Gap Reports Gains
Retail
Gap Inc. reported gains after posting sales results for its fourth quarter for its 2016 fiscal year and in January.
South Coast Plaza Kicks off 50th Anniversary with a Gala
South Coast Plaza kicked off its 50th anniversary set of celebrations with a gala dinner in Malibu.
Hauste & Harte’s Trek for California Sophistication
Hauste & Harte
Nathan Rostro spent a lifetime at the beach and once worked for surfwear brand O’Neill, but he wants to tell the world that stereotypes of California fashion should be tossed in a dustbin.
New Era Unveils One-of-A-Kind L.A. Flagship
LA Live and Staples Center are places to grab a bite to eat, see a game, a concert, a movie, and maybe check out some music history at the Grammy Museum. Not so much a place to shop. But the story changed on Jan. 26. New Era unveiled its one-of-a kind New Era D- Lab shop in downtown Los Angeles.
Wet Seal, Sears Announce Job Cuts
Retail
Irvine, Calif.–based retail chain The Wet Seal LLC notified the State of California’s Employment Development Department Jan. 23 that it is planning to cut 148 jobs.
Owen Exits Banana Republic
Retail
After a two-year run as president of Gap Inc.’s long-suffering Banana Republic division, Andi Owen will leave the company, according to a Jan. 24 announcement.
Mika Jaymes: Brand Wants New Look For Tees
Mika Jaymes
Roddy Javahery hopes to right a wrong against men’s fashion—starting with T-shirts.
Despite So Cal Floods and Rain, ISS Show Grows
ISS
In defiance of the harsh weather, crowds still found their way to the Imprinted Sportswear Show at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif., Jan. 20–22.
Alpine Dam Starts With Marin
The recently launched Alpine Dam label makes caps inspired by the brand’s home of Marin County in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Diesel Bids its Melrose Flagship Adieu
After a run of almost 10 years, the Diesel brand shuttered its Melrose Place flagship.
Naven Steps Out at Svedka Broken Resolutions Bash
Don’t know if the Naven designers, Kym and Alexis McClay, have any New Year’s Resolutions. But they made an appearance at Svedka Vodka’s second annual Broken Resolutions Bash Jan. 17
Mixed Reaction to LA’s Quiet Market
LA Fashion Market
The parking was easy, the lunch lines were short and the halls were fairly quiet at the recent run of Los Angeles Fashion Market, which kicked off for some showrooms on Sunday, Jan. 15, with the rest opening the following day on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The Grove's Caruso Becomes a Knight
You know Rick J. Caruso as the developer of The Grove. But to Pope Francis, he's Knight Commander Rick J. Caruso.
New Era Closes L.A. Flagship
A five year run for the New Era flagship on Los Angeles’ Melrose Avenue seems to be over.
NRF Reports Holiday Sales Up a Strong Four Percent
Retail
The National Retail Federation says retail sales beat its own holiday prediction.
Herschel Supply Co. Acquires LA Showroom, Starts Fashion Line
Manufacturing
Vancouver, Canada-based accessories brand Herschel Supply Co. is taking a bigger bet on Los Angeles--just as it launches its first apparel collection.
Beverly Center's Year of the Rooster
The 2016 Winter Holiday Season is a memory now. Time for another holiday! Chinese New Year is about to start.
Agenda Busy, Vendors Say
Agenda
Tina Rani helped launch basics line GCK in August, and, because the brand was new, she did not expect much from its first trade-show outing at Agenda, which ran Jan. 5–6 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif
Hail Mary Boutique Shutters
Independent boutique Hail Mary recently announced that it would shutter its doors in Santa Monica, Calif. This, after a two year run of serving as a multi-line, contemporary shop.
The Hundreds' New Logo
Move over Adam Bomb. There’s a new logo at prominent Los Angeles streetwear brand The Hundreds.
Broken Homme Buys Factory
Broken Homme is one of a handful of footwear labels made in Los Angeles County, and the label’s local roots have grown deeper.
Volcom’s Net-Worth Project: Action-Sports Label is Looking to Save the Oceans One Bikini at a Time
Volcom
Action-sports label Volcom is looking to save the oceans one bikini at a time.
Surf Is Dead Looks for New Fashion Wave
Surf Is Dead
Chris Josol was surfing with some friends in 2015 when the conversation turned to the state of surfwear, which had seemed—to Josol and his friends—to have lost its rebellious, experimental spirit.
Macy’s Outlines Store Closure, Layoff Plans Following Holiday Sales Decline
Retail
When Macy’s Inc. released its holiday results on Jan. 4, the retail giant included news of a massive round of layoffs and outlined its plans to close stores in the coming months.
Forecasts Say Holiday Business Ranged from Solid to Good
Retail
Holiday 2016 shopping has wrapped up, and business forecasts are rolling in for the crucial shopping season, which comprises 20 percent of total retail industry sales, according to the Washington, D.C.–headquartered National Retail Federation.
Debbie Harry's & Obey’s Collab Line
Blondie’s major hit, Heart of Glass was released on Jan. 3, 1979. Time for an anniversary tour, right? Or a cable channel documentary? Maybe. But a fashion line is definitely in the works.
The Bloc & Metro’s Big Connection To Debut
There’s a lot of construction around the 7th St/Metro Center light rail station in downtown Los Angeles. One reason for all of the work? A pedestrian bridge between the busy station and The Bloc retail center is in the final stages of construction. The bridge is scheduled to be open sometime in January.
Capsule Gets Political
Pundits clamor over the question on how Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 U.S. presidential election will affect business and culture. Capsule trade show is forming an answer to that question.
Lights Out, Athletic Brand Aims for Lifestyle
Retail
Shawne Merriman earned the nickname “Lights Out” after knocking out several opposing players during a football game his sophomore year in high school.
Mall Traffic Seen As Slower During Holiday
Scenes From A Mall
The retail world tried to shine merry and bright for the holiday season but saw major competition from e-commerce sites.
Jack’s Unveils Big Remodel
Jack's Big Remodel
Jack’s Surfboards, one of California’s most influential surf shops, is wrapping up its first major remodel in eight years.
Gap Walks Down the Aisle Into the Wedding Business
Retail
Gap Inc. tied the knot with Weddington Way. The San Francisco retail giant announced it acquired Weddington Way, an online wedding boutique also based in San Francisco, for an undisclosed price.
New Vans Headquarters
Just off the 405 Freeway in Costa Mesa, Calif., there’s a black building decorated with checkerboard graphics. It’s the new headquarters for the Vans.
Hollywood & Highland’s Search for Next Great Pop-Up; It’s Kyle Chan
2016 was pretty good for Kyle Chan Design. After actress Emma Stone wore the brand’s jewelry in hit movie La La Land, it won a prize for some choice retail real estate at the Hollywood & Highland retail center.
Irvine Spectrum's “Dancing” Xmas Tree
A Christmas tree is typically nothing but a Christmas tree, but Irvine Spectrum Center tried something different in 2016.
Richer Poorer Pops on Fairfax
The Richer Poorer brand opened its first U.S. pop-up shop on Los Angeles' Fairfax Avenue.
GGeisha Is Back
After a year-long hiatus, GGeisha produced one of her Dripped Fashion Soiree parties for independent fashion.
Fred Segal to Open New West Hollywood Compound
Fred Segal
A new Fred Segal is coming to the Los Angeles area.
Caruso’s Name Change
If the company name Caruso Affiliated sounded like a mouthful, the developer of The Grove and Americana at Brand retail centers introduced a new brand name. It's the one word moniker Caruso.
2016 Retrospective: 2016 Rough Ride for Buckle, Rally for Zumiez
Retail
On Dec. 13, The Buckle Inc. announced a deal with Affliction, the Seal Beach, Calif.–based brand, to be the exclusive retailer for the brand’s collection inspired by the “Fast and Furious” film franchise. The announcement might be a good way to end 2016. It’s been a rough ride for the Kearney, Neb.–headquartered retailer.
2016 Retrospective: Off-Pricers Ross, TJX Sales Surge
Retail
For the past seven years, sales for off-price retail have been surging. These retailers typically offer goods at 20 percent to 60 percent off the retail price, and 2016 was another banner year for two of the biggest retailers in the market: Ross Stores Inc. and The TJX Companies.
Haute Holiday: The New Hollywood at Fashion Speaks
Haute Holiday
For designer Adolfo Sanchez, it was time to show how streetwear could meet eveningwear.
Canadian Retailer Aritzia Opens in Los Angeles
Aritzia
Canadian retailer Aritzia is giving Los Angeles a preview of its contemporary looks.
Kozm: Yoga Is for Real Men
Yoga Is for Real Men
After years of attacking powerful waves and wiping out on concrete and in the snow, the founders of the Kozm brand turned their careers to yoga mats.
Ron Herman's Jeffrey Rüdes Shop-In-Shop
You can take the designer out of Los Angeles, but you can’t take the L.A. out of the designer.
Pobega’s Goodbye Berlin
For her Goodbye Berlin collection, Valerj Pobega said 'no thanks' to runways and installations.
2016 Newsmakers: FBI Helps Businesses Start—and Grow
Manufacturing
When Frances Harder left a university-level teaching position in the late 1990s, she believed that there was something missing from instruction in fashion education. There was a lack of educators addressing the latest in technology and business practices. In 1999, she founded Fashion Business Inc. as an educational nonprofit for new entrepreneurs. Its mission would be to bring the latest techniques to those looking for a foothold in the business.
2016 Newsmakers: Capsule and Axis Launch in Los Angeles
Trade Shows
The Capsule trade show was deemed a success after 175 vendors exhibited at its inaugural Los Angeles show in October. Cofounder Deirdre Maloney confirmed that the 9-year-old, high-end contemporary show will be in Los Angeles to stay.
