Port of Long Beach Names New Interim Director
Import/Export
The Port of Long Beach is looking for a new chief executive after Jon Slangerup resigned on Sept. 8 to become chairman and chief executive of an aviation technology company in Canada.
What’s at Stake if a Designer’s Name is Part of the Label?
Manufacturing
The name game can be a financially dangerous game played by designers every time they create a new label.
Chief Executive Paula Schneider Exiting American Apparel
Manufacturing
After a tumultuous two-year ride as chief executive of American Apparel, Paula Schneider will be leaving the company on Oct. 3, sources said.
Heidi Merrick Opening Store in DTLA
Retail
Designer Heidi Merrick steps out to explore the retail world.
Pantone Unveils a Palette of Colors for Spring 2017
Fashion
Looking on the bright side of Spring 2017 fashion.
Ships from China and Vietnam Add Route to Port of Oakland
Import/Export
Starting in November, three Asian shipping lines will be establishing routes from Asia to the Port of Oakland.
Ex-CBP Apparel and Textiles Chief Janet Labuda Hired at FormerFedsGroup
Import/Export
For years, Janet Labuda was known as the government’s top dog when it came to enforcing apparel and textile import laws and finding counterfeit goods.
Retail Weakness Results in Layoffs at Major Los Angeles Contemporary Brands
Manufacturing
High-end Los Angeles labels that have strong brand recognition are going through troubled times.
Hanjin Shipping Bankruptcy Creating Chassis Problems at LA Ports
Import/Export
Cargo-container ships owned by bankrupt Hanjin Shipping have been arriving at the Long Beach/Los Angeles port complex this week after a U.S. bankruptcy judge cleared the way for vessels to dock without being seized by creditors.
Torrid Debuts Its "Empire" Collection
Fashion
Styles that would be worn by the women on "Empire" make a splash at large-size retailer Torrid.
FIDM Students Create Visual Displays at 99 Cents Only Store
Retail
Using items bought at the store, FIDM students use their imagination to create visual displays.
Hanjin Shipping Files Legal Papers to Help Unload Cargo at LA Ports
Cargo containers stuck on Hanjin Shipping Co. vessels anchored beyond the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach could be unloaded soon.
New Owners Laying Off 65 Employees at 7 For All Mankind, Ella Moss and Splendid
7 For All Mankind will be moving in with Ella Moss and Splendid.
NYFW Trends Have a California Feeling
NYFW Trends
With a flurry of runway shows in line for New York Fashion Week, don’t be surprised if you see a bit of California on the catwalk.
Levi Strauss Names New Global and Supply Chain Executives
Manufacturing
Levi Strauss & Co., the San Francisco company known for its rugged denim, has promoted two executives to new posts.
PacSun Sheds Bankruptcy, Emerging as a Private Company
Retail
Five months after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Pacific Sunwear of California has been acquired by a San Francisco private-equity investment firm.
Expanded Broadway Plaza Shopping Center Officially Reopens
Retail
After years of renovation and expansion, Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek, Calif., officially reopened with 90 percent of its space leased.
Arsonist Suspected in Gap Distribution Center Fire
Retail
After one of Gap Inc.’s largest distribution centers was severely damaged by fire, the company was scrambling to fill online orders and get merchandise on store shelves in its Northeast territory.
Is the Trans-Pacific Partnership Dead on Arrival?
Import/Export
With all the political rhetoric flying during an election year, apparel and textile experts are wondering whether the Trans-Pacific Partnership has any chance of being approved by Congress before a new president takes office in January.
PacSun Sheds Bankruptcy, Emerging as a Private Company
PacSun to move forward as a private company.
Hanjin Shipping Bankruptcy Causes Havoc at LA Ports
Import/Export
Importers trying to extract merchandise from Hanjin Shipping Co. vessels docked at LA’s two ports were being told to pay $400 to $800 extra to retrieve their containers.
Thousands of Fake Ferragamo Shoes Seized at LA Ports
Import/Export
Nearly 8,000 pairs of shoes bearing fake “Salvatore Ferragamo” labels recently were seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Loyal Retailers Shop the FMNC Show in Northern California
Trade Shows
The show floor at the Aug. 21–23 run of Fashion Market Northern California was not as full as the April and October events, but exhibitors said a faithful following of Northern California retailers shopped the floor and placed orders at the event, held at the San Mateo Event Center
Forever 21 Sues Brandy Melville for Copyright Infringement
Legal
In the world of copyright lawsuits, the tables have turned with Forever 21 stepping up to sue a fellow teen retailer for allegedly knocking off a fabric print that Forever 21 said it copyrighted nearly two years ago.
Guess Sees Nearly Flat Second-Quarter Revenues
Retail
Guess, the Los Angeles company known for its sexy clothes and even sexier ads, reported a slight decline in its second-quarter revenues for fiscal 2017 as tourist traffic to stores dipped in the United States.
Nordstrom Brings New Concept to LA Store
Retail
One year ago, Nordstrom launched a new in-store boutique called Space. The idea was to feature emerging and advanced designers and labels such as Simone Rocha, Vetements, Comme des Garçons, Ellery and Undercover.
WWIN Brings in Buyers From Across the Country
Trade Shows
About 2,200 stores showed up for the Aug. 15–18 run of the Women’s Wear In Nevada show in Las Vegas, down some 5 percent from one year ago.
Offprice Sees Exhibitor Count Off
Trade Shows
Booths at the Offprice Show in Las Vegas were selling merchandise at a bargain—designer sweaters for $7 and up and leggings for $2.50.
Class-Action Lawsuit Filed Against Zara for Allegedly Overcharging U.S. Shoppers
Legal
Walk into a Zara store in the United States and you will find that the price tags on the clothes are marked in euros, the currency for the European Union, with a sticker placed over it with the price in U.S. dollars.
Sourcing at MAGIC Dominated by China
Trade Shows
The vast Las Vegas Convention Center looked like the United Nations when the Sourcing at MAGIC show came to town Aug.
Los Angeles Manufacturers Pack WWDMAGIC
Trade Shows
Boho chic was still a much sought-after look at the recent WWDMAGIC show, held Aug. 15–17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Vegas is a One-Stop Shop—Spread Out Across Multiple Categories and Venues
Trade Shows
The recent Las Vegas apparel, accessories and sourcing trade shows offered a comprehensive overview of the apparel market for buyers who zipped between the many shows and venues.
UGG Kicks Off New Fall Collection with Hailey Baldwin
Fashion
Ugg boots has a new classic street collection on the street.
Class-Action Lawsuit Filed Against Zara for Allegedly Overcharging U.S. Shoppers
A Los Angeles consumer has filed a $5 million-plus class-action lawsuit against Spanish retailer giant Zara maintaining that U.S. consumers are being charged incorrectly for Zara merchandise priced in euros.
Warm and Fuzzy Side of Sourcing at MAGIC
International
Chinese girl sells stuffed animals to raise money to send poor girls to elementary school.
American Apparel Up for Sale and Eying Production Facilities Outside of California
Retail
American Apparel has a “For Sale” sign up just six months after exiting bankruptcy, according to sources close to the company.
Buyers Navigate a Shuffled Trade Show Lineup in Las Vegas Shows
Vegas Trade Shows
Buyers returned to Las Vegas to find a newly shuffled layout during the Aug. 15-18 run of the apparel, accessories and sourcing trade shows.
West Coast Longshore Workers Agree to Talk About a Contract Extension
Import/Export
With the goal of keeping the West Coast ports from being hit with another labor snafu down the road, longshore workers and their port employers have agreed to discuss extending the current labor contract that ends in 2019.
Sky High Rescue by Helicopter in LA's Fashion District
Flying Fire Dept.
Los Angeles Fire Department sends a helicopter to rescue a worker atop a crane in downtown LA's Fashion District.
Macy’s to Close 100 Stores and Look at its Real Estate Portfolio for Redevelopment
Retail
Among the 100 stores that Macy’s said it will be closing is the Macy’s Men’s store near Union Square in San Francisco.
Long-Time LA Garment Manufacturer Charged With Hiding Income at Israeli Banks to Avoid Paying Taxes
Legal
Masud Sarshar, known for taking an ordinary workwear brand and converting it into a colorful array of pants called Dickies Girl, has been charged by the federal government with hiding more than $21 million in income in Israeli banks and avoiding U.S. taxes on it.
Burlington Expanding Downtown LA Store
Retail
Burlington Coat Factory takes over part of the St. Vincent Jewelry Center to add on to downtown LA store.
Off 5th Comes to the San Fernando Valley
Retail
Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th opens third Los Angeles County store.
Cotton Prices Rising as India Overtakes China as Largest Cotton Producer
Textiles
Cotton prices are on the rise after holding steady for the last few years.
Levi Strauss Awards Fellowships to 10 Textiles-Industry Entrepreneurs to Further Their Approach to Sustainability
Manufacturing
Blue-jeans maker Levi Strauss & Co. is putting its pocketbook behind an effort to make fabric and apparel production more environmentally friendly and socially aware.
