Organized Retail Crime On the Rise
Retail
The National Retail Federation recently released a report on organized retail crime, defined as sophisticated criminal gangs targeting retailers. It found that ORC is increasing and that Los Angeles has the dubious distinction of being the top-ranked city for this category of crime.
LATTC’s Gold Thimble Show Goes Game of Thrones
Runway
Los Angeles Trade Technical College recently started a Costume Technology Program to prepare students to make costumes for film, television and theater productions.
Fashion Nova Explains DOL Investigation
Legal
Fashion Nova Inc., a prominent Los Angeles–headquartered digital retailer of stylish yet affordable clothing, has been the subject of a wage-theft investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, according to a widely read New York Times article published this week.
Super Saturday Forecast To Be Holiday 2019’s Busiest Day
Super Saturday
Super Saturday is Dec. 21, and predictions for one of the final shopping days before Christmas are positive. It’s forecasted to be the busiest shopping day of the holiday season, according to a number of holiday business watchers such as the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group.
U.S. Close To Making Trade Agreements After Year of Upheaval
Import/Export
After more than a year of headlines on trade wars, the Trump administration, the U.S. Congress and America’s trade partners wrapped up the year with statements and votes promising that trade deals are close.
The Year in Trade Shows
Trade Shows
During the 2019 trade-show circuit, some event producers scaled down while others expanded their programs or teamed up through collaborations that would entice attendees to get down to business. From coast to coast, apparel-industry trade-show producers planned changes or were forced to alter their programs due to unforeseen weather patterns or shifts in attendee demand.
Year in Review 2019
2019 Review
Moving into 2020, the final days of 2019 afford an opportunity to reflect upon a year that was anything but predictable for the apparel industry.
NSF Brand's 1st Pop-Up Gets An Extension
RETAIL
The NSF brand's first pop-up was originally slated to run until the end of the year. Fortunately for NSF fans, the pop-up got an extension.
Star Costume Designer Paul Tazewell Speaks at Black Design Collective’s "Harriet" Screening
EVENTS
It was the last 2019 event for Black Design Collective, a Los Angeles headquartered non-profit that supports African American designers and mentors student creatives.
Cynthia Rowley Surfs Into Malibu Country Mart
Designer Cynthia Rowley makes neoprene wetsuits with an art and fashion inspiration for her self-named brand. They will be among the merchandise mix for her new Malibu Country Mart shop.
Billionaire Boys Club and NTWRK Team Up for Pop-Up
Prominent streetwear players Billionaire Boys Club and NTWRK will produce the Exoplanet pop-up shop. It will run Dec. 13-22 at 8020 Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles.
Patricia Welman, 3 Girls Clothing Co-founder, 60
News
Patricia Welman, co-founder and president of the juniors brand 3 Girls Clothing, passed away Dec. 1 after a short illness with cancer. Her funeral is being held Dec. 17 at Sts. Simon & Jude Catholic Church in Huntington Beach, Calif.
Epson Unveils New POS Printers
Technology
Epson has developed a reputation for making direct-to-garment printers for manufacturers both large and small to print on T-shirts, hoodies and more.
CFF Hosts 72nd Annual Christmas Party for Kids
Events
More than 250 Los Angeles kids got holiday gifts from the California Fashion Foundation on Dec. 11 at the penthouse of the Cooper Design Space in downtown Los Angeles.
Economic Forecast Improves After Solid Year, UCLA Said
Finance
On Dec. 4, the influential UCLA Anderson School of Management raised its 2020 forecast for the U.S. and California economies from 1 percent real growth to 1.7 percent due to low unemployment and high consumer confidence and spending.
During a Year of Bankruptcies, Retailers Find Risk & Opportunity
Retail
Bankruptcies and store closures spiked in 2019, and some retailers hoped bankruptcy could give them an edge during a year when many thought the chips were down for retail.
Copyright and Labor Fashion Cases Reach Supreme Court
Legal
Issues in copyright and labor kept lawyers busy in 2019; however, the Los Angeles case that made the most headlines was a streetwear brand that brought its case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Tact & Stone Looks for Boundaries to Push in Fashion & Sustainability
Sustainable Tact & Stone
Sustainability commands increasing interest from the business world. A novice in the field, Landon Nash vowed that his new apparel line, Tact & Stone, would serve as an engine to innovate in this burgeoning category.
