Citron: American-Made Mission
Designer Profile
For more than a decade, the owners of Citron, located in Los Angeles, have been making their printed silk blouses and tops in China because of the intricate prints, designs and fabric used.
Wet Seal Shutters Arden B Stores
Retail
Teen retailer Wet Seal Inc. is shedding its young contemporary chain of stores called Arden B, which last year accounted for only $60.4 million in revenues, or 11 percent of the company’s total revenues.
Apparel Makers Tackle the Task of Finding Skilled Labor in Los Angeles
Manufacturing
Apparel makers who want to manufacture more merchandise in Los Angeles have a challenge. It’s hard to find good, skilled laborers who are in the country legally.
Contract Negotiations on the Waterfront Worry Many About Shipping Season
Import/Export
Ship early and ship often. That’s the advice logistics experts are giving to apparel and textile importers who don’t want to be caught up in a possible strike that could take place this summer at West Coast ports.
What's Chan Luu Doing With Hello Kitty?
Fashion
The Los Angeles -based jewelry designer partners up with Sanrio, the people behind Hello Kitty.
H & M Opens in Downtown LA on May 1
Retail
H & M opens its largest store in Southern California in downtown Los Angeles.
Wet Seal Exiting Arden B Business to Concentrate on Plus-Size Stores
Retail
Wet Seal Inc. to convert 31 Arden B stores to Wet Seal + merchandise and the rest to Wet Seal merchandise .
Giant Cake at the Center of Beverly Hills Bash on Rodeo Drive
Retail
Rodeo Drive blocked off for Beverly Hills' centennial celebration.
Forever 21 Opening New Store Concept
Retail
Fast-fashion retailer Forever 21 is going after the bargain shopper with gusto.
Newest Everything But Water Store Opens Near the Beach
Retail
Everthing But Water opens in Santa Monica.
Express on a New Retail Venture
Express is rolling out 30 new outlet stores this year, with a couple in California.
BedHead Recalls Children’s Pajamas
Manufacturing
BedHead Pajamas Inc. of Los Angeles has recalled 800 pairs of children’s pajamas because they fail to meet federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear.
Gap Inc. Reveals Plans for Omni-Channel and Asia Expansion
Retail
In the next three years, Gap Inc. hopes its sales in China will reach $1 billion as it expands the number of stores located there and pumps up its omni-channel offerings.
How This Year’s Economy Will Affect Apparel Sales
Finance
After a harsh winter put a chill on the national economy, warmer weather is putting a spring back into consumer activity, which should translate into higher retail sales and apparel purchases for the rest of the year.
Levi’s Taps Walmart Exec to Conquer Omni-Channel
Technology
The San Francisco–based apparel giant announced it has appointed Marc Rosen as the company’s new executive vice president and president of global e-commerce.
Hudson Jeans Shifting Production from U.S. to Mexico
Import/Export
The Los Angeles premium-jeans maker was recently acquired for $98 million by Joe’s Jeans, another LA-based denim-pant maker.
Apparel Imports Slow from China and Grow from Vietnam
Import/Export
As wages rise for apparel factory workers in China, less and less clothing is being imported from that country into the United States.
Match Your Swimsuit to Your Headphones
Fashion
Woodbury University students work with Velodyne to develop stylish headphones that match students' swim collections.
Hot Topic Creates Collection Centered Around Disney's "Maleficent"
Retail
Hot Topic rolls out a new collection based on the Disney movie "Maleficent," the Sleeping Beauty story told from the viewpoint of the evil witch, played by Angelina Jolie.
Joseph Gromek Named to Guess? inc. Board of Directors
Manufacturing
With more than 30 years of experience in the retail industry, Joseph Gromek was appointed to the board of directors of Guess? Inc.
Ever-Changing Technology Keeps Apparel Makers and Retailers on Their Feet
Technology
Charming Charlie didn’t launch its e-commerce site until seven months ago, years behind many of its competitors. But during its first two weeks of operation, the website was inundated with 700,000 visitors and 34,000 submissions in the gift-card giveaway contest.
Stephen Hyman, Co-Founder of Susie’s Deals
Retail
Stephen Hyman, a long-time discount retailer with nearly 40 years in the business, died on April 7. He was 66.
Six Degrees of Retail Separation
Retail
Kmart adds singer Adam Levine's women's collection to lineup.
Thimio Sotos Leaves J Brand
Manufacturing
After nearly four years at premium-denim brand J Brand, Thimio Sotos has left the company, where he was the executive vice president and chief financial officer.
How Apparel Manufacturers and Retailers Are Coping With the E-Commerce Threat
Finance
These are tough times for traditional retailers. Many big store chains and specialty stores are finding their business is being swept away by websites that make it easier for people to shop any time of the day or night without even moving from the couch.
Who Will Replace the Tiara Café?
LA Fashion District
After more than seven years of serving healthy, California-style cuisine, the Tiara Café has closed its doors in the Los Angeles Fashion District.
Lynne Koplin Named President of J Brand
Industry veteran Lynne Koplin, who most recently worked for denim maker True Religion, has been named president of J Brand, another Los Angeles denim maker.
Levi’s Laying Off 800 Employees in Restructuring Effort
Levi Strauss & Co. is laying off 800 employees, or 20 percent of the workforce, in its non-retailing and non-manufacturing sectors of the company to save $75 million to $100 million a year.
EU Drops Extra Tariff on U.S. Women’s Jeans
Nearly one year after slapping an additional 26 percent tariff on U.S.-made women’s jeans, the European Union has decided to reduce that tariff to 0.35 percent starting on May 1.
What Buyers Are Looking for in an Apparel Company
This year could be a very good year for apparel companies that have a “For Sale” sign hanging outside their front door.
Lynne Koplin Named President of J Brand
Executive Moves
Industry veteran Lynne Koplin, who most recently worked for denim maker True Religion, has been named president of J Brand, another Los Angeles denim maker.
Levi’s Laying Off 800 Employees in Restructuring Effort
Denim News
Levi Strauss & Co. in San Francisco is going on a diet to reduce $175 million to $200 million a year in expenses.
EU Drops Extra Tariff on U.S. Women’s Jeans
Denim Duty
Nearly one year after slapping an additional 26 percent tariff on U.S.-made women’s jeans, the European Union has decided to reduce that tariff to 0.35 percent starting on May 1.
Eva Mendes Adds Some Oomph to New York & Co.'s Spring Line-up
Retail
Actress Eva Mendes on the publicity campaign for new Spring collection.
Key Retailers Turn Out at Los Angeles Fashion Market
Trade Show
Buyers from Nordstrom, Nasty Gal, Piperlime, Amazon.com, ShopBop, Elyse Walker, Madison, Ron Herman, Tilly’s, Revolve and American Rag turned out for the Fall 2014 Los Angeles Fashion Market.
Change Coming With Two Historic Garment Buildings Being Converted Into Loft-Style Apartments
News
Two years ago, Capital Foresight Development, headed by Naty Saidoff, bought architectural gems—the Garment Capitol Building and the Maxfield Building.
Deckers Opens Omni-Channel Store
Retail
Lots of shoes and different ways to buy them at new store in Goleta, Calif.
Famous Movie Stars' Daughter Modeling for Gap
Fashion
The Gap Inc. starts new campaign for outlet stores.
Container Traffic to Rise 12.4 Percent This Month
Import/Export
As spring-like weather entices consumers out of their shells to shop, the number of cargo containers being shipped across the ocean to the nation’s ports is expected to increase by as much as 12.4 percent in March.
The Wet Seal Adds Three New Directors to Board
Executive Moves
Teen retailer The Wet Seal Inc., based in Foothill Ranch, Calif., added three new directors who have technology and social media skills to help the company move forward.
Will Europe Keep Its High Tariff on U.S. Women’s Jeans?
Import/Export
The steep 38 percent tariff the European Union slapped on U.S.-made women’s jeans last year is set to expire on April 30, but no one is sure whether the tariff will disappear or be extended for another year.
Which Fashion Designer is Selling His House?
Rich & Famous
Christian Audigier lists another house for sale.
Los Angeles Fashion Council Puts the Spotlight on LA Designers
Fashion
Los Angeles designers are front and center for Los Angeles Fashion Market.
New Mart Owner Donates $15 Million to LA Jewish Home
Finance
Many know Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer as the force behind The New Mart building, recently made a donation of $15 million to the Los Angeles Jewish Home.
The Village Showroom
Showroom Profile
Tina Fleming and her partner Shanon Martin have branched out to their own 1,200-square-foot showroom on the eighth floor of The New Mart.
