Alpargatas Announces Strategic Investment in Rothy’s
FOOTWEAR
Brazilian lifestyle brand Alpargatas S.A., and sustainable lifestyle brand Rothy’s Inc. have announced that Alpargatas will make a strategic investment in Rothy’s to fuel global growth and vertically expand.
Informa Markets Fashion Announces Edwina Kulego as VP of International and Business Development
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS
Informa Markets Fashion, producer of industry trade-events Project, MAGIC, Coterie and Sourcing at MAGIC, has announced the appointment of Edwina Kulego as vice president of international and business development.
Fred Segal and Subnation Partner for Artcade, a Physical Retail Pop-Up Featuring NFTs
RETAIL
Iconic retailer Fred Segal has partnered with Subnation, a media tech-holding company that creates engaging live and Metaverse-based programming, to launch Artcade, the first dynamic retail experience featuring curated collectibles, limited product drops, an NFT gallery and streaming studio.
MISA Los Angeles Opens Its First-Ever Retail Store
Contemporary women’s fashion brand MISA Los Angeles has announced the opening of its first-ever bricks-and-mortar store at Palisades Village in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
Silver Jeans Announces All-New Infinite Fit Jean
DENIM
Winnipeg-based Silver Jeans Co. has announced the launch of a line of high-tech jeans that can fit up to four waist sizes.
More than 18,000 Fans Celebrate Vans Checkerboard Day and Raised Over $1 Million
FASHION CARES
Actions-sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand Vans has announced that, with the help of over 20 non-profit partners, the brand was able to encourage more than 18,000 fans of the label to use their creativity to better their communities around the world on Vans Checkerboard Day.
More Than 148 Million Americans Plan to Shop Super Saturday
Retail
An annual survey from the National Retail Federation and Proper Insights & Analytics revealed that more than 148 million consumers plan to shop on Super Saturday, the last Saturday before Christmas.
2021 Sees a Bounceback in the Apparel Industry as COVID-19 Recedes
2021 FINANCIAL REVIEW
After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic decimated many industries and cost millions of jobs, many were left wondering how the country would respond in the following years. Although 2021 was full of its own new challenges, such as supply-chain issues, rising inflation and new variants of the virus, the retail sector saw growth, bringing promise as the country continues to navigate into a new normal.
Marque Luxury Opens Re-commerce Hub in Houston
Sustainable
Marque Luxury has announced the opening of its newest Re-commerce Hub in Houston designed to cater to the needs of current and future wholesale partners in the region.
Merchant & Gould Launches New International Trade Commission Group
Legal
National intellectual-property law firm Merchant & Gould P.C. has announced its new International Trade Commission Group.
Labor Shortages Continue Through the Holiday Season
Retail
Retailers, restaurants, warehouses and other businesses are still in the midst of experiencing labor shortages that have affected many industries throughout much of the year. While 2021 has yielded a record-breaking holiday-shopping season, many businesses have continued to face staffing problems despite this time period usually ushering in increased hires.
Public Enemy Collaborates With Defend Brooklyn and Rue 21 for New Collection
FASHION
Iconic hip-hop group Public Enemy has collaborated with clothing brand Defend Brooklyn for a new limited-edition streetwear collection, Public Enemy x Defend Brooklyn for Rue 21.
Foot Locker Workshop Calls on Creative to Build Community Together
FASHION CARES
In celebration of the new All City by Just Don collection, created in partnership by Foot Locker and streetwear designer Don C, Foot Locker held several workshops for creatives and designers to come together and build a community of people who want to help each other succeed.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Book Inspires Change in the Fashion Industry
SUSTAINABILITY
Leaders from across the fashion industry have joined together with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to create a new book that aims to inspire a transformation of the fashion industry.
Soorty Launches Newest Denim Laundry Innovation
DENIM
Pakistan-based denim company Soorty has announced its newest innovation, Zero Stone, which aims to revolutionize traditional denim stonewashing.
Tukatech Introduces New Version of TUKA3D
FASHION IN 3D
Fashion-technology-solutions provider Tukatech has announced the release of its latest version of TUKA3D, the company’s popular 3D system that is used by operations around the globe.
Cerqular Secures Early-Stage Investment to Launch Sustainable Commerce Platform
SUSTAINABILITY | TECHNOLOGY
Cerqular, the quickly growing e-commerce platform with a focus on sustainable and ethical brands, has announced the successful close of its pre-seed round of financing.
Poshmark Launches NFT to Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary
TECHNOLOGY
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, social marketplace Poshmark announced the launch of its first collection of nonfungible tokens.
Lids Opens First European Stores
RETAIL EXPANSION
Leading sports retailer Lids has expanded its brick-and-mortar retail footprint by opening its first set of standalone stores in Europe.
Outerknown Launches Project Vermont
FASHION CARES
Inspired by Bernie Sanders’s viral sweater mittens from President Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony in January, sustainability-focused brand Outerknown has launched Project Vermont, a collaboration with a community of Vermont handcrafters, led by Lise-Anne Cooledge.
Newsmakers 2021
Newsmakers 2021
During 2021, the apparel industry forged through the wake of COVID-19 from 2020, emerging stronger with many lessons learned. California Apparel News highlights the work of some of the innovators, visionaries and veterans who fortified the industry this year.
Newsmakers 2021: Retailers Bounce Back Post-COVID
Retail
Despite the pandemic ravaging many businesses and forcing closures, retailers are beginning to bounce back and thrive in the post-COVID-19 climate.
Newsmakers 2021: NuOrder Turns in Strong 2021
Technology
Business-to-business e-commerce platform NuOrder saw an eventful year as the company continued to expand to offer new services and serve more retailers than ever before.
Newsmakers 2021: Kevan Hall Returns to Runway Events
Fashion
Veteran fashion designer and co-founder of Black Design Collective Kevan Hall made a return to on-site runway shows this year and also expanded his creative endeavors by making his directorial debut.
Newsmakers 2021: Commerce-as-a-Service Platform Nogin Names Jay J. Ku as Executive VP, CCO
Technology
CaaS platform Nogin announced Jay J. Ku as its new executive vice president and chief commercial officer. In the new position, the veteran marketing executive will lead Nogin’s brand-management and creative teams, which include e-commerce specialists, performance marketers, planners, buyers, retention marketers, writers and designers, who will aid brands including Hurley, Kenneth Cole, bebe, FRYE, Kendall + Kylie, Justice and Honeywell.
Newsmakers 2021: FashionGo Expands to Include Drop-shipping, More Virtual Trade Shows
Technology
Leading B2B wholesale online marketplace FashionGo has grown its platform to include services that help businesses develop their online presence.
Supply-Chain Issues Beginning to Ease Up
Import/Export
After months of long wait times, out-of-stock items and a feeling of uncertainty surrounding the holiday season, supply-chain issues around the world are slowly beginning to ease up.
Black Friday Attracts Consumers Who Embrace In-Store Shopping
2021 Holiday Retail
The 2021 holiday shopping season was predicted to break all sorts of sales records, with both online and in-store sales expected to increase significantly.
Centric Software Acquires Armonica Retail
Technology
Centric Software has announced the acquisition of end-to-end retail-planning-solutions provider Armonica Retail.
Boardriders Inc. Appoints New Global Chief Operating Officer
Swim/Surf
Boardriders Inc., the company that designs, produces and distributes apparel under the brands Billabong, DC Shoes, Element, Quicksilver, ROXY, RVCA and VonZipper, has announced the appointment of Deborah Palmer Keiser as global chief operating officer.
Browzwear and Fashion Snoops Partner to Create True-to-Life 3D Designs
FASHION IN 3D
Browzwear, a 3D digital-solutions provider for the fashion industry, and global trend-forecasting agency Fashion Snoops have announced a partnership that will create and showcase a variety of designs from the upcoming season in 3D.
Intermix and Cotton Incorporated Launch Collaborative Collection
SUSTAINABILITY
Intermix, a leader in women’s fashion, is launching a cotton collection with Cotton Incorporated that features a chic mix of cotton-based vacation silhouettes.
Otis Announces Creation of New Scholarship
FASHION CARES
Otis College of Art and Design has announced the creation of a new scholarship named after artist and scholar Charles White, who taught at the school from 1965 until his passing in 1979.
Z SUPPLY Launches Z SUPPLY Foundation
FASHION CARES
Z SUPPLY, an apparel company founded in 2013, has announced the launch of its new organization, Z SUPPLY Foundation.
South Coast Plaza General Manager David Grant Announces Retirement
RETAIL
David Grant, general manager of South Coast Plaza and the company’s longest-tenured employee of 44 years, has announced his retirement from day-to-day operations.
Supacolor Opens Third North American Factory
DIGITAL PRINTING
Supacolor, a leader in the garment-decorating industry, has announced the opening of its third United States location, in Atlanta, Ga.
thredUP Releases ‘Thrift for the Holidays’ Report
RESALE MARKET
thredUP, one of the largest online-resale platforms, has released a “Thrift for the Holidays” report that shows more consumers are turning to thrift options for their holiday shopping.
FARFETCH and Phaidon Premiere “The Men’s Fashion Book”
FASHION
Following the release of the best-selling “The Fashion Book,” publishing company Phaidon has partnered with FARFETCH to release “The Men’s Fashion Book”, a comprehensive guide to key players in the Men’s fashion industry over the past 200 years.
eBay Completes Majority Sale of eBay Korea
FINANCE
eBay announced it has completed the transfer of an 80.01 percent stake in its Korean businesses for approximately $3 billion to E-mart, a South Korean retail chain.
Nikki Reed and LØCI Announce Second Collaboration
SUSTAINABILITY
Footwear brand LØCI has announced the release of its second collaborative effort with actress, designer and environmentalist Nikki Reed.
Fleeting Aims to Change the Trucking Industry
Import/Export
A new platform is aiming to push the trucking industry forward by pairing independent truck owners with licensed drivers to create a scalable fleet.
KEEN Footwear and Points of Light to Launch Largest Volunteer Resource
SUSTAINABILITY
Ahead of Giving Tuesday, footwear brand KEEN has announced a partnership with Points of Light, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that inspires and mobilizes people to take action to change the world.
Wrangler Launches New Collection in Collaboration with TV Series Yellowstone
DENIM
Denim brand Wrangler and ViacomCBS Consumer Products have announced a new pop-culture collection collaboration with Paramount Network and 101 Studios television series, "Yellowstone."
Holiday Retail Sales Predicted to be Highest Ever Recorded
RETAIL
Despite congestion at major ports and labor shortages around the country, holiday spending is expected to shatter previous records according to the National Retail Federation.
VNTANA Announces Latest Funding Round, Expansion in 3D and AR E-commerce
TECHNOLOGY
VNTANA, which provides 3D content-management software, has announced its latest round of funding, which will be used to scale and continue recruitment of talent across the organization.
Sanuk and Grateful Dead Collaborate on New Collection
SUSTAINABILITY
Footwear brand Sanuk, a division of Deckers Brands, has announced its fifth collaborative effort with iconic rock band the Grateful Dead.
Material Exchange Acquires Olah Inc. Agency
Textiles
Material Exchange, the fast-growing international virtual marketplace, announced it has acquired the agency division of Olah Inc., a New York–based firm focused on the denim and sportswear industries.
FashionGo Announces Launch of Drop-shipping Service
Technology
The B2B fashion marketplace FashionGo has announced a new service that will help businesses sell smarter, shop better and grow faster.
Skid Row Fashion Week Aims to Change Lives One Design at a Time
Skid Row Fashion Week
In an effort to combat the rampant homelessness in Los Angeles, one brand is trying to help by offering more than just T-shirts.
Kornit Fashion Week Showed Off the Latest in Fashion Technology
L.A. Runway
An array of designers showed their latest works during the Kornit Fashion Week LA +4.0 Industry Event, which was hosted in downtown Los Angeles Nov. 2–5.
