INDUSTRY ISSUES
The Desktop Revolution: How xTool is Democratizing Industrial-Grade Apparel Printing
| May 1, 2026
In the traditional apparel manufacturing landscape, the bridge between a creative concept and a finished garment has long been guarded by high entry barriers, complex industrial workflows, and prohibitive costs. However, a seismic shift is occurring. xTool, which has rapidly ascended to become the world’s second-largest DTF (Direct-to-Film) brand by GMV, is dismantling these barriers.
Byer California Closes Northern California Warehouse to Concentrate on Southern California Distribution Center
Byer California, the long-time juniorswear manufacturer headquartered in San Francisco, is laying off 99 employees as it consolidates its Northern California warehouse with its Los Angeles distribution center.
Co-Working Creative Space to Open This Summer in the California Market Center
Construction workers are just starting to put up the walls for a new co-working area by IgnitedSpaces, which will take up an entire floor in one of the California Market Center buildings.
Apparel Manufacturer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Hiding Income in Israeli Banks
Masud Sarshar, known for taking a heritage workwear brand and converting it into a colorful pants collection under the Dickies Girl label, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for hiding more than $21 million in income and $2.5 million in interest in Israeli banks and avoiding U.S. taxes.
Lubov Azria Exits BCBGMaxAzria as Company Restructures
With the BCBGMaxAzria Group trying to restructure its business after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection days ago, the Los Angeles contemporary clothing company has replaced its chief creative director, Lubov Azria, whose husband founded the company.
Sunrise Brands Partners With Eva Longoria for New Collection
Eva Longoria, the actress known for her years on the TV series “Desperate Housewives,” is no stranger to fashion. Her role in the long-running nighttime soap opera portrayed her as a former model who was always elegantly dressed—even when she was living in the suburbs.
New Owners Lay Off More People at 7 For All Mankind, Splendid and Ella Moss
Eight months ago, Israeli-based Delta Galil acquired three Los Angeles premium brands from VF Corp. and then laid off 105 people.
Quiksilver Gets a New Name After Bankruptcy
With new owners running the show at Quiksilver Inc., it only seemed appropriate for a name change to go along with a revamped business model for the surfwear and skatewear retailer.
Obituary: Los Angeles Manufacturer Jerry Leigh, 94
Jerry Leigh, founder of Jerry Leigh of California, died on Feb. 8. He was 94.
East Coast Sports Apparel Maker Mitchell & Ness Moving to Irvine
The North American licensed sportswear business is estimated to be a multi-billion-dollar market, and Philadelphia-headquartered brand Mitchell & Ness is making a gambit for a bigger chunk of it. It is scheduled to open its first West Coast office and a distribution center by mid-March in Irvine, Calif.
Nasty Gal Offices to Remain Open in Los Angeles
After being acquired by British-based online fashion retailer BooHoo.com for $20 million, Nasty Gal is marching forward with its same website and smaller offices in Los Angeles, as well as work spaces in New York, London and Manchester, England.
BCBGMaxAzria Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection
BCBGMaxAzriaGroup, the decades-old Los Angeles apparel company that was one of the first on the contemporary fashion scene, will keep stores open during bankruptcy proceedings.
CottonlinksCA: Luxury Blanks Produced Close-to-Home
Robby Khalek has been producing apparel—domestically and overseas—for well-known brands for nearly 20 years. Recently, he saw a void in the market for a well-made blank T-shirt and launched CottonlinksCA.
Brooks Joins Element
David Brooks was named global general manager of Irvine, Calif.–headquartered brand Element, a division of Billabong International Ltd.
Emi-G Knitting: Domestic Sock Maker Finds Fresh Opportunities in Organic Market
Gina Locklear had wanted to join her family’s sock-manufacturing business in Fort Payne, Ala., since she was in college. That was in the early 2000s, when the U.S. industry’s decline was in full swing. Momentum toward cheap imported socks was robbing the northeastern Alabama town of its revered reputation as the “Sock Capital of the World.”
AAPN Conference: Speed to Market Is More Important Than Ever
Maybe everybody should look to Zara—the highly successful Spanish retail chain that can churn out clothing collections in a few weeks—to survive these uncertain fashion times.
