P.KaBu Moves to Twin Springs

P.KaBu, the independent runway show series, is moving to a new location in downtown Los Angeles and expanding its trunk show format to include wholesale operations.

The P.KaBu shows and the newly launched P.KaBu Trunk & Trade will be held Oct. 20–22 in the Twin Springs Building, located at 433 S. Spring St.

“L.A. is this huge melting pot, and I want to capitalize on that environment,” said designer Jose Angel, founder and producer of P.KaBu.

By day, independent and new designers will set up booths to sell wholesale to the industry as well as retail direct to consumers. In the evenings, the venue will be transformed into a runway space for up to 15 independent designer lines, according to Angel, who said he expects 30 to 50 companies to participate in P.KaBu Trunk & Trade. “I want it to be small, manageable and have a boutique feel to it,” he added, noting that exhibitors will include apparel, jewelry and accessories resources to give the show a one-stop shopping environment.

Angel tested the waters last season by hosting a small version of the trunk show format during the P.KaBu series held at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif. “Last season was a barometer to get people’s reaction to having that marketplace in that environment,” he said.

When Angel decided to expand the concept, he brought in former California Market Center executive Jen Uner as a consultant. Angel had briefly operated a P.KaBu showroom in the CMC, where he met Uner and former Director of Merchandise Karen Mamont, who is now director of public relations and fashion for Twin Springs.

Mamont said she is pleased to support the three-day event particularly because it is scheduled to run concurrently with the Los Angeles Fashion Week dates but does not conflict with any previously scheduled events, including Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios. “P.KaBu will continue to add to the synergy of L.A. Fashion Week and L.A. Market Week,” she said.

The art deco–style Twin Springs building currently houses the Sharagano, Spy Zone Exchange and Western Denim lines.

“We are thrilled to host the P. KaBu event at Twin Springs,” Mamont said. “The building was historically known as the ’L.A. Design Center,’ and its 1930s architecture and spacious second floor screams fashion and is prime for this event.”

For more information about the P.KaBu shows and P.KaBu Trunk & Trade, call (323) 735-5675, or visit www.pkabu.com.

—Alison A. Nieder