Ryllace Makes A Debut in Santa Monica
MANUFACTURING
Britney Young of Netflix comedy GLOW, model and actress Hayley Hasselhoff and model Robyn Lawley made appearances at the debut party wearing the styles of Ryllace.
LA Fashion Festival; Film, Virtual Reality, Beauty & Sustainability
FASHION
It was the second run for the LA Fashion Festival.
Boardriders Announces Slate of New Execs & New Campaigns
Manufacturing
Boardriders, Inc. announced a number of initiatives on Sept. 18 that will put it on a path to growth, according to David Tanner, chief executive officer of the Huntington Beach, Calif.–based action-sports company.
Houston Duroe To Helm Surf Expo
Trade Shows
A new show director will helm Surf Expo. It was announced Sept. 18 that Nikki Houston Duroe was promoted to show director and will report to Roy Turner, a senior vice president at Emerald Exhibitions, which owns Surf Expo. Turner had previously served as show director.
Non Traditional Retail Marks Trends in Retail Real Estate
Retail Real Estate
Representatives of some of the newest trends in retail took the stage at the International Council of Shopping Centers' Western Conference & Deal Making convention, which ran Sept. 16–18 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in the city’s downtown.
Kornit Digital Taking Its Direct-To-Garment Show On The Road
Technology
Kornit Digital’s Presto S printer is about as big as a limousine and can function as a mini T-shirt factory, said Robert Zoch, a global content manager for the printer company, headquartered in Englewood, N.J.
Hello Kitty Brings Branding Bonanza to L.A.
Cute culture pioneer and licensing juggernaut Hello Kitty will celebrate its 45th anniversary this year, the cartoon character is coming to Los Angeles to celebrate with the Hello Kitty Friends Around the World Pop—Up Tour.
Forever 21 Opens New Hollywood & Highland Store
Business headlines have been dominated by forecasts of bankruptcy for fast fashion giant Forever 21. But that has not stopped the Los Angeles-headquartered retailer from opening a new store.
Dia De Los Muertos Comes Early to California Flower Mall
Dia De Los Muertos doesn’t come for its annual costume and horror show for another six weeks.
More Than 2,000 People Attend The Hundreds Family Style Food Festival
EVENTS
The Hundreds streetwear label produced the inaugural Family Style Food Festival at Television City Studios in Los Angeles’ Fairfax District on Sept. 15.
What Is Business Casual? The Robert Herjavec Collection by Buttercloth Hopes To Provide the Answer
MANUFACTURING
Business casual may not be the best-defined style of office apparel, but, to Robert Herjavec, business magnate and star of ABC program "Shark Tank," it’s definitely not T-shirts and jeans.
Vans Announces $ 1 Million Donation, The Biggest in its History
Vans’ Record Contribution
On Sept. 11, Vans announced that it was donating $1 million to Imagination.org, a Los Angeles–headquartered nonprofit that produces programs to foster the creativity of youth.
Otis Names Fashion Building After Swimwear Giant Anne Cole
Events
Star swimwear designer Anne Cole served as a mentor and major fund-raiser for the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles’ Westchester section before she passed at age 90 in 2017. Just as the 2019–2020 academic year started, Anne Cole’s estate bequeathed $2.5 million to Otis.
What’s Checking in Beverly Hills: Bringing In More Fashion
What’s Checking: Beverly Hills
North Canon Drive never ranked as one of the premier fashion retail streets in Beverly Hills, Calif. It was always a place to dine at a restaurant or go to a hair salon, but the street is on course to develop a bigger fashion scene.
Fur Ban a Signature Away From Becoming California Law
Retail
California is closer to becoming the first U.S. state to ban sales and the manufacture of fur.
Old Navy to Double Stores
Retail
Gap Inc. executives forecast a growth spurt in its physical stores by spinning off its Old Navy division.
Arts District Fire Destroys Fabric Building
News
A major blaze destroyed a building at 1915 E. 7th St. during the early morning hours of Sept. 9, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Barco at 90
MANUFACTURING
Manufacturing work clothes such as medical scrubs is a multi-billion dollar business. Barco Uniforms, headquartered in Gardena, Calif., has been doing well in this market and has the longevity to prove it.
Guess? Goes Green
MANUFACTURING
In 2017, Guess? Inc set goals to develop more sustainable manufacturing. Some of the fruits of that labor will be on display, as the fall '19 looks from Guess? Eco Luxe collection were released recently.
SIMA Humanitarian Fund Raising Money for Bahamas Disaster Relief
The Aliso Viejo, Calif.-headquartered SIMA Humanitarian Fund, a non-profit run by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association, is raising funds to help people in the areas hard hit in the Bahamas by the Hurricane Dorian.
RAW's Heidi Luerra Releases Work of Art. It’s A Field Guide for Creatives
EVENTS
Heidi Luerra has worked as an events producer for more than a decade—we can now add the job of author to her resume.
Poketo's Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung Talk About Creative Spaces
Everyone talks about making their passion their job, but Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung actually did it.
Wrangler at 100
Think of life 100 years ago. Technologically, it was a completely different world. In 1919, horse & buggy was the main mode of transportation for many Americans. Most people didn’t own a telephone. The Internet was not even a fantasy for science fiction writers. But the seed for the Wrangler jeans started growing then.
The Cause Collection To West 3rd Street
RETAIL
A new Los Angeles bricks-and-mortar store also plans to be part of give-back retail.
California Bans Fur Trapping, Considers Wider Fur Ban
RETAIL
The state of California has taken steps against the cultivation and possibly the sales of fur.
Ring of Fire To Release First Sustainable Denim Line
Eco-friendly Ring of Fire
With a name inspired by the 1963 Johnny Cash hit of the same title, Ring of Fire clothing has been selling graphic T-shirts and denim to better department stores for 12 years.
Helfenbein Steps Down from AAFA
RETAIL
After 14 years of engagement with the American Apparel & Footwear Association, 10 as a member and four leading the organization, Rick Helfenbein announced that he will step down as the group’s president and chief executive officer. The Washington D.C.–based trade association represents more than 1,000 brands.
Levi’s to Acquire Assets from South American Distributor
Retail
Levi Strauss & Co. announced on Sept. 3 that it will spend more than $35 million to acquire all of the operational assets related to its Levi’s and Dockers brands from The Jeans Company. The company serves as Levi Strauss & Co.’s distributor in Chile, Peru and Bolivia.
After a Tough Summer, Forever 21 Seeks To Navigate Uncertain Future
Retail
It’s been a cruel summer for retail giant Forever 21. Just after Labor Day, lawyers for A-list celebrity Ariana Grande filed a suit against Forever 21 and its beauty brand, Riley Rose, in Los Angeles Federal District Court. The suit alleges the company used Grande’s image without her permission. Demanding $10 million in damages, the pop singer is suing for copyright and trade infringement.
Garment Restitution Fund for Workers Receives $16.3 Million
Manufacturing
Some Los Angeles–area garment workers will finally be able to cash checks long denied to them.
ISS Orlando Canceled
Trade Shows
The Orlando edition of the Imprinted Sportswear Shows was canceled Sept. 3 due to threats from Hurricane Dorian.
Risk x Yoggx Clothing Collab Drops at In Heroes We Trust
The In Heroes We Trust gallery opened in downtown Los Angeles on Aug. 17, but street art and fashion will collide on Sept. 7 at the gallery.
Avenue Stores To Shut Down Bricks-and-Mortar
Retail
Avenue Stores LLC announced that it is headed into chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Chicago-headquartered plus-size retailer also noted that it would close its fleet of 222 physical stores, some 46 of which are in California, according to a company announcement issued on Aug. 22.
New Retail Center 2nd & PCH Announces Tenants
Retail
The 2nd & PCH retail center is scheduled to open for business in Long Beach, Calif., this fall with a slate of tenants taking shape.
Guess?, Inc. Second-Quarter Results Beat Forecasts
Retail
Guess? Inc. reported Aug. 28 that its total net revenue for its second quarter of fiscal 2020 increased 5.8 percent to $683.2 million compared to $645.9 million during the same quarter the previous year, said Carlos Alberini, the Los Angeles–headquartered jeans makers’ chief executive officer.
Surf Industry and Other Fashion Groups Ride Wave Against Plastics Pollution
Manufacturing
Last week, 32 fashion companies joined a G7 Fashion Pact that calls for phasing out single-use plastics by 2030. The companies that signed the pact also vowed to achieve zero greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050 and restore biodiversity by helping to rejuvenate ecosystems.
John Eshaya Unveils New John Eshaya Brand of Women’s Sportswear
Manufacturing
John Eshaya has helped define the style for high-end T-shirts and sweatshirts in Los Angeles since the late 1980s, but the women who bought tees from his JET John Eshaya brand started asking for new styles of clothing in the past decade and his label changed.
Carl’s Atelier to Westfield Topanga & Village
On Oct. 1 Carl Louisville is scheduled to open a second location of his Carl's Atelier concept.
Space City Vintage Wants To Put Rock 'N' Roll Back in Shopping
RETAIL
In the past few years, there’s been a boom in the popularity of vintage clothing and an increase of high-end vintage stores on retail streets and online. Retailer Zac Vargas wondered if the current wave of vintage shops lacks soul and a culture that he loved when shopping for rockabilly styles on Los Angeles’ Melrose Avenue in the 1980s.
Puey Quiñones Unveils His Made In Los Angeles Couture Line
Puey Quiñones designed for gowns Filipina newsmakers such as Gloria Macapacal-Arroyo, the former Philippines president.
Avenue Stores to Shutter Bricks-and-Mortar
RETAIL
Avenue Stores LLC recently announced that it is headed into chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Chicago-headquartered plus-size retailer also noted that it would close its fleet of 222 physical stores, about 46 of these locations are based in California, according to a company announcement.
Warby Parker To Open More Stores
Everlane opened a shop on Los Angeles' Abbot Kinney at the start of this week. At the end of the week, another formerly Internet-only retailer, Warby Parker, announced plans to open a physical boutique.
It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll Merch But We Like It
The Rolling Stones played a highly anticipated gig Aug. 22 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif. Since music merchandise is a giant business, it’s only natural that a lot of merch was created for the Stones’ No Filter tour
Outdoor Retailer Merges Winter Market and Snow Show
Trade Shows
Outdoor Retailer announced Aug. 21 that it will merge its trade shows Winter Market and Snow Show.
Agenda Gets International Surge
Trade Shows
After a brief sojourn producing a trade show in downtown Las Vegas, Agenda returned to its longtime home Aug. 12–14 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, alongside Liberty Fairs.
Liberty Fairs Returns to the Sands
Trade Shows
For its Aug. 12–14 run, the Liberty Fairs trade show returned to its long-term space at the Sands Expo & Convention Center after producing its February 2019 show in downtown Las Vegas.
Business Steady at WWIN
Trade Shows
While buyers were searching for Fall and Spring at the WWIN | Women’s Wear In Nevada show, which ran Aug. 12–15 at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Convention Center in Las Vegas, the big news was the event’s upcoming move.
The Tents Serves Up Luxe & Lifestyle Brands
Trade Shows
The Tents has long been a forum for luxury and lifestyle brands at Project. During the Aug. 12–14 run of the event, brands such as Raleigh Denim; Bellroy, an accessories brand; and The Grayers, a shirting brand, exhibited Spring 2020 looks.
Project Sets New Standards
Trade Shows
The Project N:OW section holds the key to the sprawling Project trade show’s future, said Lizette Chin, Informa Markets’president of men’s, who oversees the giant shows.
Pooltradeshow Makes Room For Debuts & Trend Forecasting
Trade Shows
Pooltradeshow was initially produced as a forum for new and emerging brands. At its Aug. 12–14 run at the Las Vegas Convention Center, it not only provided a forum for new brands but also a testing ground for established labels.
