Entrepreneurs Forecast What Will Be in Factory of The Future
Trade Shows
The entire business of fashion has been undergoing major changes in the past decade. The Virtual Symposium, a webinar series produced by the TechTextil North America and Texprocess Americas trade events, charted what may happen next with manufacturing. The Zoom panels were webcast on Oct. 7 and 8.
Onsite and Online, L.A. Market Week’s Hybrid Model Sees Success
L.A. Market Week
Buyers descended on downtown Los Angeles’ fashion district in person and virtually Oct. 12–14 for L.A. Market Week.
GrooveNStyle Aims To Offer Digital Showroom With Human Touch
Technology
Over the past decade, there has been a demand for virtual-showroom platforms. Despite their success, all of these platforms have missed a crucial element of the business—sales, according to the founders of GrooveNStyle, a virtual-showroom platform scheduled to make its official debut on Oct. 19. The platform can be found at groovenstyle.com.
Fashion Week San Diego Rolls Out Virtual Runway for Emerging Designers
FASHION
On Oct. 17, Fashion Week San Diego is scheduled to unfurl a virtual runway for a group of emerging San Diego designers.
'Mad Men' Designer Janie Bryant Makes Suiting Line with Inherent Clothier
FASHION
It could probably be argued that AMC Network show "Mad Men" was responsible for a spike in interest surrounding suiting. Taylor Draper, co-founder of suiting company Inherent Clothier, hopes that "Mad Men" costume designer Janie Bryant can work some magic into a world that has adopted casual dress because of COVID-19.
This Season’s Fashion Puts Politics on Its Sleeve
FASHION
In a few weeks, American voters will participate in one of the most highly anticipated elections in the nation’s history. People are literally wearing it on their sleeves.
Eggplant Unveils New Cloud Platform
TECHNOLOGY
Technology company Eggplant has announced the launch of a new cloud platform.
Robertson Boosters Hope New James Perse Flagship Rejuvenates Street
RETAIL
After a couple of years in the works, the James Perse Robertson Home flagship at 143 N. Robertson Blvd. in Los Angeles opened recently.
Dries Van Noten Makes A L.A. Splash With New Store
After long months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles seems to be slowly coming back to life. Malls are reopening, Curbside dining at restaurants seems to be busy, and a prominent designer opened his first Los Angeles store.
After Closing Bricks-and-Mortar Store, Ron Robinson Stays in Game
Ron Robinson closed his Los Angeles-headquartered, self-named pioneering Ron Robinson boutique in 2019. However, he’s didn’t leave the game.
Consumer Sentiment More Optimistic, Recent Surveys Report
Finance
Confidence in the U.S. economy is growing, according to a couple of recently released surveys.
After Digital Debut, Afterpay to Take Payments Services In-Store
Technology
Afterpay got its start by offering layaway-style payment plans to Millennials when they were shopping for fashions and goods online. Recently, the payments company, announced that it had made a deal with the mall company Simon to take the service to bricks-and-mortar shops.
Surf Hero Rob Machado to Represent Vuori
If you paid attention to the surfing world for the past 25 or so years, you’ve heard of Rob Machado.
NRF, AAFA Urge President to Restart Talks on COVID Relief
The National Retail Federation and other prominent trade associations implored President Donald Trump to restart negotiations with congressional leaders to make a deal for a relief package for the COVID-19 economic slowdown.
Los Angeles Malls Reopen After COVID-19 Closures
After long months of COVID-19 closures, a number of Los Angeles County indoor malls reopened Oct. 7, but they were required to reopen at a limited capacity.
Reebok’s Forever Floatride Grow Shoe Rooted in Natural Ingredients
Running is a natural high, but running shoes are typically made out of elements criticized as hurting the environment.
OVO Flagship To The Grove
After a more than four year run on Los Angeles’ La Brea Avenue, October’s Very Own, a brand created by hip hop star Drake, moved its Los Angeles flagship.
Kenzo Takada, Influential Paris Fashion Designer, 81
OBITUARY
Influential fashion designer Kenzo Takada died Oct. 4 in Paris due to complications stemming from COVID-19, according to an announcement from his self-named Kenzo fashion brand, which is owned by the luxury conglomerate LVMH.
Digital Commerce Forecasted to Skyrocket for 2020 Holiday Season
TECHNOLOGY
The COVID-19 pandemic put digital sales on a giant growth spurt, and digital commerce is forecast to continue to gobble up more of the retail market for the upcoming holiday season, perhaps 34 percent year-over-year growth, according to a study released Oct. 1 by Salesforce.
Ron Herman Changes Hands, Charts Next Steps
Ron Herman Retail Revival
After more than 40 years, the red, white and blue letters of the Fred Segal sign that had graced the ivy-covered brick building at the corner of Los Angeles’ Melrose Avenue and Crescent Heights Boulevard was recently taken down. The navy blue–and–white lettering of Ron Herman was posted in its place on Oct. 2.
Charlotte’s Web Takes Its Hemp Message to Its Source
MANUFACTURING
This summer, hemp-based CBD pioneer Charlotte's Web unveiled a sprawling farm art installation in a hemp field in McPherson, Kansas.
Liberty Fairs Panel Talks on New Normal of Omnichannel
Trade Shows
During the past six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have greatly accelerated rollouts of digital services. A panel discussion produced by trade show Liberty Fairs on Sept. 25 gave advice on what fashion retailers need to do to produce successful omni-channel businesses.
RHOBH Star Sutton Stracke’s Shop Celebrates Anniversary, With COVID Restrictions
RETAIL
The COVID-19 business shutdown has forced almost everything to go digital, and, in the case of West Hollywood, Calif. boutique Sutton, first-year anniversary parties.
The L.A. Rams Start Season With Knot Standard Custom Suiting
FASHION
Sports-team merchandise such as caps and jerseys is estimated to be a multi-billion dollar business. But will sports fans also buy suiting endorsed by their favorite team? New York-based custom menswear company Knot Standard will find out.
Informa Markets Fashion Unveils FIT Student Showcase
FASHION
The COVID-19 shutdown inspired celebrated fashion designers to go online and produce digital runway shows. Now, student designers are following.
Crooks & Castles’ Calvero Designs Esports Teams' Merch Collection
FASHION
This summer, new esports team XSET promised to develop a merchandise program that was as strong as its prowess for electronic games such as Fortnite.
Sene Unveils Collaboration with Fighter Carlos Condit
FASHION
Martial-arts icon Bruce Lee reportedly often practiced kicks in street clothes such as jeans. But there’s a reason most martial artists work out in loose-fitting uniforms.
Lenzing and Hyosung Partner to Unveil Home Everywhere
TEXTILES
Prominent fabric companies Lenzing and Hyosung have joined forces to develop the Home Everywhere collection, which will offer more-sustainable product and textile innovations, said Andreas Guertler, Lenzing’s senior manager of global business development active sportswear.
Obituary: Keith Hufnagel, Brand Founder, 46
MANUFACTURING
Keith Hufnagel, founder of the Huf Worldwide street- and skatewear brand, died from brain cancer, according to a Sept. 24 post on his brand’s Instagram.
AAFA and Others Petition Against Forced-Labor Bill
IMPORT/EXPORT
After the United States House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act on Sept. 22, the American Apparel and Footwear Association and other major apparel trade groups made a joint statement urging Congress to take a different path in its efforts to protect the human rights of the Uyghur Muslim minority in China’s Xinjiang region.
Patagonia Names New CEO and Other Executives
MANUFACTURING
Ryan Gellert was named chief executive officer for Ventura, Calif.–headquartered Patagonia Works, the holding company for the influential outdoor brand Patagonia Inc. as well as separate Patagonia divisions in food, media, investments and joint ventures.
Vans Makes Footwear Line With Kids of Immigrants
FASHION
Los Angeles-headquartered collective Kids of Immigrants has designed and sold hoodies, and other clothes, bearing the word "Immigrant." This group’s styles and website have celebrated the lives of immigrants and urged people to pay attention to issues affecting this group. On Sept. 23, Kids of Immigrants announced its collaboration on a fashion line with Vans.
Ralph Lauren Announces Restructuring, Job Cuts
FASHION
Ralph Lauren Corporation announced a major company overhaul that would emphasize digital commerce and result in layoffs of 15 percent of the global workforce for the pioneering fashion brand, which made $6.3 billion in revenue for fiscal 2019, according to a company announcement.
Dockers Teams Up With Waves For Water
MANUFACTURING
Recently, Dockers, a division of Levi Strauss & Co., announced that it would partner with non-profit organization Waves for Water on a campaign named “Work Forward".
Toubassy to Help Spearhead Spotlight Brands
FINANCE
Ramez Toubassy, a Los Angeles–based executive who helped guide the retailer Wet Seal’s transition into a digitally focused fashion company, announced a new venture recently.
Mango Adds Junior Styles to Mango Kids
RETAIL
Adding to its portfolio, Barcelona's Mango is introducing to its Mango Kids line, juniors looks for preteens and teenagers aged from 11 to 15 years.
L.A. City Council Votes to Support Garment Worker Protection Act Before Bill Reintroduction
LEGAL
Just a week after a legislative timeline ran out for the Garment Worker Protection Act, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to give a statement of support to the bill.
Macy’s To Unveil The Pink Shop for Breast Cancer Research
RETAIL
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Department store giant Macy’s hopes to do its part to raise funds for breast cancer research by producing The Pink Shop.
Italist: From Italy with Love and a Deal
E-COMMERCE
E-tailer Italist's Italy-born chief executive officer, Diego Abba, works with more than 200 Italian boutiques to offer discounts on luxury ready-to-wear and accessories.
Dickies Unveils First Global Marketing Campaign
FASHION
After almost 100 years of making clothing for workers laboring at the country’s grimy jobs, Dickies has become fashionable. Riding on this prominence, the workwear brand recently unveiled its first global marketing campaign.
Zyper Aims To Build Brand Communities Through Technology
Technology
As digital commerce becomes more crucial to retailers, companies offering an edge in the digital competition for consumer attention and wallets are reporting growth.
Cabi Finds A Lifeline With Cabi Front Row Platform
Technology
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit every business that relies on in-person events, but direct-to-consumer retailer Cabi found that it was in a good position to react to that reality.
AAFA’s Lamar Testified on Stopping Chinese Forced Labor
Import/Export
Steve Lamar, the president and chief executive officer of the trade group American Apparel & Footwear Association, testified Sept. 17 on steps American fashion-and-apparel companies can take to stop forced labor in China’s Xinjiang province.
Surf Expo Virtual Show Works to Capture the Spirit of In-person Show
Trade Shows
Surf Expo was the latest trade show to produce a virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.
Informa Markets Fashion Makes a Successful Move to Digital During Launch
Making Digital MAGIC
Launching Sept. 1, Informa Markets Fashion allowed the show to go on with its digital trade event that saw its MAGIC anchor and sibling shows run online through the NuOrder platform.
FWSD Unveils Virtual Runway Show for Kelly Leanne Apparel Designs
FASHION
Fashion Week San Diego has been keeping its vow to produce showcases for San Diego designers.
Ashton Hirota to Judge Newchic 2020 Designer Contest
FASHION
Ashton Hirota has gained notice as a designer for his Los Angeles-headquartered brand Ashton Michael and as a semi-finalist for the fashion reality competition show “Next in Fashion.”
Kornit’s CMO and Major Screenprinter Talk On What's Next for Fashion and Printing
TECHNOLOGY
The effects from the COVID-19 recession are still shaking out, but there’s wide agreement that fashion is going to go through big changes.
NYFW Goes On Through CFDA’s Runway360
TECHNOLOGY
For the highly anticipated New York Fashion Week, the show has gone on digitally. Many NYFW shows will take place, from Sept. 14 to Sept. 16 on Runway360, a new digital platform produced by The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc.
Impact Fashion Goes Digital, Keeps Sustainable Roots
FASHION
After more than four years of running Impact Fashion, an eco-fashion event in Los Angeles, Sica Schmitz took the forum virtual.
