Friday, June 30
BedHead Acquired by Komar
Manufacturing
BedHead Pajamas, the nearly 20-year-old Los Angeles sleepwear company, has been acquired by Komar for an undisclosed price.
Louis Vuitton X Supreme Skates in DTLA
Around the turn of the century, skate/streetwear brand Supreme made a skateboard deck design that mixed its logo with the gilded tag of Louis Vuitton. A cease and desist order later, the collaboration became part of fashion legend. Until now.
Thursday, June 29
CK, The xx and L.A.
Calvin Klein Chief Creative Officer Raf Simons worked with The xx and photographer/filmmaker Alasdair McLellan to create the concept behind The xx’s “I Dare You” video.
LTH JKT Takes a Bow
Meet LTH JKT, a Venice, Calif. headquartered brand which says that it found a way to offer leather jackets one-third off of typical retail prices.
ThirdLove Seeks Best Bra Fit with FitFinder 2.0
Manufacturing
Tech-enabled bra company ThirdLove recently introduced its Fit Finder 2.0 program, a new version of the San Francisco’s company proprietary sizing program.
APM Terminal at Los Angeles Port Returns to Normal After Shut Down Following Cyber Attack
Import/Export
A global cyber attack that affected hundreds of companies and their computer systems crippled operations at A.P. Moller-Maersk, the world’s largest container carrier, headquartered in Denmark. Operations returned to close to normal.
Cone’s S Gene Tech Turns 10
Textiles
Greensboro, N.C.–based denim mill Cone Denim is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its S Gene dual-core technology.
The Hundreds.com’s Tech Revamp With Shopify Plus
Technology
Bobby Kim built a community with blogs featuring a running commentary on the state of streetwear, hip-hop, rock, politics, travel, food and whatever else grabbed his attention.
Retailers Revamp Inventory at Fashion Market Northern California
FMNC
Retailers, stuck with cold-weather inventory during a soggy winter, were sticking their heads out of their doors and filling in orders for a better season brought on by fairer weather.
Handcrafted LA to Open at The Bloc
Retail
After a career of producing outdoor markets and festivals, the husband-and-wife team of Phillip and Shelly Dane will be opening their first permanent boutique in downtown Los Angeles.
TenOverSix to Move to Miami
Retail
After a nine-year run in Southern California, the TenOverSix boutique will be closing its multi-brand, independent Melrose Avenue store and reopening in Miami, said Kristen Lee, the boutique’s co-owner and creative director.
SMC Hosts LA Mode Runway Show
LA Mode
Students in the fashion design program at Santa Monica College showcased their latest work in LA Mode 2017, the program’s annual runway show, on June 15 at Santa Monica High School in Santa Monica, Calif.
B.James Tells L.A. Story With Emerging Label
B.James
In Brandon James’ tough South Los Angeles neighborhood in the 1990s, the people who dressed well and had money were known as hustlers according to James, now a designer.
Puma X Minions…at Bait
Yes, Despicable Me 3 is on its way to being a blockbuster movie. But did you know that it’s a clothing line too?
Wednesday, June 28
Banana Republic Hits the Wedding Aisle
Retail
Weddington Way, an online site for bridesmaids dresses and accessories, is opening a physical space inside the Banana Republic in Santa Monica.
Tuesday, June 27
Skechers Goes Big With New Outlet Store
Retail
You won't have a problem finding a pair of shoes at this outlet store.
Bankruptcy Court Approves Stalking Horse Bid for BCBG Max Azria
Weeks after an offer was made to take BCBG Max Azria out of bankruptcy as a shell of its former self, a U.S. bankruptcy court has approved the $165 million offer.
Thursday, June 22
Blinkers On
Here’s something sure to be a hit with the fashion—and festival—set. f.lashes are lightweight LED lights meant to be worn like fake lashes.
FIDM Fêtes Menswear
Industry insiders had a chance to review the work of the graduates of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising’s Advanced Study Program in Menswear at a June 15 reception held at FIDM’s campus in downtown Los Angeles.
Stitch Fix Names New CFO
Retail
Stitch Fix, the online subscription clothing service based in San Francisco, has a new chief financial officer.
Charney’s Los Angeles Apparel Factory Staffs Up, Looks for Growth
Manufacturing
With little fanfare, Dov Charney, perhaps the basics industry’s most flamboyant entrepreneur, unveiled his latest project.
Alternative Founder Returns with M/f people Brand
Manufacturing
Greg Alterman founded blank-T-shirt company Alternative Apparel in 1996, and he had grown it into a $74 million enterprise when he left it in early 2013. His latest venture brings him back to the apparel industry. His new lifestyle brand, M/f people, is scheduled to take a bow June 23.
Brookfield Takes Over at CMC
Trade Shows
The new management team at the California Market Center hosted a meet-and-greet breakfast for tenants following the closure of a deal between CMC owners Jamison Services and Brookfield Properties, the real estate giant that runs properties such as FIGat7th and Bank of America Plaza.
UBM Brings Swim Lessons Back to LA
Events
Early in BB Dakota’s history, the brand was picked up by the juniors buyer from a major department store—even though the Costa Mesa, Calif.–based company didn’t consider the brand a juniors label.
LA Designer Michael Costello Expanding into Retail from His Downtown Post
Michael Costello
The numbers tattooed on Michael Costello’s arm—12614—say it all. On Jan. 26, 2014, Beyoncé wore the designer’s white lacy and semitransparent gown to the Grammy Awards, and in just one night she pushed the former “Project Runway” contestant to the top of the celebrity-designer map.
Maggie Barry, Kunst NYC and Band of Gypsies Take The Runway
Brigade LA
Downtown Los Angeles’ Brigade LA boutique turned itself into a runway on June 18 with a fashion show that served as a platform for an emerging brand with a performance-art angle, a new line meant for the international music-festival circuit and a contemporary brand with looks inspired by the 1960s.
Talking Costumes With Mindy Kaling at Beverly Center
For a celebration to mark the completion of Phase One of an extensive remodel, Beverly Center hosted a talk on costuming with actress/producer/creative hyphenate Mindy Kaling and costumer Salvador Perez.
Wednesday, June 21
LeSportsac to Make Mario Bros. Travel Accessories
Fashion
Look for new Mario Bros.-inspired gear in time for the Holiday season.
Monday, June 19
After Standing Rock Protest, B. Yellowtail Brings Style With Indigenous Angle to L.A.
Shailene Woodley is a fan of B. Yellowtail, a Los Angeles-headquartered label inspired by Native American art, that has made clothes at the Standing Rock protest, and in an area the label calls Occupied Tongva Territory.
Brookfield Takes Over at CMC
The new management team at the California Market Center hosted a meet-and-greet breakfast for tenants following the closure of a deal between CMC owners Jamison Services and Brookfield Properties, the real estate giant that runs properties such as FIGat7th and Bank of America Plaza.
Thursday, June 15
Budget Bump in the Works for USTR
Import/Export
The Trump administration wants to beef up the U.S. Trade Representative’s budget by nearly 6 percent, add staff and launch bilateral negotiations with several major trading partners.
Fashion Robot Company Gets $4.5 Million Investment
Technology
SoftWear Automation Inc. is an Atlanta-based company that forecasts a future where apparel is going to be sewn by machines or “sewbots,” robots that sew.
Volcom Launches New Collection With Mick Jagger's Daughter
Fashion
Georgia May Jagger hits downtown Los Angeles for unveiling of Volcom collection.
Shopify’s Frenzy Makes 1st L.A. Drop Zone
There have been plenty of forecasts on the merger between physical and online retail, Toronto’s Shopify may have found a merger between the sometimes exclusive realms with its Frenzy mobile app.
U.S. Textile Industry Outlines Changes Needed in NAFTA
Import/Export
With a Washington, D.C., hearing coming up on June 27 to discuss possible changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement, the U.S. textile industry has put together a wish list of items it would like to see implemented.
Made LA Festival Takes the Runway With Opening Ceremony, Snoop Dogg
Made LA
The runways featured brands such as Opening Ceremony, the soundtrack was mostly hip-hop, and the backdrop was a market of trade show–like booths selling everything from T-shirts to expensive footwear.
Moschino Returns to LA to Show Resort 2018
Moschino
Italian label Moschino returned to LA to host its Resort 2018 runway show, presented June 8 at Milk Studios in Hollywood, but Creative Director Jeremy Scott had Las Vegas—and the idea of an Americana road trip—in mind.
Hirsh Honored by JVS
Hirsh Honored
Steven Hirsh, owner of the Cooper Design Space, was honored by JVS Los Angeles, which presented Hirsh with the Founder’s Award in recognition of his “visionary leadership.”
Sears to Cut 400 Jobs
Retail
Sears Holding Corp. announced this week that it would eliminate 400 jobs in its corporate headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill., located in the suburbs of Chicago.
Made LA, Others Try New Fashion Show Format
Retail
The Made LA festival mixed runway shows, music performances and fashion vendors selling everything from boots to T-shirts when the event held its sophomore run over the weekend of June 10.
Boutiques Try Co-Retailing
Retail
Independent boutiques in popular retail neighborhoods are embracing a new revenue model, said Syama Meagher, chief executive officer of the consultancy Scaling Retail.
Faherty’s 1st Malibu Anniversary
Faherty surfed into Malibu about a year ago. No wipe out dude! The Malibu Faherty boutique celebrated its first anniversary.
Wednesday, June 14
New Hotel & Retail in Once Tough DTLA Neighborhood
The Freehand Los Angeles hotel and Flowerboy Project boutique will open in the once tough intersection of 8th and Olive streets in downtown Los Angeles.
Tuesday, June 13
BCBG Max Azria Receives Bid to Take It Out of Bankruptcy
Negotiations that started in May lead to a bid that will take the Los Angeles label out of bankruptcy.
Lauren Moshi to Malibu Lumber Yard
After more than eight years on Los Angeles' Robertson Boulevard, the Lauren Moshi brand opened a second boutique, this one across the street from the Pacific Ocean.
UCLA Anderson Forecast Sees a Stable Economy for Next Few Years
The UCLA Anderson Forecast says Trump's prediction of 3 percent GDP growth probably won't happen.
Monday, June 12
Thread Haus Co's Crew Caps to the Rescue
The wool beanie is so…winter! Fortunately, designer and stylist Manuel Jackson is coming to the fashion rescue.
Thursday, June 8
Bernstein & Ryan Raise $500,000 for Nat’l Jewish Health
Events
The backdrop was the elegant Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, Calif. Required dress was black suits and gowns. Martin Chalifour, the principal concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, dropped by to give a short performance on his violin.
Hobie X Katin: Surf OGs Mix It Up
Hobie and Katin started making surfboards, boardshorts and opening surf shops when Eisenhower was in the White House and Elvis Presley was considered a threat to society. Decades later, these innovative labels partnered for limited edition Hobie X Katin Surf Collection.
Equestrian Designs Taps New Reps in the Mid-South, New England
Manufacturing
Santa Barbara, Calif.–based Equestrian Designs has new representation in Texas and New England.
Z Supply Opens In-Store Shops at Sunny Days
Retail
Irvine, Calif.–based Z Supply recently opened its first in-store-shop concept in the Sunny Days boutique on Balboa Island in Newport Beach, Calif., with plans to open a second in-store shop at the Sunny Days boutique in Orange, Calif.
Obituary: Wetsuit Pioneer Jack O’Neill, 94
Swim/Surf
Jack O’Neill, founder of the surf brand O’Neill, died on June 2. He was 94.
Guess Celebrates 35 With FIDM Exhibition
35 Years of Guess
Los Angeles–based Guess? Inc. recently celebrated its 35th anniversary with the opening of “Guess: 35 Years & Still Dreaming,” a retrospective exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Museum & Galleries in downtown Los Angeles.
Centric to Host PLM Education Series at Outdoor Retailer
Technology
Los Gatos, Calif.–based product lifecycle management (PLM) solution provider Centric Software will host a series of seminars and demos to help apparel companies “Get PLM Educated” at the Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City next month.
A New NAFTA Is Having a Ripple Effect in Los Angeles
Import/Export
With changes in the North American Free Trade Agreement in the wind, Los Angeles blue-jeans factories have been fielding more inquiries from denim labels thinking about switching production from Mexico to California.
Premium Denim Line Works With Skingraft Brand to Knock Homeless Crisis
Skid Row Denim
Los Angeles County’s homeless crisis has skyrocketed in the past year, with 57,794 individuals counted as homeless by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. It’s an almost 23 percent increase over 2016.
Quiet June Market Draws Focused Buyers Ready to Spend
LA Fashion Market
June market in Los Angeles is typically a quiet affair with buyers arriving to wrap up Fall orders and start looking at Holiday goods. Sandwiched between the larger Fall markets in March and the massive Las Vegas trade shows in August, June tends to draw lighter traffic comprised of mostly regional buyers.
Small Town High School Wins $50,000 Prize from Vans
Parker City, South Dakota is a one stoplight town, but its arts and fashion potential is enormous. It was the grand prize winner for the 8th annual Vans Custom Culture art competition.
Wednesday, June 7
Bebe Sells Distribution Center and Puts LA Design Center Up for Sale
After closing all 168 stores, Bebe sells distribution center and now wants to get rid of its LA design studio.
Trash Los Angeles' New Styles
Trash Los Angeles was previously known for its T-shirts and hoodies. Now the rock 'n' roll inspired line is doing jeans and vests.
Tuesday, June 6
Comeback for Beverly Hills Hosiery
The downtown Los Angeles fashion biz mourned the loss of Beverly Hills Hosiery, which has been selling hosiery, intimates and costumes for more than 80-years. But the company's new ownership told us to get ready for a comeback.
Monday, June 5
Barbara Fields’ Spring/Summer ’18 Fashion Forecasts
Barbara Fields Buying Office has been forecasting juniors fashion for more than 30-years. Last week, it released the Fields Spring Summer 2018 Trend Report. Fields gave us a peek at trends forecast to make a splash soon.
Friday, June 2
St. John Knits Gives Pink Slips to More Than 100 Workers
Manufacturing
In an effort to cut production costs, St. John Knits is laying off 130 workers effective on June 26.
CMC's 3rd Floor Party for LA Fashion Market
Get ready for the first breakfast buffet party produced by the showrooms on the A-wing of the CMC's 3rd floor.
Thursday, June 1
Rails Does Pop-Up in N.Y. Surfing Mecca
After nine years of building an apparel line for men, women and children in Los Angeles, Jeff Abrams, founder of Rails brand is going cross country to open a pop-up shop. The Rails pop-up will be in the East Coast surfing Mecca of Montauk June 3-4.
Fred Segal Announces Shops for WeHo Location
Fred Segal made headlines in December when it announced that it would open a West Hollywood location. On June 1, it gave a peek inside the upcoming store.
Retail Sales Tough in May
Retail
Retail sales reports for May were downbeat. Cato Corp., a Charlotte, N.C.–headquartered retailer, had a particularly tough month when it posted a same-store-sales decline of 16 percent.
Kors to Close Stores
Retail
Michael Kors Holdings Ltd., the New York–based ready-to-wear and accessories brand founded by designer Michael Kors, announced on May 31 that it would close more than 100 stores.
L.A. Trade-Tech Lands $500,000 Gift, Department Chair Anderson Honored at Gold Thimble Runway Show
Gold Thimble Runway
A full house of family, friends, educators and fashion fans turned out for Los Angeles Trade-Technical College’s Gold Thimble Fashion Show, held on the grounds of the school’s downtown Los Angeles campus on May 26.
Emerald Expositions Adds SIA Snow Show to Its Stable of Trade Exhibitions
Trade Shows
Weeks after raising $264 million in a public offering, Emerald Expositions turned around and acquired for $16.4 million the SIA Snow Show, organized by SnowSports Industries America.
Max Azria Named CEO of Bug-Zapping Light Company
Manufacturing
More than one year after being forced out of his Los Angeles clothing company, Max Azria has been named chief executive of ZappLight and its parent company, Clean Concept.
Why Manufacturers Are Turning to Central America for Quick-Turn Apparel
Trade Shows
The demise of a free-trade agreement between the United States and several Asian countries is breathing new life into the Guatemalan apparel industry.
FBI Moves Out of CMC
Manufacturing
After nine years at the California Market Center, Fashion Business Inc., the educational nonprofit for start-up and growing fashion companies, is moving into a shared office space called CTRL Collective.
Bamboo Rose Extends Social Reach of PLM
Technology
Product Lifecycle Management software is something of a social media for the manufacturing set.
New Project for L.A. Arts District Pioneer Guerilla Atelier
Retail
In 2012, Carl Louisville quit a job running the Prada Epicenter store on Rodeo Drive, where he got to socialize with Miuccia Prada and Hollywood A-listers. Post Prada, he opened a luxury store in a section of Los Angeles adjacent to homeless encampments in the city’s tough Skid Row section.
Everyday Resort Living at Elodie K
The official start to summer is still a few weeks away, but at Elodie K. in Los Angeles, every day feels like a sunny vacation.
