Friday, August 29
Las Vegas Crowd: Hovering Around Satellite Shows
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any bigger, the massive trade-show circuit in Las Vegas grew this season. Retailers had nine shows and 10 venues to visit in the never-ending quest for sale-genera...
Swimwear Show Does Side Stroke
After moving from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica to Las Vegas, the International Swimwear/Activewear Market (ISAM) is moving once again....
Online Apparel Sales on the Upswing
Online shoppers spent more than $500 million on apparel in July, advancing 44 percent over last year’s figures, according to research group Media Metrix Inc., a division of Comscore N...
Retailer Barely Makes a Profit
Gottschalks Inc., the small departmentstore chain based in Fresno, Calif., reported that its net income for the second quarter of 2003 was $25,000, a major improvement over last year, when th...
Justice for Too
Ohio-based retailer Too Inc. has selected the name Justice for its new retail concept aimed at tween girls. Justice, a spinof f of Limited Brands Inc., will carry its own brand of valuepriced sportswe...
Heartfelt Gift
The original artwork created for last year’s Fashion Industries Guild of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Man of the Year event found a new home in the reception area of the hospital’s Children...
Eguide, Egad
Is joining Paris-based Textile-eguide’s Web site,
Techies Find a Home in Outdoor Apparel
It may appear gimmicky or novel to some, but technology-focused clothing is making inroads in the apparel market....
Second Little Black Dress Event Planned
The Little Black Dress is back and will kick off Los Angeles Fashion Week....
Expo for Fashion Start-Ups Planned
The BADExpo Fashion Conference, created to “focus aspiring designers on the business of fashion,” is scheduled for Sept. 12–13 at the Flatotel in New ...
VF/Nautica a Done Deal
Nautica Enterprises Inc.’s shareholders approved the company’s purchase by VF Corp., completing the acquisition, worth about $600 million. The merger makes Nautica a wholly owned subsidiary of VF, the Greensboro, S.C.–b...
Health Care for All?
While state legislators are trying to work out the details of getting more health insurance coverage for California workers, apparel-industry executives and small-business owners are wondering how muc...
Housing Boom Over?
With refinancing applications slumping more than 20 percent recently—and down nearly 80 percent from their all-time peak—some economists are declaring the end of the refinancing boom that has fueled a s...
Retailers in Court
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. filed a lawsuit earlier this month ordering rival retailer American Eagle Outfitters to remove the number 22 from its clothing and advertising, claiming it has exclusive rights to the moni...
Gen Art Seeking Sassy Designers
Gen Art is looking for a few grapefruit-minded designers....
Friday, August 22
More Chinese Laundry
Los Angeles–based Cels Enterprises Inc., maker of Chinese Laundry shoes, has struck a deal with New York–based CL Industries for a line of Chinese Laundry sportswear and dresses. The line will bow at WW...
Smithsonian Bound
Left to right, Smithsonian museum specialist Peter Liebhold, Hot Kiss owner Moshe Tsabag’s daughter Hallie with Tsabag and California Fashion Association Executive Director ...
Revamped Op Online
Ocean Pacific Apparel Corp. has revamped its Web site,
Jumpin' Jack
Appointment-only boutique Jack Henry offers “street couture” ...
Gap Moves Toward Web-Based POS
Gap Inc., which has been testing Webenabled point-of-sale (POS) terminals at various stores, eventually plans to roll out the technology throughout most of its 4,241- unit chain, said Cornel...
D&A Takes Men's Lines to Japan
Designers & Agents is making a push for menswear at its Japanese edition, which it will hold Oct. 15–17 in Tokyo’s Minato-Ku region....
Royal Treatment: Ramos Helps Launch New Urban Labels
New urban labels Royal B’s and L.R. Lady Royalty will debut at MAGIC International this month with the usual fanfare of new lines—and with the experience and expertis...
California Resort Show Launches in Long Beach
Producers of the first annual California Resortwear Show in Long Beach, Calif., won high marks from vendors. But those marks weren’t for luring hordes of buyers to the show, held Aug. 19...
Off-Price and Online: Internet Is an Outlet for Discounters
When Steve Mazur encountered a lull in his income last year while waiting for his sales commissions to kick in, he hit on an idea that is now netting him $7,000 a month....
New at Tarrant
Los Angeles–based private-label manufacturer Tarrant Apparel Group has added Stephane Farouze and Larry C. Russ to its board of directors. Farouze, a graduate of San Diego State University, was most recently t...
Hot Topic's Sr. V.P. Retires
After eight years as an executive at City of Industry, Calif.–based Hot Topic Inc., Jay A. Johnson retired at the end of July....
Paragon Becomes Porini USA in Distribution Deal
Westlake Village, Calif.–based Paragon Business Systems Inc., which provides business management solutions to the apparel industry, has officially become the America...
Designing Within the Law
A Q&A with Silver & Freedman attorney Greg Weisman on protecting trademarks and launching a line within the limits of the law ...
Jones, Kasper Deal Set
New York–based Jones Apparel Group Inc. won approval from a bankruptcy cour t judge to acquire New York–based Kasper A.S.L. Ltd., maker of Anne Klein apparel, for $204 million and the assumption of approximatel...
An Eye for Orange
“The O.C.” costume designer discusses Southern California style ...
Hurley Tests First Retail Store in Huntington Beach
Huntington Surf & Sport opened the first Hurley International boutique on July 30 in a 578-square-foot-space connected to its main store in Huntington Beach, Calif. Thou...
Mayor Perry
Councilperson Jan Perry, whose 9th District encompasses much of the Los Angeles Fashion District, will be filling in for Mayor James Hahn beginning Aug. 25, while the mayor and much of the City Counci...
Red Tiger Trading Looks to Launch Indie Contemporary Labels
Lucky Brand Dungarees founders Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman and Chief Financial Officer Trent Merrill are experts in building a contemporary denim niche brand. They care...
Safer Acquires Hampton Printing Co.
Newark, N.J.–based Safer Textiles has acquired the assets of Johnson City, Tenn.–based Hampton Transfer Prints Inc. from Flynt Fabrics Inc., which filed for bankruptc...
New Retailers Open in South Coast Plaza
Several new retailers opened in August at Costa Mesa, Calif.–based South Coast Plaza. More are scheduled to open in the fall....
Gap Supply-Chain Chief Resigns
Chuck Crovitz, executive vice president and chief supply-chain officer of Gap Inc., has resigned from the company. Gap officials did not give a reason for his departure....
Sluggish Economy Predicted Until End of the Year
California’s economy will remain lackluster through September and will pick up only slightly toward the end of the year, a recent Chapman University study shows....
Local Business Owners Nabbed in Counterfeit Sweep
A woman who used to run an accessories store on the ground floor of the California Market Center in Los Angeles has been charged with selling counterfeit handbags and wallets, the U.S. Attor...
MartinMartin Denim
Los Angeles–based designers Eric and Diane Martin are adding denim to their MartinMartin collection for Spring and plan to debut the line on the runway during Los Angeles Fashion Week in November. Eric Martin ...
Lectra Back in Black, Geared for Future Growth
After a round of cost cutting, global strategizing and investing in research and development, technology provider Lectra is back on a growth track. Its managers hope the company is at the for...
Swimwear Exec Brian Zientek Dies
Swim business executive Brian Zientek died on Aug. 17 after suffering a heart attack. He was 51....
L.A. Shopping Trip
Buyers from Saks Fifth Avenue’s New York office were in town for a buying trip recently meeting with local designers and representatives at the retailer’s “Open See” event at the Saks Fif...
Magic Seminars Cover Supply-Chain Management, Ethnic Marketing
A group of Los Angeles-based apparel and technology resources will host two seminars during MAGIC International covering marketing and supply chain management....
New Management at Wet Seal
The Wet Seal Inc. has named Allan D. Haims as president of the Wet Seal division and designer Victor Alfaro as senior vice president, creative director....
Friday, August 15
Rates Unchanged
The Federal Reserve held the federal funds rate target at 1 percent—a 45-year low—and indicated it would remain at that level for some time. The federal funds rate is the rate banks charge each other fo...
Samantha Chang Gets Cozy With Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty is getting intimate....
NRF Signs on to ASAP Seminar Schedule
The ASAP Global Sourcing Show will kick off its fourth show Aug. 24–27at the Las Vegas Convention Center with a slate of seminars tackling current issues in global sourcing....
Weston Wear Debuts Twilight
San Francisco–based Weston Wear is introducing Twilight, a new lingerie line for Spring ’04. ...
Tarrant in Deal to Lease Its Mexico Operations
Los Angeles-based private label manufacturer Tarrant Apparel Group, which produces blue jeans for The Limited, The Express and J.C. Penney Co, wants someone else to...
Back-to-School Budget
Economic uncertainty will likely keep Back-to-School spending flat in Southern California, according to a Deloitte & Touche survey. The study found that 63 percent of families plan to spend about $200 or ...
Dallas Group Finds an Alternative to World Trade Center
A group of Dallas-based showroom owners have struck a deal with real estate developer Brook Partners Inc. to establish 100,000 square feet of showroom and office space at the firm’s Southwest...
Saipan Settlement
The U.S. Department of Labor recovered nearly $400,000 in overtime back wages from nine garment manufacturers in Saipan, part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands....
Saipan Award
Seven attorneys from six law firms in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Saipan received the 2003 Trial Lawyer of the Year award for their efforts in securing a $20 million settlement on behalf...
Oakland Port Project Slated for Retail Shops
The retail prospects look good in California’s Bay Area—at least to one area developer. San Francisco–based Simeon Commercial Properties LLC recently closed on a 23-acre proper...
Reinventing the Real Estate Landscape in Downtown L.A.
The apparel industry in California, which has been changing its profile in recent years, is also altering the look of its real estate landscape....
The MAGIC Touch
August show promises novelty, innovation...
FBI to Present EDI Seminar at MAGIC
Henry Cherner of software provider AIMS and Adam Rodriquez of menswear company YMLA will be the key speakers at a seminar on EDI (electronic data interchange) during MAGIC I...
ARC Expands in Gardena
American Recycled Clothing LLC is moving to a new facility in Gardena, Calif....
Gerber Names New PDM Manager
Gerber Technology Inc. has named former Nordstrom Inc. executive Suzanne Auyeung as its new software product manager. Auyeung will be responsible for the company’s WebPDM, 3D...
Jolna to Expand With Bartack and Bella Elemento
Jolna Design Group Inc., the Tarzana, Calif.–based maker of the Bella Dahl women’s contemporary apparel label, launched a new contemporary collection called Bartack d...
Glorifying the Vintage Motorcycle Mystique
First-time trade-show exhibitor Glory Utility set up a booth—complete with a vintage motorcycle—at the California Market Center during Los Angeles Market Wee...
Gray Skies Clear Up-for Most
It was a sunny July for most retailers—at least for those that posted upbeat sales numbers. Among the big winners reporting double-digit same-store sales increases were Dallas- based Neiman...
U.S. Signs Trade Agreements With Singapore, Chile
The new U.S. free-trade agreements recently hammered out with Chile and Singapore go into effect at the beginning of 2004, but they probably will not have a significant impact on the textile and appar...
Friday, August 8
Staci Schubert
Staci Schubert described her hippie-style, rock ’n’ roll handbags as “little pieces of art.”...
4Whatitsworth Expanding HQ
Los Angeles–based 4Whatitsworth Inc., manufacturer of the Tyte and Beau Dawson brands, is set to open a second factory near its current facility in Commerce, Calif....
New L.A. Distributor for Dirtbag Clothing
San Francisco–based Dirtbag Clothing Inc. has struck a deal with Los Angeles–based Black Market Jewelry to distribute Dirtbag’s contemporary T-shirts, hats and other sportswear throughout Black Market’s...
Irene Kasmer to Launch Retro Line
Veteran fashion designer Irene Kasmer of Los Angeles is launching a new collection of vintage-style womenswear under the Irene Kasmer Retro label beginning next fall. In addition, Kasmer plans to license a l...
Hot Kiss Heads to China
Los Angeles–based junior apparel maker Hot Kiss Inc. has signed a long-term licensing agreement with Zhejiang Xuege Fashion Co. Ltd., the retail arm of one of China’s largest ...
Kasil
Created by designer David Lim, Kasil is a contemporary denim line designed and tailored for the average-size woman with a 32-inch inseam and a 7.5- inch rise....
Derelicteacute;
Cooper Building Suite 205 (213) 627-2987 ...
Wet Seal Buys Solution to Track Sales Trends
Foothill Ranch, Calif.–based retailer Wet Seal Inc. will be analyzing its sales more closely. The 624-unit retailer recently deployed software that tracks regional sales trends, demo...
City Production Ltd.
Gerry Building Suite 201 (213) 892-0299 ...
Saks Scouting for L.A. Design
Buyers from Saks Fifth Avenue’s New York office will be in Los Angeles on Aug. 20 scouting for new women’s apparel and accessory lines at the retailer’s open “See Day.”...
Turning Heads
Los Angeles–based T-shirt maker American Apparel Inc. was one of the sponsors at a recent Rock Steady Crew event held at the Palace nightclub in Hollywood. The New York–based breakdancing group celebrat...
Factory Orders Up
Factory orders nationwide increased in June by 1.7 percent to $326 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. The increase was the largest gain in three months, according to the department...
Engineering Success
Denim maker Red Engine builds momentum ...
New Look, New Line, New Job
Girls4Sport launches ...
CLAD's Accessories to Design
The Coalition of Los Angeles Designers (CLAD) is putting an accent on accessories and the accessories designers who have given the group a whole new dimension....
La Brea: Worth the Time
The La Brea Tar Pits dried up 28,000 years ago. In their place is something else you don’t want to get stuck in: gridlock. La Brea Avenue, which slices through metropolitan Los Angeles, is filled with ...
Chensvold Joins California Apparel News Staff
Journalist Christian M. Chensvold has joined the editorial staff of the California Apparel News as retail editor....
As Seen on TV
The woman who styled the friends on “Friends” will launch a collection on the Home Shopping Network. Stylist Debra McGuire will launch the Style Maker apparel line in mid-August on the s...
Art- and Culture-Inspired Designs
Brian Lichtenberg is a young designer from Los Angeles who is taking avant-garde to a new wearable level....
Customs Inspecting Vietnam Imports
A team from the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is in Vietnam this month to inspect textile and apparel factories exporting goods to the United States. The goal is to prevent quota fraud, a...
Teddi Suits
Rancho Dominguez–based misses manufacturer Teddi of California has been served with a trio of lawsuits for breach of contract by Compton–based misses manufacturer Carol Anderson Inc. and textile supplie...
Well, I'll Be Damned
In just two years, damnBRAND—a Los Angeles–based Web design and online management company—has landed cli...
Drop in Confidence
The Consumer Confidence Index dropped to 76.6 in July from 83.5 in June, according to the Conference Board, the New York–based research organization that compiles the index. The dip in consumer confidence came...
Gambling on MAGIC
Small companies weigh the costs—and potential rewards—of attending the giant Las Vegas trade show...
With Love … From: Redondo Beach
With Love hellip; From: Redondo Beach, a line of contemporary leisurewear and resortwear, launched in May 2003. The line is a division of parent company Michael Alexander, which manu...
T. L. Blake
Terika Blake wanted to design a line of tops for “people who want something a little different ... with a little flavor.”...
Jackie B
The New Mart Suite 806 (213) 239-9109 ...
Cal Poly Students Find an Ally in American Apparel
Fashion students rarely get a grasp of the “real world” of apparel production until they graduate and get jobs, but Los Angeles manufacturer American ...
CMC's Focus Set for Market
The California Market Center will host its temporary contemporary show Focus in the CMC fashion theater during the Aug. 8–12 run of Los Angeles Market Week....
Freeborders in Deals with Jos. A. Bank, J. Jill
San Francisco–based software company Freeborders Inc. has signed on retailers Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. and The J. Jill Group Inc. to implement its PLM (product li...
The Hackett Group to Tackle ERP
Miami-based Answerthink Inc. and its division The Hackett Group have introduced an ERP (enterprise resource pl...
Hollywood & Highland Cranks Up Efforts to Boost Traffic, Sales
Summer has been kind to the Hollywood & Highland complex, the troubled shopping and entertainment center in Los Angeles whose value has plummeted $400 million since it opened in November ...
New Lines, New Programs at WCE's Los Angeles Show
Los Angeles–based menswear show Westcoast Exclusive hosted its Aug. 3–5 show at the W Hotel in the Westwood section of Los Angeles. The exhibitor list included established brands as we...
Chico's White House
Fort Myers, Fla.–based retailer Chico’s FAS Inc. announced plans to acquire Maryland–based retailer White House/Black Market for $90 million in cash and Chico’s stock. White House/Black Market is a division of privately ...
Designer, T-Shirt Maker Join Forces for 2 Love
Matt Schwartz got up close and personal with Kristi Kaylor long before the two joined forces to create novelty Tshirt collection 2 Love....
Yvette Mandell
Crosses, crowns, butterflies, stars and American flags are just some of the images on the Yvette Mandell contemporary line of tanks and longsleeved T-shirts. The line uses glazed screen print...
Sweater Company Expands to New Digs
Knitwear maker
XLarge Promotes Balatbat
Streetwear apparel maker XLarge announced the promotion of Ron Balatbat to menswear designer. He will coordinate design efforts with Eli Bonerz, co-owner and founder of the company....
Fille
California Market Center B524 (213) 430-9114 ...
Friday, August 1
Carl Jones Teams With Riley
Cross Colours co-creator Carl Jones has teamed up with contemporary apparel maker Riley to create denim collections for men and women....
Whiteboy's a Hot Name at Kitson on Robertson
Los Angeles boutique Kitson, tucked away on posh Robertson Boulevard among shops such as Madison and Lisa Kline, is logging strong sales with new local line Whitebo...
Tag Rag to Open in Gerry Building
Tag Rag is moving from the California Market Center to a new showroom in the Gerry Building....
Efforts to Forestall Rising Workers' Comp Costs Begin
In the last three years, Janet Wells has seen workers’ compensation insurance premiums grow fourfold at her mid-size company....
Cotton's Kistler to Retire
Dorothy Kistler, the ebullient retail marketing director for Cotton Inc.’s West Coast office is retiring after 32 years with the company....
City Renews Fashion District BID Contract
It wasn’t easy, but the Los Angeles Fashion District Business Improvement District (BID) gained a new contract with area property owners. On July 30, the City Council voted unanimousl...
SizeUSA Survey Returns to SoCal
SizeUSA, an imaging and scanning demonstration and survey, will take place from Sept. 5–28 at JCPenney’s Glendale Galleria store in Glendale, Calif....
CMC's Smashing Market
The California Market Center is bringing Smashbox to the Los Angeles Market in August. Smashbox makeup artists will be in the lobby from Aug. 8–9 to give market visitors makeovers. Smashbox makeup is a product of Smas...
Drop in Confidence
The Consumer Confidence Index dropped to 76.6 in July from 83.5 in June, according to the Conference Board, the New York–based research company that compiles the index. The dip in consumer confidence c...
Star Power Launches New Line
Joey and T designers Joey Tierney and Tanya Tamburin created a buzz during Los Angeles Fashion Week. Taryn Manning, Jaime Pressly, Aimee ...
Tech Companies See New Round of Growth Ahead
Some apparel-technology companies are breathing a sigh of relief as new breeds of hardware and software applications spark interest with manufacturers and retailers. It may not be the forefront of ano...
New Showrooms Open at Cooper Building
There’s a new player on the block. Four new designer showrooms are opening at the Cooper Building in time for the Aug. 8–12 run of Los Angeles Market Week....
Shoe Suit
A federal court jury ruled in favor of Cels Enterprises Inc.—the Los Angeles–based maker of Chinese Laundry, Passports and On Your Feet shoes—in a suit the shoemaker filed against Geac Enterprise Solutions’ Geac ...
Hollywood Kiss
Los Angeles–based junior label Hot Kiss has launched a sweepstakes promotion with Gadzook’s stores and Paramount Domestic Television, producers of weekly teen entertainment show “ET on M...
Learning New Customs
Importers prepare for customs’ new security rules ...
Dallas Market Center to Honor von Furstenberg
The Dallas Market Center will present fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg with its Fashion Excellence award during the 28th annual Dallas Fashion Awards gala in October....
