The Tariff Scare Keeps Apparel and Textile Companies Hopping
Import/Export
President Trump launched a trade war in March by imposing a 10 percent tariff on aluminum and a 25 percent tariff on steel coming from countries around the world.
North Face to Celebrate a New Generation of Female Explorers
Outdoor Wear
The North Face taking actions to recognize and promote female explorers and adventurers in all fields.
Versatility is the Key to This Fashion Label
Manufacturing
When Nicole Frank had a real-estate business, she found her days were long and her wardrobe options were short.
New Chairman Elected for the National Council of Textile Organizations
Textiles
At its annual meeting, the National Council of Textile Organizations elected Marty Moran, chief executive of Buhler Quality Yarns Corp. in Jefferson, Ga., as its chairman. Previously, he had been the vice chairman of NCTO.
Tariffs on China Could Broadly Affect Clothing and Footwear Imports
Imports/Exports
With about 33 percent of all clothing and 72 percent of all footwear sold in the United States coming from China, President Trump’s latest volley to impose some $50 billion in tariffs on that Asian country could have a dire effect on the average consumer.
Guess Earnings Fall for Fiscal 2018
Manufacturing
Guess? Inc., the decades-old denim and lifestyle label, no longer counts on the United States for the bulk of its sales.
Mr. Turk Teams Up With Jonathan Adler for Swimwear Capsule Collection
Fashion
Think cabanas and swimming pools with this collaboration
Art Hearts Fashion Changes Venue With Full Schedule
Game of Fashion
Los Angeles Fashion Week kicked off with Art Hearts Fashion, the first of two back-to-back, multi-day shows that filled the week with more than 35 designers on the runway.
February Retail Sales See Solid Jump
Retail
February was a very good month for sales. The National Retail Federation reported that retail sales last month rose 4.4 percent year-over-year as the economy continued to grow.
Law Firm Steps Down From Paul Marciano Investigation
Manufacturing
A little more than three weeks after Guess? Inc. cofounder Paul Marciano relinquished his day-to-day duties following sexual-harassment allegations, the law firm that was investigating the accusations is stepping aside.
Gap Wants Its Factories to Go Digital When Paying Workers
Manufacturing
Gap Inc. is asking 800 of its factories in 30 countries to skip the cash when paying their workers and start depositing workers’ checks using a digital system by 2020.
LA Market Sees Showrooms and Stores Adjusting to the ‘New Normal’ in Retail
LA Fashion Market
Buyers fanned out to the various showroom buildings in the Los Angeles Fashion District for the March 12–14 run of Los Angeles Fashion Market, which was highlighting the fashions for Fall/Winter 2018.
Bebe Opens First Lifestyle Store in New York
Retail
After a hiatus on the retail scene, Bebe opens its first lifestyle store.
NYDJ Launches Spring Fashion Campaign With Real Women
Fashion
Three of the 12 women used in the recent By Women, For Women campaign are from Los Angeles.
Law Firm Steps Down From Paul Marciano Investigation
Law firm steps down in investigation of sexual harassment allegations against Guess? Inc. cofounder Paul Marciano.
European Retaliation Tariffs Planned on U.S. Clothing
Import/Export
After President Trump signed an order on March 8 to impose tariffs on imported aluminum and steel, apparel makers were bracing for Europe to slap retaliatory tariffs on a variety of apparel coming from the United States.
Impulse Moda Showroom
Manufacturing
After four years of operating her Impulse Moda showroom on the eighth floor of the Gerry Building, Lori Marchand moved up a notch at the beginning of the year to the ninth floor, where there is a friendly vibe because all the showroom owners have known each other for years.
The UCLA Anderson Forecast Sees Big Changes in Store for U.S. Economy
Finance
Last year, President Trump had just taken office and the economy was slowly slogging forward as unemployment rates dropped steadily, inflation was modest and interest rates were changing every so slightly.
Two Important Textile and Fiber Organizations Merge
Textiles
As of April 1, the National Council of Textile Organizations and the American Fiber Manufacturers Association will be one.
Cherokee CEO Says the Old Ways of Brand Management Are Over
Manufacturing
When Henry Stupp became the chief executive of Cherokee Global Brands in 2010, revenues at the brand-management company had been declining for five years.
The UCLA Anderson Forecast Sees Big Changes in Store for U.S. Economy Through 2020
Business investment is going to be driving the bus this year.
Paris Baguette Opens in LA Fashion District
Retail
New eatery opens up where a clothing store used to be located.
Gap Inc. Moves in a Positive Direction Seen in Fourth-Quarter Earnings
Retail
There was no gap in the financial results reported on March 1 by Gap Inc. The San Francisco–based retailer—one of the largest in the United States—saw a huge jump in net earnings for the year and even experienced positive same-store sales in the fourth quarter for all its various nameplates except for the Gap stores.
UBM Sells MR Magazine and Sister Publications
Retail
UBM—the parent company of UBM Fashion, which organizes various apparel and footwear trade shows in Las Vegas, New York and other venues—has sold MR Magazine to Wainscot Media, based in Montvale, N.J.
Several California Designers Show at Art Hearts Fashion in New York
LA in NY
As a warm-up for Los Angeles Fashion Week, several California designers participated in the Feb. 8–11 edition of Art Hearts Fashion in New York, which took place at the Angel Oresnanz Foundation event space in lower Manhattan.
New Owners of American Apparel Set Goal to Double Sales This Year
Manufacturing
It has only been a little more than one year since Gildan Activewear acquired the intellectual-property rights of American Apparel, the decades-old Los Angeles apparel company that twice declared bankruptcy in a little more than one year.
Bachrach Menswear Stores Closing After Filing for Second Bankruptcy
Retail
Centuries-old Bachrach menswear stores is closing all its outposts across the country.
UBM Sells MR Magazine and Sister Publications
UBM sells MR Magazine and sister publications.
The Creative and Fun Side of the Business in Vegas
Trade Shows
Creativity abounds at the Las Vegas shows.
IFJAG Vendors Keep Busy at Hotel Venue
Trade Shows
The International Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Group took over three floors at the Embassy Suites near the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino for their third show in Las Vegas, held Feb. 10–13.
Supima Cotton’s Origin to be Verified in New Program
Textiles
In the world of cotton, it is an open secret that some products labeled 100 percent Egyptian or Pima cotton are not what they appear and are really cheaper cotton.
Chinese New York Puts a Dent Into Sourcing at MAGIC
Trade Shows
Curtains around the edges of the Sourcing at MAGIC show marked the boundaries of a smaller exhibiting area at the Feb. 11–14 event at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Imagination Blossoms at WWDMAGIC
Trade Shows
Creativity was thriving at the WWDMAGIC show, held Feb. 12–15 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Womenswear in Nevada Keeps the Beat Steady
Trade Shows
This was only the second time that the Yak & Yeti label exhibited at the Womenswear in Nevada show Feb. 12–15 at the Rio All-Suite Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
Guess Chairman Stepping Down During Investigation of Sexual-Harassment Accusations
Marciano Steps Down
Paul Marciano, a cofounder of Guess? Inc. and the Los Angeles company’s chairman and chief creative officer, is taking a leave from his day-to-day duties while an investigation is being conducted following sexual-harassment accusations by model Kate Upton.
Buyers Pack Las Vegas to Peruse Some 15 Trade Shows
Trade Shows
If retailers couldn’t find what they were looking for in Las Vegas, they probably couldn’t find it anywhere.
California’s Economy Will Continue to Outshine Most of the United States
Finance
The California economy has been going gangbusters over the past few years and should continue to march along nicely over the next two years.
California’s Economy Will Continue to Outshine Most of the U.S.
California, with its technology, aerospace and entertainment industries, will continue to outdo the rest of the United States.
Guess Chairman Stepping Down During Investigation of Sexual-Harassment Accusations
Paul Marciano, a cofounder of Guess? Inc. and the Los Angeles company’s chairman and chief creative officer, is taking a leave from his day-to-day duties while an investigation is being conducted following sexual harassment accusations by model Kate Upton.
Tadashi Shoji Styles Are Long on Sophistication and Eveningwear
Red Carpet Ready
Elegance was on the runway at the Tadashi Shoji runway show held Feb. 8 at New York Fashion Week.
Mad Engine Acquires Mighty Fine for Fourth Acquisition
Manufacturing
Mighty Fine, a mostly juniors and children’s apparel maker based in downtown Los Angeles, has been acquired by Mad Engine. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Retail Imports Will Rise During the First Half of the Year
Import/Export
With wages going up and unemployment going down, shoppers are expected to continue hitting the stores, which means more imports will be coming in by the boatload.
A Successful Holiday Season Reaps Benefits in Las Vegas
Feel the MAGIC
An air of optimism blew through the various trade shows held Feb. 10–14 in Las Vegas as many retailers were encountering empty shelves in their warehouses from a robust holiday season, which set up a willingness to place orders and stock up for the upcoming seasons.
New Apparel and Textile Sourcing Show Slated for Miami
Trade Shows
Hundreds of apparel and textile manufacturers from China, India, Bangladesh, the United States, Mexico and other countries will be exhibiting at the newly established Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami show, scheduled for May 21–23.
Macerich Sees Lower Revenues but Solid Vacancy Rates
Retail
The Macerich Co., a real estate investment trust that owns interests in 48 regional shopping centers, said its annual revenues for 2017 were down a little more than 6 percent while its net income slipped dramatically.
Costume Designer Luis Sequeira Had 12 Week to Put Together his Academy Award-Nominated Costumes
Fashion
Research, research and research. Those are the hallmarks of a good costume designer.
Costume Designer Mark Bridges Took on Detective-Like Qualities to Develop ‘Phantom Thread’ Costumes
Fashion
Costume designer Mark Bridges said one of his greatest challenges in creating the styles for the “Phantom Thread” movie was the fact that it was shot in London and not Los Angeles.
FIDM Unveils Academy Award-Nominated Costumes and Other Movie Attire at its Campus Museum
Oscar Material
More than 800 people from the film and fashion industry showed up for the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising’s unveiling of an extensive exhibit of costumes seen in movies released in 2017.
Boardriders Names New CEO to Replace Pierre Agnes
Swim/Surf
After Boardriders’ 54-year-old chief executive disappeared off the coast of southeast France on Jan. 30, the Southern California surfwear company has named his replacement.
