CaliforniaApparelNews.net

Hillary Rush

Hillary Rush is closing her Hillary Rush boutique March 1 and Los Angeles will lose another talented retailer from the bricks-and-mortar scene.

Unfortunately for Los Angeles, this influential retailer on 8222 W. Third Street said she thanked the city of Angels for seven-great –years of business, but was ready to go. Find out why in her interview which will run in Apparel News the week of Feb. 10.
 

John Cusack with Jodi Lyn O'Keefe at Dari.

It’s awards season, and members of the the Cusack acting clan showed up at Dari one of our favorite L.A. area boutiques. The reason for the shindig was the debut last week of the “Q” jewelry collection. It was designed by actress Jodi Lyn O’Keefe, a Cusack family friend. Other celebs who showed up included Minnie Driver. Last year O’Keefe debuted a fashion line called Queen George.

Victor Wilde displaying parachute dress from his Fall 2012 season.

There was a big editorial kerfuffle when the British Fashion Council produced the LONDON show ROOMS designer showcase in L.A. in October.

But L.A. designers will return the favor by decamping to London on Valentine Day’s Week and presenting City of the Angels style during London Fashion Week.

Marc Koska at Apolis:Common Gallery. Of course he's wearing the Apolis brand.

Once a flashpoint for punk rock depravity, the corner of East 3rd Street and the aptly named Traction Avenue in downtown Los Angeles made a shocking turn to boho gentrification. Think theater companies, niche restaurants and for the subject of this blog, the Apolis: Common Gallery store, which is run by socially conscious fashion brand Apolis at 806 E. Third St.

Moods of Norway's Stefan Dahlkqvist with art deal Paul Stolper.

Damien Hirst did not shock at the Moods of Norway shop on Robertson Boulevard. Rather renowned art dealer Paul Stolper dropped by the shop Jan. 18 to display two pieces from the controversial artist's Souls collection, part of London-based The Paul Stolper Gallery. One piece was a delicate (for Hirst) rendering of a butterfly. The next, get ready to cheer all of you Goths and premium fashion dudes, was spooky-looking skull.

George Whalin

George Whalin was a California retail classic.

He passed away Jan. 10 due to complications from cancer. He was 68 and he kept working almost to the end; writing on retail, advising with his Carlsbad, Calif.-company Retail Management Consultants, and talking to reporters like me.

John Moore

John Moore’s beard looks vintage. We’re talking Amish, or Andrew Jackson era mountain man here.

So it makes sense that the designer went for some vintage looks for the Spring 12 line of QSW, a contemporary line made by Huntington Beach surf giant Quiksilver.

Check out the color, man! A Dolce & Gabbana jacket at Traffic.

For years men’s fashions were reliably gray and black as a winter sky. But that won’t be the story for 2012 said Cassidy Burton, men’s fashion director and buyer for e-commerce emporium Revolve Clothing. “For Spring 12 men's, get ready for bold pops of colors along with wearable prints... Don't be scared!” Cassidy said.

Rick Caruso

If running The Grove and The Americana at Brand malls wasn’t enough, developer Rick Caruso is making a serious bid for the Dodgers baseball team, said a Los Angeles Times article.

Lisa Kline Men shuttered.

Lisa Kline was one of the entrepreneurs who pioneered Robertson Boulevard into a high-profile retail street. But she recently closed her last shop on the thoroughfare, Lisa Kline Men, which was located at 123 S Robertson Blvd.