GiveAwae, a New Digital Platform, Aims to Bridge E-Commerce Gap
RETAIL
There is a digital divide in the business world, said entrepreneur Daniel Ejekwu, who is changing the digital landscape for small and medium-sized businesses when he launches GiveAwae on Jan. 13.
Emerald Acquires PlumRiver, Creator of the Elastic Suite Platform
Emerald Acquires PlumRiver
The business-to-business platform builder Emerald Holdings, Inc., announced its acquisition of the business-to-business e-commerce and digital-merchandising solutions provider PlumRiver to cultivate its software-as-a-service technology.
Fashion Medical Scrubs Label FIGS Hires CFO from Domino’s Pizza
Manufacturing
FIGS, a fashion medical-scrubs label headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., gained notice for selling stylish medical uniforms to healthcare professionals with a direct-to-consumer model. In the past few years, it has also rolled out fashion label–style media campaigns that featured prominent billboard ads for its products in trendy Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Show-in-a-Box by Preface Provides Tactile Experience for Virtual Textile Event
Preface-in-a-Box
After a few years hosting a boutique-style textile show in New York, Preface launched its Los Angeles edition early in 2020 during January L.A. Market Week to a responsive group of attendees who were seeking a more-intimate fabric event. Since then, Betsy Franjola, founder of BFF Studio and Preface, began to cultivate a fresh approach to events during the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. By thinking outside the trade-show floor, Franjola developed a concept by thinking inside the box.
Nathalia Gaviria’s Romantic Apocalypse Vision Reflected in NG Gold S/S 2021
Simpler Times
Nathalia Gaviria’s campaign for her Spring/Summer 2021 NG Gold collection nods to a romantic time prior to the obsession of modern technology, while providing commentary on environmental threats and hope for protection of the planet.
Swim Line Zonarch Jumps Waves to Make Debut
Swim/Surf
For years, Geneviève Andre de la Porte dreamed of bringing a sustainable, direct-to-consumer swimwear brand to market. She was originally scheduled to unveil Zonarch in March, but as state and local governments issued stay-at-home orders she thought it prudent to postpone the launch date, not the least because her sources for regenerated nylon fabrics had to close their factories, and other factories she worked with shifted gears to making personal protective equipment.
Swiminista Ready to Roll Out New Collection for Post-COVID-19 World
Swim/Surf
Andréa Bernholtz, founder of the Calabasas, Calif., Swiminista brand of women’s swimwear, forecasted a post-pandemic boom as she prepared to roll out the second collection of her brand’s collaboration line The House of Christian Lacroix x Swiminista.
With Holiday Sales Up, Now Retailers Must Strategize for 2021
Retail
Initial reports from the 2020 holiday season were recently released, and retail sales experienced growth during a year fraught with challenges. Retail sales charted from Oct. 11 to Dec. 24 grew 3 percent, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which researches consumer spending on the Mastercard payments network.
Platinum Equity Takes Controlling Stake in Mad Engine
Manufacturing
It was announced on Jan. 4 that Platinum Equity, a Los Angeles–headquartered investment firm, acquired a controlling stake in Mad Engine, a San Diego–based apparel and accessories company that designs, produces and distributes licensed, branded and private-label products.
Performance Brand Athleta Unveils Sleep Line
ACTIVEWEAR
Gap Inc’s Athleta brand has been devoted to women’s performance apparel for more than 20 years. On Jan. 5, the San Francisco-headquartered brand unveiled a line made for rest.
LRG For Coca-Cola Collaboration Line Unveiled
FASHION
Lifted Research Group was considered as one of the pioneers of the California streetwear scene after starting business in 1999. It wrapped up its 21st year in business by releasing a collaboration line—The LRG for Coca-Cola Collection.
Venmo to Begin Check-Cashing Service as Clients Receive Stimulus Payments
PAYMENT TECHNOLOGY
Social-payment application Venmo is entering the check-cashing business with its new Cash a Check feature.
Louis Vuitton x Urs Fischer Capsule Makes a Debut
FASHION
The Louis Vuitton fashion house started off 2021 by releasing a capsule handbag line reflecting its latest collaboration—Louis Vuitton x Urs Fischer.
Viva LA! Brand Makes a Debut
FASHION
Pop artist Andre Miripolsky’s work has graced murals in the Los Angeles area, as well as logos and graphics for bands such as The Rolling Stones. His latest venture, a brand called Viva LA!
Wonder Woman-style Shoe Complements "Wonder Woman 1984" Release
FOOTWEAR
A collaboration between Warner Bros. Pictures Group and Biion Footwear has led to the release of a Wonder Woman-inspired shoe that aligned with the movie's Dec. 25 release.
As New Workplace Rules Go Into Effect, SB 62 Is Introduced
LEGAL
As the year ends, the California legislature started on a new round of bills for the 2021–2022 session, which includes SB 62, a bill that could change the way garment workers are compensated.
Supreme Acquisition Completed by VF Corporation
MANUFACTURING
Denver-headquartered VF Corporation, which owns Vans, Timberland, The North Face and Dickies announced Dec. 28 that it had completed its acquisition of New York-headquartered street-and-skatewear brand Supreme.
Fashion-Tech Startup StyleScan Aims to Disrupt Fashion Photography
TECHNOLOGY
After two years in development, the Los Angeles–headquartered fashion-technology startup StyleScan will officially emerge from stealth mode and make a debut in the business-to-business market, said Larissa Posner, the company’s founder.
Anderson Munger Family YMCA and FIDM Host Clothing Distribution
FASHION EVENTS
This holiday season, the Anderson Munger Family YMCA located in Los Angeles’ Koreatown distributed more than 2,000 new pieces of cold-weather clothing following a donation from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising’s FIDM Scholarship Foundation.
