INDUSTRY ISSUES
The Desktop Revolution: How xTool is Democratizing Industrial-Grade Apparel Printing
| May 1, 2026
In the traditional apparel manufacturing landscape, the bridge between a creative concept and a finished garment has long been guarded by high entry barriers, complex industrial workflows, and prohibitive costs. However, a seismic shift is occurring. xTool, which has rapidly ascended to become the world’s second-largest DTF (Direct-to-Film) brand by GMV, is dismantling these barriers.
Artistic Milliners Cuts Its Cloth Through Female Empowerment
With an expansive global reach, Karachi, Pakistan–based Artistic Milliners has maintained partnerships with major denim brands. The company’s vertical operation includes sourcing cotton from Balochi, Pakistan–based organic farms, coupled with denim-mill operations and jeans construction in Karachi.
Oeko-Tex Begins 2020 With Updated Certification Guidelines
Sustainable-product certification firm Oeko-Tex is implementing new regulations for its certifications in 2020 in addition to test criteria and limit values. As the apparel industry continues to navigate through methods of cleaning up its supply-chain practices to yield a more-sustainable approach to creating clothing, these recently introduced standards will become increasingly important.
Plays Well With Others Takes Inspiration From an Iconic Brand
When Cheyann Benedict started a new T-shirt brand, Plays Well With Others, in October, she and her business partner, stylist Cristina Ehrlich, thought they’d take inspiration from C&C California, Benedict’s former brand.
Core Surf Brand …Lost Finds New Looks
Boardshorts replaced men’s beach shorts as the swimwear of choice on the world’s surfing beaches decades ago. Now, it looks like men’s beach shorts—also called volleys—are making a comeback in the surf world.
Nusumeria Finds New World In Hemp
When Jon Flaks launched his Los Angeles–headquartered brand Nusumeria on Instagram in July 2019, he forecasted that he was going to sell styles to people looking to complete their athleisure wardrobes. The response that came next was a pleasant surprise.
Conscious Fashion Campaign Officially Launches
Marking its official launch this month, the Conscious Fashion Campaign announced its commitment to the United Nations’ Decade of Action and Delivery for Sustainable Development.
Tact & Stone Looks for Boundaries to Push in Fashion & Sustainability
Sustainability commands increasing interest from the business world. A novice in the field, Landon Nash vowed that his new apparel line, Tact & Stone, would serve as an engine to innovate in this burgeoning category.
FaZe Clan Forecast Big Biz With Active Styles for Video Gamers
Professional e-sports competition over video games such as Fortnite is hitting the big time. It attracts investments from owners of major-league sports teams; competitions are viewed by millions of people across the globe; and for the Los Angeles–based e-sports team FaZe Clan, fashion is becoming a big deal.
Lenzing Announces First Virgin Lyocell From Post-Consumer Cotton
After the September announcement of an upgraded Refibra technology that increased upcycled cotton-scrap pulp composition, Lenzing, Austria–headquartered Lenzing revealed another advancement with the product.
Allbirds Expands Into Slipper Category
Following a number of holiday product launches spanning the weekend of Black Friday through Cyber Monday, Allbirds is now preparing to release its first slipper, keeping shoppers interested as the holiday gift-purchasing timeline decreases.
Ilse Metchek Remains an Industry Ally
With a fashion career that has spanned decades, beginning in New York’s garment district and continuing in Los Angeles’ fashion district, Ilse Metchek’s role within the industry is legendary.
BCBGMaxAzria Founder Passes Away but Legacy Lives On
In May 2019, the apparel segment lost an influential Los Angeles fashion veteran whose designs shaped trends within the industry for decades when Max Azria passed away at the age of 70, reportedly succumbing to lung cancer.
Volcom Inks Deal With Authentic Brands Group
Action-sports brand Volcom is back to making deals and producing new styles. The Costa Mesa, Calif.–headquartered brand made headlines in November when it announced that it would outfit the U.S. snowboarding team for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, but in mid-2019 Volcom started a new chapter in its more than 25-year history.
Delicate Handmade Treasures by Dakota Jinx Add Glamour to Sustainable Garments
An admiration for glamourous clothing has been a characteristic of Los Angeles native Dakota Jinx Falkenburg Solt Locke’s personality for as long as she can remember.
All Good Feels Mixes Street, Active & Contemporary Looks
Vintage-style concert T-shirts seem to exist in a completely different fashion category than activewear, which is designed to outfit high-intensity workouts. But the Los Angeles–headquartered brand All Good Feels made both activewear and concert-style tees for its debut collection.
