Obituary: Sales Representative Mitch Stedman, 90
Manufacturing
Longtime sales representative Mitch Stedman died on Dec. 30 at the age of 90. A familiar figure in the California Market Center (previously called the CaliforniaMart) and a fixture in the California apparel industry, Stedman and his late wife, Susan Barry, are remembered as consummate professionals who loved the apparel industry.
Finance One’s Shanghai Office Assists Local Importers, Provides Networking Services
Finance
Finance One opened its first international branch last fall in Shanghai after a five-year process to secure new business partners in China and ensure that the Los Angeles–based factor has done its due diligence regarding international laws and regulations for overseas trade and financing.
Manufacturer Starts Rent-a-Desk Program in L.A. Fashion District
Manufacturing
A block or two from Santee Alley in downtown Los Angeles, Michael Harb believes that he can build an incubator and a post-college program for beginning manufacturers.
Swim Collective Dives into Summer at Huntington Beach Show
Dive Into Summer
Southern California got a break in the El Niño rainstorms just in time for the Jan. 8–9 run of Swim Collective at the Hyatt Huntington Beach, a seaside resort in Huntington Beach, Calif.
Retailers Face a Challenging Year in 2016 as U.S. Economy Chugs Along
Finance
Financial gurus and pundits agree that 2016 will probably be an economic twin of 2015. There will be slow but steady growth and unemployment will remain low.
Agenda Attendance Up
Attendance Up
Attendance increased 6 percent at streetwear and action sports–focused trade show Agenda, held Jan. 7–8 at the sprawling Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif.
Shoes for Sea Turtles
Philanthropic footwear company TOMS is teaming up with Oceana in support of the Washington D.C. organization’s mission to protect sea turtles and other marine life.
Los Feliz Store Closing Its Doors
Retail
Una Mae's Los Angeles has a going-out-of-business sale with 35 percent off.
Nicolas Felizola Takes L.A. Bow
The gowns and red carpet looks of the Nicolas Felizola Collection have graced the runways of Miami Fashion Week and the Latin Grammys in the past, designer Nicolas Felizola held the first Los Angeles area viewing of his styles Jan. 9 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. Take a look.
Bid to Return Charney to American Apparel Made More Attractive
Manufacturing
At the last minute, two investment companies that bid in late December to buy American Apparel out of bankruptcy and return founder Dov Charney to the company have sweetened the deal to make it more enticing.
Speedo USA Dives Into Innovation and Technology
Manufacturing
Speedo USA has gone through a lot of changes lately.
For Love & Lemons: Contemporary Swimwear With Lingerie-like Details
Swim New Resource
Sexy, low-cut dresses have been a specialty of Los Angeles–based brand For Love & Lemons, said Laura Hall, one of the designers for the brand, which has been sold at high-end specialty stores such as American Rag Cie, Elyse Walker and Planet Blue.
Giejo: Sustainable Fashion With an Edge
Swim New Resource
Gabby Sabharwal took her fashion marketing and public-relations experience and applied it to launch a swim brand, Giejo which mixes runway inspiration with street style to create pieces that can be worn on and off the beach.
Hackwith: Swimwear That Embraces All Shapes
New Swim Resource
When Lisa Hackwith launched her swimwear company, Hackwith Design Co., in 2013, she had a mission to produce quality, sustainable, locally made clothing.
Gala Opening for Mark Zunino Atelier
It was Mark Zunino's dream to give Los Angeles a grand, full service atelier for red carpet gowns and eveningwear. On Jan. 7, he unveiled his dream with a gala event at the Mark Zunino Atelier at 181 N. Robertson Blvd.
Billabong USA President Stepping Down
Manufacturing
The president of Billabong USA, Ed Leasure, is leaving the company at the end of January.
Agenda & Merchant Factors Talk Scholarships
Last year Merchant Factors endowed a scholarship for Agenda trade show. Agenda and Merchant Factors extended its scholarship program for Agenda’s upcoming trade show in Miami, Fla. It was announced recently that the winners of the program were the Valley High women’s streetwear label and Oscar x Frank.
Macy’s Reports Soft Holiday, Announces Closing Irvine and Sacramento Stores
Retail
Department-store giant Macy’s Inc. reported a soft holiday sales season.
Alternative Proposal Submitted to Buy American Apparel
Manufacturing
In the continuing American Apparel saga, two investment funds guided by Dov Charney submitted a proposal shortly before New Year’s Day to buy the Los Angeles apparel manufacturer out of bankruptcy.
