CaliforniaApparelNews.net

Sue Wong, second from right, with actress Inna Korabkinna, wearing a Sue Wong dress, and other dinner guests

Los Angeles designer Sue Wong has received rave reviews for her elaborate silk evening gowns and cocktail dresses that are heavily embroidered with sequins, lace and other embellishments.

Sample sale event organizers Billion Dollar Babes and Archive Agency have teamed up for a two-night shopping event. The “Cocktails and Couture” sample sale promises designer goods from the likes of Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, Chanel, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Carolina Herrera, Sergio Ross, Diane Von Furstenberg, 3.1 Phillip Lim and more.

Not-so-secret shopper? Practicing (or reformed) retail sales clerk? 

Los Angeles magazine wants to hear from you. Style Director Laurie Pike has crafted a pair of nifty little quizzes for shoppers and retail workers on her Chic Leak blog. The information will be published in the September issue of the magazine. 

illia's Abbot Kinney boutique

Summer’s here, and retailers are opening stores.

On June 22, Los Angeles–based women’s brand illia opened its first boutique, located at 1638 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice Beach. Despite a choppy economy, the time was right to open a boutique, said illia co-owner John Murrough. “Things are fine with wholesaling, and we thought, 'Let’s do it now before rents go up,'” Murrough said.

the harder they fall. And no one has fallen harder than Lady Gaga, who earlier this week took a tumble off of her 10-inch heels all the while being surrounded by paparazzi and bystanders at Heathrow Airport in London. While wearing a bra and leather chaps and a cholo bandana, no less. Ooops.

via Hollywoodlife.com

If Gaga decides to get back on that horse, er, heel, we've pulled together a round-up of dangerous heels she may want to tame.

The City of Angels will officially host its first-ever Fashion’s Night Out on Sept. 10, 2010.

Fashion is art, and so is "Out of Fashion." The upcoming exhibition features the fine-art fashion images of Richard Knapp. An opening reception at Canvas Malibu on June 26 will feté the one-time showing for the Los Angeles-based photographer. 

Trina Turk taking a look at a student's swimwear design at the Otis School of Art and Design

Los Angeles designer Trina Turk, known for her colorful prints and contemporary line of clothing, has been named this year's "Mercedes-Benz Presents" designer for the upcoming Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim event at The Raleigh hotel in Miami Beach in July.

Christopher Wicks

Christopher Wicks, the founder of English Laundry, will no doubt bring a bit British rock ‘n’ roll edge to the annual Fashion Industries Guild gala this year. The October event raises money for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Wicks is this year’s man of the year.

If you have samples, overstock or last-season’s merchandise, why not donate to a good cause? You will get a tax donation for your generosity and 100 percent of the funds raised will benefit people in need.

California Apparel News and the Cooper Design Space are teaming up again to host another sample sale to raise funds for CAST LA, the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking.