California Apparel News

Trish Moreno, executive marketing director of the California Mart, is stepping down from her full-time duties to pursue creative consulting projects.

Moreno, who joined the Cal Mart in 2001, said she is “moving on to pursue other creative projects and to continue my consulting work,” which, she added, may include consulting work for the Cal Mart.

Prior to joining the Cal Mart, Moreno had been with Los Angeles-based Bisou Bisou and Brisbane, Calif.-based Bebe Stores. (Bebe has since relocated to Los Angeles.)

She said she will continue on a full-time basis through May and on a part-time basis in June. She will remain through the next market week at the Cal Mart, June 7–11, and will plan and produce the center’s opening-night party.

During Moreno’s tenure, she has spearheaded several marketing efforts, including bringing Los Angeles graffiti artist Man One in during the August 2001 market to create a mural in the building lobby, overseeing the launch of a new April Junior and Contemporary Market this year and helping to produce the Cal Mart fashion show and pre-party during Los Angeles Fashion Week last month.

The marketing executive said she was pleased with the work she had done during the past year, noting in particular the strong April market week and the Los Angeles International Textile Show, held April 20–May 1 in the center.

“I came in with an objective and I accomplished it,” Moreno said. “I feel really great about April market. I’m really proud of what I did here.”

Moreno joined the Cal Mart prior to its partnership with the Dallas Market Center (DMC) and George Little Management, which is bringing permanent gift and home accessories showrooms to it. As a result of the partnership, the entire complex is now known as the California Market Center (CMC), which houses the California Mart.

Moreno can be reached through her consulting company, Project 22, at project22inc@aol.com.

CMC executives Cindy Morris and Bill Winsor could not be reached for comment. But Lori Eddleman, senior vice president of marketing for Market Center Management Co., managing company for both the CMC and the DMC, had the following statement:

“Trish has been invaluable to us during our transition into the L.A. marketplace. We are pleased that she has agreed to stay on for two months to help us with this marketing position change. And we wish her every success in her future endeavors.”

A CMC spokesperson said plans regarding the matter of who will take up Moreno’s duties will be announced at a later date.—Alison A. Nieder