Strong Start for 2021 Trade-Show Season at Dallas Market
TRADE EVENTS
Buyer attendance was up during the recent Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market, with first-time visitors flocking to the event at the Dallas Market Center following a lackluster 2020.
Vans Foot the Bill Initiative Returns, Will Support Black-Owned Businesses in February
RETAIL
With the return of its "Foot the Bill" campaign, action-sports brand Vans is supporting small businesses. During February, all partners will be Black-owned businesses with additional actions taken during Black History Month to support these retailers.
Kitson to Pacific Palisades
RETAIL
Kitson boutiques are on the move, as founder Fraser Ross opened a new, permanent location at 15248 Sunset Blvd., in Los Angeles’ exclusive Pacific Palisades neighborhood on Jan. 28.
Insight into Luxe Resale With The RealReal’s Debut ‘Luxury Consignment Report’
TRENDS IN LUXURY RESALE
As apparel resale continues to gain momentum, San Francisco–headquartered luxury marketplace The RealReal recently issued its 2021 “Luxury Consignment Report.”
AG Celebrates 20 Years With Several New Collections
ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
The Los Angeles–based denim and knitwear label AG is observing its 20th anniversary in 2021 and will celebrate by rolling out a number of collections throughout the year.
Playboy X Steve Aoki's Dim Mak Unveiled
FASHION
The Playboy magazine mascot of a rabbit wearing a bowtie has been one of the most recognizable pop-culture images of the past 65 years. Recently, Playboy Labs, a new division of Playboy Enterprises, has been finding new ventures for the Playboy Bunny,
NuOrder Unveils New B2B Payment System
DIGITAL PAYMENTS
NuOrder, a Los Angeles–headquartered business-to-business e-commerce platform, announced Jan. 25 that it has introduced NuOrder Payments.
California Lifts Stay-at-Home Orders
LEGAL
With most California counties at a purple Tier 1 level of COVID-19 cases, the California Department of Public Health announced today that it was ending the regional Stay-at-Home order for all areas throughout the state.
FashionGo Week to Launch Second Virtual Edition in February
VIRTUAL TRADE EVENTS
Fashion-wholesale marketplace FashionGo will host its second virtual FashionGo Week event Feb. 8-12, following the success of its August debut during the summer trade-show season.
NTWRK Hires Colby Black of Urban Outfitters
RETAIL
NTWRK, a Los Angeles-headquartered mobile-first video-shopping platform, has aimed to be a pioneer in digital commerce since launching in 2018. It announced on Jan. 13 that it had hired Colby Black, an executive from Urban Outfitters, to be its first chief merchandising officer.
After 81 Years Selling Hat Supplies, Unique DTLA Shop May Close
Retail
The California Millinery Supply Co., located at 721 S. Spring St. in downtown Los Angeles’ Fashion District, sells hat-making supplies and accessories. For decades, film, television and theater productions, fashion designers and craftspeople have purchased hat frames, feathers, ribbons and veiling to make period headwear as well as new styles.
2020 Holiday Sales Beat NRF Forecasts
Retail
The National Retail Federation reported on Jan. 15 that business for the 2020 holiday season was surprisingly strong. Sales grew 8.3 percent to $789.4 billion, beating the prominent trade group’s forecast of 3.6 percent to 5.2 percent growth.
Surf Expo Returns to Orlando With First On-site Event in a Year
Surf Expo Returns
Returning to its home at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Surf Expo, the major trade show for the water-sports and beach-lifestyle categories, was held Jan. 6–8. While the Emerald Expositions–owned Surf Expo relied on its digital edition Sept. 16–18, Surf Expo Connect, many in the industry felt it was time to return to the trade-show floor.
A Source of Inspiration for 2021 at Virtual Texworld and Apparel Sourcing
Trade Shows
With its first big show of 2021 occurring virtually Jan. 12–14, Messe Frankfurt Fashion and Apparel Show Director, Jennifer Bacon said, “We were extremely pleased with both the exhibitor and attendee participation. It was very similar to our premier edition this past July. We are excited to continue serving the textile-sourcing community through our virtual platform as we look forward to returning to face-to-face events.”
The Show Must Go On ... Virtually
Design Debut
Following the postponement of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising’s Spring 2020 FIDM Debut, selected emerging student designers showcased their creations during a Dec. 10 virtual runway presentation.
At CMC Uploaded, Dan Jablons of Retail Smart Guys Discusses Plans for 2021
Retail
Dan Jablons moonlights as an actor and appeared on the television show “Curb Your Enthusiasm” as the lawyer for comedian Larry David. But for more than 15 years he has run the Los Angeles–headquartered consultancy Retail Smart Guys.
Biden Proposes New COVID-19 Lifelines
Finance
Before becoming the 46th United States president, Joe Biden unveiled the American Rescue Plan on Jan. 14, a proposed $1.9-trillion program that his incoming administration said will put the U.S. economy back on its feet after 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With Digital Commerce Surging, Social Media Looks for Its Place in Retail
Technology
Social media has minted its own internet celebrities, but many entrepreneurs are trying to judge whether platforms such as Instagram and Facebook will make fortunes for retailers.
Buyers and Brands Work Together During L.A. Market Week to Protect Businesses
Trade Shows
As Los Angeles County continued to grapple with surging COVID-19 numbers, apparel businesses worked together to fortify their operations. During L.A. Market Week, which was held Jan. 10–14 in downtown Los Angeles, showrooms welcomed buyers to view lines in person while they also afforded the option of online meetings via Zoom.
