Stories for June 2013

Psychedelic Summer

fashion event

On June 22-23, Hub LA presented its debut, Parachute Market.

U.S. Advantage

Manufacturing

Martin Barrack, vice president of JS Denim in Los Angeles, is promoting a truly all-American denim pant

ecVision and Tüv Süd Team Up for Product Testing Data Integration

Technology

Iselin, N.J.–based supply-chain collaboration solutions provider ecVision has partnered with product-testing company Tüv Süd

CFA’s Metchek Honored at FGI Luncheon

Events

Ilse Metchek, president of the California Fashion Association, was the guest of honor at a recent luncheon

LA Fashion District Unveils App

Technology

The Los Angeles Fashion District Business Improvement District (BID) has released a mobile app

Centric to Host Black Diamond PLM Case-Study Presentation at Outdoor Retailer

Technology

Campbell, Calif.–based software solutions provider Centric Software will present case studies

European Tariff Hike Leads LA Manufacturers to Look for Alternative Markets and New Marketing Strategies

Manufacturing

Premium-denim manufacturers in Los Angeles are sorting out new ways to boost their global markets

Home-Furnishings Store Raj Lotus Coming to CMC

Retail

What used to be a traditional bank branch at the California Market Center in is being converted into a home-furnishings store

CMC Temporaries to Bow in August, Select and Transit Postponed Until October

Trade Show

Select and Transit—the contemporary apparel, accessories and footwear trade shows organized by the California Market Center

PGA Tour Superstores Open in California

Retail

Roswell, Ga.–based golf emporium opened its first California in East Palo Alto

AGENDA WMNS Party Launch

fashion event

AGENDA WMNS celebrated the official launch party at Space 15 Twenty last Friday June 21 with a packed crowd.

DFS Group, Westfield Bow New Retail Space at LA International Airport

Retail

Westfield and duty-free retailer DFS Group recently previewed a first look at the renovations underway

Steady Regional Business at FMNC for Established Brands and New Resources

Trade Show

Business was steady and productive at Fashion Market Northern California

Urban Outfitters to Open in Malibu

Retail

Philadelphia-based Urban Outfitters will open a 10,000-square-foot store

Students to Protest Gap in Santa Monica

Students in the United States, Canada and England will be protesting outside Gap and Wal-Mart stores this Saturday over Bangladesh garment workers killed in building collapse.

Father and Daughter Team Up to Create Line Starting with Organic Cotton Grown in California

San Diego family uses Kickstarter to create a line that is truly "Made in USA."

Style It Like Rachel Zoe

Fashion App

Rachel Zoe is the first fashion ambassador for Covet Fashion, a fashion app that users to style ensembles with virtual pieces from designers and brands.

Direct to Consumer: Bluer Denim’s New Business Model

Denim Report

Denim vet's new line is made in US, crowd-funded and sells direct to consumers.

Don't miss out on complimentary trend forums and seminars

Sponsor Blog

Attendee registration includes access to the Texworld USA trend forum, featuring fabrics and finished goods from Texworld USA and the Apparel Sourcing show, Tuesday, July 16 – Thursday, July 18.

Denim Under Fire: The EU Tax Hike on US-Made Jeans

International Trade/Made in USA

The European Union recently unexpectedly and drastically raised duties on US-made women’s jeans to 38 percent. Trade officials, industry organizations and manufacturers are working to repeal the tax hike. Stay up to date on the issue here.

Dragonfly Clothing Lands Fender Guitars Apparel License

Transposing Music to Fashion

Fullerton, Calif.–based Dragonfly Clothing has inked a deal with Fender Guitars for a line of apparel that will bow at specialty and department stores in North America and Europe this summer.

Sue Wong Shares Her Fashion and Home With Museum Patrons

Mansion to Museum Piece

Los Angeles County Museum of Art patrons visit Sue Wong's house.

T-shirt Resources

Resource Guide

Buhler Quality Yarns Corp., Pima Apparel, US Blanks

CBNC: Not Just Your Average Streetwear Line

Manufacturing

CBNC men’s streetwear was conceived by owner Joemm Blanche

Salesorter App Finds, Rates Online Sales

Technology

Salesorter was designed for consumers looking for online sales.

Mobile App Lets Consumers Buy Right off the Magazine Page

Retail

Snapping a photo with your mobile phone, and immediately finding stores

Frederick’s of Hollywood: New Nudes Collection

Sexy Sensibility

Since 1946, Frederick’s of Hollywood has built a reputation for innovative intimate apparel with a sexy sensibility.

Forever 21 Launches Social Site 21st Street

Technology

Forever 21 is gathering all its social media into a single space called 21st Street.

U.S. Senate Approves Michael Froman as New U.S. Trade Representative

Yarn Forward

The naming of Michael Froman as the new U.S. trade representative is good news for the U.S. textile industry.

Angela Dean: Revolutionizing Shapewear With Marena Group

Celebrity Shapes

Celebrity designer Angela Dean is known for custom designing garments for well-known figures in the entertainment industry.

Manhattan Beachwear’s Alan Schwartz, 67

Obituaries

Swimwear veteran Alan Schwartz died on June 8 following a battle with cancer.

Columbia Names President of New China Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Columbia Sportswear Commercial (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. named Samson Wong president of the company, a joint venture between Columbia Sportswear Co. and Swire Resources Limited, a subsidiary of Swire Pacific Limited and the exclusive distributor of Columbia Sportswear in mainland China.

Body Glove Co-Founder Bob Meistrell, 84

Obituaries

Bob Meistrell, who co-founded Body Glove International with his brother, Bill, died

Tavik Expands With 12 International Distributors, Additional Staff

Tavik, a Southern California lifestyle brand known for its premium activewear, is expanding.

Los Angeles Garment Maker Fined by State for Wage Violations

Legal

A downtown Los Angeles apparel contractor has been hit with a $282,582 citation

M&A Opportunities for Apparel Companies With a Niche Brand, Financiers Say

Finance

The secret to selling an apparel label is to have a niche business that no one has developed.

Chapter: New Men’s Brand Taps Fremont’s Devin Carlson

Company Profile

Chapter, a conceptual new menswear line, is making its debut

Trade Officials and Brands Working to Repeal High EU Duty on US-Made Jeans

Import / Export

Los Angeles manufacturers, facing a new 38 percent European duty on women’s jeans made in the United States, are weighing their options and trying to avoid moving production outside the country.

In the Future, Fashion Will Be Printed in 3D

Fashion Tech

Designers are using 3D printers to create fashion. The future is now.

30 Years of Japanese Fashion

fashion event

Fashion historian Akiko Fukai will explore Japanese fashion and its impact within a global scale on Friday, June 28 at the Goeth-Institut Los Angeles.

Michael Stars Moving Into Malibu Country Mart

Michael Stars is opening in Malibu with 11th store.

Los Angeles Garment Maker Fined by State for Wage Violations

Wage Violations

A downtown Los Angeles apparel contractor who changed his company’s name to avoid past fines has been hit with a $282,582 citation, according to the California Labor Commissioner.

A Madrid Fashion Statement With Roots in Bangladesh

Performance Art

A public installation art piece on Madrid's Gran Via draws attention to the victims of the Bangladesh garment factory collapse.

Guess Founders Add Wine to the Business Formula

Top LA wine shop acquired by the Marciano brothers

Harry Friedman and Doug Smith Honored at National Jewish Health Gala

Honors

The party kicked off at the Beverly Hills Hotel

Joan Jett v. Hot Topic

Lawsuit

Singer Joan Jett filed suit against Hot Topic over the teen retailer’s Blackheart lingerie collection.

Malibu Barbie x Trina Turk

Fashion Launch

Really, who better to launch a fab new collection for Malibu Barbie—and her real-life fans—than Trina Turk?

Li & Fung Chair Doesn’t Believe in Abandoning Bangladesh, Sees Changes in China

International Sourcing

William K. Fung, chairman of apparel sourcing giant Li & Fung, spoke recently in LA about sourcing opportunities--and responsibilities--around the world.

Casio Baby-G and Joyrich Are on Time

collaboration

Casio Baby-G teamed up with the Japanese street fashion and Los Angeles brand Joyrich on a recent collaboration of limited-edition women’s watches.

Altamont's Art Worship

One Clothing Label's Explanation of Its Really Bright Shirts

Altamont Parties for Art Worship & Bright Shirts

Market Scene

Fashion

The fashion faces spotted at LA Fashion Market

Retailers Stocking Later for the Back-to-School and Holiday Seasons

Retail

It seems like retailers are going slow this summer.

Gilbert Named Wet Seal’s Stores EVP

Retail

The Wet Seal Inc. named retail veteran Lesli Gilbert as

Pacific Sunwear Extends Agreement With First Insight

Swim / Surf

First Insight Inc. recently announced it will extend

New Beachwear Show Cabana to Launch in Miami Beach

Trade Show

Sam Ben-Avraham and Janet Wong are diving into the swim business

Alameda Square Complex Expands with Splendid, Ella Moss

Real Estate

Splendid and Ella Moss officially opened their new corporate headquarters

Home-Furnishings Store Raj Lotus Coming to CMC

Retail

What used to be a traditional bank branch at the California Market Center in Los Angeles is being converted into a home-furnishings store filled with a blast of color.

Quiksilver Earnings Decline During Second Quarter

Surf Report

Quiksilver Inc. announced a disappointing second fiscal quarter

Business Strong at LA Fashion Market

Trade Show Report

June market in LA exceeded expectations for many exhibitors.

Robert Talbott's Elegant Racing Shirts

Don't Get Oil On These Racing Shirts!

Men's Clothier Shirts for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Sag-Ban on the Boardwalk

Trends

You can thank Wildwood, N.J. for reviving the debate over sagging pants.

Quiksilver Earnings Decline During Second Quarter

Surf Report

Quiksilver's second fiscal quarter earnings disappoint.

Gilbert Named Wet Seal’s Stores EVP

New Hire

The Wet Seal Inc. named retail veteran Lesli Gilbert executive vice president for stores and operations.

Shoes by Kathy Ireland Next in Her Stable of Clothes and Furniture

Kathy Ireland lsings up to license her name for shoes.

Vertigo's New Fashion District Boutique

Vertigo Fashion Line's Shop Next To Gerry Building

Vertigo's Shawn Far is on the move with new boutique

Become a Fashion Leader

Fashion

Newly positioned Artistic Director of Diesel, Nicola Formichetti, unveiled his first campaign, Diesel Reboot, in April 2013.

Selfridges Big on California Blue Jeans

Could the world's largest denim bar be in London?

French Contemporary Brand Iro to Open on Beverly Drive

Retail Real Estate

Paris-based Iro will open its second American store in Beverly Hills next year.

Designer Celebrates New Sunset Plaza Store

Calleen Cordero's New Store

Calleen Cordero's "Made in L.A." Line at Sunset Plaza Boutique

Karen Kane to License Product Lines With IMG

Licensing

Karen Kane will develop licensed product lines including handbags, eyewear, jewelry, headwear, footwear and other accessories.

Retailers Stocking Later for the Back-to-School and Holiday Seasons

Import/Export

The National Retail Federation's monthly “Port Tracker” report, which monitors cargo container traffic coming into through the nation’s largest ports, forecasts a major jump in imports in October.

LASC Celebrates 30 Years

Three Decades of Style

West Hollywood, Calif.–based men's boutique LASC celebrates

Splendid, Ella Moss’ New Home

Downtown Development

Splendid and Ella Moss' new headquarters in downtown LA

Stelle Audio Couture Audio Clutch

product, fashion

Stelle Audio Couture promotes a party wherever you may be.

Sustainable Cotton and the Better Cotton Initiative

Advertorial

Sustainability is a major topic among brands, consumers, environmentalists, farmers, manufacturers and retailers. But few people know what it means and if it is even possible. We sat down with Robert Antoshak, managing director at Olah Inc., and talked about sustainable cotton, the Better Cotton Initiative and a new project called E3.

Connected Fashion Festival Now

L.A. Labels Represent at Music/Fashion Party

Fashionistas At Connected

All Winners at CFDA Awards

fashion

It is never too late when it comes to appreciating fashion.

Wittmore's Next Step

E-commerce Shop Wittmore Opens Pop-Up Shop

From e-commerce to pop-up shop, What's Next Wittmore?

Remembering Esther Williams

Hollywood/Swim Icon

Swimmer, actress, businesswoman. Esther Williams was the real deal.

Finance Resources

Resource Guide

CIT Commercial Services, Continental Business Credit, First Capital Western Region, LLC, Goodman Factors, Hana Financial, Inc, etc

Fashion District Resources

Resource Guide

Asher Fabric Concepts, Buhler Quality Yarns Corp., California Label Products, California Market Center, Cooper Design Space, Dallas Market Center, Dallas Market Center, etc.

Migliazzo to Head Big Buddha Showroom at the CMC

After an 11-month stint running an independent showroom, Rose Marie Migliazzo, a veteran businesswoman at the California Market Center showroom building in Los Angeles, is going corporate.

Liza Stewart Opens in The New Mart

Retail

Showroom owner Liza Stewart is debuting her new showroom in its new location, suite 900 of The New Mart, in time for the June 10–13 run of Los Angeles Fashion Market.

Enzoani Bridal and Badgley Mischka Bridal Runway Show

Fashion

Enzoani Bridal hosted its seventh annual runway show, “Take Flight”

May Sales Strong

Retaiing

May retail sales beat forecasts increasing 3.2 percent

Eileen Fisher Exec to Chair Social-Accountability International Advisory Board

Manufacturing

Social Accountability International (SAI), has named Eileen Fisher executive Amy Hall chair of the New York

Businesses With Organic Certification Growing

Manufacturing

More businesses are aspiring to the Global Organic Textile Standard

Tracing the Supply Chain of Cotton

Textile

Apparel companies are taking a closer look at their offshore manufacturing facilities

Made-in-LA Retail Opening Downtown

Retail

First came the fashion incubator, now comes the incubator store.

Agenda Moves to Larger Space at CMC

News / Real Estate

Agenda moved to larger offices in the California Market Center

Industry Voices: EU Rate Hike on US Jeans Puts Los Angeles Industry at Risk

Manufacturing

What do crane trucks, eyeglasses frames, frozen sweet corn and women’s blue jeans have in common? Nothing, unless you are a European customs official. These are the four unlucky U.S. products that have been slapped with extra tariffs by the European Union in retribution for a U.S. law that breaks international trading rules.