EVENTS
Sanctuary Enters Owned Retail With Beverly Hills Flagship
By Alexandra Romero, Contributing Writer | March 6, 2026
After nearly three decades as a wholesale- and D2C-driven contemporary label, Sanctuary has entered owned retail with the debut of its first flagship, on Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 27.
Vans Starts Americas Division
Vans Inc. announced that a new division has been formed at the Cypress, Calif.–based skate brand, which is owned by VF Corp. The new Americas division will handle the popular skate company’s business from Canada to Chile, said Doug Palladini, recently named vice president/general manager for the Americas. He formerly served as Vans global vice president of marketing. He started his new job May 6. Before the reorganization, general managers for different regions in the Western Hemisphere worked independently. With the new organization, they will report directly to Palladini, who said it will be a more efficient, profitable way of conducting business. The new Americas division is organized in a similar way to Vans’ other global divisions, one for Europe, the Middle East and Africa and a third division that handles Vans’ business for Asia and the Pacific. Vans will focus on expanding sales domestically and abroad, Palladini said. He declined to state the company’s 2012 sales, but he said that Vans’ sales were $300 million in 2004, when it was acquired by VF Corp.—Andrew Asch
Guess Wins Gucci Lawsuit in Italy
Guess Inc. has won the second round in a series of trademark cases it has been battling with Gucci.
Forever 21 Sues Discount Stores for Trademark Infringement
Los Angeles fast-fashion retailer Forever 21 is suing several jobbers and discount apparel stores in a case that could have resounding effects on the off-price merchandise market.
U.S. Senate Passes Online-Sales-Tax Bill
Online sales taxes could be the law of the land.
Urban Outfitters Coming to the Historic Rialto Theatre in Downtown LA
Urban Outfitters is living up to its name. It’s going really urban.
Nike, Disney, Other Brands Join Otis in New Sustainability Drive
Otis College of Art + Design is launching the “Otis Sustainability Alliance,” a partnership between industry leaders from the fashion, design, art and higher-education communities who are dedicated in collaborating to create environmental, social and economic change.
P.J. Salvage Boutique to Fred Segal
Casual chic will get even more space to stretch out at the high-profile Fred Segal compound of boutiques in Santa Monica, Calif.
Guess Names New Chief Design Officer
Guess? Inc. named Sharleen Ernster Lazear as the chief design officer for the Los Angeles–headquartered denim lifestyle brand.
Acne to Open Flagship in Downtown LA
Downtown Los Angeles contemporary retail received a big vote of confidence when prominent Swedish contemporary label Acne Studios
Get This App Seeks to Break TV Retail Out of Test Pattern
Get This Corp. wants to push television’s possibilities.
Quiksilver Names New Retail Exec
Another former Disney executive was hired by surf giant Quiksilver Inc.
New VP for Arden B
Tamara Chamberlain started her new job, leading Wet Seal Inc.’s long-suffering Arden B division, on April 15.
Gap Unveils Global Strategies
Gap Inc. is serious about becoming the top apparel company in the world.
