Alpinestars and Diesel Go for Another Lap With Motorcycle Collection
FASHION
Alpinestars, a veteran motorcycle protective gear and clothing brand, runs a headquarters in Los Angeles.It recently started its engines to go for another round of a collaboration collection with Italian denim giant and lifestyle brand Diesel.
New Brand Aims To Help First Responders
MANUFACTURING
Sportswear executive Ian Leopold recently started a performance-sportswear company named AQONIQ to raise money for non-profit organizations. The company’s flagship brand is the San Diego-headquartered FRThankYou.com, or First Responders Thank You.
Kim Jones to Helm Fendi
FASHION
Kim Jones, the high-profile artistic director of the Dior Men’s fashion label, owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, was named the artistic director of sibling brand Fendi, the Italian luxury fashion house best known for producing fur, ready-to-wear, leather goods, footwear, fragrances and accessories, it was announced Sept. 9 by Bernard Arnault, LVMH’s chairman and chief executive officer.
DiCentral Acquires Drop-Ship Technology Expertise With Its Acquisition of Hingeto
TECHNOLOGY
California supply-chain company Hingeto was acquired by DiCentral, a Houston-headquartered provider of business-to-business integration-management services for an undisclosed amount.
Marquee Brands Names Neil Fiske CEO
MANUFACTURING
Veteran fashion executive Neil Fiske will join Marquee Brands as its first chief executive officer, it was announced Sept. 8.
Chinatown Market Goes for Lacoste Redux
FASHION
Los Angeles’ Chinatown Market streetwear brand recently announced its second collaboration with Lacoste.
Carhartt Celebrates Labor Day With Public Art and Support for Skilled Trades
MANUFACTURING
In observance Labor Day, workwear brand Carhartt is highlighting the importance of skilled trades with an installation at Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park in Nashville, Tenn., which features 1,670 construction hard hats bearing the Carhartt logo and are arranged in the shape of the map of the U.S.,
Senreve and Other Brands Look To Get Out the Vote and Support Candidates
FASHION
As the race for the United States presidential election heats up, some fashion brands are hoping to make a statement.
Bobby Hundreds Places His Take on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Logo
FASHION
It’s eight years in the future, but a logo has already been developed for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic. Los Angeles notables such as Bobby Hundreds were invited to add their designs.
American Rag’s Mark Werts To Open Cheap, A New Store
RETAIL
On Sept. 4, American Rag founder Mark Werts will open a new store at 122 S. La Brea Ave.
Retail-Real-Estate Biz Looks for Ways Through COVID-19 Crisis
Retail
The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on every sector of business, with the U.S. retail-real-estate sector experiencing its first decline since the Great Recession of the previous decade, according to a recently released report from CBRE, a commercial-real-estate services and investment firm.
Omnichain’s Software Aims To Shake Up Traditional Inventory Systems
Technology
Retailers and fashion brands are changing the way they manage businesses and inventory in order to reflect market adaptations in digital retail. It’s one reason the market for inventory-management software has been growing, according to a report released in June by the market-research company Global Market Insights, Inc., based in Selbyville, Del.
What’s Checking: After Months of Challenges, Mid-City Retailers Get Moving
What’s Checking: Mid-City
Similar to other major metropolitan centers across the country, Los Angeles’ retailers were hit hard by COVID-19 shutdowns and the fallout from looting stemming from social unrest. But many have rallied and returned to their jobs of selling fashion to the public.
Garment Worker Protection Act Deferred After Vote Deadline Is Missed
Legal
A constitutional deadline passed before voting could take place in the California State Assembly for SB 1399, the Garment Worker Protection Act, crushing hopes for the bill to be passed in 2020.
Wolk Morais To Debut New Collection in 'Driven,' a Fashion Film
FASHION
Wolk Morais' Collection 9 is the star of the design team's new fashion film "Driven."
Dallas Market Center to Build B2B Platform
TECHNOLOGY
Dallas Market Center, a 5-million square-foot campus for fashion wholesale companies, recently announced a partnership to create a business-to-business platform.
After Another COVID-19 Closure, South Coast Plaza Set to Fully Reopen
RETAIL
South Coast Plaza opened its doors on Aug. 31 after a COVID-19 closure that lasted over six weeks. The prominent Costa Mesa, Calif.–headquartered shopping center reopened a few days after California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued guidelines to restart the state’s economy.
NuOrder to Work With Grassroots Outdoor Alliance
TECHNOLOGY
Recently, the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance announced a partnership with NuOrder, a Los Angeles–headquartered business-to-business e-commerce company, to develop an online platform for its members, said Rich Hill, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance’s president.
Canada’s Moose Knuckles Teams Up with L.A. Artists
FASHION
Based in Canada, outerwear brand Moose Knuckles has been running a campaign to raise funds for people suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic with its MKGAF jacket-customization tour.
Gap Inc. Beats Wall Street Forecast for Second Quarter
RETAIL
Gap Inc. reported that its online sales skyrocketed 95 percent and its same-store sales increased 13 percent for the second quarter of its 2020 fiscal year compared with the same quarter of the previous year, said Sonia Syngal, Gap Inc.’s chief executive officer.
Downtown L.A. Fashion Business Found Guilty in Multimillion-Dollar Scams
LEGAL
The owner of a downtown Los Angeles apparel company agreed to plead guilty to a group of scams to avoid paying millions of dollars in customs fees and taxes, according to a statement released by the United States Attorney’s office on Aug. 26. Sang Bum “Ed” Noh and his company, Ambiance Apparel, agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of a false tax return and pay over $117 million in fines and restitution.
Cotton Citizen Unveils Fred Segal Shop-in-Shops
RETAIL
With the Labor Day weekend on the horizon, Cotton Citizen, a made-in-Los Angeles, premium-garments brand, unveiled shop-in-shops at the Fred Segal Sunset flagship in West Hollywood, Calif., and the Fred Segal store in Malibu, Calif.
Foot Locker Brings Power Store Concept to Compton, Calif.
RETAIL
Foot Locker opened its first West Coast Power Store on Aug. 26 in Compton, Calif.
NTWRK Launches Virtual Festival, Complex Networks Announces New Event
TRADE SHOWS
Aaron Levant, founder of the Agenda trade show, introduced Transfer today, a virtual culture, design and retail festival, running through tomorrow on the NTWRK platform, a video commerce channel headquartered in Los Angeles.
San Diego’s Santos Swim and Kith + Kimono Team Up For Virtual Party with the Influencer Francesca
EVENTS
On Aug. 26, there’s going to be a virtual party for San Diego brands Santos Swim and Kith + Kimono.
Epson Increases Speed, Efficiency With New SureColor Technology
TECHNOLOGY
Over the past few years, fashion manufacturers and brands have become increasingly focused on direct-to-consumer business. Epson America hopes to support this business model.
EDIT +: New Collection from Chief of The North Face Korea
FASHION
Jean Sung, an executive director and chief marketing officer of The North Face Korea, recently introduced Fall 2020 styles for a separate brand, EDIT+, an emerging global ethical and sustainable fashion label for women and men.
Giannulli and Loughlin Sentenced in College-Bribery Scam
LEGAL
One chapter in the 2019 Operation Varsity Blues college-admissions bribery scandal was closed Aug. 21 when designer Mossimo Giannulli and Lori Loughlin, his actor wife, were sentenced for their involvement.
Levi's Says 'Vote' in Public Service Announcement
FASHION
Denim giant Levi’s released a public service announcement urging voters in the United States to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming presidential election.
Liberty Fairs Unveils Virtual Trade Show
Trade Shows
Liberty Fairs introduced its first virtual trade show on Aug. 17, co-produced with the Joor wholesale marketplace. The virtual trade show enjoyed more than 1,800 unique visits to its site, libertyfairs.com, on the first day of the show, said Edwina Kulego, the new Liberty Fairs vice president, who joined the trade-show producer in July.
Core Surf-and-Skate Retailers Saw Big Rally
Swim/Surf
Surf-and-skate retailers have been riding one of the few silver-lined waves for their businesses in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many team sports have been discouraged as public-health groups and government officials recommend safe practices to slow the spread. Gyms and fitness studios have been closed, but consumers looking for a new outlet have been discovering board sports, which don’t require being on a team or exercising indoors.
Hurley Family Unveils New Brand With Surf Star
Swim/Surf
John John Florence, a two-time world champion surfer, recently announced that he was starting a new brand called Florence Marine X. Scheduled to launch for Spring 2021, Florence Marine X will offer men’s apparel, board shorts, wet suits and other categories.
Designers & Agents Goes Virtual
Trade Shows
Designers & Agents is the latest trade-show producer to announce that it will put together a virtual trade event.
Court Rules Landmark Fred Segal Sign on Former Location Must Go
Legal
A legal decision recently decided the fate of the Fred Segal sign on Los Angeles’ Melrose Avenue.
Brixton Charts a New Course With a Bricks-and-Mortar and New Lines
Brixton's New Course
After some 16 years in business, Brixton, headquartered in Oceanside, Calif., is going for a rebrand. The label with roots in action sports will unveil its new outlook with a bricks-and-mortar store in Encinitas, Calif., a town known for its surf shops such as the pioneering core board shop Hansen Surfboards.
Opok Introduces GOTS Certfied Boxer Briefs
MANUFACTURING
We’ve seen organic denim, T-shirts and dresses. San Francisco-headquartered brand Opok recently released an organic boxer-brief line. The boxers are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and organic dyes.
Rose Bowl Flea Market Goes Virtual
EVENTS
Looking for inspiration and treasure hunting at the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, Calif., has been a rite of passage for almost every creative in Los Angeles fashion.
Fashion to Rally After COVID-19 but Must Make Changes, Report Says
RETAIL
PreciseTarget, a data-science and machine-learning market-research company headquartered in Bethesda, Md., recently released a forecast that predicted a recovery pathway for the fashion industry after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the study also forecasted that the pandemic would force the fashion business to make big changes.
July Retail Sales Up
RETAIL
Retail sales showed some momentum last month. The U.S. Census Bureau released numbers Aug. 14 that found overall retail sales during July increasing 2.7 percent in a year-over-year comparison and 1.2 percent compared to June.
Michael Relich to Helm PSEB, PacSun and Eddie Bauer Operator
RETAIL
Michael Relich was named interim chief executive officer for PSEB LLC, the operating company for Eddie Bauer LLC and Pacific Sunwear. Relich served as PSEB’s chief operating officer.
Lucky Brand Acquired by Group Including ABG and Simon Property
RETAIL
After a month following downtown Los Angeles–headquartered Lucky Brand Jeans' LLC’s chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the stalking-horse bidders Authentic Brands Group and Simon Property Group completed a deal to acquire the prominent jeans brand and retailer, according to an Aug. 14 ABG announcement.
European Designers Craft Their Takes on L.A. Styles
MANUFACTURING
For more than 60-years, Los Angeles style has been deeply influential in jeans and T-shirts, and the city continues to make a deep impression for two European designers who spent a lot of time in L.A. and recently released fashion lines.
Cotton Heritage Teams Up With Tukatech for 3D Digital Design
TECHNOLOGY
In May, Los Angeles–headquartered fashion-technology firm Tukatech Inc. introduced its latest version of the TUKA3D Designer Edition. Tukatech recently announced that the premium-blanks company Cotton Heritage, headquartered in Commerce, Calif., was working with the 3D visualizer.
Lululemon To The Bloc in DTLA
RETAIL
Technical athletic company Lululemon Athletica recently opened a pop-up shop at The Bloc retail center in downtown Los Angeles.
Lawsuit Against S.F. Fur Ban Goes Another Round
LEGAL
A challenge to a fur ban in the city and county of San Francisco petitioned for a new day in court.
Levi’s New XX Chino Cargo Pant
MANUFACTURING
Levi’s released its XX Chino line earlier this year. The venerable denim brand decided to continue the collection for Fall/Winter 2020. New looks include an ergonomic cargo-pocket style.
Chicago’s High-End Miracle Mile Neighborhood Looted
RETAIL
Some 100 people were arrested in Chicago Aug. 10 for charges including looting high-end boutiques of the city’s Magnificent Mile neighborhood.
Macy's Rolls Out Macy's Backstage Shops
RETAIL
As Macy’s reopens stores, it continues to rollout locations for its offprice Macy’s Backstage sections located in its department stores. On Aug. 8, it opened 11 Macy’s Backstage stores within stores, with two of these shops located in Southern California.
South Coast Plaza Unveils The Pavilion, A New Shopping Program
RETAIL
South Coast Plaza temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But it has unveiled some programs to keep business going. On Aug. 7, it will introduce The Pavilion.
With the Power of One P.O., Everything Can Change for Black-Owned Apparel Businesses
Power of the P.O.
One major deal can change everything for a small company, yet it can be more crucial for determining the success of Black-owned businesses and those led by members of underrepresented groups, said Dawaud Muhammad. As the co-owner of a Black-owned printing-and-embroidery company, Muhammad leads Big Printing Textile Co., LLC, which is located in the San Francisco Bay Area town of San Leandro, Calif.
