Coolibar Acquired by California Company
Manufacturing
Minneapolis-based sun-protective apparel and accessories maker Coolibar Inc. has been acquired by Olivarius Hospitality California, a Santa Barbara, Calif.–based company owned by Olivier Leclercq.
Andrew Richard Named VP Regional Sales for ASICS America
Manufacturing
Irvine, Calif.–based ASICS America Corp., the U.S. headquarters of Japanese footwear and athletic apparel brand ASICS, has named sportswear industry veteran Andrew Richard vice president of regional sales for the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
Silicon Valley–Based EFI Acquires Optitex
Technology
Electronics For Imaging Inc., a printing technology firm based in Fremont, Calif., has acquired Israel-based design software firm Optitex Ltd. for approximately $52.8 million.
FMNC Draws Retailers from Pacific Northwest—and Beyond
Trade Shows
Fashion Market Northern California, the apparel and accessories trade show in San Mateo, Calif., typically draws retailers from across Northern California as well as a few from neighboring states. But during the show’s recent June 26–28 run at the San Mateo Event Center, exhibitors reported seeing buyers from as far away as Pennsylvania and Georgia.
Fraser Ross Files Suit Against Attorneys for Malpractice Over Kitson’s Demise
Retail
Retailer Fraser Ross filed a lawsuit for legal malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty against Los Angeles law firm Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP in Los Angeles County Superior Court on July 1.
Kornit Says New Vulcan Printers Can Reduce Cost Per Print by 40 Percent
Technology
Commercial printing solutions provider Kornit Digital North American is preparing to begin shipping its Vulcan system.
Tim Gunn Returns to Speak at Gerber Ideation 2016
Technology
“Project Runway” star Tim Gunn will be speaking about the convergence of fashion and technology at Gerber Technology’s Ideation technology conference in Miami Beach, Fla.
Hyosung Launching Creora Fresh
Textiles
Hyosung, maker of Creora spandex, is introducing a new odor-neutralizing spandex fiber called Creora Fresh at the upcoming Interfilière show in France.
Amaiò Swim: Cross-Cultural Collection Inspired by Couture
Amaiò Swim
Samantha Khoury, the designer of Los Angeles–based Amaiò Swim, spent her early years traveling between the east and west coasts of the United States as well as France and Lebanon. This cross-cultural and cross-continental upbringing informs her recently launched swimwear collection, which is also inspired by Khoury’s studies in studio fine arts, literature and fashion design.
Koru: Kiwi-Inspired
Kiwi-Inspired
Koru Swimwear is based in Florida but inspired by New Zealand. Founder Julie Stine drew on her New Zealander heritage when she named her swimwear collection for the Maori word for “spiral,” which symbolizes new life, hope, spiritual growth, purity and peace.
Kacey|Shana: From Beach to Poolside to Yoga Studio
Kacey|Shana
The Kacey|Shana collection is designed to adapt to an active lifestyle that may include swimming, surfing, lounging poolside or hitting the gym.
Australian Label We Are Handsome Relocating to L.A.
We Are Handsome
We Are Handsome designers Jeremy and Katinka Somers launched their swimwear collection in 2009 with an emphasis on the couple’s shared love for travel, design and “the occasional tropical adventure.”
Flipping out over Nike’s new tennis dress
Nike created a new tennis dress for the female players at Wimbledon—and the pleated style is not going over well.
Ora et Labora Pops Up in Silver Lake
Last weekend, traveling pop-up marketplace Ora et Labora came to Los Angeles.
Shop.org Adds to Board, Prepares for Digital Events in California, Texas
Retail
Shop.org, the digital retail division of the Washington, D.C.–based National Retail Federation, added five new board members, bringing the board total to 12.
Tukatech Appoints Director for Europe
Technology
Los Angeles–based technology solutions provider Tukatech Inc. named Marta Maiandi director of Tukatech Europe.
Epson Acquires 100 Percent Stake in Italian Textile Printing Firm
Technology
Epson Italia S.p.A., the Italian subsidiary of printing company Epson, is acquiring a 100 percent stake in the Italian textile printing business Fratelli Robustelli S.r.l.
Fashion on the Runway from SMC Fashion and Merchandising Students
SMC Fashion
On June 16, students in Santa Monica College’s fashion design and merchandising program showcased their creations on the runway at Santa Monica High School’s Barnum Hall in Santa Monica, Calif.
Roicom USA: Texas Factory With High-Tech, Denim Expertise and Social Message Looks to L.A.
Manufacturing
Roicom USA’s sister production company, ReadyOne, employs the severely disabled to produce apparel and equipment for the U.S. military.
Couture for a Canine Cause
The California Market Center has teamed up with Wags and Walks dog rescue organization to host a charity sample sale and dog adoption fair on July 29 in CMC’s top-floor penthouse in downtown Los Angeles.
Survey: Fit Issues Impact Shopping Decisions Online and In-Store
Technology
Nearly 60 percent of shoppers say they would buy more often if they could be assured of consistent fit, according to a recently released study by Body Labs, a New York–based company that creates and customises 3-D models of the human body.
Benjamin Seigel Joins Greenberg & Bass
Legal
Longtime apparel-industry attorney Benjamin S. Seigel has joined Greenberg & Bass LLP as senior counsel to the firm, based in Los Angeles’ Encino area.
New Sourcing, Textile Trade Show Launching in Toronto
Trade Shows
Garment factories and fabric mills from around the world will show at the inaugural Apparel Textile Sourcing Expo, which will bow Aug. 22–24 at the International Centre in Toronto.
UBM Launching Sourcing@Coterie in September
Trade Shows
UBM—producer of the MAGIC, Project and FN Platform trade shows—is adding a sourcing component to its contemporary Coterie trade show in New York.
Art Institute of California-Hollywood’s “Spotlight” Runway Show Highlights Award-Winning Designs
AIC Runway Show
Students from the Art Institute of California—Hollywood presented their designs at a runway show complete with a sweeping backdrop of the Verdugo Mountains.
The Dreslyn Launches Beauty
Contemporary e-commerce retailer The Dreslyn has added beauty products to its mix.
Whimsy + Row: Pop-up + Capsule Line
To celebrate the launch of the first capsule collection by Whimsy + Row, the lifestyle e-tailer/retailer is hosting a pop-up shop at MILKMADE LA in Los Angeles’ Venice neighborhood.
Elaine Kim: Stretch Out & Party
Designer Elaine Kim celebrated the expansion of her retail store with a party in the newly expanded space on Los Angeles’ on West Third Street.
Anna Does Stand-Up
Schumer does Vogue
It's like a modern-day #freakyfriday. Amy Schumer and Anna Wintour trade places for a day. Guess who wins.
Konus Pop-up at EDC Vegas
Los Angeles streetwear Konus Brand is popping up RIGHT NOW at the Electric Daisy Carnival festival in Las Vegas.
MRket and Project to Co-locate in New York
Trade Shows
MRket and Project menswear trade shows will share the same show floor at the Javits Center during the two shows’ July 17–19 run in New Yor
Barbara Fields Reopening Buying Office
Retail
Barbara Fields Buying Office is reopening at the California Market Center.
CurveNV Moving to Mandalay Bay, Co-locating With Project Women’s
Trade Shows
CurveNV will move to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, where it will co-locate with UBM’s Project Womens trade show during the shows’ Aug. 15–17 run.
Brigade LA Moving to LA Live in DTLA
Retail
Brigade LA is moving to a new space at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles.
Retail Sales Declines in May, NRF Predicts Father’s Day Uptick
Most large retailers reported sales declines in May, but a recent NRF survey points to increased spending in June.
Chrome Hearts’ Model Family
Cindy Crawford and her daughter Gaia Gerber appear in the latest issue of Chrome Hearts' magazine.
If You Like It, Put a Crown on It
Beauty app Perfect365 is giving Beyonce fans a chance to try on the Laurel DeWitt crown like the one Bey wears in Coldplay's "Hymn for the Weekend" video.
NetSuite Introduces Software Designed for Apparel and Accessories Retailers
Technology
San Jose, Calif.–based enterprise resource planning (ERP) and omni-channel software provider NetSuite Inc. has a new solution designed specifically for apparel and accessories retailers.
Kingpins Launching China City Tour, Changing Hong Kong Schedule
Trade Shows
Boutique denim trade show Kingpins will kick off a new multi-city concept in September called Kingpins China City Tour.
LA Market Draws Western Retailers Looking for Everything from Immediates to Resort
LA Market
Business was surprisingly good during the June 6–9 run of Los Angeles Fashion Market despite a schedule that overlapped with several other regional markets as well as the California primary election.
Couture from the Colleagues’ Closets
When Beverly Hills philanthropic organization The Colleagues says they practice “Philanthropy through Fashion from the best closets in town,” they’re not kidding around.
Kitross Opens on Robertson
Robertson retail chain Kitson may be gone. But in its place is Kitross, the new retail boutique opened by original Kitson owner Fraser Ross.
Showroom Profile: Anonymous 213
New Lines
The Anonymous 213 showroom in the Cooper Design Space is a work in progress. Co-owner Eric Wheeler is building a shoe wall, adding a kitchen area with a sliding door and renovating an outdoor patio to make a tranquil seating area with white walls and green plants.
Trend Forecaster Barbara Fields Retires
Fashion
After 35 years tracking trends, Barbara Fields is retiring and closing her Barbara Fields Buying Office at the California Market Center in Los Angeles.
300 Years of Menswear
If you have not yet seen "Reining Men” at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (or even if you have), now is your chance to see the costume exhibition with the experts.
Wolk Morais Takes on the LA Nightlife
Wolk Morais
It was all about the LA nightlife for the third Wolk Morais collection since designers Brian Wolk and Claude Morais relocated from New York to Los Angeles. The designers debuted the collection on the runway on May 24 at Giorgio’s nightclub at The Standard Hotel in Hollywood.
