La Cosa Inc.
Trevor Riewer is on a nomadic streak. Last year, after inhabiting the California Market Center for 15 years, he moved his International Lingerie showroom across the street to the Gerry Building, renovated in 2002 to compete with upscale showroom buildings such as The New Mart.
Riewer has since relocated his space across the hall on the Gerry Building’s fifth floor and changed the showroom’s name to La Cosa Inc.
“There is different light in this space,” Riewer said, explaining why he moved. “I like the view out of the corner window, which lets me see the Cooper Building and The New Mart.”
The new showroom has an upbeat tone, with freshly painted yellow walls and plenty of light streaming in through the curved windows that overlook Los Angeles Street. Riewer said decorating will be ongoing as he adjusts to the new environment.
Buyers can still view the same lingerie lines that Riewer has represented for years. These vary from the conventional ribbed cotton tank tops, camisoles and panties made by Ripcosa of America Inc., under the La Cosa label, to the frilly silk teddies that carry the Frances Smily label.
Riewer also carries the Amourette and Pink Daisy labels, made by Caresse Inc. in Los Angeles. Caresse does private-label lingerie and underwear for such retailers as Mervyn’s, Kohl’s and Anthropologie but decided last year to come out with these lines to boost profit margins. Amourette— which consists of camisoles, tops, panties and sleepwear—is geared for the Bridge market. Pink Daisy is a little more trendy and made for a younger customer who likes prints and lots of color.
Other lingerie lines at the showroom include Rosy, a bra line from France; Skimpies, panties, mesh camis, slips and bras made in Canada; and The Solution Cami, a camisole with a bra, also designed by a Canadian company. They are distributed by Vestiny Apparel Inc., based in Montreal.
“I have a nice little mix of product that provides one-stop shopping for stores,” Riewer said. —Deborah Belgum
