2013 Newsmaker: Frances Harder, President, FBI
Former designer Frances Harder created Fashion Business Inc. in 1999 as a Los Angeles nonprofit group to help emerging fashion companies get off the ground. Currently, there are about 250 full-time FBI members, and 90 percent of the organization’s clients are minorities or women.
2013 Newsmaker: European Union Denim Tariff
At a time when the Obama administration has been trying to boost U.S. exports overseas, Europe this spring put a crimp in the president’s initiative.
2013 Newsmaker: Downtown LA as a Retail Destination
Already a destination for foodies, downtown Los Angeles is poised to become a destination for shoppers, as well.
2013 Newsmaker: The Battle for Billabong
The “annus horribilis” of surf giant Billabong International Ltd. might be coming to an end. For more than a year, the Australian-headquartered company was embroiled in bitter proxy fights and hobbled by plummeting stock value on the Australian Securities Exchange, all while running an international business without a permanent chief executive officer.
2013 Newsmaker: Apparel Mergers & Acquisitions
Some very big apparel deals went down this year with half of them involving some important names in the premium-denim arena.
2013 Newsmaker: Abbot Kinney, ‘Coolest Street In America,’ Stays Eclectic
Change has been a long time coming for Los Angeles’ stylish Abbot Kinney Boulevard.
Acne Studios Opening Doors Soon in Downtown LA
Acne Studios is braving downtown LA for its latest retail venture.
Tina + Jo: Artisanal P.O.V. in Ready-to-Wear Line
Tina + Jo is a ready-to-wear line, but every garment will offer a unique point of view.
Swim Maker Raj Opens New Factory in Santa Fe Springs
Tustin, Calif.–based Raj Manufacturing—maker of swimwear under the Athena, Next by Athena, Luxe by Lisa Vogel, Nautica, Guess, Ella Moss, Splendid, Hurley and Reef brands—opened a new manufacturing facility in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
Downtown Los Angeles Sports Chalet Wins Design Award
The Sports Chalet at FIGat7th retail center in downtown Los Angeles knocked it out of the park, at least when it comes to design.
TheSeventhLetter Flagship Opens; One Partner Is Agenda's Aaron Levant
With more than 1,000 people waiting in line to get inside the flagship store and art gallery of TheSeventhLetter at 346 N. Fairfax Ave. in Los Angeles on Dec. 7, the debut looked more like a movie premiere.
Lucky Brand Jeans Sold to Los Angeles Private-Equity Firm
Fifth & Pacific Companies, which used to be known as Liz Claiborne Inc., has agreed to sell Lucky Brand Jeans for $225 million to Leonard Green Partners, a Los Angeles private-equity company. The deal should close in early 2014.
Loyola Law School Carves Out a Program for Fashion Law
Law schools in the West have specialties in entertainment law, sports law and biotech law, but it is rare to find a school that has a concentration of classes devoted to fashion law.
