California Apparel News

With the new year comes a whole new Web-savvy way of sourcing apparel trim, packaging and tags. Launched on Jan. 3, with several features to come in the following months, www.nexttrim.com uniquely offers global sourcing sophistication to designers and manufacturers.

Designed in-house at Los Angeles–based Next Trim LLC, the site claims to be the world’s first online service dedicated to tracking and cataloging the latest designs, innovations and trends in the world of apparel trim, labeling and packaging. The site is well organized and offers some of the best product photography we’ve seen, with detailed images available at the click of a mouse.

Until this site came along, sourcing opportunities for this sector of the apparel- component industry on the Internet had been sparse and mostly company-specific. Web sites were too often poorly organized, quaint in concept and appeal, and limited in product presentation.

With Next Trim, everything has changed. The company—which has staff in the United States, Europe and Japan—features thousands of images on its site of the latest and most interesting trim items and garment details, with hundreds of new images weekly.

Visitors can sign up for a free one-week trial of the subscription-based service. Once a user decides to join, “the subscription cost varies based on the size of the company and the number of users expected,” said Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Markiles. Companies can subscribe on an annual basis or (unlike most other online sourcing services) can subscribe month to month for a slightly higher cost. “The subscription price ranges from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per year,” Markiles said.

The site is not advertiser-driven; indeed, it claims to be completely editorially driven and accepts no vendor promotions.

“Our goal,” Markiles said, “is to offer the apparel designer, merchandiser and trim buyer the best and most comprehensive online resource for all of their trim design and sourcing needs. We don’t sell any trim; rather, we help apparel companies locate trim suppliers globally and to share concepts, ideas and requirements with each other.

“With garment production being done on such a global basis, Next Trim will help brands develop cutting-edge trim faster and closer to their manufacturing locations,” he added.

The customizable site allows subscribers to focus on items and information relating to their market segments and to be notified when content that interests them is added to the service.

Next Trim appears to be fulfilling a global need, using the latest in information technology to make unbiased access to resources convenient, efficient and fun.

Site Review: eFashionHouse.com

For online shoppers who have always dreamed of owning a priceless Prada or a stunning Chanel, there is a great new online destination: eFashionHouse.com.

The site serves as the home for five stores offering women’s and men’s designer handbags and accessories at well below retail prices. One of the coolest conveniences is that customers can shop all five stores using one shopping cart for easy checkout.

bull; LuxuryVintage.com offers pre-owned designer handbags and accessories from the likes of Chanel, Prada, Louis Vuitton and others.

bull; DesignersLA.com features merchandise from up-and-coming Los Angeles designers. This eclectic site offers a variety of merchandise, including handbags, jewelry, hats, clothing and housewares.

bull; ItalysOutlet.com specializes in handbags from Gucci, Prada, Fendi and other Italian resources.

bull; BrandsBoutique.com presents a dazzling selection of merchandise from Abercrombie & Fitch, Armani, Burberry, Chanel, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, Fendi, Gucci, Hermes, Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, Moschino, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Versace and Yohji Yamamoto. Products include handbags, scarves, sunglasses, hats, jewelry and even fashionable items for one’s pet.

bull; ValueBags.com is for the budget-conscious shopper who isn’t willing to sacrifice a great look because of a limited pocketbook.

Navigation from one shop to another is simple, yet each shop maintains an independent identity. In the realm of online shopping, this is no simple feat.

This innovative group concept was conceived by Internet pioneer Anna Fosbinder, who said she “turned her passion for shopping into a million-dollar business.” Although eFashionHouse.com primarily sells accessories, future plans include apparel.

New designers and resources are added monthly, and many of them are Los Angeles– based. In addition to providing great prices on top designer products, Fosbinder said she takes pride in supporting talented people who are not yet able to obtain widespread distribution for their collections.

Bookmark this site, with its fresh personality, as one of the great online shopping experiences.