Materials Shows Postponed Due to Coronavirus Fears, but Première Vision Sport to be Held
Trade Shows
Due to continued concerns regarding the Coronavirus, trade-show producers American Events Inc. and Première Vision made major announcements today regarding scheduling of the NW Materials Show, NE Materials Show and Première Vision Sport, which had been organized for this and next week.
Vans Gets Comfy in Art Show
Vans introduced its ComfyCush footwear last year, but the Costa Mesa, Calif.-headquartered company only recently got around to partying for ComfyCush.
Vans Opens L.A. Fashion District Flagship for Locals and Global Visitors
RETAIL
The cradle of the sport and lifestyle of skateboarding is located in Los Angeles’ Venice section, Santa Monica, Calif., and parts of Orange County, Calif. But Vans, the Costa Mesa, Calif.–based brand credited for making the first skateboarding shoe, chose downtown Los Angeles’ fashion district as the location for its new flagship concept store.
Levi’s Launches XX Chino With Khalid
MANUFACTURING
Venerable denim brand Levi’s traveled into pop-culture land in 2019 by producing limited collections with Star Wars and Stranger Things. To start 2020, the San Francisco brand released its first chino line.
Amazon Reports Stellar 4th Quarter
Retail
Retail giant Amazon.com reported that its net sales increased 21 percent, to $87.4 billion in the fourth quarter of its 2019 fiscal year, compared with $72.4 billion in the fourth quarter of its 2018 fiscal year.
What’s Checking Malibu: Haven for Indie Stores
Malibu Indies
During a time when independent, multi-line stores are considered to be playing defense against digital retailers and mono-brand shops, Malibu, Calif., remains a haven for independent boutiques.
Forever 21 Auction Potentially Scheduled for Feb. 4
Retail
An auction for bankrupt retailer Forever 21 might be scheduled for as soon as Feb. 4, according to Bloomberg. A new owner for the Los Angeles–based fast-fashion retailer might be announced as soon as Feb. 11.
After A Decade, Malibu To Build a Retail Center
Retail
Malibu has been taking steps to give a final approval to start construction of Malibu La Paz Ranch, a new retail center, it will be one of the only new retail centers to be constructed in Malibu in more than a decade.
Startup SeeBiz Wants To Introduce Social CRM
Technology
Nadeem Ballaj has worked on all sides of business, ranging from wholesaling sportswear to managing websites for fashion companies and entrepreneurs. Prior to his latest venture, the Los Angeles–based businessman concluded that a lot of technology designed to improve business might contribute to entrepreneurs losing sales.
New Fashion Entrepreneurs Start Funeral Party
Manufacturing
Los Angeles’ Funeral Party brand has been sold in San Francisco’s influential Stashed boutique for a few months as well as in a couple of Tokyo-area boutiques such as Sugata.
Egeck Exits PSEB Group
Manufacturing
After guiding the Eddie Bauer outdoor brand to a merger with surf-and-youth retailer Pacific Sunwear of California to form the operating company PSEB Group, Mike Egeck will step down as chief executive officer, it was announced Jan. 23. His last day on the job will be Feb. 4, said Neale Attenborough, PSEB chairman.
Linda Ramone Puts a Love Story On Valentine's Sock Collection
MANUFACTURING
The love affair between Linda and Johnny Ramone was immortalized in iconic songs such as “She’s a Sensation." For its next step in pop-culture history, this love story will be printed on a sock.
Diesel Starts Fred Segal Residency
Diesel put its name on expanding number of categories, such as fragrance, jewels, watches, the Italian brand also has long been known for its surreal advertising, but it hopes to remind the world that the brand started out with jeans.
Designers for L.A. Fashion Brands Ashton Hirota and Marco Marco on Netflix's "Next In Fashion"
EVENTS
Another week, another fashion-reality show. But Los Angeles fashion people might prick up their ears for "Next In Fashion," a fashion reality competition show, on Netflix, which features L.A.-based rebel fashion designers Ashton Hirota of the Ashton Michael label and Marco Morante of Marco Marco.
Ray Darten: Styles from Nigeria to California
FASHION
Designed in California, the Ray Darten brand makes its sustainable fashions in Nigeria.
Egeck Exits PSEB Group
RETAIL
After he guided the Eddie Bauer outdoor brand to a merger with surf-and-youth retailer Pacific Sunwear of California to form operating company PSEB Group, it was announced Jan. 23 that Mike Egeck will step down as chief executive officer.
Smokey Robinson Appears at DTLA Shinola Store to Fete His Collection
ACCESSORIES
Soul-music legend Smokey Robinson has been celebrated with the highest entertainment industry awards. He recently collaborated with Shinola for an accessories collection.
Lucky Brand Celebrates its 30th Anniversary with a Concert with Third Eye Blind
EVENTS
It’s been 30 years since Lucky Brand started selling its premium jeans.
Wildfox Assets to Be Auctioned
Retail
Los Angeles–headquartered Wildfox Couture, LLC, and Wildfox Couture IP Holdings, LLC, are scheduled to sell the brand’s assets and inventory at a live auction on Feb. 5, according to Brian Testo Associates, LLC, an asset-management company based in Westlake Village, Calif., which will be managing the sale.
Impressions Expo Rebrands the Basics-and-Tech Trade Show
First Impressions
Hundreds of companies travel to Long Beach, Calif., every January to exhibit their new approaches to the production of T-shirts and other basics at the newly renamed Impressions Expo, which ran Jan. 17–19 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif.
Memjet Partners on a Printer It Calls User Friendly
Technology
Memjet, a San Diego–headquartered print-technology company, announced that it is getting into the textile game. It recently announced a partnership with Austria-based MHM, a provider of textile-printing equipment.
Millennial Generation Loves Internet, Vintage Clothing & Bricks & Mortar, Survey Says
Retail
The Millennial generation was born during a baby boom of the 1980s and 1990s and represents one of the biggest segments of the U.S. population—75 million people—according to the Brookings Institution.
Retail Stars Talk Trends & Tech at NRF’s Big Show
Retail
Executives and stars of the retail business discussed the future and the present of their industry at NRF 2020 Vision, Retail’s Big Show, which ran Jan. 12–14 at the Javits Center in New York City. The event was produced by the influential trade group National Retail Federation.
Candice Cuoco Unveils 1st Jewelry Line
Antique-style Jewelry
When putting on a Candice Cuoco garment, a client will find hardware such as studs, sequins and buckles—but a wearer will not find jewels. Yet recently, Cuoco, a star of the “Project Runway” fashion reality-television show, placed her focus on jewelry.
Renovazio Show Brokers High-End Fabric in DTLA
High-end fabric agency Renovazio produced its third Los Angeles trade event, the Renovazio Show, on Jan. 22 – 23, in downtown Los Angeles
DTLA Storewatch: Footlocker Scheduled to Open on Broadway
RETAIL
A Footlocker store is scheduled to open at 749 S. Broadway in downtown Los Angeles on the weekend of Jan. 24,
Honorine Designs for a New Transition Season
Season of Transition
Since fashion veteran Jill Roberts started Honorine, a Los Angeles–headquartered linen-dress and beach-cover-up line, she typically delivered the brand to retailers during three seasons, Spring, Summer and Resort, but Roberts said that she’s looking to shake up the industry’s seasonal traditions.
Active Ride’s Assets To Be Sold
Retail
Active Ride Shop, an award-winning action-sports and skateboarding retailer based in Ontario, Calif., which ran more than 21 shops, is being sold by its lender.
Surf Expo Reports Rally After Cancelled September Show
Trade Shows
Exhibitors and retailers attending Surf Expo from Jan. 8–10 in Orlando, Fla., reported good business despite a number of setbacks for the surf-and-coastal-lifestyle show.
Quality Is Valued Over Quantity During L.A. Market Week
L.A. Market Week
During the Jan. 12–16 edition of L.A. Market Week, buyers visited downtown Los Angeles’ Fashion District to find Summer 2020 goods with a few searching for Fall.
USMCA Approved by U.S. Senate, Phase One of China Deal Signed by Trump
Import/Export
In a fast-paced set of events, President Donald Trump signed Phase Oneof the trade agreement between the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China on Jan. 15. The next day, the U.S. Senate approved the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, a platform upon which Trump campaigned during 2016 as a replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Economy Healthy Amid Mixed Holiday 2019 Retail-Sales Results
Retail
Sales for the 2019 holiday season were robust, and U.S. retailers made $730.2 billion—an increase of 4.1 percent over the 2018 holiday, according to the National Retail Federation, America’s largest retail trade group. The results met the high end of the organization’s forecast for holiday business, which ranged from 3.8 percent to 4.2 percent, said Matthew Shay, the NRF’s president and chief executive officer.
Birdy Grey, Kitson Get into the Pop-Up Biz
It sounds like the start of a rom-com. A bridal label does a pop-up at a men's suiting store.
Skingraft's Jonny Cota to Compete on Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum's New Fashion-Reality Show
FASHION
"Project Runway" judges Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum made a splash when they left the influential fashion-reality show after 17 seasons. They will be on a new fashion-reality show called "Making The Cut." Los Angeles designer Jonny Cota will be one of the show's 12 competitors.
Lulus Introduces Extended Sizes for Bridal
MANUFACTURING
Brides come in all shapes and sizes, and while love knows no boundaries, nor should wedding-dress sizing. Lulus, a digital retailer headquartered in Chico, Calif., hoped to outfit more brides by expanding its selection for its bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses and jumpsuits.
Beverly Center Turns On Big Light Show With Art Installation
RETAIL
Beverly Center recently unveiled a giant art installation, which spans the retail centers multifloor escalators.
Boardriders, Kering & Others Donate to Australia Fire Relief
Retail
Fashion is getting involved in the fight against the wildfires that have been ravaging Australia over the past month.
Curve Introduces Los Angeles Trade Show
Trade Shows
Curve, a lingerie-, swimwear- and loungewear-focused trade show, announced that it will produce its first Los Angeles–area show next month.
USMCA Trade Deal Approved by Senate Committee
Import/Export
The U.S. Senate’s Finance Committee approved the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement by a 25–3 vote on Jan. 7.
Retailers Break Out Mixed Holiday 2019 Results
Retail
Macy’s Inc. announced results for its 2019 holiday performance on Jan. 8, and the results were a relative boost from its third-quarter sales, said Jeff Gennette, Macy’s chairman and chief executive officer.
Plays Well With Others Takes Inspiration From an Iconic Brand
Tee Time
When Cheyann Benedict started a new T-shirt brand, Plays Well With Others, in October, she and her business partner, stylist Cristina Ehrlich, thought they’d take inspiration from C&C California, Benedict’s former brand.
11th Annual Vans Custom Culture Competition for High School Starts
MANUFACTURING
For decades, footwear-and-apparel brand Vans has been one of the popular outfitters of high-school students across the world. For more than a decade, Vans has been producing a design competition for high schoolers.
Market Market to Row DTLA
RETAIL
This weekend, Row DTLA will launch a weekly artisan pop-up called Market Market.
Catching Up with Designer Elliott Evan
FASHION
Elliott Evan takes inspiration from the avant-garde. For one of the latest designs from the Los Angeles-headquartered designer, Evan made a workwear-military look inspired by World War II U.S. Army uniforms.
Maggie Barry To Unveil New Tux Look
FASHION
Maggie Barry says that she works around the clock making clothes for performers and clients. But she's also made time for a side project to revive the tuxedo with tails, but they're definitely, definitely not "Downton Abbey"-style tuxes.
Behati Prinsloo’s Save The Rhino Collection To Return to M. Fredric
RETAIL
Rhinoceroses have been on the endangered list for years and time seems to be running out for them.
MSSRS Designed A Swiss Army Knife of Jackets
MANUFACTURING
Emerging brand MSSRS recently wrapped up production of what founder and designer Anthony Newman called the Utility Jacket, and it might as well be the Swiss Army Knife of outerwear.
Forever 21 Names Marketing Star To Advise Rebrand
Retail
Forever 21 Inc. recently named marketing star Marisa Thalberg as an adviser in its efforts to freshen up branding and the image of the troubled Los Angeles–headquartered retailer, said Linda Chang, Forever 21’s executive vice president.
Core Surf Brand …Lost Finds New Looks
Manufacturing
Boardshorts replaced men’s beach shorts as the swimwear of choice on the world’s surfing beaches decades ago. Now, it looks like men’s beach shorts—also called volleys—are making a comeback in the surf world.
Runyon Group Continues to Build on Its Properties and Promise
Fresh Retail Platform
After wrapping up its third year in business, the Platform boutique retail center in Culver City, Calif., is working on a $60-million expansion.
