Liberty Fairs Unveils Virtual Trade Show
Trade Shows
Liberty Fairs introduced its first virtual trade show on Aug. 17, co-produced with the Joor wholesale marketplace. The virtual trade show enjoyed more than 1,800 unique visits to its site, libertyfairs.com, on the first day of the show, said Edwina Kulego, the new Liberty Fairs vice president, who joined the trade-show producer in July.
Core Surf-and-Skate Retailers Saw Big Rally
Swim/Surf
Surf-and-skate retailers have been riding one of the few silver-lined waves for their businesses in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many team sports have been discouraged as public-health groups and government officials recommend safe practices to slow the spread. Gyms and fitness studios have been closed, but consumers looking for a new outlet have been discovering board sports, which don’t require being on a team or exercising indoors.
Hurley Family Unveils New Brand With Surf Star
Swim/Surf
John John Florence, a two-time world champion surfer, recently announced that he was starting a new brand called Florence Marine X. Scheduled to launch for Spring 2021, Florence Marine X will offer men’s apparel, board shorts, wet suits and other categories.
Designers & Agents Goes Virtual
Trade Shows
Designers & Agents is the latest trade-show producer to announce that it will put together a virtual trade event.
Court Rules Landmark Fred Segal Sign on Former Location Must Go
Legal
A legal decision recently decided the fate of the Fred Segal sign on Los Angeles’ Melrose Avenue.
Brixton Charts a New Course With a Bricks-and-Mortar and New Lines
Brixton's New Course
After some 16 years in business, Brixton, headquartered in Oceanside, Calif., is going for a rebrand. The label with roots in action sports will unveil its new outlook with a bricks-and-mortar store in Encinitas, Calif., a town known for its surf shops such as the pioneering core board shop Hansen Surfboards.
Centi Closes Funding Round, Prepares Technology for Launch Later This Year
Technology
Founded in March, Zurich’s Centi Ltd. announced on Aug. 18 the closing of its first funding round. Bernhard Müller, who serves as the company’s chairman, launched the Bitcoin SV payments processor Centi as a technology that could adapt point-of-sale systems to accept these types of payments during retail transactions.
Deep, Smoky Denim and Cool Blues Define Ética for Fall 2020
Basically Beautiful
Approaching its denim with fresh features added to basic styles, responsibly made brand Ética added unexpected details with its notions, pockets and surprising updates to its pieces for Fall 2020.
Fall 2021 Blends Structure and Athleisure in Rich Hues With Pops of Dramatic Color
Fall 2021 Forecast
This season is marked by the liberating and positive force of color, which is something we feel more than we understand.
In the Pursuit of Happiness, Alexander Grant Launches _by.Alexander
Alexander Grant’s by.Alexander
After producing some of music’s most-popular songs over the last 20 years, Alexander Grant—known more widely as Alex da Kid—is venturing into luxury fashion with the launch of his _by.Alexander clothing.
Opok Introduces GOTS Certfied Boxer Briefs
MANUFACTURING
We’ve seen organic denim, T-shirts and dresses. San Francisco-headquartered brand Opok recently released an organic boxer-brief line. The boxers are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and organic dyes.
Rose Bowl Flea Market Goes Virtual
EVENTS
Looking for inspiration and treasure hunting at the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, Calif., has been a rite of passage for almost every creative in Los Angeles fashion.
Skechers Flagship Opens on Rue de Rivoli in Paris
RETAIL
Sneaker-and-lifestyle brand Skechers recently announced the opening of its Paris flagship on the city's Rue de Rivoli.
Fashion to Rally After COVID-19 but Must Make Changes, Report Says
RETAIL
PreciseTarget, a data-science and machine-learning market-research company headquartered in Bethesda, Md., recently released a forecast that predicted a recovery pathway for the fashion industry after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the study also forecasted that the pandemic would force the fashion business to make big changes.
July Retail Sales Up
RETAIL
Retail sales showed some momentum last month. The U.S. Census Bureau released numbers Aug. 14 that found overall retail sales during July increasing 2.7 percent in a year-over-year comparison and 1.2 percent compared to June.
Michael Relich to Helm PSEB, PacSun and Eddie Bauer Operator
RETAIL
Michael Relich was named interim chief executive officer for PSEB LLC, the operating company for Eddie Bauer LLC and Pacific Sunwear. Relich served as PSEB’s chief operating officer.
Lucky Brand Acquired by Group Including ABG and Simon Property
RETAIL
After a month following downtown Los Angeles–headquartered Lucky Brand Jeans' LLC’s chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the stalking-horse bidders Authentic Brands Group and Simon Property Group completed a deal to acquire the prominent jeans brand and retailer, according to an Aug. 14 ABG announcement.
With Fall/Winter 2020 Campaign, Michele Morrone Named the Face of Guess Men's
FASHION
With the launch of its Fall/Winter 2020 campaign, Guess? announced actor and singer Michele Morrone as the face of Guess Men's.
CFF and BDC to Host Inaugural Seminar Supporting Fashion’s Black Community
FASHION
Two Los Angeles–based fashion organizations have joined forces to create a program that will support business development within the fashion community’s Black population.
