New Officers, New Direction for CLAD

The Coalition of Los Angeles Designers (CLAD) will host a forum on April 8 to discuss the group’s future plans and to introduce its new director, Shana Rocheleau.

CLAD president Anita Arze, owner of the Talking to Angels label, and vice president Bobby Benveniste, co-owner of the Eisbar label, will also participate in the forum, which will be held at a yet-to-be-determined location.

Rocheleau, designer of the Standard + Riche contemporary label, takes up the position vacated by Lee Trimble, who will remain with the group to help with special events, including the group’s upcoming fashion show.

The April 17 show will be sponsored by Jaguar and Los Angeles magazine and will feature the collections of Coco Kliks, Eisbar, Electric Barbarella, Goretti Couture, Mhope, Mona & Co., Nikolaki, Ten:02 and Jessica Elliot Jewelry.

The group is also working with Artists Management to produce the fashion show. The talent management agency has been looking for more fashion industry opportunities, according to Trimble.

CLAD was founded in 1998 to provide designers with a forum for solving common problems and to promote “unity in the garment industry in L.A., raising awareness of the city’s thriving design scene and serving the public good through collaboration with business and other members of the creative community.”

Since its inception, the organization has hosted fashion shows and fundraisers and has recently begun to hold seminars on industry-specific issues including dealing with chargebacks and markdowns.For more information on CLAD, call (310) 659-1750.

For information about the April 8 forum, call (323) 271-4339.