Sears Holdings to Close Stores, Strikes Lease Deal with Primark
Retail
Sears Holdings is closing stores in the U.S., but the Hoffman Estates, Ill.–based retailer has yet to confirm the actual number of closures planned.
Gap Expanding Old Navy in Middle East
Retail
San Francisco–based Gap Inc. signed deals to open Old Navy stores in six countries in the Middle East next year.
New Lines and Established Collections
Fashion Market Northern California
Buyers at the Oct. 19–22 run of Fashion Market Northern California at the San Mateo Event Center shopped more than 250 exhibitors displaying everything from high-end formalwear to moderate styles and accessories.
New Hires at Element
Manufacturing
Element, the Costa Mesa, Calif.–based brand owned by Billabong International Ltd., announced new hires recently.
Active: New President, Plan for Growth
Retail
Rick Mina, former chief executive officer and president of Foot Locker North America, was named president of Active Ride Shop, a 21-store chain headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., that is devoted to action-sports brands.
Industry Voices: Made in California, Managing Risks, Rewards with Fashion Technology
Technology
One of today’s hottest fashion trends is as much a part of the West Coast as sand, surf and sunshine—apparel that wears the label “Made in California.”
Harnessing the Power of the Social Consumer
Technology
The intersection of social media and business—and the increasing power of the social consumer—was on the agenda at a recent informal discussion between Rachael Dickhute, principal of the fashion blog Everything Hauler, and Don Stephens, vice president of information technology for Big Strike Inc.
AAFA Joins Forces with Chinese Textile and Apparel Group
Import & Export
The American Apparel & Footwear Association and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles and Apparel have signed a memorandum of understanding to better understand what is happening in the apparel and textile industries in China.
Burberry to Receive the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Award
Fashion
Just in time for its new flagship store opening on Rodeo Drive, the iconic British luxury brand Burberry will receive this year’s Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Award.
Basics on a Local Mission
Groceries
When Robert Lohman and Matt Boelk started the Los Angeles–based Groceries Apparel brand in 2010, they were advised that they could not launch their type of business—a vertically manufactured eco-basics brand. Critics said it was too niche and too expensive to build. Just one mistake could cripple the whole venture. Their advisers were almost right.
Apparel Importers Hope to See Solutions to Local Port Congestion Problems
Import & Export
For nearly two weeks now, Ram Kundani has been waiting to receive seven cargo containers filled with tops, sweaters and dresses shipped from Bangladesh, China and Indonesia to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Project Ethos’ LAFW Show
Project Ethos mixed sizzle and good works at its LA Fashion Week show, all of which took a bow at the Avalon Hollywood club.
Remembering Oscar de la Renta in LA
Fashion Icon
Designer Oscar de la Renta died on Oct. 20 at the age of 82.
Ann Taylor's Spring/Summer Collection for 2015
Retail
Ann Taylor's creative director goes light and breezy for spring and summer.
From The Underground - Skingraft’s Flagship Party
Underground celebs and designers made their way to the Oct. 18 opening of the Skingraft designer label’s new flagship at the corner of 8th & Spring St. in downtown Los Angeles. For many it was the underground store party to be seen, but for Jonny Cota, founder of Skingraft, the new shop represented a new statement for the leather and avant garde - fashion label. “This is the brand grown-up,” Cota said of the new flagship for the label which has frequently produced runway shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, and back-in-the day when MBFW was in L.A
The Scotch Sartorial: Start of a Movement?
We live in a casual world. Thanks to Silicon Valley, malls filled with basics brands and changing dress codes, Jeans and hoodies work in almost any situation. But the designers who appeared at The Scotch Sartorial on Oct. 19 want to present an alternative.
Cheyann Benedict On Coastal Road
For her new collaboration, Cheyann Benedict found inspiration in Florida. Specifically, inspiration was found in the art town of Santa Rosa Beach on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It’s the headquarters of Coastal Road, an accessories label which specializes in a unique digital printing method on leather bags. At an intimate Oct. 18 gathering at the Cheyann Benedict boutique, Benedict and Coastal Roads’ Christie Casillo unveiled the collaboration where Benedict’s lava design was printed on an a Coastal Road clutch. The lava print dress and the clutch can be purchased at www.coastalroad.net and at the Cheyann Benedict boutique. Voila.
Ministry of Supply Pops in L.A.
The Ministry of Supply brand recently moved into the Los Angeles pop-up space curated by the Liberty Fashion & Lifestyle Fairs trade show. The brand aims to mix elements of activewear and officewear into the emerging men’s brand. The pop-up is scheduled to run until Oct. 26
Wildfox’s Wild Store Opening!
After years of producing fabulous runway shows at Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week Miami, Wildfox planned to pack all of its glam in its first flagship store in the Sunset Plaza boutique district. Check out pictures of the Oct. 16 debut party.
