Torrid Closes Above IPO Price as Body-Positivity Movement Grows
Finance
Following the initial public-offering price of $21 per share, the City of Industry, Calif., expanded-size brand Torrid closed at $24.15 per share on July 1, up $3.15, for a 15 percent increase on its first day of trading.
Tukatech-Sowtex Partnership Affords Digital Design-and-Development Platform
Technology
Fashion-technology firms Tukatech and Sowtex have joined together on a collaboration, which will yield a 3D visualizer and design-lab solution that will reduce the time devoted to sampling processes. Launched July 8 throughout Asia, this digital platform allows all supply-chain members to work together through real data.
Thr3efold Launches With a Mission to Cultivate a Responsible Fashion Industry
Technology
Ethical fashion manufacturing is at the core of Jessica Kelly’s Thr3efold software-as-a-service business-to-business platform, which affords access to responsible supply-chain partners and invaluable guidance for apparel and soft-accessory brands.
Leigh Fibers Partners With Tidal Vision to Produce Bio-based Textile Treatments
Textiles
Solving issues of the toxicity that could result from traditional textile treatments, Leigh Fibers and Tidal Vision have announced a partnership that will rely on sustainable, ecologically sound resources to improve this segment of the industry.
Santa Monica College Student Designers Featured in LA Mode Virtual Event
LA Mode 2021
Upon completion of their 2-year fashion coursework, Santa Monica College student designers showcased their collections during the “LA Mode 2021: Distance in Design” exhibition, which was unveiled virtually this year.
SB 62 Moves to Appropriations Committee Following Passage by Assembly Panel
Legal
The Garment Worker Protection Act, also known as SB 62, which was sponsored by California State Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), recently passed through the state’s Assembly Judiciary Committee. The 8–3 vote, announced June 22, now sees the bill moving toward the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
American Giant Teams Up With Samuel Adams on Fourth of July Collection
MADE IN AMERICA
Proud of its commitment to domestic production, San Francisco made-in-America apparel brand American Giant has joined Boston brewer Samuel Adams to release products complementing the beer brand's limited-edition American Crafted that has been released to coincide with the July 4 holiday.
Versatility and Sleek Designs Unite With Empathy in Unify the Ties
Swim/Surf
Artist Taylor Nassar understands the importance of employing art to heal mental-health challenges. As a young woman, Nassar struggled with her mental health and body image, eventually employing her artistic talents as a method to cope. The need to create evolved into Nassar’s brand, Unify the Ties, a San Diego swimwear label that launched in 2017 and relied on the artist’s inspiration from growing up near the beach, which yielded designs based on her own artistic works.
Andréa Bernholtz Embraces Yacht Life With New Swiminista-Lacroix Collection
Swim/Surf
A devotion to luxury and sustainability drove Andréa Bernholtz as she launched her latest collection under The House of Christian Lacroix x Swiminista collaboration. The Yacht Life collection is a celebration of vibrancy through striking colors and flattering cuts yet maintains the Swiminista mission to ensure women feel confident when wearing the brand’s pieces.
Breaking Body-Image Boundaries, Curvy Beach Affords True Size Inclusivity
Swim/Surf
Former actor Elizabeth Taylor had seen enough resistance to sexier bikinis in the expanded-size swimsuit market to know that she wanted to change the narrative surrounding designs for curvier women.
Circling the Globe, Yarn Movement Shares Glimpses of Perfect Getaways
Summertime Sunshine
This season, the summer of 2021 will be held to high expectations as the beach bound and poolside loungers venture out for sand, surf, sun and showing off their swim fashions, such as this Yarn Movement look that was shot in Tanzania.
SFI Introduces a Denim-Fantasy Capsule Suitable for a California Daydream
Denim Daydream
Fresh off its launch earlier this year, the denim factory Star Fades International released its Denim Daydream capsule, the first collection since the Artistic Milliners–backed business opened in Los Angeles.
White Oak Appoints Mike Earnhart as Managing Director of Originations
HIRES AND APPOINTMENTS
San Francisco–headquartered White Oak Commercial Finance, LLC, announced that Mike Earnhart has been appointed managing director of originations.
Brock Collection x H&M Blends Vintage Romance With City Chic
FASHION
Through a new partnership, Los Angeles women’s brand Brock Collection collaborated with H&M on the Brock Collection x H&M, which features fantastic femininity and edgy details nodding to city style.
VNTANA and Browzwear Partner to Ease High-Scale 3D Design Workflows
3D FASHION TECHNOLOGY
Joining together to better serve the apparel community, 3D content-management software provider VNTANA and 3D fashion-technology company Browzwear are aiming to aid brands by streamlining the use of 3D assets across e-commerce, social media and business-to-business sales.
Victoria’s Secret Announces Women-Focused Initiatives During Reshaping of Brand
FASHION CARES
As the Victoria’s Secret lingerie and lifestyle brand continues to shift its focus towards the demands of the women it serves, it recently announced the creation of two new initiatives.
Rudolf Group Introduces PET Cycle-Logic to Aid in Plastics Upcycling
SUSTAINABILITY
Announcing the launch of its Cycle-Logic technology, the Geretsried, Germany–headquartered Rudolf Group unveiled this new advancement to help the textile industry reuse a greater amount of polyethylene terephthalate—or PET—plastics sourced from the post-consumer stage.
Ssense Announces Investment From Sequoia Capital
Global-technology platform Ssense has received a minority investment from Sequoia Capital, which will afford to the Montreal-headquartered firm a post-money enterprise value of over $5 billion CAD, or $ 4.1 billion USD.
Tukatech Unveils 2021 Product Lineup to Support Micro Factories and MTO
FASHION-TECHNOLOGY TOOLS
With the release of its 2021 line of products, Los Angeles fashion-technology company Tukatech has included new features and additional tools to some of its most-popular solutions.
Vans Announces Pride Month Artists' Showcase and Donates to Support LGBTQIA+ Causes
FASHION CARES
Vans recently announced a Pride Month collaboration to highlight the work of four LGBTQIA+ artists.
Hyosung Announces New Global Brand-Marketing Appointments
FIBER AND YARN
Fiber manufacturer Hyosung has announced the appointments of Claire O’Neill as European marketing manager and Julie Nam as U.S. marketing manager.
Cameron Silver Launches Sustainable-Luxury Pop-Up at Fred Segal Malibu Village
LUXURY RESALE
The "King of Vintage," Cameron Silver launched a pop-up of men's and women's designer vintage at Fred Segal Malibu Village on June 10.
Levi’s Katia Walsh Shares Real Insight Regarding Digital, Data and AI
Technology
A company that has followed a progressive course over its 168-year history, Levi Strauss & Co. has played an important role during revolutionary moments within history. From creating an integrated employment force in the mid–20th century or ensuring greater supply-chain transparency in the 1990s to encouraging United States citizens to vote in 2020, the San Francisco–based denim leader has remained committed to progress.
d’Offay Debut Elevates Responsible Design for Discerning Women
Love of Luxury
Blending her love of fashion with a lineage of garment making, Kristen d’Offay set out on a new career when she began development of her d’Offay line two years ago. On June 15, d’Offay will launch as a luxury women’s brand created using dead-stock textiles that provide the foundation for more-responsible fashion.
Show Founders Collaborate on New CALA Men’s Trend Show for August
CALA Men’s Trend
The latest partnership to hit the trade-show floor is the CALA Men’s Trend Show, a project announced by founder Ken Haruta of the West Coast Trend Show and founder Gerry Murtagh of CALA.
A Unique Blend of Community, Commerce at The Shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge
Sportsmen’s Lodge
A historically rich Studio City, Calif., site will experience a renewal as The Shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge welcomes visitors during late summer or early fall 2021 following a $100 million redevelopment. The 95,000-square-foot space will replace the property’s formerly occupied meeting-and-convention area.
Halston Releases Netflix Series–Inspired Collection
FASHION GLAMOUR
Following the May premiere of “Halston,” the Netflix project starring Ewan McGregor as the late luxury designer Roy Halston Frowick, whose work defined the 1970s era of disco grandeur and early 1980s period of excess, the designer’s namesake brand released a limited-edition capsule collection of eveningwear.
Vans Announces Winner of Custom Culture High School Competition
FASHION COMPETITION
For its 12th-annual Vans Custom Culture High School competition, the skate-lifestyle brand chose designs created by students from Fontainebleau High School in Mandeville, La. as the winning creations.
Radiant Roots by Unify the Ties Unites Swimwear and Social Good
FASHION CARES
Dedicated to helping their clients feel comfortable in their own skin, San Diego brand Unify the Ties has been engaging in work to promote inclusivity and awareness.
The Black Fashion Movement to Host Inaugural On-site Event at Galleria Dallas
FASHION FORWARD
Moving from its digital presence, The Black Fashion Movement will host its first on-site designer showcase at Galleria Dallas.
Informa Announces MAGIC New York Debut for September
ON-SITE TRADE EVENTS
With Informa Markets Fashion continuing to evolve and grow its 2021 business, the trade-show producer is expanding its MAGIC event, which will debut a New York edition this September.
Yara Shahidi and Adidas Honor Changemakers Through Originals Collection
CLASSICS REDESIGNED
Building her résumé as a fashion designer, actor, producer, Harvard University student and changemaker Yara Shahidi recently partnered with the sportswear brand Adidas to create a collection that pays homage to her heritage and the next generation of those who are making an impact in the world.
Artistic Milliners and Retraced Partner to Ensure Traceability for Milliner Cotton
SUPPLY-CHAIN TRACEABILITY
Denim and garment manufacturer Artistic Milliners and blockchain-based supply-chain management-solutions provider Retraced have announced a partnership that will afford greater cotton traceability.
Texworld NYC and Apparel Sourcing NYC Partner With LA Textile
TRADE EVENTS
With the return of trade events to on-site locations, Messe Frankfurt’s Texworld New York City and Apparel Sourcing New York City are not only returning to the show floor but also expanding to the West Coast through an LA Textile partnership.
Coterie Plans New York Return for September
TRADE EVENTS
Women’s apparel, footwear and accessories event Coterie announced that it would return to New York as Informa Markets Fashion’s flagship show in the City That Never Sleeps. Coterie New York will be hosted Sept. 19–21 at the Javits Center.
NAACP Creative Sole Scholarship Powered by Vans Launches to Support Black Student Creatives
FASHION CARES
Skate and action-sports brand Vans announced its partnership with the NAACP as the organizations launched the NAACP Creative Sole Scholarship Powered by Vans.
Digital Tools Continue to Play an Important Role in the Hybrid Trade-Show Model
Technology
Through e-commerce platforms, digital fashion houses, video-conferencing options and artificial intelligence–powered event-networking tools, in 2020 the apparel industry relied heavily on digitalization of many of its practices—a shift that was long overdue. A harsh reality for many within the industry was that they should have been cultivating their digital approaches to business long before a pandemic brought business to a halt.
Trade-Show Q&A: As on-site event restrictions are being lifted, how are you approaching trade-show production, and will you utilize virtual options to extend your reach?
Trade Shows
Following a tumultuous 2020, when most on-site events were suspended and the trade-show industry was defined by virtual offerings, Zoom meetings and health regulations to suppress the spread of COVID-19, the second half of 2021 is seeing a long-anticipated return to fashion-industry productions hosted on location. While many in the industry are looking forward to returning to the show floor in person, a number of opportunities for expanding show reach through virtual tools were discovered during this time.
Nina Parker Becomes First Black Woman to Partner With Macy's on Plus-Size Clothing Line
EXPANDED SIZING IN FASHION
Partnering with Macy's, E! host Nina Parker released an expanded-sizing clothing line on May 14 with a focus on elevated basics and summer silhouettes in plus-only sizes.
ShePlace Launch Led by Goldman Sachs Pioneer Who Broke Through Glass Ceiling
EQUITY IN THE FINANCE
Intent on reaching far beyond its headquarters in Park City, Utah, ShePlace has launched as an initiative by founder and Chief Executive Officer Jacki Zehner, who is focused on supporting the advancement of women and girls.
Xiuhtezcatl Releases Film as Ambassador for Levi's Buy Better, Wear Longer Campaign
SUSTAINABILITY
Launched last month as part of Levi's initiative to create a cleaner fashion industry that will help heal the planet, the Buy Better, Wear Longer campaign encourages consumers to purchase quality products that will last. Climate activist and artist Xiuhtezcatl created a short film with the brand to support this messaging.
Project Unveils Fresh Brand Identity Through Film Illustrating Its Support of Industry
TRADE EVENTS
Last month, Informa Markets Fashion's Project brand announced its work to rebrand, as it continues to explore new and creative ways to serve the industry while continuing to build a community.
The Materials Show Returns to On-site Events
Trade Events
American Events, Inc. announced that The Materials Show, its semiannual bi-coastal event, will return to an in-person model this August. The Northwest Materials Show will run Aug. 11–12 at Portland, Ore.’s Oregon Convention Center.
FABSCRAP Partners With URBN and Nordstrom, Eyes West Coast Expansion
Manufacturing
Promoting its mission to combat fabric waste, the textile recycling and reuse nonprofit FABSCRAP announced that it has secured partnerships with Philadelphia’s URBN and Seattle-headquartered Nordstrom, which includes major investments by the retailers.
Kingpins Announces Kingpins24 Flash Australia With a Commitment to Eco Goals
Trade Shows
Intent on expanding its reach to all regions of the globe, denim-industry event producer Kingpins announced its first Kingpins24 Flash Australia edition, which will be hosted June 23–24 to celebrate the Australian corner of the denim industry and its supply chain. Key touchpoints of the event will be how Australia’s position in the Asia-Pacific region ties in with influences from Asia.
Lucky Brand Announces 'Less Noise, More Music' Event
FASHION CARES
One of the harder hit industries that experienced a difficult downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic is the live-music industry and denim label Lucky Brand is hosting an event to support this business.
'Making the Cut' Announces Season Two Designers
FASHION COMPETITION
With its second season scheduled to premiere July 16 on Amazon Prime Video, “Making the Cut” recently announced the group of 10 designers who will engage in the competition for $1 million and a mentorship opportunity with Amazon Fashion.
Nikki Reed Designs New Collection for Eco-Luxury Sneaker Brand Loci
SUSTAINABLE LUXURY
Nikki Reed recently partnered with eco-luxury sneaker brand Loci to create a capsule of classic styles using recycled ocean plastics.
UNIFi3D Launch Leads Brands Through Digital Transformation
3D IN APPAREL BUSINESS
Recently, incubation, investment and operating platform LFX announced the launch of its UNIFi3D digital-transformation for fashion brands, which will aid retail businesses as they transform digitally.
