Monday, December 31
Friday, December 28
Juicy Couture Going to South Korea
Retail
Juicy Couture will see shops-in-shops in South Korea by 2020.
Thursday, December 27
Oshen Active Debuts Line Made With Bamboo-Based Fabric
MANUFACTURING
With the launch of its "not from plastic" line, Marina Del Rey, Calif.-based Oshen Active brings more eco-friendly options to activewear.
The Mighty Company & Ilaria Urbinati Go For the Breakup
There’s a song that says “Breaking Up is Hard To Do,” but maybe the jackets from the Breakup Collection will help.
A Strong Holiday Shopping Season Rings In Change
Holiday-Shopping Wrap-up
Sales for the 2018 holiday season were the strongest they have been in the past six years, rising 5.1 percent over last year’s holiday sales and totaling $850 billion, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, a research division for Mastercard.
Traditional Wholesaler-Retailer-Manufacturer Fashion Relationships Undergo an Evolution
The Retail Evolution
It’s been a time of shake-ups for the apparel business.
The Most-Popular California Apparel News Stories of 2018
Manufacturing
This year was filled with a raft of news about how U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods were affecting the U.S. apparel and textile industry, and that news occupied a lot of our readers’ attention.
Cherokee Announces Deal With the Batra Group for Tony Hawk License
Manufacturing
Cherokee Global Brands, a Southern California brand-management company, announced it has signed a deal with the Batra Group for a licensing agreement to sell the Tony Hawk brand for apparel and accessories in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
New California Laws to Alter Workplace Rules
Legal
Ringing in the new year means ringing in a whole set of new laws that are important for employers to know. Most of these laws go into effect Jan. 1, but the minimum-wage increase in Los Angeles doesn’t take effect until July 1.
Arming Women With a Strong Sense of Style is the Goal of Gertrud Founder
Bold and Beautiful
Taking inspiration from venerable women of the Golden Era of Hollywood as well as art and music, Sarah LeRoy designed her new collection to bring wearable glamour to modern fashion.
The London Textile Fair to Debut Texfusion—New York in January
Trade Shows
Taking its textile show to New York for the first time, organizers of The London Textile Fair will introduce Texfusion—New York Jan. 16–17 at Manhattan’s Penn Plaza Pavilion.
Agriculture Improvement Act Opens Door to Hemp Cultivation
Legal
Under the recently passed Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, signed by the Trump administration, hemp has been removed from the Controlled Substances Act, which was signed by President Richard Nixon in 1970.
Wednesday, December 26
Lefty Production Co. Los Angeles TukaCenter Launched in DTLA
MANUFACTURING
In downtown Los Angeles, Lefty Production Co. founder Marta Miller and Tukatech founder Ram Sareen celebrated their new Lefty Production Co. Los Angeles TukaCenter with a recent ribbon cutting.
Monday, December 24
Honey Birdette Opens 1st U.S. Shop
Australian lingerie label Honey Birdette opened its first American bricks-and-mortar boutique in Los Angeles. The label plans to roll out 40 stores in North America.
Thursday, December 20
Year in Review: The Retail News of 2018
Retail
The retail realm this year wasn’t quite as turbulent as in 2017, when more than 6,000 outposts closed their doors. Yes, retail bankruptcies were still occurring, such as the Los Angeles–based National Stores chain, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy but then was given a lifeline. Overall, the pace of stores going out of business this year slowed.
Dept. of Labor Recovers More Than $1.5 Million for Southern California Garment Workers
Manufacturing
More than $1.5 million in back wages and unpaid overtime were recovered for 668 Southern California garment-industry workers, the federal government announced.
Guess? Inc. Fined $45 Million for Violating EU Commerce Regulations
Legal
Following an antitrust investigation opened in June 2017, the European Commission has fined Los Angeles–based apparel brand Guess? Inc. for alleged practices the commission deemed restrictive to retailers.
L Brands Sells La Senza to Beverly Hills Private Equity Firm Regent LP
Manufacturing
The parent company of Victoria’s Secret, Bath and Body Works and Henri Bendel has sold its La Senza lingerie-store chain.
Year in Review: The Year in Trade Shows
Trade Shows
The 2018 trade-show circuit saw a lot of changes that ranged from shifts in leadership at event-production companies to acquisitions and new-product launches. Many shows were reporting successful turnout by attendees due to an uptick in the economy, which brought greater consumer confidence and willingness to spend.
Report Shows That Dollar Stores Are Popular for Holiday Shopping
Retail
People of all income levels and age brackets are shopping dollar stores this holiday season, according to a recent survey conducted by The NPD Group, a market-research and consumer-trends company in Port Washington, N.Y.
A Festive Spirit Takes off at the 71st Annual Holiday Party by the California Fashion Foundation
CFF Gives Back
The activity meter on the top floor of the Cooper Design Space went into overdrive as 200 children danced to holiday music, fought with sword balloons, tossed fake snow everywhere and received bulging bags filled with a boatload of gifts.
Year in Review: Trade: The Year Where Nobody Knows What is Actually Going On
2018’s Trade Climate
If you had to explain why the stock market is going up and down like a yo-yo, one of the reasons is the uncertainty in trade.
Hong Kong Fashion Week Celebrating Its 50th Edition
Trade Shows
The upcoming Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter, to be held Jan. 14–17, will see the vast halls of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre filled with 1,400 exhibitors showcasing everything from buttons and accessories to evening gowns and activewear.
Wednesday, December 19
Wvs Brgde’s Sock Drive for L.A.'s Homeless
Los Angeles-headquartered brand Wvs Brgde is keeping its holiday charity local this year. It is working with Skid Row non-profit Los Angeles Mission in a clothing drive for homeless in downtown Los Angeles.
Former Brooks Brothers Building on Rodeo Drive Sells for $245 Million
Rodeo Real Estate Sells
Former flagship on Rodeo Drive goes to luxury retailer with a major presence on the shopping street.
Tuesday, December 18
L.A. Textiles Executives Sentenced to Prison for Laundering Mexican Cartel Drug Money
Legal
The owners of Pacific Eurotex Corp., a textile company in Los Angeles, were sentenced to federal prison after they pleaded guilty last year to federal money-laundering and tax-evasion charges.
Voodoo Boutique Opens in DTLA's Fashion District
A new fashion boutique, Voodoo, opened Dec. 15 near the intersection of 9th and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles.
Monday, December 17
Carton Outerwear Pops In Los Angeles
While you’re having fun snowboarding, Trey Humphries wants you to think a little bit about the wider world.
Haute Healing Gives Gift of Glam to Ill and Disadvantaged Kids
Almost every designer will tell you that if you look good, you will feel more confident. It’s one reason the Los Angeles non-profit Haute Healing produced a clothing-and-beauty drive for people who may need a boost.
Badgley Mischka Opens Flagship in West Hollywood
Retail
The new Badgley Mischka outpost is located in a historic building in West Hollywood.
Thursday, December 13
An Economic Snapshot of 2018 and the Apparel Industry
News
This year started out with a bang with a vibrant stock market and low interest rates.
Olivia Culpo Graces Cult Gaia's Resort '19 Show
About six years ago, Cult Gaia was a go-to label for the festival girl. Things have changed a bit.
WGSN Report Takes a Look at the Future of Retail
The Future of Retail
Los Angeles has become one of the world’s leading centers for retail experimentation.
2018 Retrospective: Retail Vacancy Is Low but Business Is Not Easy
Retail
Even though bricks-and-mortar retail is supposed to be dead, retail-real-estate vacancy rates in Los Angeles County are low.
2018 Retrospective: Problems with Gap Brand, Overseas Growth for Zumiez
Retail
It’s been a solid year financially for Gap Inc., which calls itself the largest specialty retailer in the United States.
2018 Retrospective: Macy’s and Nordstrom Make Big Bets on Tech
Retail
The chief executive of Macy’s Inc., Jeff Gennette, spent 2018 with a mission to reshape the department-store chain with technology and new in-store experiences that would attract shoppers.
Consumer-Focused ComplexCon Expands to Chicago
Trade Shows
Reed Exhibitions gave a vote of confidence to its consumer-focused event ComplexCon, recently saying it would expand the show to Chicago after producing the pop-up retail market and hip-hop concert event in Long Beach, Calif., for a few years.
Los Angeles Trade-Technical Fashion Students Take inspiration from Mexico City for Their Designs
Latin Style Influence
The fashion students at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College held their biannual student fashion show where designs covered everything from childrenswear to evening wear.
2018 Retrospective: China Still Dominates U.S. Apparel Imports Despite Trade War With United States
Import/Export
If you thought U.S. clothing companies were shying away from China to make their wide array of imported garments, think again.
2018 Retrospective: Rising Minimum Wage Contributes to Decline in California’s Apparel-Factory Employment
Manufacturing
As the minimum wage continues to rise in Los Angeles County and the rest of the state, more apparel manufacturers are opting to move production elsewhere.
Lectra Launches Fashion on Demand to Streamline Apparel Production
Technology
Bringing greater personalization to the apparel-manufacturing industry, French technology company Lectra is launching its Fashion on Demand digital solution.
Apparel Made for Runners, By Runners, at Rabbit
Run, Rabbit, Run
During the move toward more athleisure-focused collections, many apparel brands have sacrificed technical features in favor of comfortable styling.
Super Model Maggie Rizer Tries On Boutique Retail
Supermodel Maggie Rizer appeared as one of the ‘Perfect Icons’ of modeling on the Sept. 2014 issue of Vogue Japan. Recently, she opened the boutique M by Maggie Rizer.
The RealReal Partnership with Stella McCartney Extended
The RealReal and Stella McCartney have decided to celebrate their year-long partnership by extending the collaboration to promote a circular economy.
Tuesday, December 11
Old Navy Will Pay for Your Lyft Trip
Holiday Shopping
Old Navy will pay for you to come to the store to pick up your online order.
Monday, December 10
Brentwood Country Mart at 70
With red-board buildings designed to evoke rural marketplaces of USA and England in the past, Brentwood Country Mart recently marked its 70th anniversary.
Victorious 22 Hosts Footprint Foundation First Annual Arts Gala
Frank and Angela Rodriguez design high-end, made-to-measure clothes with a streetwear edge for their atelier Victorious 22. On Dec. 6, the Rodriguezes focused on philanthropy.
Friday, December 7
Downtown's Real Holiday Spirit at DTLA // IRL
RETAIL
Housed at the LA Athletic Club on the corner of 7th and Olive Streets, the DTLA // IRL pop-up event brought together artists, fashion designers, food vendors and members of the community during the holiday season.
Thursday, December 6
Retail Sales Are Robust for November
Retail
November retail sales jumped 8.8 percent, paving the way for a very good holiday season.
The RealReal Releases Holiday Resale Report
Luxury Resale Secrets
With the 2018 holiday season in mind, The RealReal has revealed the highest-valued resale items at the top of luxury-brand lovers’ wish lists this year.
‘The Godfather’ Builds a House of Gold to Make Sustainable Denim Affordable
House of Gold
Adriano Goldschmied—known for his luxury denim at brands such as Diesel, Citizens of Humanity and AG Jeans—has been quietly building a new Los Angeles venture over the last five years.
Newsmaker: Los Angeles Moves to Become the Largest U.S. City to Ban Fur Sales
Manufacturing
With major design houses such as Chanel, Versace and Michael Kors abandoning the use of fur in their collections, the legislative movement toward prohibiting the sale of these controversial garments gained a lot of ground in California during 2018.
Newsmaker: Paul Marciano Leaves Guess? Inc. Amid Growth of #MeToo Movement
Manufacturing
As the #MeToo anti–sexual harassment movement gained momentum, women across all industries came forward to share their stories and formally accuse the men they say harassed them.
Newsmaker: The Buzz Surrounding 2018’s Buzzword—Sustainability
Manufacturing
If fashion had one theme in 2018 it was sustainability. While some who are unfamiliar with the concept are confused by the term “sustainability,” a sustainable-fashion industry is able to support itself through conservative manufacturing methods that limit harm to the environment and sourcing based on reuse.
Newsmaker: Brookfield Properties Begins a $170-Million Upgrade of the California Market Center
News
More than one year after Brookfield Properties acquired a controlling interest in the California Market Center, the real estate–development company announced in November it would invest $170 million to transform the showroom and office complex into a mixed-use creative space and fashion-industry campus.
Newsmaker: National Stores Files for Bankruptcy Protection After Half a Century in Business
Retail
For years, the Fallas and Factory 2-U stores owned by National Stores have been the favorite shopping spots for consumers in search of a bargain.
Newsmaker: Ilse Metchek, California Fashion Association
Manufacturing
For decades now, Ilse Metchek has been the go-to person if you want inside information on anything going on in the California apparel world.
Newsmaker: As the Trade War Turns, So Goes the Economy
Import/Export
This has been a year of uncertainty for the trade world.
Newsmaker: AST Sportswear Inherits Title of Large T-shirt Maker in the United States
Manufacturing
For years, AST Sportswear operated under the radar in Orange County, Calif.
A Flurry of Stores Opening on Los Angeles’ Westside
Retail
The retail world is kicking into high gear when it comes to opening new locations on the Westside of Los Angeles.
Newsmaker: Agenda Show in Long Beach Trade Show Goes Consumer
Trade Shows
In 2017, the Agenda trade show made a bold and unique move for a big business-to-business trade show by producing a consumer day.
Newsmaker: Major Retail Remodels and Reinventions Open in Los Angeles
Retail
No major high-end retail center has been developed in Los Angeles County since the Americana at Brand open-air shopping hub was introduced 10 years ago in Glendale, Calif.
Newsmaker: Boardriders Joins Surf Rivals Quiksilver and Billabong
Manufacturing
The surf industry sailed into uncharted waters earlier this year when two of its top brands and historic rivals joined forces.
Newsmaker: What Retail Apocalypse? Ron Robinson and Others Mark Decades in Retail
Retail
The Ron Robinson stores on Los Angeles’ Melrose Avenue and in Santa Monica, Calif., made it through harsh recessions and weathered tough changes in the retail scene and are still around to talk about it.
The Pantone Color of the Year Is Selected for 2019
Color Trend
Pantone does its research for the Color of the Year.
Madewell Pop-Up Mobile Truck Making the Rounds in L.A. This Week
Rolling retail
Madewell's mobile pop-up holiday store will be making the rounds in Los Angeles.
Wednesday, December 5
Selena Gomez X Puma Pop-up Near Melrose Place
The public loves watching Selena Gomez’s performances. Paparazzi love documenting her private life. Fashion people will soon find out if there is love for her clothing line Selena Gomez X Puma.
UCLA Anderson Forecast Sees a Slowing Economy With Trade Causing Potential Problems
Trade and the Economy
The UCLA Anderson Forecast predicts the economy will slow down in 2019 and then nearly even out in 2020.
Monday, December 3
Pinup Girl Clothing’s Tease for Deadly Dames
Los Angeles’ Pinup Girl Clothing brand makes a point of designing clothes for fearless women. Now, the brand made a movie about it.
