Monday, August 31
Matiere Pops at Concept 8366 1/2
What a wild summer it has been for the Matiere label; New York Fashion Week, winning an award at Tents at Project and on Aug. 29, the label started a pop up shop at Concept 8366 1/2 in Los Angeles.
Shiekh Shoes' Crooks & Castle's Party
The Crooks & Castles crew dropped by Shiekh Shoe's Legacy Level shop in downtown Los Angeles for an art party.
Thursday, August 27
The Bloc: Tear the Roof Off
Update - and look- at The Bloc in downtown Los Angeles. The compound's roof was torn off to make way for an open-air center which will take a bow in late 2015. Here's a look at the roofless building now.
New Lines and New Business at WWDMAGIC
WWDMAGIC
Waves of buyers traversed the Las Vegas Convention Center for the Aug. 17–19 run of WWDMAGIC in Las Vegas, where young contemporary, juniors and accessories brands showcased their current collections.
John Eshaya Moving to The Village at Westfield Topanga
Retail
After 18 months running a JET John Eshaya specialty boutique near Los Angeles’ Fairfax District, founder John Eshaya confirmed that he will move the shop to the upcoming The Village at Westfield Topanga.
Tennis Anyone?
Tommy Hilfiger hosted tennis match between professional tennis player Rafael Nadal and models Chanel Iman, Constance Jablonski and Noah Mills.
Back to Fashion School
Celeb Style Education
Actor Antonio Banderas is studying fashion design at Central Saint Martins in London.
CurveNV@MAGIC Debuts ‘Relaunched Show’ in New Location
CurveNV@MAGIC
Upscale lingerie and swimwear show CurveNV has been part of the Las Vegas landscape since 2007, but in a partnership with MAGIC parent UBM Advanstar, the show moved from its prior home at The Venetian to a new space in theLas Vegas Convention Center.
Pooltradeshow Moves Upstairs
Trade Show Report
This season, the Pooltradeshow moved back upstairs to run alongside Project for the show’s Aug. 17–19 run at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
New Categories, Configuration at Project, Project Women’s and Tents at Project
Project Women's
Retailers visiting the trade shows at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center found the scene buzzing with activity—and new exhibitors—during the shows’ Aug. 17–19 run.
Post-Vegas Rush at FMNC
Post-Vegas Rush
For exhibitors—and some buyers—there wasn’t much time between the close of the trade shows in Las Vegas and the opening of Fashion Market Northern California on Aug. 22 at the San Mateo Event Center.
Offprice Growing
Trade Shows
This was a year of growth for the off-price market, and it was a time when more retailers wanted a piece of the market in which apparel is sold for 20 percent to 70 percent below wholesale prices.
Agenda: Wrapping Up the Season
Trade Show
The summer season for the Agenda trade show seems like a fast-paced sprint.
Liberty: Freedom of Point of View
Liberty
Attendee traffic increased 7 percent over last year at the Liberty Fashion & Lifestyle Fairs during the show’s Aug 17–19 run at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Capsule’s New America
Trade Show
It was a time for new sections at Capsule, one of the Modern Assembly shows, which ran in the Sands Expo & Convention Center and The Venetian Aug. 17–19.
Curated Looks at Stitch, Accessories the Show and MRket VG
Stitch, AtS & MRket
Food trucks and a large teepee in the middle of the exhibition floor gave the trio of shows organized by Business Journals Inc. a more contemporary and avant-garde feeling this year.
Business Stays Consistent at WWIN
Trade Shows
A sea of clothing filled the six ballrooms of the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino for the semiannual WomensWear In Nevada (WWIN) show in Las Vegas.
Sourcing at MAGIC Moves and Grows
Trade Shows
More than 40 countries exhibited at the Sourcing at MAGIC show, growing from 2,050 booths last year to 2,700 booths this year.
Rebecca Minkoff Flagship Joins Tech & Service With a Touch
Retail
Since e-commerce business started skyrocketing nearly a decade ago, bricks-and-mortar retailers have wondered how they could inject the best of the e-commerce experience into physical stores.
Wednesday, August 26
Sportswear Exec Flies American Heroes' Moms to France
Apparel Philanthropy
Sportswear exec loans his private jet to ferry moms to France to see their hero sons honored by French president.
Ayumi Shibata At Emerging Designers
Ayumi Shibata's / eis / line made an appearance at the Emerging Designers section of WWDMAGIC recently. Shibata's cocoon capes look a bit avant garde, and she hand draws prints for her kimonos with Native American and Americana styles. Take a look.
Tuesday, August 25
MTV Takes Over LA Fashion District's Broadway
Entertainment
One block of Broadway closes in downtown LA for a big event.
Monday, August 24
Alpha’s Gold Anniversary M-65 Field Coat
Fifty years ago, Alpha Industries made the M-65 field coat for the United States military. On the M-65's gold anniversary, Alpha designed a capsule collection celebrating the action-ready coat. Alpha displayed the capsule collection at the Liberty Fashion & Lifestyle Fairs in Las Vegas recently
A New Retail Neighborhood in Venice?
Flowerboy Project produced a debut party for its new space at 824 Lincoln Blvd. in Los Angeles' Venice district. Flowerboy's new neighborhood might be turning into a new retail neighborhood.
WomensWear In Nevada Trade Show Acquired by Urban Expositions
Trade Shows
WomensWear In Nevada trade show now under ownership of Urban Expositions.
Friday, August 21
The Legend of Sato Lives On
Katin's Sato Hughes is considered one of the pioneers of boardshort style. Katin recently posted a video of Sato who continues to tailor boardshorts at the Katin surf shop in Orange County, Calif.
Champion Gets Artsy at Agenda
Since the beginning of the Agenda trade show more than a decade ago, art has been one of the touchstones of the street, action sports and fashion show. The Champion brand booth at the show's recent Aug. 17-19 run in Las Vegas took the art challenge very seriously. The booth was lined with street art with a Jean-Michel Basquiat edge.
Thursday, August 20
Put on Your Fashion Face
Mimi Kim's skincare line Biodara is hand-blended from bioactive botanical materials in Huntington Beach, Calif.
Vans Issues Limited Collection to Curb Teen Smoking
Manufacturing
Vans comes out with "Weapons of Mass Ridiculousness" campaign collection of shoes and apparel.
NRF Survey Says Back-to-School Shopping Going Slowly
Retail
According to the National Retail Federation’s Back-to-School Spending Survey, families are halfway through their shopping lists and may be waiting for prices to drop before buying more.
Change for WeHo’s Fur Ban
Retail
The city of West Hollywood, Calif., approved America’s only municipal fur ban in 2013, and the ban survived a challenge in federal court in 2014. However, the final word has not been said on the law. The West Hollywood City Council unanimously passed an amendment to the ban on Aug. 17.
O’Neill Partners With Cynthia Vincent on New Collection
O’Neill + Cynthia Vincent
O’Neill—the California brand known for its casual clothing, surfboards, swimsuits and wet suits—has tapped designer Cynthia Vincent for its second contemporary collaboration.
Assembly Expansion to LA Retail Market
Retail
Assembly—an independently owned retailer, eponymous designer brand and Council of Fashion Designers of America member—opened a second location, in Los Angeles, earlier this year.
Torrid Gets Real
To show off its Fall collection, California plus-size retail chain Torrid turned to its customers.
Cabana Opens Its First West Coast Swimwear Show
Trade Show
For the last two years, Cabana has been a popular trade show held in two big tents on the beach during Miami Swim Week. Buyers and vendors consistently raved about the well-curated collection of brands and the cool vibe that have kept exhibitors happy and buyers walking through the doors.
Swim Collective Buzzes With Business
Trade Show
Swim Collective is just a few years old, but already it has grown to the size of the very popular SwimShow in Miami Beach, Fla.
Buyers Navigate Changed Format at Las Vegas Trade Shows
Trade Show
LAS VEGAS—The landscape of the Las Vegas trade shows changed again as the giant UBM Advanstar, owner of the MAGIC Marketplace and Project, re-merchandised the layout of its shows.
FCI The Fashion School Showcases Fall ’15 Collections
FCI Fall ’15 collections
Known for its fast-track design program, FCI The Fashion School (previously called Fashion Careers International) showcased the Fall ’15 collections of 10 students on Aug. 13 at the Celebrity Centre International in Hollywood.
Monday, August 17
More Fun in DTLA: Globe Re-opens
Here’s another dispatch from downtown Los Angeles’ funland. Globe Theatre, a more than 100-year-old theatre located on 740 S. Broadway, was reopened as a nightclub and events space earlier this month.
Crooks & Castles Take on Luxplorer & Crooks Femme
Here’s a few looks at the Crooks & Castles brand’s Fall ’15 lines. There’s the Luxplorer outerwear collection and Crooks Femme, a streetwear line for women.
Sunday, August 16
At 26th Waterman’s Ball: A Surfing Rock Show
26th Waterman’s Ball
With surfwear executives wearing colorful, sometimes outré styles, the Surf Industry Manufacturer’s Association’s Annual Waterman’s Ball has earned a reputation as an irreverent, joyful event that raises funds for environmental causes.
Friday, August 14
Cynthia Vincent Collaborating With O'Neill for Swimwear
Fashion
O'Neill hosts a sunset cocktail party to introduce its collection designed with Cynthia Vincent.
Thursday, August 13
LA Councilmember Price’s Youth Entrepreneur Program Draws Apparel Participation
Technology
Apparel-industry software program AIMS360 is taught to students at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, Cal State Poly Pomona, and Saddleback and Fullerton colleges in Orange County, but Henry Cherner, AIMS360’s managing partner, is considering expanding the reach of AIMS360’s education program.
Mighty Purse: Charge It
Manufacturing
HButler recently introduced the Mighty Purse collection of patent-pending “charge on the go” handbags.
Gerber Names PLM Director for Shanghai Office
Technology
Software and hardware provider Gerber Technology named Jeff An director of professional services for product lifecycle management (PLM) in the company’s office in Shanghai.
Ted Baker Gets Curious
With the backdrop of the always gracious Carondelet House near downtown Los Angeles, the Ted Baker London brand produced a party for its Autumn/Winter ’15 collection. The moniker for the collection? “Curiosities.” Take a look.
Forever Unique Takes a Los Angeles Bow
London Fashion Brand Forever Unique made its official Los Angeles debut on Aug. 12. Take a look.
What’s Checking: Melrose
What’s Checking
Stretching from La Cienega to Fairfax, the iconic retail area along Melrose Avenue in the heart of LA has been a shopping destination for celebrities, tastemakers and tourists seeking out cutting-edge, fashion-forward contemporary styles.
Record Growth at West Coast Trend Menswear Show
West Coast Trend
Spirits were high and business was written at the West Coast Trend Show Spring ’16 menswear fashion market, held at the Embassy Suites hotel near the Los Angeles International Airport.
Cake for Monarchs: Entrepreneur and Design Veteran Make RTW With Bespoke Style
Cake for Monarchs
Bespoke looks at affordable prices. That’s the promise of Los Angeles–headquartered line Cake for Monarchs, a menswear label that took its bow this month and is exhibiting at Liberty Fashion & Lifestyle Fairs in Las Vegas.
Park Named as Thomas Wylde Design Director
Manufacturing
Thomas Wylde, the designer fashion label headquartered in Los Angeles, announced that Jene Park was named as its creative director. Since 2006, Park served as the label’s chief operating officer, said John Hanna, the label’s chief executive officer.
Stitch Fix: Big Data Comes to Fashion Retail
Retail
San Francisco–based e-commerce retailer Stitch Fix uses big data, or a computer algorithm, to pick the perfect top or pair of jeans for its thousands of clients.
New Vice President at Rosenthal & Rosenthal
Finance
Rosenthal & Rosenthal Inc., a privately held domestic factoring and financing firm, has hired Martin Eckstein as vice president of business development.
Athleisure—Fad or Fashion for the Long Haul?
Manufacturing
A fleeting trend or a cultural shift? That is the question everyone is asking about the popularity of athleisure clothing.
Siwy Taps Jimmy Taverniti as Creative Director
Manufacturing
Denim designer Jimmy Taverniti has joined Siwy as creative director. The first collection under Taverniti’s direction will be Spring/Summer 2016
Street Style: Paris When It Sizzles
Paris When It Sizzles
California Apparel News contributing photographer Tim Regas was in Paris this summer for the couture shows and captured the stylish scene—as well as several famous faces—on the streets of the City of Light.
Cargo Container Volumes Expected to Grow Modestly This Year
Import & Export
Despite massive congestion problems plaguing the West Coast ports earlier this year, cargo-container volumes for imported goods are expected to rise 4.2 percent this year compared with last year.
Kentwool’s New Performance Apparel Division Expands Its U.S.-Made Product Mix Beyond Golf and Socks
Manufacturing | Made in America
Location increasingly matters when it comes to where apparel products are made. One company experiencing this is Kentwool, a venerable South Carolina–based company that has become known in recent years for its high-end, high-tech golf socks.
Infor to Acquire GT Nexus
Technology
New York–based technology solutions provider Infor announced it plans to acquire GT Nexus, the Oakland, Calif.–based global trade and logistics platform, for $675 million.
Epson’s New Sublimation Printer and Ink Designed With Fashion in Mind
Technology
Print solution company Epson has the fashion industry in its sights, hoping to win designers over with the promise of creating their own graphic prints on demand.
Fashion & Feminism
Actress Emma Watson recently teamed up with Vogue to produce a video focusing on gender equality in the fashion industry.
Wednesday, August 12
Patagonia Hopes to Restore the Great Plains
Outdoor Wear
Patagonia Provisions is partnering with buffalo ranchers to restore the grasslands of the Great Plains.
Genetic Denim Has a New Owner
Manufacturing
Genetic Denim, a Los Angeles premium jeans label started nearly a decade ago, was acquired recently by a small investment group that brought in veteran apparel executive Hubert Guez to help turn the company around. The acquisition price was not disclosed.
Tuesday, August 11
Citadel: Clean Up Commerce
Almost every city in the Good Ol’ USA sponsors a municipal clean-up. But Citadel Outlets got special notice when it produced a clean-up of Commerce, Calif.
Ready for More John Varvatos?
John Varvatos Enterprises announced that it will open a big 3,500-square-foot boutique in Fashion Valley, a Simon-owned regional mall in San Diego.
Monday, August 10
Melanie B. Cox to Run Wet Seal
Retail
After guiding The Wet Seal LLC through a tumultuous period, Ed Thomas announced he will leave the company on Aug. 10, his successor, Melanie B. Cox, a veteran retailer and Wet Seal board member, will succeed Thomas.
Scouting Menswear Trends in Tokyo
Guest Blog: Sharifa Murdock
Liberty Fairs' Sharifa Murdock (@SharifaSays) was recently in Tokyo scouting menswear trends and retailers. She sent us a report of some of her favorite finds.
Friday, August 7
BCBGMaxAzria and Herve Leger on the Runway in L.A.
First Look: Resort '16
Max and Lubov Azria presented the Resort '16 collections for BCBGMaxAzria and Herve Leger on the Runway in L.A at the Samuel Freeman Gallery in Los Angeles.
Back-to-School…at Chateau Marmont
Back-to-School Saturdays starts on Aug. 8. It invites consumers to shop for Back-to-School gear. On Aug. 5, mall giant Simon teamed up with Teen Vogue and Chateau Marmont Penthouse for a BTSS event. Young actors such as Bella Thorne, Willow Shields and Amanda Steel had a dinner at the Chateau Marmont and checked out new Back-to-School looks.
Thursday, August 6
Fred Jackson Retiring as CEO of American & Efird
Manufacturing
After nearly 20 years as head of the largest U.S. thread manufacturer, Fred Jackson is stepping down as the chief executive officer of American & Efird, effective Sept. 28.
Pendleton Looms Up
Textile Design
Portland, Ore.–based Pendleton Woolen Mills is adding new Italian and Swiss jacquard looms in its original mill in Pendleton, Ore.
Who Says Fashion Designers Can’t Rock?
By day, Rachel Anne Rainwater designs women’s line Sea Gypsies for Lost which has been sold at retailers such as Tilly’s. By night, she sings for the rock band His Eyes Have Fangs which features skateboarding legend Tony Alva on bass.
Yesterday’s Shapewear Is Over
Jewel Toned
Rachael McCrary thinks shapewear’s reputation needs to be salvaged, and she believes that she has a solution with her West Hollywood, Calif.–headquartered brand, Jewel Toned.
July Sales Tough
Retail
Retail sales generally disappointed in July, at the beginning of the important Back-to-School season, said Ken Perkins of market-research group Retail Metrics.
Simparel Releases New Shop Floor Control Solution
Technology
New York–based fashion and retail solutions provider Simparel has launched Simparel SFC, a new shop floor–control product aimed at using wireless technology and mobile devices to help manufacturers gather real-time data about everything from order tracking to machine downtime.
Balancing Beauty & Comfort
TyLynn Nguyen
Comfort and beauty do not have to be mutually exclusive in lingerie, said designer TyLynn Nguyen. She started the TyLynn Nguyen Intimates line in March to offer underwear that is easy enough for lounging around the house but can be beautiful, too.
Milano Unica Brings Italian Textiles to New York With First U.S. Show
Trade Show
NEW YORK—After celebrating its 10th anniversary in Milan, Italian textile trade show Milano Unica took a small group of mills on the road for its first edition in New York.
Fabrium: Taking the First-Step of Fabric Sourcing Online
Technology
Last year, Cubukcu and Topcuoglu began developing Fabrium, an online sourcing site to connect textile mills with designers and manufacturers.
Kingpins Continues to Expand
Trade Show
Location is only one of the changes planned for Kingpins; the show will also shift its dates from its traditional January/July schedule to a November/May schedule beginning with its Nov. 3–4 show at Pier 36 NYC (Basketball City) in Manhattan.
Building the Supply Chain at Texworld USA
Trade Show
Two years ago at Texworld USA in New York, Los Angeles knitting mill SG Knits met with a potential customer. The two companies stayed in touch, and two years later the potential customer has become an actual one.
Attendance Up at PV New York
Trade Show
Première Vision New York reported an “all-time high” attendance during its July 21–22 run at Pier 92, where more than 300 exhibitors showcased their latest collections of fabric, trim and artwork.
Israeli Clothing Company Acquires P.J. Salvage Brand
Manufacturing
After 20 years of making women’s pajamas and loungewear, P.J. Salvage has been sold to an Israeli clothing company for an undisclosed price.
American Apparel Vacating One of Two Industrial Buildings
Manufacturing
American Apparel has renegotiated its lease, saving the Los Angeles clothing company millions of dollars and giving up one of its two industrial buildings.
L.A.’s High-End Fashion Designers Test New Categories
New Frontiers
With price-conscious consumers and the athleisure trend changing the way the retail world turns, some of Los Angeles’ eveningwear and red-carpet designers are focusing their attention on less-expensive and casual lines that fit in with people’s lifestyles and pocketbooks.
L.A. Market Light as Showrooms, Buyers Prepare for the Big Las Vegas Shows
Trade Shows
August markets for the Holiday/Resort 2015 season are always quiet because the gigantic semiannual trade shows in Las Vegas are less than two weeks away—running Aug. 16–19. But this year, the Aug. 3–6 market seemed to be quieter than normal.
Denim’s New Look
New Blues
Denim’s classic look is updated for today’s effortlessly cool crowd. Look for artisan effects, innovative fabrics and oversized shapes to be some of the hottest looks of the season.
Tuesday, August 4
Speedo USA Incorporating Used Nylon From Italy
Manufacturing
Speedo USA works with Italian textile company to recycle old nylon fabric for swimwear.
Monday, August 3
This Retailer Needs to Look at a Map
Retail
Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th could use a good map of Beverly Hills.
American Apparel Vacating One of Two Industrial Buildings
American Apparel has renegotiated its lease that will save the Los Angeles clothing company millions of dollars.
