In Los Angeles, Shima Seiki Seeks to ‘Knitify the World’
Technology
Within its new space, which opened in March, Japanese machine manufacturer Shima Seiki hosted its second G3D seminar in its fresh showroom. The first event in the Arts District space was held earlier this year, focused on a “Yarn to Shelf” manufacturing approach to apparel, while the recent session, hosted Oct. 23 and 24, adhered to the theme “Knitify the World.”
Returning to Los Angeles, Vegan Fashion Week Goes Ethical and Green
Eco-Ethical Fashion
The second edition of Emmanuelle Rienda’s Vegan Fashion Week took place in downtown Los Angeles under the theme “Fashion Is Activism,” which not only focused on cruelty-free fashion but also examined the apparel industry’s impact on the planet’s ecological systems. Held Oct. 10–15, Vegan Fashion Week coincided with Los Angeles’ mainstream fashion-week productions and L.A. Market Week, affording access to an expanded audience.
ABG Is Barneys' New Owner
Retail
On Oct. 31, Authentic Brands Group was in grasping distance of acquiring influential yet troubled retailer Barneys New York Inc. In a hearing at the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, Judge Cecilia G. Morris approved ABG’s $271.4 million bid to take over Barneys, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August.
USTR to Consider Extension of Tariff Exclusions on $34 Billion of Chinese Imports
Import/Export
As the leaders of the United States and China continue to negotiate new trade terms and navigate through tariff increases implemented on imported goods, the office of the United States Trade Representative made an announcement on Oct. 28 regarding exclusions.
W-A-S-H Makes a Statement While Flexing Its Creative Muscles
Manufacturing
The lifestyle brand We Are Simply Human mixes cut-and-sew T-shirts and a punk, agitprop-style of graphics. It made a debut into the wholesale business at the LA Men’s Market, which ran Oct. 15–16 at the California Market Center.
In a Time of Few Mall Developments, New Mall Debuts, Another Major Mall Remodels
Remaking the Mall
A new retail center has opened in Long Beach, Calif., as another mall is scheduled to wrap up the first phase of a $20 million remodel in Santa Barbara, Calif.
After Charting Course With New Tech, Cute Booty Lounge Tries Bricks-and-Mortar
Retail
If there’s a new way to spread a message about fashion or develop a new sales channel, Kelly Nishimoto has been in the vanguard.
Sene’s Bespoke Jeans
After a few years of making made-to-measure suits, Sene announced earlier this month that it would make made-to-measure jeans.
Jack’s Surfboards Unveils Snowboard Shop
Main Street in Huntington Beach, Calif., has been called the Rodeo Drive of surf.
Hurley Acquired by Bluestar Alliance
Manufacturing
Nike Inc. announced that it sold the Costa Mesa, Calif.-headquartered Hurley International to Bluestar Alliance LLC for an undisclosed sum.
Diamond Supply Co.& Modelo's Day of the Dead Collection
It was the Saturday before Halloween. Los Angeles’ Fairfax Avenue was getting ready for the fright night holiday, and Dia de los Muertos.
Staying Up All Night at Kanye West DTLA Pop-Up
Music star, Adidas collaborator and provocateur Kanye West produced a pop-up shop for album merchandise for his Jesus Is King album. It ran Oct. 25 – 27 at the edge of downtown Los Angeles arts district.
ABG Says It Acquired Barneys NYC, Ben-Avraham Says Not So Fast
RETAIL
The future of Barneys NYC Inc. was upended Oct. 24 when the stalking-horse bidder, Authentic Brands Group, claimed that it had acquired the influential, but bankrupt retailer, and a competitor, Sam Ben-Avraham, objected and said that the bidding process was not over.
LA Fashion Week SS2020 Showcases International and L.A. Designers
LA Fashion Week
During LA Fashion Week at the Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles brand the No. J showed Spring/Summer 2020 fashions. Designed by Jane Wu, the collection reflected a luxurious approach to street-inspired garments.
Environmental Concerns Create Necessity for Sustainable Practices in Apparel
Manufacturing
An early-morning meeting hosted at the City Club in downtown Los Angeles challenged apparel-industry leaders to cease the sustainability lip service and begin making genuine changes in garment manufacturing.
Butterfly Artifact Enters the Market With Fresh Distressed Designs
Manufacturing
Furniture designer Eileen Kennedy has enjoyed success through her Pulse Requisite custom-furniture business, Juice line of wood furniture and Rain fire-resistant trivets. Recently she hit the apparel-trade-show circuit to introduce Butterfly Artifact, a direct-to-consumer denim brand that offers a fresh approach to distressed styles.
FMNC Wraps Up Last Show of 2019
FMNC’s Fashion Finds
At the final Fashion Market Northern California trade show for 2019, retailers looked for Immediates, Spring 2020 fashions and, for Claire Samaras of the Angelique Boutique in Sonoma, Calif., styles with an edge for a certain demographic.
Lawren Michele Charmed Iris Apfel from Air Force Base Roots
Manufacturing
Lawren Cappelletti was happily living at Vandenberg Air Force Base, near Lompoc, Calif., with her husband, Michael Cappelletti, who serves in the Air Force, but in 2016 she thought that she’d make a few changes. She would return to school, pursue an arts degree and start a fashion line. It was no pipe dream.
