CaliforniaApparelNews.net

The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles has set the scene for so many fashion shows including Eduardo Lucero, Gen Art and the short-lived Rock Fashion Week. I recently dropped by the museum to check out a recent exhibition that pairs classic cars with the fashions of the times.

Some say creepy. Others say whimsy. I say awesome.

Thank you, Regretsy, for introducing me to Tracy Widdess’ amazing custom-knit hats. Selling for $150 and up, they sell under the name Brutal Knitting. Although they look sufficiently warm for those of you living in colder climes, I think they would be perfect for Southern California, as well.

You can find more images of Widdess’ hats here.

What’s in a name? When it comes to fashion branding, a lot.

Dress Barn—the Suffern, New York–based company that operates stores under the Maurices, Justice, and Dressbarn nameplates—is looking to change its corporate name.

The name change is part of a company-wide reorganization, which requires shareholder approval. If approved, by Jan. 1, Dress Barn Inc. will be known as Ascensa Retail Group Inc. and will be based in Delaware.

We’re helping Brazilian shoe brand Carmen Steffens kick off the Fall/Winter season with a party on Aug. 12 at the company’s U.S. flagship store at Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Events are planned throughout the day—and online—with plenty of goodies for Carmen Steffens’ fans.

Let the retail parties begin.

Santa Monica Place is officially reopening tomorrow, and retail tenants in the completely redesigned center are hosting kickoff events to entice the public to come take a new look at the mall’s new look.

Fluxus is having a party all weekend long, with free drinks, guest DJs, vintage films and a special appearance by Fluxus head designer—and Project Runway winner—Jeffrey Sebelia.

Pristine, collectible vintage at ready-to-wear prices. Can’t beat that.

Vintage emporium The Way We Wore is having a summer sale now through Aug. 15 and items on the store’s main floor—as well as select accessories—are 60 percent off.

The store is a veritable museum of vintage fashion from the McKinley administration through to the Regan era—and the 60 percent off sale is a store first. 

Now’s your chance to dress like a rock star. Junker—maker of men’s and women’s clothing designs for the likes of Steven Tyler, Lenny Kravitz, Alice Cooper, Dave Navarro, Prince, Pink and Shakira—is having a sale.

Robert Blackman’s costume designs for “Pushing Daisies,” the 2009 Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Costumes for a Series, are among more than 75 costumes featured in the fifth annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design at FIDM Museum & Galleries in downtown Los Angeles.   

ENK New York at The Tunnel 

NEW YORK--The menswear market has kicked off the latest round of New York trade shows, including ENK New York at The Tunnel in Chelsea and MRket at the Javits Center in Midtown.

Both events include several shows-within-shows. At ENK, there are contemporary brands showing at the Designers Collective, premium-denim brands showing at Blue, accessories and men's grooming products at Clean, and newly launched labels at Tomorrow.

Premiere Vision Preview New York (photo by Stephane Kossmann)

NEW YORK—Westside, Eastside, Chelsea, Midtown. Manhattan was practically covered in textiles during the recent Textile Week, when Texworld USA, Premiere Vision Preview and Kingpins showcased the latest in textiles, trim and sourcing offerings for the apparel community.