import/Export
After a disastrous holiday season two years ago when many ships couldn’t unload their cargo on time at West Coast ports, longshore workers and their employers are trying to head off any similar disaster.
Orange County Sportswear Company Leasing Former American Apparel Dye and Finishing Plant
Manufacturing
Months after American Apparel emerged from bankruptcy, the company shuttered its dye and finishing plant just outside of Los Angeles, which will be leased to AST Sportswear Inc.
Heidi Merrick Opens First Store in Downtown LA
Heidi Merrick in DTLA
At a time when many people are shuttering stores and heading to e-commerce sites to sell their collections, Los Angeles designer Heidi Merrick is making a splash with her very first retail outpost.
The North Face Opens Flagship on Fifth Avenue
Retail
The North Face opens first big New York City flagship store in a hot spot.
UGG Gets Into the Lounge Wear Biz
Fashion
The Ugg people introduce a small but high-end cashmere lounge wear collection with more to come on Nov. 15.
Cone Denim Parent Company Acquired by Beverly Hills Private-Equity Firm
Textiles
Platinum Equity acquires International Textile Group, parent of Cone Denim and Burlington Industries.
LA Blue Jeans Manufacturers Moving to Mexico to Take Advantage of Free Trade
Import/Export
With high-priced blue jeans made in Los Angeles taking a beating in the market, manufacturers facing rising wages in California are amping up their production of premium jeans in Mexico.
Crowded Schedule at LA Market
LA Market
The Los Angeles Fashion Week runway shows continued with events hosted by Style Fashion Week, Fashion Week Los Angeles and Fashion Business Inc.
Neiman Marcus' 90th Christmas Book Unveiled
Holiday retail
Neiman Marcus goes all out for the 90th edition of their Christmas Book filled with over-the-top gifts you can't afford.
Speedo USA Gets a New President
Manufacturing
John Graham, previously senior vice president of sales for Speedo USA, has been named to take over the job as president of Speedo USA.
Paula Schneider Named Chief Executive of Three Los Angeles Premium Labels
Manufacturing
Former American Apparel Chief Executive Paula Schneider has been named chief executive of DG Premium Brands, whose recently acquired Los Angeles labels include 7 For All Mankind, Ella Moss and Splendid.
Naven Goes Flirty at Style Fashion Week
Fashion
Kym and Alexis McClay, known as the Naven twins, hit the runway with color.
Project Runway Contestant Shines at Style Fashion Week
Fashion
Designer Richard Hallmarq goes for high fashion on the runway.
Cole Haan Opens South Coast Plaza Store With New Design
Retail
The new Cole Haan flagship store has the look and feel of a traditional home.
Fashion District Street Being Closed Off for Urban Dinner
Fashion District
The annual Urban Dinner Party to be held on Santee Street.
The North Face Opens a Concept Store in San Francisco
Retail
In an old brick building, The North Face has opened a new concept store, tapping a spot right near Jackson Square in San Francisco.
Hanjin Bankruptcy Fiasco Still Hurting Apparel Importers
Import/Export
Sitting on the water somewhere between here and Asia are 17 containers of private-label menswear valued at around $1.5 million that Pacific Textiles & Sourcing in Los Angeles is importing from Pakistan.
Popping Up Inside Opening Ceremony
Retail
Handbag and shoe maker Mansur Gavriel goes fancy with a pop-up inside the Opening Ceremony store.
Container Imports Inch Up for the Holiday Season
Import/Export
Imports coming through the nation's ports up slightly over last year.
VF Corp. Names a New CEO to Take over for Eric Wiseman
Manufacturing
VF Corp.—the 118-year-old company whose brands include Vans, Wrangler, Lee and, until recently, 7 For All Mankind—has appointed Steve Rendle as its new chief executive, effective Jan. 1.
Troubled California Brands Figuring Out How to Survive in the New Apparel World
Manufacturing
A rash of recent layoffs at big prestigious Los Angeles labels noted for their superb fabric, cutting-edge styles and trendsetting ways is a sign that traditional brands are facing tough competition from e-commerce sites and fast-fashion retailers and faced with the added challenge of a millennial mindset that shuns department-store merchandise in favor of fashion blogger recommendations.
Bearpaw Adding Apparel to its Shoe Line-up
Outdoor Wear
Outdoor jackets will be added to the line-up of Bearpaw sheepskin boots and slippers launched in 2001.
BCBG Max Azria Downsizing With Big Layoffs
Manufacturing
BCBGMaxAzriaGroup, one of the longest-running contemporary brands in Los Angeles, is laying off 123 people from its company effective Nov. 1, according to filings with the state Employment Development Department.
How Young Republicans and Young Democrats Dress Differently
Fashion
A study shows which clothing brands young Republicans and young Democrats prefer.
New Off-Price Discount Show Debuts at the California Market Center
Trade Shows
A new trade event that helps vendors get rid of old inventory or overstock got a small start at the same time buyers were flocking to downtown Los Angeles for the LA Majors Market.
Mergers, Acquisitions and Bankruptcies: What’s in the Cards for the apparel and Retail Sectors
Finance
Shoppers are flocking to online sites to snap up purchases while spending more money on dining out and traveling. This has left tried-and-true retailers and manufacturers in a quandary.
JustFab and Betches Blog Form Partnership
Fashion and Technology
The online subscription brand JustFab and the edgy blog known as Betches are getting together.
UCLA Anderson Forecast Predicts Moderate Economic Growth and Rising Housing Prices in California
Quarterly Report
According to the recently released UCLA Anderson Forecast’s quarterly update, the next two years will be pretty much a repeat of the past several years—moderate growth with job gains. But future job gains won’t be quite as robust as in previous years.
Several Los Angeles Garment Manufacturers Fined for State Violations
Manufacturing
A two-day raid of Los Angeles–area garment factories resulted in the California Labor Commissioner fining 18 manufacturers and contractors $682,344 for having no workers’ compensation insurance and for garment registration violations.
