Men’s Sock Trend Leads to Sale of California Sock Company
Manufacturing
Men’s socks have been one of the bright spots on the retail scene as dudes—hipsters or not—are finding they can dress conservatively for work but maintain a subtle splash of rebellious color by sporting bright socks under dark suits or khaki pants.
Holiday 2015: Decent Economy, Weak Christmas Forecasts
Retail
Solid growth is forecast for the upcoming holiday season, but don’t count on seasonal cheer coming from retail economists and analysts.
LASC Honors Paris Victims
The pain is still raw from the terror attacks on Paris. Alfredo Izaguirre, a partner and buyer from LASC, a West Hollywood boutique, wanted to honor the victims of the terror attacks with a window which looks out onto Santa Monica Boulevard. Take a look.
Swarovski Unveils Spring/Summer 2016 Collection in Los Angeles
Fashion
Swarovski gives a glimpse of what is in store for Spring/Summer 2016.
Elyse Walker & CFDA's Gala For Mentorship Program
CFDA's Emerging Designers
They all earned their stripes as designers. But Council of Fashion Designers of America and FORWARD by Elyse Walker arranged a master class for a handful of emerging designers in developing a luxury brand business. A swank party was held for the designers on Nov. 17.
How to Dress Up While Dressing Down
Fashion
Fruit of the Loom introduces a special holiday collection that should keep many men happy.
Insiders First for Torrid's New Capsule
Torrid, the plus-size chain under the Hot Topic umbrella, is launching a new limited-edition, higher-end capsule collection and offering it first to its very best customers.
The Park's New Look With Creative Offices
Once a traditional showroom space, The Park in the Los Angeles Fashion District’s Lady Liberty building has shifted gears into something new.
Have Yourself a Blue Holiday
On Dec. 1, the Fashion and Textile History Gallery at the Museum at FIT will open its latest exhibition “Denim: Fashion’s Frontier.”
Cargo Container Imports Grow Except in Southern California
Import/Export
Import volumes at most of the nation’s ports are on the upswing as retailers bring the last of their goods in for the holiday season.
Macy’s Looks to Future After 3rd Quarter Stumble
Retail
On. Nov. 11, Macy’s Inc. reported a 3.6 percent decline in same-store sales for its third quarter. As a result the giant retailer revised its sales and profit forecast for its Winter Holiday sales in the fourth quarter, which sent retail stocks reeling. Sales for the retail giant’s third quarter were $5.874 billion.
SIMA Image Award Nominees Announced
Manufacturing
Surf Industry Manufacturers Association has presented its SIMA Image Awards for 13 years, and on Nov. 11, it announced its slate of award nominees for work done in the past year. Winners will be announced Feb. 11.
Shop & Dine
Trade Shows
Hitting the trade-show circuit is a bit of an adventure. If you’re a buyer, it’s all about discovering that new clothing line that will sell through the roof. If you’re a vendor, it’s hoping that retailers love your collection and can’t get enough of it.
New Resource: Mario De La Torre: “For All Women”
“For All Women”
A decade after quitting a lucrative banking job to learn the basics of fashion design, Mario De La Torre plans to introduce his namesake women’s contemporary line under the glamour of spotlights.
New Resource: Betro Simone
Betro Simone
Stefanie Betro is on the move. In late 2014, she started working on the women’s contemporary clothing collection Betro Simone with Daniel Guez, founder and chief executive officer of BLVD Brands. Before the line was exhibited on the trade-show circuit, the Los Angeles–made line was picked up by select Nordstrom doors and Nordstrom’s e-commerce site, where it continues to be sold.
American Apparel Reports Shrinking Sales in Third Quarter
Manufacturing
American Apparel filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early October, but it still must report its revenues and earnings for the third quarter, ending Sept. 30. In a preliminary filing, the troubled Los Angeles clothing company said its third-quarter sales plummeted 19 percent to $126 million, compared with nearly $156 million in the same period last year.
MAGIC Marketplace Owner Reshuffles Top Executives in Fashion Group
Trade Shows
Nearly one year after UBM PLC acquired California-based Advanstar Communications, the organizer of MAGIC and several other apparel trade shows, UBM is making some significant adjustments to its executive lineup within the fashion group division.
At 10, Tokidoki Finds Business in Collaboration
Cartoon Collaboration
There’s Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Hello Kitty and a world of superheroes competing for spaces in our imaginations and on our T-shirts. Los Angeles–based brand Tokidoki recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of carving its own niche in this animated crowd, and the small, private company is looking to grow through a wide arena of collaboration and retail.
Sustainability in Fashion on the Agenda at TEDxLA Event
LA Beyond the Label
Members of the apparel industry and consumers with a passion for eco issues and sustainability met recently at The New Mart in Los Angeles for a TEDxLA event organized by LA Beyond the Label.
