Wednesday, January 31
Pierre Agnes, CEO of Boardriders, Missing at Sea
Authorities send search helicopters and boats to find missing CEO off the coast of France.
Monday, January 29
Mario De La Torre Debuts Mad for Me
Mario De La Torre and Evette Smith of the fashion line Mario De La Torre, have produced colorful runway shows on the open air stages of Style Fashion Week in West Hollywood, Calif. But recently, they put together a production meant to be experienced as an interior.
Valerj Pobega Unveils L.A. Spleen
David Bowie has been a longtime muse for Valerj Pobega’s self-named art inspired line. But for her L.A. Spleen collection, she went farther back than Bowie’s Thin White Duke or Ziggy Stardust periods. She went positively Victorian.
Neal Preston Photo Exhibit at Leica Gallery in WeHo
Photography and Fashion
Neal Preston shows that he was good at shooting live music in his latest photo exhibit.
Thursday, January 25
True Religion's Void Tactics
During the zenith of True Religion’s popularity, you were a nobody if you did not have a True Religion logo somewhere on your body. Now True Religion is celebrating nobodies.
Gap’s Logo Remix
Back when buying music at brick-and-mortar record stores was a big thing, I diverted untold sums of money into a remix of this tune or that song. Well, it’s a new world and Gap is remixing fashion.
Big Lineup of Asian Fashion Designers at Hong Kong Fashion Week
Feminine Elegance
Hong Kong label Gregorius Vici, with feminine creations, was one of the first on the runway during Hong Kong Fashion Week.
Band of Hong Kong Designers Heading to New York Fashion Week
Fashion
Designer Harrison Wong is in love with black. He has been wearing the same color for the past 20 years, and it is the go-to color in his men’s and women’s collection, which is always on the forward edge of fashion.
Hong Kong Fashion Week Downsizes to One Hall This Year
Trade Shows
Amidst the endless rows of lacy evening gowns, printed dresses, puffy jackets, ripped blue jeans and fur coats lined up inside the Hong Kong Convention Centre, exhibitors were seeing a shift in buyers.
Artificial Intelligence Overarching Theme at NRF’s Big Show
NRF’s Big Show
The National Retail Federation’s 2018 Retail’s Big Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Jan. 14–16 was bigger than ever with 35,000-plus walking the aisles.
Color and Fabric Trends Highlight Première Vision Textile Show
Trade Shows
Color trends and the push for local manufacturing were two of the main themes at the 36th edition of the Première Vision New York international textile show.
National Stores Discloses Data Breach
Technology
National Stores Inc., the parent company of more than 300 value stores, disclosed Jan. 22 that its computers had been the subject of a malware attack.
Improvisation Leads to Polymer
Manufacturing
Eric Basangan was short of room in his house in Long Beach, Calif., when relatives showed up to attend his daughter’s high-school graduation last year.
ISS: Serving Boutique Biz at Crowded Show
Printing Ideas
Designers Freddie Rojas and Tina Rani walked the recent Imprinted Sportswear Show at the Long Beach Convention Center to research machines that could tailor their printing services to boutique lines.
Tuesday, January 23
Rachel Feinstein Reimagines the Victoria's Secret Models
Fashion and Art
Artist Rachel Feinstein does her interpretation of the Victoria's Secret models.
Monday, January 22
Anrealage's Fabric Puts on a Show
There are performance fabrics, but what about fabric that puts on a performance?
Skateboarding Is Not A Fashion!
Talk about mixed messages. Vans celebrated the release of the Versa Hoodie DX on Jan. 18. It also celebrated the new book Skateboarding is not a Fashion by SkateboardMuseum Berlin.
Friday, January 19
Exhibit of Man Ray's Photographic Works Highlights His Hollywood Period
Fashion
In his early days, Man Ray often worked as a fashion photographer.
Thursday, January 18
Wolk Morais Unveils Collection 6
Towering above the streets of Hollywood, the independent Wolk Morais label produced a runway show for its Collection 6 on the rooftop of the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel on Jan. 17.
NoMad Hotel to Open in Downtown L.A.
Downtown Los Angeles continues to a collection of giant construction projects. But on Jan. 21, one of those big productions will be unveiled. Boutique hotel NoMad will open in the ornate Bank of Italy building at 649 S. Olive St.
Stance to Open Shop in Remodeled Irvine Spectrum
Retail
The Irvine Company recently announced a $200-million remodel of the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine, Calif.
Customs Confiscates Thousands in Fake Nike Air Jordans
Import/Export
U.S. Customs and Border Protection suspected that the Nike Air Jordans inside seven parcels that landed as air cargo near Dulles International Airport outside of Washington, D.C., weren’t the real thing.
Fashion That Fits
Technology
Fashion has a fit problem, and it’s a $62 billion–plus apparel- and footwear-return problem annually and growing, according to the Franklin, Tenn.–based global research and advisory IHL Group.
Steady Traffic at Typically Small January Market
Trade Shows
The January LA Fashion Market ran Jan. 15–17 and is typically one of the smaller of the five LA Fashion Markets, which take place in downtown Los Angeles.
Booming Economy in 2018 Means Smart Retailers Will Profit
Retail
With tax cuts in place and unemployment at a record low, 2018 is shaping up to be a banner year for the economy.
Epson Introduces Next-Generation DTG F2100 Printer
Technology
Five years ago, when Epson America Inc. introduced its first purpose-built, direct-to-garment (DTG) printer, the Epson SureColor F2000, it intended to set a new standard in the industry by enabling screen-print shops of all sizes to print high-quality graphics on fabrics ranging from 100 percent cotton to 50/50 fabric blends at production speed in a simple, user-friendly format.
Banner Day: A T-Shirt Alternative
Alternative Tees
Plenty of first dates never turn into second dates, but Kate Ciepluch’s first date with Grahm Sisson in July 2014 was the start of much more than dinner and a movie.
Swim Collective and Active Collective Unveil New Home
New Swim/Active Location
After eight years of exhibiting in Huntington Beach, Calif., across the street from the Pacific Ocean, Swim Collective and its sibling show, the 4-year-old Active Collective, moved their digs to the Anaheim Convention Center, not far from Disneyland.
Tuesday, January 16
Ashton Michael Closes off Street for Mercy Collection
The Ashton Michael does runway shows guerrilla style; just add flower petals and motorcycles
Monday, January 15
Hong Kong Fashion Week Kicks Off for Fall/Winter
Fashion
Hong Kong Fashion Week introduces a more compact version of its show that highlights Fall/Winter 2018.
Friday, January 12
Tech Company’s Show & Sell E-com
HelpJess recently unveiled its Show & Sell e-commerce. HelpJess' Simon La Barrie says the app will help people shop across the globe with the app's real time video chat.
Thursday, January 11
Large Japanese Second-Hand Store Opens on Melrose
Retail
2nd Street opens first U.S. store on Melrose Avenue.
Texworld USA Launches ‘Explore the Floor’ Series
Textiles
An added feature this year at Texworld USA is the new “Explore the Floor” series, which features tours for attendees to walk the show floor with industry experts.
New Functional-Fabric Fair Being Launched This Summer
Trade Shows
Reed Exhibitions has announced it is organizing a new functional-fabric fair this summer in New York to be held during New York market week.
Lenzing CEO Is Reappointed
Textiles
At its Dec. 13 meeting, Lenzing’s board reappointed Stefan Doboczky as its chief executive.
Athleta Offers New Tights With Lycra Sport Technology
Textiles
For the activewear woman who likes wearing her clothes to the gym or her favorite coffeehouse, Athleta has developed a new style of tights made with Lycra Sport technology.
UBM Fashion Partners with the Council of Fashion Designers of America to Help Emerging Designers
Fashion
UBM Fashion, organizers of the various MAGIC trade shows in Las Vegas and other apparel events, is working with the Council of Fashion Designers of America to promote the growth of emerging talent in the fashion industry.
Shoppers Favor Stores That Have Technology
Retail
Shoppers may be letting their fingers do the walking by snapping up fashions online, but a recent survey shows that consumers are willing to hit the stores if time-saving technology is involved.
Flora and Fauna Infuse the Latest Collection by Kevan Hall
Lacing Up
For his latest collection, Kevan Hall looked back to the 1970s with jumpsuits infused with sophisticated lace and flared pants.
A Father-Daughter Team Launches a Los Angeles Denim Line
Father’s Daughter
The constant whir of sewing machines and the drumbeat of downtown LA traffic echo through the second-story design studio occupied by Su Kim and her father, Jim Kim.
What’s Next for Boardriders?
Swim/Surf
With the announcement of Boardriders Inc.’s purchase of Billabong International, the surf business’s two biggest rivals are now on the same team, which means people in the surf industry are asking whether the deal is going to be a wave that lifts all boats or if it is going to be a wipeout.
Agenda Vendors Ponder Show’s Future After Founder’s Exit
Trade Shows
Agenda celebrated its 15-year anniversary with talk of what will happen to the streetwear, action sports and lifestyle trade show now that its founder, Aaron Levant, is leaving.
Wednesday, January 10
Rener Gracie Makes Hoodie/Backpack
You may have trained in jiu jitsu and picked up a few bruises at Gracie Jiu Jitsu University. But Rener Gracie of Gracie U is flexing his design creativity with Hoodie Hero.
Monday, January 8
Trends Seen at the Agenda Show
Fashion
Trends on the Agenda floor at the latest show in Long Beach, Calif.
Friday, January 5
ArtCenter Grads Show Off Their Creativity
Art and photography
ArtCenter grads display their photo creations at graduating event.
Thursday, January 4
Boardriders Acquires Billabong
Two big surfwear companies will be riding the waves together.
Candice Cuoco Talks Project Runway All Stars
After placing fourth in season 14 of Project Runway in 2011, Candice Cuoco went for another round of the designer reality show. She appears in Project Runway All Stars. She talks about what she did different for the All Stars run.
Disruption by Brandblack x Commonwealth Touches Down
Jan. 3 was the night that Disruption by Brandblack x Commonwealth touched down at Commonwealth's boutique in Los Angeles' Arts District.
Holiday Retail Sales End on a High Note
Retail
Good news about December’s business rolled in as retailers reported sales for the last month of 2017 as well as earnings from their holiday sales, which also included November.
First-Time Designer Makes a Splash with Paradise Ranch Designs
Swim/Surf
Kristyn Goddard, the designer and owner of Paradise Ranch Designs, dreamed of buying swimwear that could be as alluring as a Hollywood starlet’s portrait from the 1940s and 1950s yet not reveal too much of a woman’s body.
B.Swim Charts a New Course
Swim/Surf
When Sunsets Inc. wanted to take its B.Swim brand in a different direction, it hired Stephanie Graves to set the course for the label.
Free Bella: Sustainable Swimwear at a Reasonable Price Point
Swim/Surf
Francesca Lagudi was still in fashion school when she launched her swimwear line, called Free Bella, two years ago.
Lolli Swim: All Things Gidget and More
Swim/Surf
As a kid growing up in Upland, Calif., Vy Nguyen swam practically every day. If she wasn’t in a swimming pool, she was at the beach. “I was just obsessed with swimming and the beach,” said the founder of Lolli Swim.
Obituary: Jack Berger, Textile Converter, 94
Textiles
Jack Berger, the cofounder of The Print Works, a swimwear textile converting company, passed away on Dec. 16, 2017, of cancer. He was 94.
The Trina Turk Collection Is Infused With Latin America Vibes and Color
Latin Influence
For her pre-Fall collection, Trina Turk turned her design eyes to Latin America for an infusion of brilliant colors and prints that say “Olé.” Cross-hatch chambray is heavily represented as are fringed tops and ruffles.
Lost Finds Territory for New Stores
Swim/Surf
Lost, a surf brand that’s about 25 years old, initially defined itself as a company that makes world-class surfboards bearing the logo …Lost. But over the last few decades, the brand has evolved beyond surfboards to surfwear with plans for retail expansion.
Agenda Founder Leaving Trade Show
Trade Shows
Agenda founder Aaron Levant is leaving the trade show to work on other projects.
Wednesday, January 3
Jazz Is Not Dead, Says Indie T-shirt Line
Jazz Is Not Dead. It shouldn't even be thought of as the soundtrack for music snobs, said Nick Hill.
Tuesday, January 2
Fabletics and Demi Lovato Join Forces for Third Collection
Fashion
Capsule collection inspired by life on the road and active lifestyle.
