Two Weeks Left to See FIDM Movie Costume Exhibit
Fashion
More than 100 movie costumes are on display until the end of April at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's museum in downtown LA.
Obituary: Famed Retailer Fred Hayman, 90
Retail
Fred Hayman, the king of Rodeo Drive who put the Beverly Hills luxury street on the world shopping map, passed away on April 14. He was 90.
China Agrees to End Export Subsidies
Import/Export
After months of negotiations, China has agreed to put a stop to the export subsidies it has been granting for years to a host of industries, giving them an unfair advantage when competing with other companies around the world.
NRF Supply-Chain Expert Appointed to Government Advisory Committee
Import/Export
Jonathan Gold of the National Retail Federation has been appointed to a U.S. Department of Commerce committee to advise on supply-chain issues that affect the international competitiveness of the nation’s businesses.
Alliance Apparel Moves Into LA Fashion District After Partnership With Online Retailer Revolve
Manufacturing
Since Alliance Apparel was acquired last year by online retailer Revolve, the Los Angeles clothing company has seen things change at lightning speed.
Old Navy Gets New President
Retail
Coming off of months of declining sales in all its labels, Gap Inc. announced it was naming Sonia Syngal as Old Navy’s new global president.
Retailers Go Back to the Drawing Board to Draw in Consumers
Finance
As consumers alter their buying patterns, developers across the country are blowing up shopping centers and redrawing their mall maps to give more real estate to restaurants, nail salons and gadget stores and less square footage to clothing outposts.
Victoria's Secret Shuttering Catalog Business
Retail
Victoria's Secret saying good-bye to all those catalogs stuffed in your mailbox.
Nas Curating Ghostbusters Collection
Fashion
Hip-hop star Nas is working with Sony to curate a Nas x Ghostbusters collection to coordinate with the movie's release this summer.
American Apparel Workers Get Pink Slips
Manufacturing
Scores of American Apparel workers are being laid off as the Los Angeles clothing company is revamping its production process shortly after emerging from bankruptcy protection in February.
California Approves Highest Minimum Wage in the Country
Finance
By 2022, California will be the state with the highest minimum wage in the country, making it an expensive place to do business.
Majors Market Buzzing
Trade Shows
The 2015 Back-to-School season was considered a disappointment for much of the juniors market, but the future looks bright, according to many of the exhibitors at the April 4–6 run of LA Majors Market, primarily held at the California Market Center in downtown Los Angeles.
Directives West Highlights Major Trends for Fall/Winter 2016
Fall Forecast
Floppy hats, faux-fur vests, peasant tops, leather jackets trimmed with fringe, slouchy sweaters, ponchos, lacy dresses, plaid pieces and plenty of worn denim were at the top of the trend chart for Fall/Winter 2016.
PacSun Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Retail
Pacific Sunwear of California has not turned a profit in years.
Streetwear Sample Sale at Fashion District Bar
Fashion
Menswear label Zanerobe hopes to party and sell samples at the same time.
Interest Rates to Rise This Spring as Economy Improves
Finance
UCLA Anderson Forecast predicts that the U.S. economy will grow moderately in 2016 and 2017.
Bloomie's Opening Outlet in Orange County
Retail
First Bloomingdale's Outlet in Southern California is opening later this year.
Survey Reveals Clothing Manufacturers Optimistic for Better Spring/Summer Sales
Manufacturing
Apparel and accessories manufacturers are optimistic that retailers will be having a good season in the upcoming months.
Republic Business Credit Taps Fred Gaylord
Finance
Republic Business Credit announced it has hired Fred Gaylord as senior vice president of sales and marketing.
What Consequences Would Raising Tariffs Have on the Apparel Industry?
Finance
In the whirlwind of election-year debates, some politicians have been taking a protectionist attitude and threatening to raise U.S. tariffs and erect trade barriers.
Hustler Hollywood Opening in Hollywood
Retail
Hustler Hollywood opening its doors on Hollywood Boulevard soon.
Ex-CEO at Liz Claiborne Named to American Apparel Board
Manufacturing
Nearly two months after emerging from bankruptcy, American Apparel has named three apparel industry veterans to its seven-member board of directors.
COS Setting Up Permanent Store in DTLA
Retail
COS, the higher-end retail chain under the H&M umbrella, is opening in the old Olympic Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
Hong Kong to Share in $20.5M Retrieved from Clothing Smuggled Through L.A. Ports
Import/Export
An elaborate scheme that involved bringing in Chinese-made apparel from Hong Kong through Los Angeles ports, allegedly destined for Mexico but ending up in the United States, will result in Hong Kong sharing some of the $20.5 million worth of forfeited assets collected during the investigation.
Betsey Johnson Shows Off Her Spring/Summer Collection
Fashion
Betsey Johnson joins crowd at West Hollywood for a fun-filled and colorful party to debut her Spring/Summer collection.
Blue Jeans Maker Sharing Water-saving Techniques
Manufacturing
Levi Strauss & Co. announced it is making its Water< Less finishing techniques available to the public.
Man Who Embezzled From Citizens of Humanity Pleads Guilty
Legal
The man who oversaw a scheme to embezzle $8 million from a commercial laundry house owned by Citizens of Humanity pleaded guilty to federal charges, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
LAFW Wraps Up at Columbia Square
Fashion
Newly minted Columbia Square proves to be a good spot for LAFW.
Rosemary Brantley: Fashion Design Chair at Otis Stepping Down After 35 Years
Fashion
When Rosemary Brantley walked up the stairs in 1980 to the newly established fashion design department at the Otis College of Art and Design, then located near Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park, she found only one office with a single telephone plugged into the corner and four classrooms.
Fall ’16 Market Draws Mixed Reviews
Fall ’16 Market
For some at the recent Los Angeles Fashion Market, it was an opportunity to place Fall 2016 orders. For others, it was a chance to replenish depleted inventory.
Kevan Hall's Fashion at the White House
Fashion
Actress Sandra Oh looks stylist at the White House wearing a Kevan Hall creation.
Imports Steady as Back-to-School Season Approaches
Import/Export
U.S. cargo-container imports for the first half of this year are expected to be nearly flat over last year as the economy inches along.
Showroom Profile: the M Showroom and Michael Bush/LA-Apparel
Showroom Profile
Showroom Profile: the M Showroom and Michael Bush/LA-Apparel
Otis Fashion Design Students Create Bicycling Outfits for MTA
Otis for MTA
Last year, the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority—which runs the mass transportation systems in Los Angeles County with 2,300 buses and more than 80 rail stations—launched an action plan to go beyond traditional marketing schemes to attract new riders—particularly those young urban dwellers who might be more inclined to ditch their cars.
Blue Jeans Imports by LA Company Challenge Labeling Requirements
Import/Export
In 2010, JBlu Inc., a longtime Los Angeles clothing company, imported some 500,000 pairs of blue jeans from China in 11 shipments through the Port of Long Beach—all headed for retail stores around the country.
Italian Store Opening First U.S. Flagship in Beverly Hills
Retail
A bit of Europe is coming to Beverly Hills.
Westside Pavilion Shopping Center to Remodel
Retail
Westside Pavilion joins LA shopping centers looking at big update.
German Luxury Eyewear Store to DTLA
retail
Mykita to open store near Acne Studios in downtown Los Angeles.
ModCloth Ramping Up to Add Stores
Retailing
After operating as an online site for women’s indie apparel, ModCloth is gearing up to add bricks to its clicks-based business model.
Soft Global Trade Keeps Shipping Rates Low
Import/Export
The U.S. dollar will remain strong until the middle of this year, hampering U.S. exports but boosting a wave of imports into U.S. ports.
The North Face's Latest Made in California Collection Debuts Today
Manufacturing
The North Face comes to Southern California to make its Backyard Project.
BNKR Store Expected to Open Soon in Downtown LA
Retail
Much-delayed BNKR store coming to downtown LA in April.
Big Growth at Materials Shows
Trade Shows
Two big trade shows that display raw materials and components for footwear, fashion, high-tech and the automobile industries have grown by 25 percent over the last year.
New President Named at Mountain Hardwear
Manufacturing
After more than six months of searching for a new president, John Walbrecht has been appointed to take over the top job at Mountain Hardwear.
Busy at Stitch, Accessories The Show, MRket
Trade Shows
Exhibitors at the trio of shows organized by Business Journals Inc. were generally happy with the wide aisles, ample space and airy ambience at the event, but that great environment didn’t prevent retailers from riding a wave of caution.
Bright Lights and Music at WWDMAGIC
Trade Shows
The energy was high at the WWDMAGIC show held Feb. 16–18 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Show Floor Expands at Sourcing at MAGIC
Trade Shows
More than 40 countries from around the world set up booths in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center for the Sourcing at MAGIC trade show, held Feb. 15–18.
Brazilian Pop-Up Shoe Store Coming to L.A.
Retail
Schutz is opening its very first pop-up store in the United States.
