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Vera Wang on 8445 Melrose. The boutique's sales clerks said a store sign would be installed soon.

A once high-flying section of West Hollywood’s Melrose Avenue might get another chance to become a thriving retail street now that a fashion star opened a boutique there recently.



So, you've been good. There's a recession and you're trying to shop your closet, as they say. You don't even go bonkers at Target, which is an act akin to... I don't know, something nearly impossible. Treat yourself and score some amazing goodies at great prices this weekend at the Society for Rational Dress sale or at the Grey Ant moving sale. Both are going to be amazing.

First up: Society for Rational Dress

Date: Sat., March 13

Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Jill Anjuli Hansen in her own California Candy wetsuit. Photo by Gina Sinotte

Though a blonde by nature, surfer Jill Anjuli Hansen wanted to crush the stereotype of the quintessential blue-eyed and golden-tressed surfer chick. “I’ve always loved tattoos, and a lot of surf companies don’t want to sponsor a punk-rock surfer,” Hansen said.

The retail world is taking note that the American shopper is in search of bargain-basement prices.

With that in mind, Nordstrom Rack is on a buying spree of its own, shopping for several new locations in Southern California. The off-price chain has several new spots planned for the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, where, for many, shopping is a favorite pastime.The off-price store will be joining several full-price Nordstrom stores in the area.

(From left: Photo by Photo Agency; Photos by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Yesterday afternoon’s threatening rain clouds hanging over L.A. parted because Mother Nature wouldn’t dare rain down on Hollywood’s equivalent of the Super Bowl—the 82nd Academy Awards, held at the Kodak Theatre at the Hollywood and Highland complex.

"Music By Prudence" director Roger Ross Williams and producer Elinor Burkett 

Okay, so the buzz around the Sparkletts at Apparel News this morning was as much about the fashions at last night’s Academy Awards as it was about the “Kanye moment” during the acceptance speech for the Oscar-winning short documentary, “Music By Prudence.”

An image of a Zentai suit enthusiast from The Daily Beast

When I first saw the images in a recent Daily Beast story about men who lounge around in their brightly colored and printed head-to-toe Lycra suits, I figured it had to be a joke. After all, I’ve been around, I live in L.A., I’ve got some crazy friends, but this was the first I’d heard of Zentai suits.

But a quick Google search confirms it. Zentai is for real.

The February unemployment rate for California’s apparel manufacturing businesses is scheduled to be released on March 10, but if you read the tea leaves on the wider employment picture across the state and the nation, no major recovery is expected for California's schmatte business. 

Karmaloop chief Greg Selkoe (left) and Leandrew Robinson, manager of Karmaloop’s forthcoming site PLNDR.com

Boston–based streetwear and contemporary fashion e-tailer Karmaloop.com has moved beyond simply selling clothes to become a community-oriented, globally conscious lifestyle brand.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer Greg Selkoe recently escaped the cold back East and made his way to Los Angeles to get face time with some of the California labels Karmaloop carries.

photos via Brachfeld Gallery Paris

We all know its poor form to wear a band’s T-shirt to their concert. But it’s encouraged to wear a designer’s clothing at his or her runway show. Enter a hybrid of both worlds: the concert-style designer tee.