Paraiso Miami Beach Announces a Hybrid Digital-Physical Swim Week
Trade Shows
Paraiso Miami Beach rallied from the cancellation of its July swim week due to COVID-19 by announcing a combination of in-person events and a virtual trade show. This fresh concept will afford opportunities for brands and designers to increase exposure of their Resort 2021 collections.
True Religion’s Jeffrey Lubell Back on the Scene With New Collection
Freedom Rings
Returning to the industry with a new denim collection named Coût De La Liberté, Jeffrey Lubell reenters the market with a collection that is made with a message in Los Angeles.
L.A. Market Week Blends Traditional Showroom Visits With Digital Meetings
Trade Shows
While the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed retail and trade events in the apparel industry, business seems to be slowly opening up. During the Aug. 2–6 edition of L.A. Market Week, buyers visited downtown Los Angeles’ Fashion District and logged onto digital platforms. Showrooms at the Cooper Design Space, The New Mart and the California Market Center welcomed buyers to safely shop their lines.
New Name, $100 Million Remodel Announced for Hollywood & Highland
Retail
The new owners of the Hollywood & Highland retail and entertainment center recently unveiled a new name, Ovation, and details of a $100-million overhaul to the sprawling complex that dominates the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Los Angeles amid the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Wrangler Introduces Collaboration With A Notable Fan: Bob Marley
Bob Marley's estate has worked on a number of fashion collaborations in the past. However, the latest, Wrangler x Bob Marley, fits well with the reggae star's history.
Obituary: Steven Frumkin, Fashion Educator
FASHION
Fashion educator Steven Frumkin died on July 23 in Miami, Fla., from COVID-19, according to a statement from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.
Men’s Warehouse Parent, Tailored Brands, Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
RETAIL
A string of high-profile bankruptcies caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have been filed, and the latest is Tailored Brands, Inc.
‘Making the Cut’ Winner Jonny Cota Opens Store to Build New Brand Experience
FASHION RETAIL
A few months after his victory on “Making the Cut,” a fashion-competition show produced by Amazon Prime, Los Angeles designer Jonny Cota opened a new, self-named store on Aug. 1 at the Row DTLA campus of retail, dining and creative offices in downtown Los Angeles.
eBay Teams Up With NBA Star P.J. Tucker For Sneaker Loft
RETAIL
On Aug. 3, eBay announced Sneaker Loft, an e-pop-up shop that it produced with P.J. Tucker, who plays for Houston Rockets NBA Team, and a sneaker aficionado extraordinaire.
Melanie Cox Named to Board of Revolve Group, Inc.
RETAIL
Revolve Group, Inc., an influential e-tailer of fashions for young women, announced July 29 that Melanie Cox would join the board of directors of the Cerritos, Calif.–based company.
Faire Announces Show Dates
TRADE SHOWS
The Faire Summer Market will run Aug. 26-27 on faire.com. This online trade show hopes to be a forum where independent retailers can work on orders from independent designers and brands.
Texworld USA and Apparel Sourcing USA Develop Efficient Virtual Trade-Show Formula
TRADE SHOWS
Exchanging its space at New York City’s Javits Center for a virtual model, Texworld USA and Apparel Sourcing USA hosted its inaugural digital event July 21-23.
Fashion Designer Organizes Clean Up South Central
FASHION
Dime Jones designs a women’s contemporary line called Nior. She’s also gaining notice for non-profit Clean Up South Central.
Disney Launches Myriad of Mickey & Friends Products
MANUFACTURING
Disneyland has been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we’ll be seeing more of the major Disney cartoon characters.
Los Angeles Apparel Reopens After Public-Health Closure
MANUFACTURING
The Los Angeles County Public Health department gave a green light for Los Angeles Apparel to reopen after the blanks manufacturer had been officially closed for a few weeks.
Surf Expo Announces Virtual Trade Show After Canceling September Event
TRADE SHOWS
Surf and action-sports trade show Surf Expo announced that it will cancel its upcoming September event, which was scheduled to run Sept. 10-20 in Orlando, Fla., but in its place a new platform will emerge.
Elysewalker Announces New Store
RETAIL
After more than 20 years of serving as a fashion tastemaker and running the self-named Elysewalker boutiques, Los Angeles retailer Elyse Walker is opening another store.
SecChic, a New Digital Retailer, Opens Its Virtual Doors
RETAIL
Asian e-commerce brand incubator Handu Group introduced the new U.S. digital emporium SecChic on July 23.
Levi Strauss & Co.’s Anna Walker to Chair USFIA
MANUFACTURING
Anna Walker, vice president of public affairs at Levi Strauss & Co., was elected as chair to the United States Fashion Industry Association, said Julia K. Hughes, president of the Washington, D.C., trade group, on July 27.
Ascena Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Announces Closures of Justice, Ann Taylor and Others
RETAIL
Ann Taylor and Justice brand’s parent company, Ascena Retail Group, Inc., is the latest specialty retailer to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
U.S. Apparel Trade Associations Condemn Forced Labor in China
IMPORT/EXPORT
Leading apparel trade associations in the United States made a joint statement July 23 condemning forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the People’s Republic of China. The group also stressed that it is a priority to guarantee that products made by forced labor do not appear in U.S. supply chains.
Paul Smith Opens DTLA Store, Area Boutiques Reopen
RETAIL
After a long wait, a Paul Smith store opened on 844 S. Broadway in downtown Los Angeles.
Almost The Show Wants To Put Human Touch In Virtual Trade Show
Technology
A number of established, high-profile trade shows took the unprecedented step of canceling in-person events this summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, they rallied with announcements of producing virtual trade shows to serve as substitutes.
After Facing COVID‑19 Shutdowns, Swim Retailers Look Toward Digital Opportunities
Retail
Since its founding in 2015, the swimwear shop Coast by Coast has always been a small operation. When sisters and co-owners Kristen and Lauren Cleary launched the store, they found themselves too busy to start an e-commerce shop.
Court Dismisses Challenge to S.F Fur Ban
Legal
A federal judge has thrown out a challenge to the City of San Francisco’s fur ban. The ban was unanimously approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 2018 and went into effect Jan. 1. The fur-ban movement has grown, and in December 2019 California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law banning the sale of fur products in the State of California.
The Webster Opens in Miramar Beach Hotel in Montecito
RETAIL
When the Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel opened last year, it started business with exclusive retail. The Webster, another exclusive retailer, opened at the resort recently.
Designer Patrick DiLascia Finds New Canvas For Fashion Humor in Masks
FASHION
For Patrick DiLascia, a Los Angeles designer who was featured on CNBC show “The Profit” in 2017, this year was going to be the time when he introduced a new fashion line called Bridge & Tunnel.
Global Angel: In the Long Haul To Change the World With Style
MANUFACTURING
Amber Dawn Shopay started lifestyle brand Global Angel in 2018 to help raise funds to support relief from the Woolsey Fires which devastated parts of Malibu, Calif., and Ventura County, Calif.
Oaklandish Brand Joins Class Action Suit Against Insurer for Denying COVID-19 Claim
LEGAL
Known for its T-shirts and apparel, the Oaklandish brand made a business out of producing clothing bearing slogans of civic pride for the San Francisco Bay Area city Oakland, Calif., however, Angela Tsay, the brand’s chief executive officer and creative director, said that the 20-year-old company’s ability to cheer for its hometown may be hobbled by its insurance company.
Offprice Show Cancels Upcoming Las Vegas Edition
TRADE SHOWS
Prominent trade event the Offprice Show announced that it is joining other marquee shows such as Informa Markets Fashion and Liberty Fairs, by cancelling in-person editions in Las Vegas that were originally scheduled to take place this summer.
New Esports Team Xset Unveils Diverse Merch Program
MANUFACTURING
Competitive video gaming, or esports, has been growing in prominence with high-stakes prize money, $30.4 million for the 2019 Fortnite World Cup Finals, and influential esports-investors such as NBA legends Michael Jordan and Stephen Curry. Selling team merchandise is a big deal for this sports venture.
Bleu, A Veteran Boutique, To Los Angeles' Beverly Boulevard
RETAIL
After 22-years of selling contemporary women’s fashion on Los Angeles’ La Brea Avenue, the boutique Bleu moved a short drive away to 7378 Beverly Blvd.
IMC To Keep Permanent Showrooms Open, But Suspends Temporary Trade Show
TRADE SHOWS
Following a series of cancellations for prominent in-person trade shows such as the Informa Markets Fashion events in Las Vegas and SwimShow in Miami, International Market Centers announced it was canceling temporary trade show features for its events scheduled in August for Atlanta and Las Vegas, but would keep its permanent showrooms in those cities open.
Senreve's Campaign for Black Lives Matter
MANUFACTURING
San Francisco-headquartered Senreve, a direct-to-consumer luxe-accessories brand, hopes that its latest offering will support Black Lives Matter and shape a positive racial identity for children of color.
CMC Uploaded to Be Introduced for August Market
TRADE SHOWS
During the June run of L.A. Fashion Market, Moriah Robinson, the events director for the Los Angeles–based California Market Center, announced that the CMC would introduce a larger digital presence.
Faire, an Online Marketplace, Seeks To Be Help Hub During COVID-19 Crisis
RETAIL
Faire started out in 2017 as an online platform for small, independent retailers. Since the COVID-19 crisis, Faire has sought to also serve as a resource for retailers to navigate the crisis.
After Health Dept. Closure, L.A. Apparel’s Charney Answers Critics
MANUFACTURING
Los Angeles Apparel Founder Dov Charney sought to defend himself, answer critics and reassure customers during an Instagram live talk on July 14.
Retail Crime At All Time High, According to NRF Survey
RETAIL
Retail crime, such as theft and online fraud, rose to $61.7 billion in 2019, an increase from the previous year when it was $50.6 billion, according to the annual National Retail Security Survey, which was released by the Washington, D.C., trade group National Retail Federation.
FIDM Museum Opens its Virtual Doors With YouTube Channel
EVENTS
The fashion school’s museum opened its virtual doors recently. It introduced a YouTube Channel, which will feature videos on museum exhibitions and talks with curators.
Los Angeles Apparel Plant Closed by L.A. County Dept. of Public Health
MANUFACTURING
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health ordered blanks manufacturer Los Angeles Apparel to remain closed after more than 300 of its workers were confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 and four employees died from the coronavirus.
Gov. Newsom Orders COVID-19 Retail Closures Again
RETAIL
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced July 13 that malls in 30 California counties, which include some of the state’s major population centers such as Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties, must close due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please Do Not Enter Opens Headquarters, A Private Appointment Boutique
RETAIL
COVID-19 pandemic, and the May 1 closure of a boutique by downtown Los Angeles’ Pershing Square contributed to the recent opening of Headquarters, a new concept store produced by Please Do Not Enter.
AAFA Urges National Policy on Face Masks
MANUFACTURING
The American Apparel & Footwear Association trade group sent President Donald Trump and other governmental groups a plea on July 10 to develop a national policy on usage of face mask standards for enclosed public spaces.
Aritzia To Bring Super Puff Pop-Up To Los Angeles
RETAIL
An Aritzia pop-up shop is scheduled to be the next tenant to move into the former Fred Segal complex in Los Angeles.
As More Trade Shows Go Online, Fashion Companies Also Seek Digital Alternatives
Virtual Vendors
While a few in-person trade events such as L.A. Market Week have reopened, many other high-profile happenings have announced that their summer 2020 events have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation has left many trade-show producers and vendors going virtual.
Liberty Fairs Cancels August and September 2020 Shows
Trade Shows
The Liberty Fairs contemporary trade shows scheduled to take place in Las Vegas in August and New York City in September have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an announcement made July 8 to the high-end shows’ vendors and buyers.
Levi’s, Macy’s Sales Results Reflect Ongoing COVID-19 Challenges
Retail
Levi Strauss & Co. and Macy’s Inc. recently released results from the past financial quarter, which was dominated by store closures due to the pandemic.
NPD Survey Confirms Growth of Digital Commerce During Pandemic
Retail
An increase in digital shopping could have been predicted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The NPD Group released survey results on July 9 that reveals the size of the online shift.
Barefoot Dreams Opens Its First Bricks-and-Mortar Store in Malibu
RETAIL
Malibu, Calif.-area knits brand Barefoot Dreams opened its first flagship store recently. The Barefoot Dreams shop is located at The Park at Cross Creek near the Pacific Ocean.
After Working With Lil Wayne, Designer Debuts CWBY Studios
FASHION
Mike Morris helped shape the sartorial style of Lil Wayne and the designer is now based in Los Angeles, where he recently launched CWBY Studios, a new collection that is made locally in the city.
