Monday, March 31
Friday, March 28
Domenico Vacca’s Bespoke Party
After outfitting Jeremy Piven for the upcoming Entourage movie, Designer Domenico Vacca partied at his self named boutique in Beverly Hills' Montage hotel.
Thursday, March 27
Industry Voices: Made in California—More Than a Label
On Oct. 4, 2013, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a “Made in California” labeling program. Taking advantage of this new legislation is a great marketing tool for California companies.
Southern California Fashion Schools Include Accessories in the Mix
Several design schools in Southern California—including Fashion Careers International, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Art Center College of Design and Woodbury University—are training their students in the techniques and the craftsmanship that go into making handbags and footwear and incorporating the students’ designs into graduate projects and runway shows.
Developer Rick Caruso Names New Marketing Communications Officer
Public-relations veteran Judy Johnson was named as the chief marketing and communications officer for Caruso Affiliated, the Los Angeles real estate development company that owns, manages and develops such shopping centers as The Grove in Los Angeles and The Americana at Brand in Glendale, Calif.
Luv Aj: From Jewelry to Leathercraft
Designer Amanda Thomas built a following for her jewelry line, Luv Aj, among retailers such as Fred Segal, Nordstrom, Shopbop, Madison, Lisa Klein and Urban Outfitters since it launched in 2005. For Thomas’ latest chapter of the Luv Aj brand, the designer turned to leather.
Lynne Koplin Named President of J Brand
Industry veteran Lynne Koplin, who most recently worked for denim maker True Religion, has been named president of J Brand, another Los Angeles denim maker.
Levi’s Laying Off 800 Employees in Restructuring Effort
Levi Strauss & Co. is laying off 800 employees, or 20 percent of the workforce, in its non-retailing and non-manufacturing sectors of the company to save $75 million to $100 million a year.
Voit to Join Element
Frank Voit was named as the global general manager for Irvine, Calif.–based skate label Element.
Jack’s Surfboards On The Move: First Skatepark, Next Up, Santa Monica
Jack’s Surfboards opened a location for its skateboard concept, Jack’s Garage, at the Vans Off the Wall Skatepark in Huntington Beach.
EU Drops Extra Tariff on U.S. Women’s Jeans
Nearly one year after slapping an additional 26 percent tariff on U.S.-made women’s jeans, the European Union has decided to reduce that tariff to 0.35 percent starting on May 1.
What Buyers Are Looking for in an Apparel Company
This year could be a very good year for apparel companies that have a “For Sale” sign hanging outside their front door.
Behind The Scenes on Rodeo: Shawmut Renovates High End Street
For Rodeo Drive, renovating boutiques is a multi-million-dollar enterprise.
FIDM Gala: Fashion, Costumes, Cadillacs and Chairing Styles
The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising presented its annual Debut runway fashion show at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., on March 22 to an audience that included industry insiders, FIDM alumni and faculty, as well as city notables and donors to the FIDM Scholarship Foundation.
Isabel Toledo x Lane Bryant
Fashion Collab
Plus-size retailer has partnered with designers Isabel and Ruben Toledo for a new collection, which debuted on March 23 at Seagram Building in New York.
Lucky's Man in Black
Fashion + Music
Lucky Brand—and Johnny Cash fans—caught a lucky break with the discovery and release of a “lost” Cash album, “Out Among the Stars,” recently released on Columbia/Legacy.
Wednesday, March 26
Lynne Koplin Named President of J Brand
Executive Moves
Industry veteran Lynne Koplin, who most recently worked for denim maker True Religion, has been named president of J Brand, another Los Angeles denim maker.
Levi’s Laying Off 800 Employees in Restructuring Effort
Denim News
Levi Strauss & Co. in San Francisco is going on a diet to reduce $175 million to $200 million a year in expenses.
EU Drops Extra Tariff on U.S. Women’s Jeans
Denim Duty
Nearly one year after slapping an additional 26 percent tariff on U.S.-made women’s jeans, the European Union has decided to reduce that tariff to 0.35 percent starting on May 1.
Monday, March 24
Eva Mendes Adds Some Oomph to New York & Co.'s Spring Line-up
Retail
Actress Eva Mendes on the publicity campaign for new Spring collection.
Ketzali and Coachella’s Big Sounds
The fashion world's attention is turned toward the Coachella music festival. The festival's influence has touched Guatemala's Ketzali label. The line's scarves and ponchos are made by Guatemalan artisans on old-style looms.
Friday, March 21
CFDA Incubator Comes to LA
Designer Spotlight
The CFDA {Fashion Incubator} program is a business mentorship that gives designers access to workshops, seminars, networking and travel opportunities—“all with the objective of helping them grow their business.”
Decades' Moschino Revival
High End Vintage Shop Decades bought back classic Moschino; laughs and a unique style, at a March 20 party.
After Big Jobs, Sandro Paris Parties
After recently opening up Los Angeles area shops, French clothier Sandro Paris had a party.
The Indie Side of LA Market
Henry Duarte hosts a group of independent designers during LA Market at his atelier on Los Angeles Street.
Thursday, March 20
CFDA Incubator Showcase Comes to LA
Events
For the first time, the Council of Fashion Designers of America brought its latest group of designers in the CFDA Fashion Incubator program to Los Angeles, where they showcased their lines at the W Hotel in Hollywood.
Capital Tailors Relaunches
Manufacturing
Capital Tailors, the premium collection originally started in 2003 by Glenn Williams and Lucky Brand founders Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman, relaunched for Fall 2014 during Los Angeles Fashion Market.
Are Infringers Hijacking Your Brand? Take These Simple Steps to Protect Your Company
Developing a product is just the first step to a successful business. Once you have a product that you believe will sell, you need to come up with a name for that product to set you apart from everyone else and to help people identify your product as the genuine item.
Skingraft Joins Group of Luxe Boutiques in Fashion District
Retail
The Skingraft fashion label will be the latest of several high-end fashion boutiques to put down stakes in downtown Los Angeles’ Fashion District, which has become a magnet for luxe boutiques after being a near-dead zone for high-end fashion retail up to last year.
Key Retailers Turn Out at Los Angeles Fashion Market
Trade Show
Buyers from Nordstrom, Nasty Gal, Piperlime, Amazon.com, ShopBop, Elyse Walker, Madison, Ron Herman, Tilly’s, Revolve and American Rag turned out for the Fall 2014 Los Angeles Fashion Market.
Carmella
Classic, with a Latin Edge
Growing up in Connecticut, Katheryn Rice, with her grandmother Carmella, often watched films from the 1930s and 1940s and talked about the costumes.
Beyond Product Recommendations: Tech Firm Certona’s New Patent
Technology
Closing the sale is one of the oldest games in retail. E-tailers have their own tech-driven ways to get consumers to buy an item and buy extras. There are widely used collaborative filtering programs, or programs that pre-determine what a consumer will be seeking.
Change Coming With Two Historic Garment Buildings Being Converted Into Loft-Style Apartments
News
Two years ago, Capital Foresight Development, headed by Naty Saidoff, bought architectural gems—the Garment Capitol Building and the Maxfield Building.
H&M’s Conscious Party
H&M got its organic on March 19. It threw a party for its third Conscious Exclusive collection with celebs like Kate Mara, Sophia Bush and Amber Valletta.
Wednesday, March 19
Deckers Opens Omni-Channel Store
Retail
Lots of shoes and different ways to buy them at new store in Goleta, Calif.
Epson® Quality and Reliability, Now in a Dye-Sublimation Printer
SPONSOR BLOG
The Epson name has long stood for the very highest standards of print performance, quality and reliability. Now, we’re putting our expertise into an exciting new suite of purpose-built garment printers.
Tuesday, March 18
Meet Cluny
The Fall 14 Los Angeles Fashion Market sounded like a perfect time to get better acquainted with Los Angeles, said Nina Churchill, vice-president of the New York-headquartered women’s contemporary label.
Los Angeles Men’s Market: A Lot of Work, Some Play
The first day of the Los Angeles Men’s Market, March 17, was busy. Fortunately the guys got a little rest and recreation too.
Monday, March 17
CM2K
LA Fashion Week Fall 2014
Back in 2012, Los Angeles Designer Cheryl Koo introduced The Other Duck, a line with art and some streetwear influences. For the Fall 2014 Los Angeles Fashion Week, she returned to debut the CM2K line at The Supper Club, a nightclub and high-end restaurant in Hollywood.
Jen Awad
LA Fashion Week Fall 2014
Jen Awad started her fashion career with designing rock club ready looks for self-named fashion label, and her collections sported monikers like “Hot Mess.”
Michael Costello
LA Fashion Week Fall 2014
The Fall ’14 collection of “Project Runway” alum Michael Costello took a bow on March 10 at Style Fashion Week, and Costello found inspirations for the 20 look show in diverse themes, such as New York City winters and Priscilla Presley’s wedding dress.
MT Costello
LA Fashion Week Fall 2014
The third season of the MT Costello line, which is designed by “Project Runway” alum Michael Costello and his cousin Stephanie Costello, took a bow on March 10 at the Designers to Watch showcase of Style Fashion Week.
R. Michel’le The Label
LA Fashion Week Fall 2014
When Rachael Broussard’s R. Michel’le The Label line took the runway March 10 at the Designers to Watch showcase at Style Fashion Week, Broussard wanted to offer clothes that any woman can wear.
Walter Mendez Collection
LA Fashion Week Fall 2014
Just a year after graduating from the fashion design program of California State University, Long Beach, Walter Mendez took a bow at Style Fashion Week on March 10.
Friday, March 14
Famous Movie Stars' Daughter Modeling for Gap
Fashion
The Gap Inc. starts new campaign for outlet stores.
After Costuming Katy Perry & Runway Show, Maggie Barry Does A Pop Up
Fresh from her runway shows at Style Fashion Week, Maggie Barry, who has costumed stars ranging from Katy Perry to Van Halen, presided over the March 13 debut of Shoppe, the monthly pop-up shop at her new atelier in downtown Los Angeles. “We’re doing random acts of fashion here,” Barry joked
BJ Hearts LA
Betsey Johnson at LA Fashion Week
Betsey Johnson showed her Fall 14 collection on March 12 at Style Fashion Week at LA Live.
Thursday, March 13
What’s Checking on Los Angeles’ West Third Street
Retail
Los Angeles’ West Third is a high-energy street sandwiched between La Cienega Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. Its boutiques, cafes and restaurants draw trendy tourists and locals alike, creating an ongoing pulse that is unique to Los Angeles. As Beckley Boutique owner Melissa Akkaway put it, “The close proximity of the stores and restaurants on this street creates a nice synergy that is always upbeat.”
Hye Park and Lune
Off the Runway and Into the Design Room
Hye Park took her modeling experiences—on and off the catwalk for designers such as Miu Miu, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana and Hermès—and put them on the drawing board for Hye Park and Lune, a new collaboration between Park and Lune, the Pasadena, Calif.–based company founded last year by Kyle Han and Ashley Lee.
Industry Voices: How to Use Free-Trade Zones to Save When Importing Apparel
Import/Export
Foreign-trade zones offer great opportunities for lowering the overall cost of imported apparel and other products. While more and more companies are taking advantage of these opportunities, a clear understanding of FTZ rules and regulations is critical to ensuring maximum savings and avoiding problems.
ADBD’s Hustle
Branding, Retailing, Design & Rapping
It’s Tuesday afternoon, time for Alberto Mendez and more than 20 other aspiring rappers to try out impromptu rhymes at ADBD, a Fairfax Avenue storefront adjacent to flagship boutiques for popular streetwear brands such as Diamond Supply Co. and Crooks & Castles.
Container Traffic to Rise 12.4 Percent This Month
Import/Export
As spring-like weather entices consumers out of their shells to shop, the number of cargo containers being shipped across the ocean to the nation’s ports is expected to increase by as much as 12.4 percent in March.
The Wet Seal Adds Three New Directors to Board
Executive Moves
Teen retailer The Wet Seal Inc., based in Foothill Ranch, Calif., added three new directors who have technology and social media skills to help the company move forward.
Los Angeles International Textile Show
Emerging Designers and Established Brands
A slow start on opening day of the March 10–12 run of the Los Angeles International Textile Show gave way to a flurry of activity as a mix of established brands and emerging designers turned out to source fabric, trim, trend and technology resources.
Will Europe Keep Its High Tariff on U.S. Women’s Jeans?
Import/Export
The steep 38 percent tariff the European Union slapped on U.S.-made women’s jeans last year is set to expire on April 30, but no one is sure whether the tariff will disappear or be extended for another year.
Parke & Ronen Experiments With Unconventional Pop-up Shop
Retail
The boom-and-bust cycles of running a store are challenging for anyone, but it was driving the owners of the Parke & Ronen store in Los Angeles crazy.
Kellwood and Meister Split
David Meister had operated under the Kellwood umbrella for 15 years under a licensing agreement that will not be renewed.
Los Angeles Fashion Week: Fall 2014
Runways, Parties and More
Los Angeles Fashion Week is underway and our editors and photographers are out capturing the scene.
Wednesday, March 12
Wren Wins the Internet With First Kiss
Viral Marketing
Los Angeles contemporary line Wren's YouTube video titled “First Kiss” features 10 strangers meeting—and kissing—for the first time.
Tuesday, March 11
Which Fashion Designer is Selling His House?
Rich & Famous
Christian Audigier lists another house for sale.
Cooper Celebrates 'Vices'
Photography Exhibition
The Cooper Design Space will host an exhibition of photographer Jamie Johnson’s new series, titled “Vices, or I will Not…”
St Regis Bespoke BeachCandy Swimwear
Designer Brit Barber has been representing a different bespoke suit; the custom made swim suit. This month, Barber's BeachCandy label will be debuting a collaboration capsule line of custom swim suits with luxe St. Regis Monarch Beach resort.
Monday, March 10
Los Angeles Fashion Council Puts the Spotlight on LA Designers
Fashion
Los Angeles designers are front and center for Los Angeles Fashion Market.
LA Fashion Week & Those Stubborn Critiques
As LA Fashion Week runway shows start rolling out, familiar complaints about Los Angeles' fashion week start rolling in. Some fashion veterans chart on what LA Fashion Week should do next.
Indigo Paris: A look back at the Spring Summer 15 collections
Sponsored Blog
The Indigo trend area was transformed into a gallery of animal portraits, with mainly all-over prints, representing butterflies, fish and shellfish in their natural habitats; jungles and undersea worlds or hibiscus.
Sunday, March 9
NailSnaps Social Media Manicures
No question, nail art continues to scale new heights, and Angel Anderson and Sarah Heering want new Da Vincis and Warhols to create their own nail art masterpieces, but in a social media way.
Friday, March 7
Los Angeles Fashion Week Calendar
Los Angeles Fashion Week gets underway on March 9 and runs through March 18.
Vision Street Wear Pops at Fred Segal
Call March Vision Street Wear month. The footwear and fashion brand set up a pop-up shop at sneaker head boutique Conveyor at Fred Segal in Santa Monica.
Have It Your Way, Jeremy Scott!
Fashion As Social Commentary?
Jeremy Scott’s Fall collection for Moschino appears to be inspired by a certain fast-food behemoth.
Thursday, March 6
New Lines
Fashion
The following new lines and new showrooms will be available during the March 16–20 run of Los Angeles Fashion Market. (Note: Not all showroom buildings are open all days. Please check Apparelnews.net for correct start and end dates for each building.)
Hollywood Style
Hollywood Style
Academy Award winner, Lupita Nyong’o won the red carpet with her pastel-blue Prada gown.
Los Angeles Fashion Week
On With the Shows
Designers from across Los Angeles and around the world are preparing to show their Fall 2014 collections at the upcoming Los Angeles Fashion Week.
New Mart Owner Donates $15 Million to LA Jewish Home
Finance
Many know Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer as the force behind The New Mart building, recently made a donation of $15 million to the Los Angeles Jewish Home.
February Cold Makes Mixed Business
Retail
Extreme weather across much of the U.S. put a chill in business for February, but many retailers pulled out good sales during the month.
Lingerie on the Runway at CurveNY
Lingerie on the Runway
CurveNY, the New York edition of the CurvExpo lingerie trade show, hosted a runway presentation on Feb. 24, during its recent Feb. 23–25 run at Javits Center North Pavilion in New York.
Mohajer to Receive ADL’s Deborah Award
Events
Tokidoki co-founder Pooneh Mohajer will be honored for her business leadership with the Deborah Award from the Anti-Defamation League.
Le Frenchlab
Showroom Profile
Le Frenchlab launched in August and is distributing and marketing the “new generation” of French designers, said founder Emmanuelle Rienda.
Noella Showroom
Showroom Profile
She had worked for the Cooper-based Simon Showroom since 2010, and, when Vets decided to start her own multi-line showroom in August 2013, she had her heart set on staying at the Cooper.
The Village Showroom
Showroom Profile
Tina Fleming and her partner Shanon Martin have branched out to their own 1,200-square-foot showroom on the eighth floor of The New Mart.
MUJI to Santa Monica
MUJI, a prominent Japanese retailer, believes in a simple design for all of its products ranging from fashion to personal electronics, and it is moving to Santa Monica.
Free Seminars at the LA Textile Show
Trade Show
During the March 10–12 run of the Los Angeles International Textile Show at the California Market Center, the CMC is hosting a series of free seminars on the 13th floor of the building.
Industry Voices: Automated Software Integration in the Apparel Industry
Technology
Integration is what binds information between disparate software systems in a business. Recent advancements allow synchronization and processing of information between different systems.
Sheree Waterson Named President at Nasty Gal
E-commerce
The online site Nasty Gall gets a new executive.
Container Shipping Prices to Remain Low Until 2016
Import/Export
One nugget of good news for apparel and textile importers is that shipping rates along the Asia–to–Los Angeles route should remain at bargain-basement prices for the next few years.
Amuse Society: Fry and Rapp Announce Name of Their New Surf Brand
Swim/Surf
Surf-industry luminaries Mandy Fry and Summer Rapp made waves when they joined new fashion label Stokehouse Unlimited in January. They recently released a few more details about their project for the Costa Mesa, Calif.–headquartered Stokehouse.
Stars Turn Out to Celebrate Catherine Martin and Rodeo's Walk of Style
Winners Circle
Academy Award Winner Catherine Martin was inducted in the Rodeo Drive Walk at the ornate Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills.
Wednesday, March 5
February Sales Forecast to Be Modest
Retail Sales
Retail sales increased slightly, 0.3 percent, during the last week of February but it won’t shake the winter blues, analysts say.
Volcom: True To This
Let’s call Volcom a movie studio too. On March 1, it held a premiere for its film True To This.
Fashion Week El Paseo Party
It was a little bit of Palm Desert in West Hollywood. Designers and producers of the upcoming Saxony Group Fashion Week El Paseo 2014 had a party at the Palihouse in West Hollywood March 4.
Monday, March 3
Vans & The Block Collection
Vans takes inspiration from streetwear capitals Fairfax and La Brea avenues with its new The Block Collection.
