Slow-Fashion Approach Supports Sustainable Evolution at Allen Schwartz
Manufacturing
Following the 2017 transition of his company from ABS by Allen Schwartz into a simpler, eponymous Allen Schwartz brand, the company’s founder continued to focus on remaining true to a core mission of improving fashion by making better garments. This included trusting the design leadership of Bianca Bernal, the company’s creative director and designer, who has worked with the company since 2012.
USMCA Approved by U.S. Senate, Phase One of China Deal Signed by Trump
Import/Export
In a fast-paced set of events, President Donald Trump signed Phase Oneof the trade agreement between the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China on Jan. 15. The next day, the U.S. Senate approved the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, a platform upon which Trump campaigned during 2016 as a replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Economy Healthy Amid Mixed Holiday 2019 Retail-Sales Results
Retail
Sales for the 2019 holiday season were robust, and U.S. retailers made $730.2 billion—an increase of 4.1 percent over the 2018 holiday, according to the National Retail Federation, America’s largest retail trade group. The results met the high end of the organization’s forecast for holiday business, which ranged from 3.8 percent to 4.2 percent, said Matthew Shay, the NRF’s president and chief executive officer.
Birdy Grey, Kitson Get into the Pop-Up Biz
It sounds like the start of a rom-com. A bridal label does a pop-up at a men's suiting store.
Skingraft's Jonny Cota to Compete on Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum's New Fashion-Reality Show
FASHION
"Project Runway" judges Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum made a splash when they left the influential fashion-reality show after 17 seasons. They will be on a new fashion-reality show called "Making The Cut." Los Angeles designer Jonny Cota will be one of the show's 12 competitors.
Lulus Introduces Extended Sizes for Bridal
MANUFACTURING
Brides come in all shapes and sizes, and while love knows no boundaries, nor should wedding-dress sizing. Lulus, a digital retailer headquartered in Chico, Calif., hoped to outfit more brides by expanding its selection for its bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses and jumpsuits.
Homestretch For Construction on DTLA Paul Smith and Ganni
Barricades are up. Construction crews are working to build out the highly anticipated Paul Smith and Ganni stores on the corner of 9th Street and South Broadway in downtown Los Angeles.
Beverly Center Turns On Big Light Show With Art Installation
RETAIL
Beverly Center recently unveiled a giant art installation, which spans the retail centers multifloor escalators.
The Heart of Istanbul Inspires the Core Elements of Tadashi Shoji PF20
Turkish Artistry
In his pre-Fall 2020 collection, Tadashi Shoji blended Byzantine and Ottoman inspirations to create garments that draw from the artistic craftwork found in Istanbul’s wondrous historic sites.
Artistic Milliners Cuts Its Cloth Through Female Empowerment
Manufacturing
With an expansive global reach, Karachi, Pakistan–based Artistic Milliners has maintained partnerships with major denim brands. The company’s vertical operation includes sourcing cotton from Balochi, Pakistan–based organic farms, coupled with denim-mill operations and jeans construction in Karachi.
Oeko-Tex Begins 2020 With Updated Certification Guidelines
Manufacturing
Sustainable-product certification firm Oeko-Tex is implementing new regulations for its certifications in 2020 in addition to test criteria and limit values. As the apparel industry continues to navigate through methods of cleaning up its supply-chain practices to yield a more-sustainable approach to creating clothing, these recently introduced standards will become increasingly important.
Boardriders, Kering & Others Donate to Australia Fire Relief
Retail
Fashion is getting involved in the fight against the wildfires that have been ravaging Australia over the past month.
Curve Introduces Los Angeles Trade Show
Trade Shows
Curve, a lingerie-, swimwear- and loungewear-focused trade show, announced that it will produce its first Los Angeles–area show next month.
USMCA Trade Deal Approved by Senate Committee
Import/Export
The U.S. Senate’s Finance Committee approved the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement by a 25–3 vote on Jan. 7.
Retailers Break Out Mixed Holiday 2019 Results
Retail
Macy’s Inc. announced results for its 2019 holiday performance on Jan. 8, and the results were a relative boost from its third-quarter sales, said Jeff Gennette, Macy’s chairman and chief executive officer.
Plays Well With Others Takes Inspiration From an Iconic Brand
Tee Time
When Cheyann Benedict started a new T-shirt brand, Plays Well With Others, in October, she and her business partner, stylist Cristina Ehrlich, thought they’d take inspiration from C&C California, Benedict’s former brand.
11th Annual Vans Custom Culture Competition for High School Starts
MANUFACTURING
For decades, footwear-and-apparel brand Vans has been one of the popular outfitters of high-school students across the world. For more than a decade, Vans has been producing a design competition for high schoolers.
