Stories for January 2013

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Thursday, January 31

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The Return of St. Pucchi

Rebirth

Rani Totman’s retail business has a good sense of timing. In 2007, she let the lease run out for the flagship of her St. Pucchi bridal line. Subsequently, she ducked some of the pain of the Great Recession.

Cold Weather, Shopper Turmoil Turn January Sales Sluggish

Retail sales slumped at the end of January, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers, and the news was another indicator from a major U.S. retail trade group that the econom...

Polygon Solutions: Helping Entrepreneurs Outsource the Back-End Operations

Last year, Josh Levine launched his brand, Frame Denim, and landed orders from Ron Herman and Net-a-Porter for his Los Angeles–based,high-end denim line. ...

Deadline Looming for East Coast Port Contract

A Feb. 6 deadline is looming for longshore workers and shipping lines to conclude talks on a new contract at 15 East Coast and Gulf Coast ports....

Las Vegas Resource Guide 2013

AIMS360

Guess to Offer Ship-to-Store Fulfillment

Los Angeles–based Guess Inc. struck a deal with Boynton Beach, Fla.–based VendorNet for “cross-channel fulfillment.” ...

Monday, January 28

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THVM Adds Eco-Friendly 'Air Wash' for Spring

GREEN JEANS

Los Angeles–based denim line THVM has delved into sustainability by adding eco-friendly denim to its core basic line of raw denim jeans. The new “Air Wash” denim collection, launched for Spring ‘13, was created by collaborating with Istanbul-based Orta Anadolu, to create the fabrics, and Los Angeles washhouse Denim-Tech, which developed the “Air Wash” treatments.

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Creativity on the Map at Hong Kong Fashion Week

HKFW

Prints and bright colors were everywhere at Hong Kong Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013.

Thursday, January 24

Counterfeit Seizures by U.S. Government Declined in 2012

No Surprises

Apparel and accessories were the top counterfeit items confiscated by customs officials in fiscal-year 2012, followed by consumer electronics and parts; optical media; and handbags, wallets and backpacks.

Counterfeit Seizures by U.S. Government Declined in 2012

Apparel and accessories were the top counterfeit items confiscated by customs officials in fiscal-year 2012, followed by consumer electronics and parts; optical media; and handbags, wallets and backpa...

Tuesday, January 22

NRF Draws Companies on Hunt for Retail’s New Technologies

NEWYORK—The show floor aisles were packed—as were the seminars and paneldiscussions—at the Jan. 13–16 run of the NationalRetail Federation’s BigShow at the Jacob K. Javits Conven...

Monday, January 21

Forever 21 Executive Moves to Uniqlo US

Uniqlo’s new chief operating officer for the United States comes directly from Los Angeles....

Friday, January 18

Technology Resource

Simparel

Thursday, January 17

Retailers Need Safety Protocol for Staff

In the wake of the brutal assault and“takeover” robbery of Nordstrom Rack employees in a Los Angeles neighborhood, security experts are stressing the need for proper training fo...

Retailers Need Safety Protocol for Staff

Training Needed

In the wake of the brutal assault and “takeover” robbery of Nordstrom Rack employees in a Los Angeles neighborhood, security experts are stressing the need for proper training for retail employees to help avoid possible violence or injury in the event of an attack.

Wednesday, January 16

New Taxes Threaten to Keep Economic Growth Slow in 2013

Despite a few positive indications, new state, federal and sales taxes will dip into household budgets in 2013, slowing the rate of economic growth, financial experts said.  ...

New Taxes Threaten to Keep Economic Growth Slow in 2013

Finance

Despite a few positive indications, new state, federal and sales taxes will dip into household budgets in 2013, slowing the rate of economic growth, financial experts said.

Friday, January 11

Made in America Resources

Antex Knitting Mills/

Fashion Resources

Fashion Market Northern

Finance Resources

Goodman Factors

Thursday, January 10

TradeCard and GT Nexus Merge

Finance

GT Nexus and TradeCard are merging. The two companies manage physical and financial supply-chain processes using a cloud-based model for businesses around the globe.

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Vans Partners With Belkin

Mobile

Santa Fe Springs, Calif.–based Vans struck a licensing partnership with Playa Vista, Calif., technology-product company Belkin for a new line of mobile-device cases inspired by Vans’ aesthetic.

With Import Ban Lifted, Apparel Makers Investigate Myanmar

Import/Export

After the U.S. import ban was lifted, the American Apparel & Footwear Association was bombarded with inquiries about Myanmar. “We have gotten interest from all sorts of people,” said Steve Lamar, executive vice president of the apparel and footwear trade group.

With Import Ban Lifted, Apparel Makers Investigate Myanmar

After the U.S. import ban was lifted, the American Apparel & Footwear Association was bombarded with inquiries about Myanmar. “We have gotten interest from all sorts ofpeople,”...

New Lines: Gerry Building

NEW LINES...

Project to Change With Advanstar Acquisition of ENK

Trade Show

For more than eight years, Project has been an important trade show for both men and women....

New Lines: Lady Liberty Building

The Globe Showroom

Vans Partners With Belkin

Santa Fe Springs, Calif.–based Vans struck a licensing partnership with Playa Vista, Calif., technology-product company Belkin for a new line of mobile-device cases inspired by Vans’ a...

New Lines: The New Mart

NEW SHOWROOMS ...

New Lines: Cooper Design Space

NEW LINES...

Surf Expo to Co-locate With E-commerce Event

Surf Expo organizer GLM announced plans to co-locate the Internet Retailer e-commerce conference with the September 2013 Surf Expo show in Orlando, Fla....

Wednesday, January 9

Wet Seal Sued Over Scuttled Private-Label Deal

Litigation

There’s more trouble for struggling retailer The Wet Seal Inc. A complaint recently filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleges the Foothill Ranch, Calif.–based retail chain broke a major contract with Sekses Distribution LLC, a Los Angeles–based manufacturer that makes private-label fashions.

Wet Seal Sued Over Scuttled Private-Label Deal

Finance

There’s more trouble for struggling retailer The Wet Seal Inc. A complaint recently filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleges the Foothill Ranch, Calif.–based retail chain broke a major contract withSekses Distribution LLC, a Los Angeles–based manufacturer that makes private-label fashions.

Monday, January 7

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Asher Fabric Concepts: Capturing Domestic Demand for High-End Knits

Stay Home

Asher Fabric Concepts is looking to be an alternative to European knits for U.S. and international brands.

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Sunset Plaza's New Looks

New Mix

Sunset Plaza getting hipper, if that's even possible.

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Paseo Colorado Macy's to Close

Farewell

Macy’s Inc. will shutter its store at Paseo Colorado in Pasadena, Calif., by early spring.

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Stylehaüs: New Styling Concept Opens at The Grove

Grove'n

Stylehaüs, the members-only styling service founded by Marina Monroe, relocated to The Grove.

Goodman Named Wet Seal CEO

Foothill Ranch, Calif.–based The Wet Seal Inc. named John D. Goodman as its new chief executive officer Jan. 7.The prominent mall-based retailer had been running without a CEO since July, when...

An Easygoing Flannel for Abbot Kinney

For Americans, flannel might be best known as the fabric in the very straightlaced gray flannel suit or the rugged, classic look of a plaid flannel shirt. But Perth, Australia–based Kristy Lawrence ma...

Friday, January 4

FTC Fines Amazon.com and Others

Amazon.com Inc.; Macy’s Inc.; Sears, Roebuck and Co.; and Leon Max agreed to pay penalties for purportedly falsely labeling rayon textiles as bambo...

Thursday, January 3

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LuxSwim: Understated Elegance

Sophisticated

Designer Nicole Vaughn is looking to incorporate an understated elegance with her LuxSwim collection.

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Minimale Animale: Dare to Bare

Visual Tease

"I love that the one-pieces are the sexiest," says Cassandra Kellogg about her swimwear collection, Minimale Animale. "There's just something about being just barely covered in the right places that I think is really sexy.

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Making the Cut in Downtown LA

waterwear

By the time the designer of Lolli swimwear, Vy Nguyen, arrived at J. & J. Cutting & Marking Inc. with her samples, she had already produced with two different swim manufacturers in Los Angeles but was “unhappy with the quality.” Lolli is known for cutesy oversized bows and ruffle adornments that are tempered by skimpy, seamless lines and complicated cutout shapes.

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Sunset Plaza's New Looks

Relaunch

H. Lorenzo, one of Sunset Plaza’s most prominent boutiques, announced some new hires that will usher in a new spirit for its men’s and women’s stores in the district, said Leran Hadar, director of operations and son of founder Lorenzo Hadar, who opened the boutique more than three decades ago.

SwimShorts 2013

Aria by Kiki is a high-end contemporary resortwear label that is a fusion of modern lux and bohemian chic. Our collection is designed in the heart of Los Angeles consisting of coverups, kaftans, tunics, blouses, dresses, loungewear, and accessories. Aria by Kiki pieces are flawless, elegant, and fashionable. Wear them at the beach, lounge in them at the...

Bebe Names Birkhold as CEO

Beleaguered retailer Bebe Stores Inc. announced Jan. 3 that Steve Birkhold, president and chief executive of Lacoste America, was named chief executive for Bebe. The Brisbane, Calif.–...

N.Y. Textile Resource Guide

AIMS360

Centric Hosting PLM Seminars Online and at Outdoor Retailer

Retail, footwear, apparel, luxury and consumer-goods companies looking for more information about PLM (product lifecycle management) have the opportunity when Centric Software hosts several ...

Quiksilver Names Mooney President/CEO, McKnight Executive Chairman

Quiksilver Inc. appointed Andy Mooney as president and chief executive officer, succeeding Quiksilver co-founder Bob McKnight, who has been named executive chairman. Mooney will also join th...

Texworld USA Sold Out for January

Texworld USA will see a 45 percent spike in exhibitors at its upcoming trade show in New York, where 236 companies from 16 countries are showing their offerings at the Jacob K. Javits Conve...

A Look at the New California Laws Affecting the Workplace

A new year often means out with the old and in with the new....

More Exhibitors to Show at Premiére Vision Preview

Organizers of Première Vision Preview are expecting 237 exhibitors, representing a 13 percent increase over last year, at the upcoming Spring/Summer 2014 show, set for Jan. 15...

Tagsys to Demonstrate Inventory System at NRF

King of Prussia, Pa.–based Tagsys RFID will demonstrate the benefits of its FiTS (Fashion-item Tracking System) and other components of its inventory-management syst...

Online Platform Source4Style Takes Fabric Sourcing to the Web

For many designers and brands, sourcing fabrics remains a hands-on endeavor done at trade shows and in private appointments with mills and sales representatives. ...

A Look at the New California Laws Affecting the Workplace

New Laws

A new year often means out with the old and in with the new.

Gap Buys Intermix for $130M

San Francisco–based retail giant Gap Inc. bought New York–based specialty retailer Intermix from owner Intermix Holdco Inc. for approximately $130 million in cash. Intermix has 32 sto...

Diplomas for Denimatrix Employees in Guatemala

Nearly 100 employees of Guatemala denim mill Denimatrix received their diploma thanks to a continuing-education program organized by the company. ...

Wednesday, January 2

December Sales End on High Note

Cold weather and post-Christmas bargains made cash registers ring during the last week of December....