CaliforniaApparelNews.net

Lo Bosworth, one of the main personalities on "The Hills"

Shopping is becoming a competitive game when it comes to who can offer the most for "Fashion's Night Out."

Yes, the Beverly Hills stores will probably win with their huge Ferris wheel on Rodeo Drive, available for a free ride to anyone who produces a shopping receipt during the Sept. 10 event.  But the people at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, Calif., have a few things up their sleeves too.

Dawn Baker and Lori Bzura of Happy LA

The Los Angeles store of Trina Turk

Everyone thinks that fashion designers have so many innovative ideas that they can just whip up a few new concepts and design the interiors of their own stores. That's not necessarily true.

Who says port people aren't fashionable?

Just check out the mannequin the Port of Los Angeles designed for The Mannequin Collective, a competition organized by the soon-to-open Santa Monica Place shopping mall.

Geraldine Knatz, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles and the first woman to hold that position, received an e-mail inviting community leaders, retailers and fashion designers to decorate 100 blank mannequins to be displayed at the mall's opening on Aug. 6.

You're never too old to be a superstar or have your face plastered across a T-shirt or hoodie.

Apparel maker Jerry Leigh,  based in Van Nuys, Calif., is riding the wave of actress Betty White's popularity even though she is 88 and not ready to retire soon.

Every year the organizers of Hong Kong Fashion Week come up with a theme to set the tone for the mammoth sourcing and fashion fair, which has hundreds of apparel sourcing companies putting their best foot forward. This year, the theme for the July 5–8 show was "Summer Carnival," with lots of bright images that had a certain Disneyesque quality. This particular display became a popular spot for passersby to have their picture taken.  

Norwegian designer Espen Salberg never disappoints when he shows his elegant creations on the runway at Hong Kong Fashion Week.

Last year, Salberg, who resides in Indonesia, wowed everyone with his collection of sophisticated dresses that have simple lines but pack a punch. This year was no different when he showed what he could do with soft jersey and basic colors.

The temperature outside was hot and humid—think 91 degrees with 70 percent humidty—as Hong Kong Fashion Week kicked off July 5 with four days of fashion and business.

Ika, an Indonesian designer based in Hong Kong, brought a cooling trend to the show with her as-always incredible collection of fashions that, for Spring/Summer 2011, is taking its inspiration from the oceans of the world. 

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.

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.