Friday, January 29
Vans Foot the Bill Initiative Returns, Will Support Black-Owned Businesses in February
RETAIL
With the return of its "Foot the Bill" campaign, action-sports brand Vans is supporting small businesses. During February, all partners will be Black-owned businesses with additional actions taken during Black History Month to support these retailers.
Thursday, January 28
Kitson to Pacific Palisades
RETAIL
Kitson boutiques are on the move, as founder Fraser Ross opened a new, permanent location at 15248 Sunset Blvd., in Los Angeles’ exclusive Pacific Palisades neighborhood on Jan. 28.
Insight into Luxe Resale With The RealReal’s Debut ‘Luxury Consignment Report’
TRENDS IN LUXURY RESALE
As apparel resale continues to gain momentum, San Francisco–headquartered luxury marketplace The RealReal recently issued its 2021 “Luxury Consignment Report.”
Wednesday, January 27
AG Celebrates 20 Years With Several New Collections
ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
The Los Angeles–based denim and knitwear label AG is observing its 20th anniversary in 2021 and will celebrate by rolling out a number of collections throughout the year.
Tuesday, January 26
Playboy X Steve Aoki's Dim Mak Unveiled
FASHION
The Playboy magazine mascot of a rabbit wearing a bowtie has been one of the most recognizable pop-culture images of the past 65 years. Recently, Playboy Labs, a new division of Playboy Enterprises, has been finding new ventures for the Playboy Bunny,
NuOrder Unveils New B2B Payment System
DIGITAL PAYMENTS
NuOrder, a Los Angeles–headquartered business-to-business e-commerce platform, announced Jan. 25 that it has introduced NuOrder Payments.
Monday, January 25
California Lifts Stay-at-Home Orders
LEGAL
With most California counties at a purple Tier 1 level of COVID-19 cases, the California Department of Public Health announced today that it was ending the regional Stay-at-Home order for all areas throughout the state.
Friday, January 22
FashionGo Week to Launch Second Virtual Edition in February
VIRTUAL TRADE EVENTS
Fashion-wholesale marketplace FashionGo will host its second virtual FashionGo Week event Feb. 8-12, following the success of its August debut during the summer trade-show season.
NTWRK Hires Colby Black of Urban Outfitters
RETAIL
NTWRK, a Los Angeles-headquartered mobile-first video-shopping platform, has aimed to be a pioneer in digital commerce since launching in 2018. It announced on Jan. 13 that it had hired Colby Black, an executive from Urban Outfitters, to be its first chief merchandising officer.
Thursday, January 21
After 81 Years Selling Hat Supplies, Unique DTLA Shop May Close
Retail
The California Millinery Supply Co., located at 721 S. Spring St. in downtown Los Angeles’ Fashion District, sells hat-making supplies and accessories. For decades, film, television and theater productions, fashion designers and craftspeople have purchased hat frames, feathers, ribbons and veiling to make period headwear as well as new styles.
2020 Holiday Sales Beat NRF Forecasts
Retail
The National Retail Federation reported on Jan. 15 that business for the 2020 holiday season was surprisingly strong. Sales grew 8.3 percent to $789.4 billion, beating the prominent trade group’s forecast of 3.6 percent to 5.2 percent growth.
Surf Expo Returns to Orlando With First On-site Event in a Year
Surf Expo Returns
Returning to its home at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Surf Expo, the major trade show for the water-sports and beach-lifestyle categories, was held Jan. 6–8. While the Emerald Expositions–owned Surf Expo relied on its digital edition Sept. 16–18, Surf Expo Connect, many in the industry felt it was time to return to the trade-show floor.
A Source of Inspiration for 2021 at Virtual Texworld and Apparel Sourcing
Trade Shows
With its first big show of 2021 occurring virtually Jan. 12–14, Messe Frankfurt Fashion and Apparel Show Director, Jennifer Bacon said, “We were extremely pleased with both the exhibitor and attendee participation. It was very similar to our premier edition this past July. We are excited to continue serving the textile-sourcing community through our virtual platform as we look forward to returning to face-to-face events.”
The Show Must Go On ... Virtually
Design Debut
Following the postponement of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising’s Spring 2020 FIDM Debut, selected emerging student designers showcased their creations during a Dec. 10 virtual runway presentation.
At CMC Uploaded, Dan Jablons of Retail Smart Guys Discusses Plans for 2021
Retail
Dan Jablons moonlights as an actor and appeared on the television show “Curb Your Enthusiasm” as the lawyer for comedian Larry David. But for more than 15 years he has run the Los Angeles–headquartered consultancy Retail Smart Guys.
Biden Proposes New COVID-19 Lifelines
Finance
Before becoming the 46th United States president, Joe Biden unveiled the American Rescue Plan on Jan. 14, a proposed $1.9-trillion program that his incoming administration said will put the U.S. economy back on its feet after 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With Digital Commerce Surging, Social Media Looks for Its Place in Retail
Technology
Social media has minted its own internet celebrities, but many entrepreneurs are trying to judge whether platforms such as Instagram and Facebook will make fortunes for retailers.
Buyers and Brands Work Together During L.A. Market Week to Protect Businesses
Trade Shows
As Los Angeles County continued to grapple with surging COVID-19 numbers, apparel businesses worked together to fortify their operations. During L.A. Market Week, which was held Jan. 10–14 in downtown Los Angeles, showrooms welcomed buyers to view lines in person while they also afforded the option of online meetings via Zoom.
Liverpool Los Angeles Unveils Hope Chest
HOPE IN FASHION
Homelessness is one of California’s most-critical issues. Fashion-lifestyle brand Liverpool Los Angeles has developed a charitable initiative, Hope Chest, where proceeds from Liverpool sales will be donated to the non-profit Downtown's Women's Center.
Wednesday, January 20
Etnies at 35
SKATEWEAR
Thirty-five years ago, Pierre-Andre Senizergues was a French skateboarder looking for a sneaker that was going to be durable, while feeling good and looking good. When he couldn’t find one, he vowed to make his own.
Tuesday, January 19
Maison Margiela Makes Sneaker With Reebok
FASHION
The split-toe Tabi shoe has been one of the signatures of the Maison Margiela fashion house. But this unique style will be getting a sportier look.
Friday, January 15
IBM Blockchain Tracks Supply Chain for Covalent’s AirCarbon Products
SUSTAINABILITY
From its basic stages to the stockroom, Covalent AirCarbon material from Huntington Beach, Calif.’s, Newlight Technologies is now traceable along the supply chain using IBM Blockchain.
Wednesday, January 13
Vans' 12th Custom Culture Competition Launches
EVENTS
Now in its 12th installment, the Vans Custom Culture 2021 event launched recently, affording an opportunity for students to work with the skate and action-sports brand and win prize money to benefit their schools' art programs.
Tuesday, January 12
Artistic Milliners Expands With Denim-Laundry Acquisition
Artistic L.A.
Global denim firm Artistic Milliners announced Jan. 12 its acquisition of a Los Angeles wash-and-finish factory launched under the name Star Fades International as the company invests in design and production innovations.
Shopify Shares Surge 177.6 % During 2020
E-COMMERCE
One of the digital companies that reported a robust performance during holiday 2020 was multichannel e-transaction focused platform Shopify.
M.Fredric Puts Bricks-and-Mortar Stores on Temporary Hiatus Due To Pandemic
RETAIL
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spike in Los Angeles County, contemporary chain M.Fredric announced Jan. 12 that it would temporarily close its eight physical stores until the retailer’s owners deem it safe to reopen.
LA Gear Announces a New Chapter With Alexander-John
FASHION
LA Gear was one of the most-popular sneaker brands of the 1980s and 1990s. Decades later, LA Gear is still in the footwear business. On Jan. 12, the Los Angeles-headquartered brand announced a new creative director.
Monday, January 11
GiveAwae, a New Digital Platform, Aims to Bridge E-Commerce Gap
RETAIL
There is a digital divide in the business world, said entrepreneur Daniel Ejekwu, who is changing the digital landscape for small and medium-sized businesses when he launches GiveAwae on Jan. 13.
Thursday, January 7
Emerald Acquires PlumRiver, Creator of the Elastic Suite Platform
Emerald Acquires PlumRiver
The business-to-business platform builder Emerald Holdings, Inc., announced its acquisition of the business-to-business e-commerce and digital-merchandising solutions provider PlumRiver to cultivate its software-as-a-service technology.
Fashion Medical Scrubs Label FIGS Hires CFO from Domino’s Pizza
Manufacturing
FIGS, a fashion medical-scrubs label headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., gained notice for selling stylish medical uniforms to healthcare professionals with a direct-to-consumer model. In the past few years, it has also rolled out fashion label–style media campaigns that featured prominent billboard ads for its products in trendy Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Show-in-a-Box by Preface Provides Tactile Experience for Virtual Textile Event
Preface-in-a-Box
After a few years hosting a boutique-style textile show in New York, Preface launched its Los Angeles edition early in 2020 during January L.A. Market Week to a responsive group of attendees who were seeking a more-intimate fabric event. Since then, Betsy Franjola, founder of BFF Studio and Preface, began to cultivate a fresh approach to events during the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. By thinking outside the trade-show floor, Franjola developed a concept by thinking inside the box.
Nathalia Gaviria’s Romantic Apocalypse Vision Reflected in NG Gold S/S 2021
Simpler Times
Nathalia Gaviria’s campaign for her Spring/Summer 2021 NG Gold collection nods to a romantic time prior to the obsession of modern technology, while providing commentary on environmental threats and hope for protection of the planet.
Swim Line Zonarch Jumps Waves to Make Debut
Swim/Surf
For years, Geneviève Andre de la Porte dreamed of bringing a sustainable, direct-to-consumer swimwear brand to market. She was originally scheduled to unveil Zonarch in March, but as state and local governments issued stay-at-home orders she thought it prudent to postpone the launch date, not the least because her sources for regenerated nylon fabrics had to close their factories, and other factories she worked with shifted gears to making personal protective equipment.
Swiminista Ready to Roll Out New Collection for Post-COVID-19 World
Swim/Surf
Andréa Bernholtz, founder of the Calabasas, Calif., Swiminista brand of women’s swimwear, forecasted a post-pandemic boom as she prepared to roll out the second collection of her brand’s collaboration line The House of Christian Lacroix x Swiminista.
With Holiday Sales Up, Now Retailers Must Strategize for 2021
Retail
Initial reports from the 2020 holiday season were recently released, and retail sales experienced growth during a year fraught with challenges. Retail sales charted from Oct. 11 to Dec. 24 grew 3 percent, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which researches consumer spending on the Mastercard payments network.
Platinum Equity Takes Controlling Stake in Mad Engine
Manufacturing
It was announced on Jan. 4 that Platinum Equity, a Los Angeles–headquartered investment firm, acquired a controlling stake in Mad Engine, a San Diego–based apparel and accessories company that designs, produces and distributes licensed, branded and private-label products.
Performance Brand Athleta Unveils Sleep Line
ACTIVEWEAR
Gap Inc’s Athleta brand has been devoted to women’s performance apparel for more than 20 years. On Jan. 5, the San Francisco-headquartered brand unveiled a line made for rest.
Tuesday, January 5
LRG For Coca-Cola Collaboration Line Unveiled
FASHION
Lifted Research Group was considered as one of the pioneers of the California streetwear scene after starting business in 1999. It wrapped up its 21st year in business by releasing a collaboration line—The LRG for Coca-Cola Collection.
Venmo to Begin Check-Cashing Service as Clients Receive Stimulus Payments
PAYMENT TECHNOLOGY
Social-payment application Venmo is entering the check-cashing business with its new Cash a Check feature.
Monday, January 4
Louis Vuitton x Urs Fischer Capsule Makes a Debut
FASHION
The Louis Vuitton fashion house started off 2021 by releasing a capsule handbag line reflecting its latest collaboration—Louis Vuitton x Urs Fischer.
