Port of Los Angeles, Oakland Report Record Cargo Surge
Import/Export
The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Oakland both reported a record cargo surge in March.
Asesina Designs Looks to Lift Fashions for Woman Athletes
Manufacturing
In the past few years, more media attention has been paid to women’s sports and leading female athletes such as Serena Williams, Megan Rapinoe and Naomi Osaka, who have become mainstream celebrities. Osaka has inked deals to represent leading fashion and beauty brands. Williams and Rapinoe have developed their own fashion lines.
Liberty Fairs, LA Men’s Market Announce New Liberty Fairs: Los Angeles Event
Trade Shows
A new on-site trade-show experience is on the calendar with Liberty Fairs: Los Angeles, which will take place Aug. 4–5 with Liberty Fairs and LA Men’s Market rolled into a single show. The fresh event will take the place of Liberty Fairs’ semiannual appearance in Las Vegas, with the Los Angeles show also planned for February 2022.
Silq Smooths Out Transparency Issues Within the Apparel Supply Chain
Technology
Supply-chain management continues to evolve and, at the forefront of that evolution, San Jose, Calif.’s Silq leads the way. Founded in March 2020 by Ram Radhakrishnan, the company’s chief executive officer, and Kate Alexander, vice president of operations, the company serves as a manager of production, extending the reach of a client brand’s sourcing and merchandising abilities by utilizing the expertise of local industry professionals in India; Guangzhou, China; and Ho Chi Minh City.
Lezat Enjoys Giving Back Through Ethical, Eco Production
Lezat’s Ethical Apparel
Starting an apparel career as a factory owner can prove demanding for even the most-driven person, but Jaleh Factor wanted to do more. In 2020, after six years making private-label apparel for customers in the activewear, swimwear, knits and wovens categories, Factor decided to shift her business, Sewby, last year to create masks when the need for personal protective equipment soared with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Epson Pushes Ahead in Printer Innovation With New Releases
Technology
At Epson America, Inc., the first half of 2021 has seen the release of new printers that will serve the needs of an evolving apparel industry. Earlier this year, the company unveiled its SureColor F3070, an industrial direct-to-garment printer and, on April 13, it released its industrial-level SureColor F10070H 76-inch-wide dye-sublimation machine.
California Designers Named as Finalists for CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund
FASHION CARES
The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund announced its 2021 finalists on April 27 and Los Angeles-based designers were among those selected. Both House of Aama by Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka, and designer Kenneth Nicholson were among the 10 finalists for this year’s award.
Lenzing and RCGD Continue to Share Eco Couture at the Oscars
SUSTAINABLE FASHION
For the second consecutive year, fiber provider Lenzing and the sustainable-fashion advocacy group Red Carpet Green Dress joined together to bring more-sustainable options to elegant dressing during this year’s Oscars, which was held on April 25.
Timberland Aims to Build Footwear’s First Regenerative Rubber Supply System
SUSTAINABILITY
Timberland is aiming to build the world’s first regenerative rubber supply system for footwear by 2023.
New Watson Capabilities From IBM Afford Trustworthy AI to Businesses
AI FOR BUSINESS
Announcing new capabilities for its Watson business artificial-intelligence technology, Armonk, N.Y.-headquartered IBM revealed fresh approaches that it hopes will build trust in data and AI.
Malibu Barbie x L*SPACE Capsule Celebrates the Doll's 50th Anniversary
SWIM & SURF
To celebrate Malibu Barbie’s 50th anniversary, Mattel teamed up with L*SPACE to release a limited-edition capsule on April 12.
Red Carpet Green Dress Launches RCGD App
SUSTAINABLE FASHION
Red Carpet Green Dress announced the launch of its digital RCGD App on Thursday. The application is currently available to download through the Apple Store and Google Play Store.
Second Spin by Outerknown Launches as the Brand's First Circular Collection
EARTH DAY
Ahead of this year's Earth Day on April 22, Culver City, Calif., Outerknown announced the release of its Second Spin circular-knits collection.
Mastercard Supports Women of Color With Multimillion-Dollar Investment
FUNDING UNDERSERVED BUSINESS LEADERS
Mastercard announced on April 20 its commitment to help further access to funding for Black women with a multimillion-dollar investment in Fearless Fund, created by women of color for women of color.
Maison Kitsuné Releases Its Own L.A. Style at New Store
RETAIL
The Maison Kitsuné brand opened its first West Coast store in Los Angeles’ Silver Lake neighborhood in February. The Paris-headquartered brand is already laying claim to some Los Angeles style.
DJM Recapitalizes Lido Marina Village, Updates Center’s Looks, Stores
Retail
DJM, a lifestyle-retail-center developer with offices in Los Angeles and San Jose, Calif., recently announced a $70 million recapitalization of its Lido Marina Village retail center in Newport Beach, Calif.
Cooper Design Space To Remain Committed to Fashion, Owners Unveil New Company Name
Trade Shows
In a fast-changing downtown Los Angeles, the Cooper Design Space showroom building will maintain its focus on fashion, said the building’s management; however, the owners will be unveiling changes before May, such as a new name for the Cooper and its sibling buildings—The Hirsh Collective—as well as new websites, logos and social-media outreach.
For Spring 2021, Johnny Was Shares Bright, Bohemian, Desert-Inspired Styles
Desert Blossoms
For its Spring 2021 collection, Johnny Was sought inspiration from desert elements such as the beauty of a warm sunset set against a glorious cool blue sky.
Jim Watterson, Fashion Veteran and Beloved Los Angeles Cultural Icon
Remembering Jim Watterson
Upon the March 30 death of Jim Watterson in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Los Angeles’ fashion and humanitarian lights dimmed. A graduate of the University of Washington, Watterson was born May 12, 1935, in Seattle, moving to Los Angeles in 1964. A founding male-affiliate member of The Fashion Group International, New York, he joined the May Department Stores Company in 1977, serving 22 years, rising to vice president of public relations and special events.
