California Apparel News

On June 10, Richard Clareman, president of Los Angeles– based junior apparel manufacturer Self Esteem, will receive the Spirit of Life award from the Apparel Industries Group for City of Hope. Clareman will share the honor with Sunnie Kim, president and chief executive officer of Hana Financial Inc. in Los Angeles.

The pair will host the Apparel Industries Group annual gala and fund-raiser at The Regent Beverly Wilshire hotel in Beverly Hills. Proceeds from the event will benefit the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, Calif., where more than 300 physicians and scientists work to find the causes of and cures for cancer and other life-threatening diseases, including diabetes and HIV/AIDS. This year, the pressure is on for Clareman and Kim to match the success of last year’s event, which drew a crowd of 600 and raised more than $1 million for the City of Hope’s research, treatment and education programs.

Manufacturing Editor Erin Barajas recently caught up with Clareman to talk about his philanthropic efforts and what’s on the horizon for Self Esteem.

Barajas: How does it feel to be honored with the Spirit of Life award? Clareman: I don’t look at this as an honor. To me, it’s a responsibility to give back and make people aware of the research and treatments being done by City of Hope. This place is amazing—and what’s more amazing is their commitment to the soul, as well as the body.

B: How did you first become involved with City of Hope? C: I was asked by my friend Jeff Kapor [an attorney with Buchalter, Nemer, Fields & Younger], who was a past honoree, if I was interested in leading this year’s fund-raiser. My dad passed away last year from cancer, and two of my employees lost courageous fights within the last year. I know too many people who are battling the disease. I did some research and the decision was simple: I need to help this organization.

B: As a recipient of the award, do you feel compelled now to become more involved in philanthropic work? C: I have done many philanthropic events, including Rags for Riches Foundation, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Beit T’Shuvah Jewish Rehabilitation Center, Inner-City Arts, Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring organization and the Make a Wish Foundation. This stuff is easy—try selling T-shirts. What is frustrating is trying to recruit people to these causes and getting people to donate. People say “enough with all the causes.”

B: What drew you to these causes? C: I can’t say no. It’s so humbling. I’m on the boards of Beit T’Shuvah, which helps kids with addiction problems, and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. You just never know when someone close to you is going to be affected. Since being involved with City of Hope, I have already helped people with cancer get some answers that they were looking for.

B: Do you involve Self Esteem employees in your charitable work? C: My wife and kids get involved and solicit funds and my employees have exceeded my wildest expectations. They are amazing people and I am blessed to know them. They give to every cause I ask and it’s not even a question; they have always been there. I’m very lucky.

B: Aside from your charity work, you’ve been quite busy building the Self Esteem brand. What’s up next for the company? C: Exciting times these days at Self Esteem. We are having record sales and earnings through the first seven months of the year. Our partner company, L.A. Kitty, is also experiencing tremendous growth. We have a national ad campaign and our better label, Belle du Jour, is getting out there. We’re still looking to expand our licensing and help start-ups that need backing to join our infrastructure.