Urban Outfitters Debuts
A highly anticipated Urban Outfitters opened at 810 S. Broadway Dec. 19, and some executives for the hipster emporium dropped by the new shop at a debut party on Dec. 18.
Carlos Arias Joins Walter Wilhelm Associates
Most people know Carlos Arias as the blue-jeans guy. For several years, he was president of Guatemala-based American Denimatrix, the largest blue-jeans manufacturer in Central America.
Shareholders Group Seeks to Take Wet Seal Private
After more than two decades of being a public company, The Wet Seal Inc., based in Foothill Ranch, Calif., might go private.
Carlos Alberini Named New CEO at Lucky Brand Jeans
Just days after Fifth & Pacific Companies announced it was selling Lucky Brand Jeans to a Los Angeles private-investment firm, Carlos Alberini has been tapped to be the new chief executive.
Majority Shareholder Bids to Take Frederick’s of Hollywood Private
After years of losing money, executives at lingerie retailer Frederick’s of Hollywood Group said they have accepted an offer to take the company private.
LA’s Alameda Square Adds E-commerce Site GoJane
Alameda Square—the business complex in downtown Los Angeles that houses American Apparel, Splendid and Ella Moss, Groceries Apparel, and HauteLook’s photo studio—has added another fashion tenant: Los Angeles–based e-tailer GoJane.
Economic Indicators for 2013 Show Signs of Recovery and Continued Struggle
The editors of California Apparel News look at the top indicators for the past year to distill the industry’s recovery by the numbers.
2013 RETROSPECTIVE Import/Export: China Still at the Center of U.S. Apparel and Textile Imports
Consumers loosened their purse strings this year and spent nearly 3.5 percent more on apparel and textile imports than last year.
2013 RETROSPECTIVE Real Estate: Retail Space Scarce in Prime LA Shopping Streets
Vacancies are getting harder to find in Los Angeles as more stores cruise for good locations in some of the more popular retail areas of town.
2013 RETROSPECTIVE Employment: Apparel and Textile Jobs Decline in 2013
California may be the apparel manufacturing center of the country, but the region continued to shed apparel manufacturing and textile jobs in 2013.
2013 RETROSPECTIVE Retail Sales: Major Retailers and Off-Pricers
2013 was a good year for major retailers and off-pricers.
2013 RETROSPECTIVE Retail Sales: Specialty Retail
Even as Victoria’s Secret hosted its high-profile annual fashion show, broadcast on Dec. 11 on CBS, L Brands, the chain’s parent company, was reporting a slowdown at the beginning of the crucial season.
Industry Joins Forces to Bring Christmas to Local Children
The Textile Association of Los Angeles and the California Fashion Foundation hosted the 66th Annual Christmas Party for local boys and girls organizations on Dec. 11 at the Cooper Design Space in downtown Los Angeles.
