Bohemian Society's Avant Dress-Up
Yoko Ono infamously took it off in her mid-1960s performance piece Cut Piece. Los Angeles' Bohemian Society put it on with a performance inspired fashion event May 15.
Flagship’s Spring Shindig
A brutal heatwave made it feel like a scorching summer, but it was spring for the Flagship Agency on the night of May 15. The showroom, based at the edge of Los Angeles’ Chinatown, threw a party for its Spring '14 collections.
Loudmouth Golf Gets Spongey
Licensing
Loudmouth Golf struck a deal with Nickelodeon for a line of men’s and women’s styles inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants.
Boardshorts Optional
With temperatures on the rise in Southern California, it’s time to head for the beach with your board and your dog.
The Surf Shop In a Town With No Waves
Swim/Surf
Seventh Wave Surf Shop attempts the seemingly impossible. It’s a surf shop in a town with no waves. Its specialty is showcasing independent surf brands looking for space in a very crowded market.
Invista Launching Bio-Based Lycra
Textiles
This fall, Invista will begin shipping a new version of Lycra made with a biologically based ingredient that will replace the petroleum-based chemical traditionally used to make Lycra.
The Row Opens 1st Store at Melrose Place
Retail
Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen were embraced by fashion tastemakers in 2012 when The Council of Fashion Designers of America named the twins as “Womenswear Designers of the Year.”
Pop-Up Mall Concept Turns Permanent
XCVI
What started as a month-long pop-up shop for Los Angeles–based contemporary brand XCVI has become a chain of seven stores across California with plans to expand.
West Hollywood’s Fur Ban Stands
Retail
The city of West Hollywood, Calif.’s municipal ban on sales of new fur items survived a court challenge. It remains the only city in America to ban the sale of new fur items.
Alice in Wonderland Meets Streetwear and Fabergé
Woodbury University Runway Show
For its 50th runway show, Woodbury University showcased the work of its fashion design and costume design students at the Burbank, Calif.–based design school’s May 8 runway gala at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles.
Making Architecture at the Trade Show
Trade Show
For Giorgio Borruso, a structure does not have to be made of marble to make an architectural statement. A structure can be bold, elegant and have the shelf life of a few days or weeks—perfect for a trade show.
Featured at The C.H.I.P.S. Benefit for CII
Ralph Lauren Fall ’14
The Colleagues Helpers in Philanthropic Service—a group known as The C.H.I.PS.—hosted its Spring Luncheon on May 8 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles to raise funds for the Children’s Institute Inc.
SoCal Mall Store Openings Include Uniqlo, Topshop, Tilly’s and Lululemon
Retail
Recently, it was announced that Japanese fast-fashion emporium Uniqlo will open five locations across Southern California later this year. However, they will not be the only high-marquee stores scheduled to open in Southern California in the next few months.
The Secret Formula to Find and Keep Online Customers
Technology
When the online shopping site Ruche started analyzing the buying habits of its customers, it found that 50 percent of the company’s revenues were coming from 25 percent of its return customers.
LA Fashion Awards Scene
LA Fashion Week
Mikey Koffman and Endless Road Entertainment have released a video of highlights from this year’s LA Fashion Awards in Hollywood.
Trade Show Booth Design; Making the Big Statement in a Small Space
Trade Show
To draw buyers’ attention at noisy, sprawling trade shows, exhibitors employ merchandising schemes from the baroque to elegant simplicity.
Shop & Dine
Trade Show
Now that the economy is moving forward, the number of new restaurants and clothing stores is starting to pop again. Here’s our take on some fun and interesting boutiques and restaurants to explore when you are out and about attending your favorite trade show.
Retailers: FCC Ruling on Net Neutrality Will Create Turmoil for E-tail
E-commerce
The Federal Communications Commission approved proposed changes to net-neutrality rules on May 15, and e-commerce executives are seeing big roadblocks to their booming business.
Buyers Market: What’s New for Trade Shows in 2014
Trade Shows
California Apparel News caught up with several trade-show organizers—from the giant companies with a huge portfolio of shows to the boutique shows merchandised with a highly curated mix. Here’s what they had to say about buyer tools, perks and resources in the coming year.
Retailers: If FCC Changes Net Neutrality, There Will Be Turmoil
E-commerce
E-commerce executives see big road blocks to their booming business if the Federal Communications Commission changes rules on net neutrality Thursday.
