U.S. Advantage
Manufacturing
Martin Barrack, vice president of JS Denim in Los Angeles, is promoting a truly all-American denim pant
European Tariff Hike Leads LA Manufacturers to Look for Alternative Markets and New Marketing Strategies
Manufacturing
Premium-denim manufacturers in Los Angeles are sorting out new ways to boost their global markets
Home-Furnishings Store Raj Lotus Coming to CMC
Retail
What used to be a traditional bank branch at the California Market Center in is being converted into a home-furnishings store
Students to Protest Gap in Santa Monica
Students in the United States, Canada and England will be protesting outside Gap and Wal-Mart stores this Saturday over Bangladesh garment workers killed in building collapse.
Father and Daughter Team Up to Create Line Starting with Organic Cotton Grown in California
San Diego family uses Kickstarter to create a line that is truly "Made in USA."
Sue Wong Shares Her Fashion and Home With Museum Patrons
Mansion to Museum Piece
Los Angeles County Museum of Art patrons visit Sue Wong's house.
U.S. Senate Approves Michael Froman as New U.S. Trade Representative
Yarn Forward
The naming of Michael Froman as the new U.S. trade representative is good news for the U.S. textile industry.
Los Angeles Garment Maker Fined by State for Wage Violations
Legal
A downtown Los Angeles apparel contractor has been hit with a $282,582 citation
M&A Opportunities for Apparel Companies With a Niche Brand, Financiers Say
Finance
The secret to selling an apparel label is to have a niche business that no one has developed.
Trade Officials and Brands Working to Repeal High EU Duty on US-Made Jeans
Import / Export
Los Angeles manufacturers, facing a new 38 percent European duty on women’s jeans made in the United States, are weighing their options and trying to avoid moving production outside the country.
Los Angeles Garment Maker Fined by State for Wage Violations
Wage Violations
A downtown Los Angeles apparel contractor who changed his company’s name to avoid past fines has been hit with a $282,582 citation, according to the California Labor Commissioner.
Li & Fung Chair Doesn’t Believe in Abandoning Bangladesh, Sees Changes in China
International Sourcing
William K. Fung, chairman of apparel sourcing giant Li & Fung, spoke recently in LA about sourcing opportunities--and responsibilities--around the world.
Retailers Stocking Later for the Back-to-School and Holiday Seasons
Retail
It seems like retailers are going slow this summer.
Home-Furnishings Store Raj Lotus Coming to CMC
Retail
What used to be a traditional bank branch at the California Market Center in Los Angeles is being converted into a home-furnishings store filled with a blast of color.
Business Strong at LA Fashion Market
Trade Show Report
June market in LA exceeded expectations for many exhibitors.
Shoes by Kathy Ireland Next in Her Stable of Clothes and Furniture
Kathy Ireland lsings up to license her name for shoes.
Retailers Stocking Later for the Back-to-School and Holiday Seasons
Import/Export
The National Retail Federation's monthly “Port Tracker” report, which monitors cargo container traffic coming into through the nation’s largest ports, forecasts a major jump in imports in October.
Made-in-LA Retail Opening Downtown
Retail
First came the fashion incubator, now comes the incubator store.
Historic Gerry Building for Sale in Fashion District
Downtown LA Real Estate
Wholesale showroom space, the Gerry Building, is for sale.
Most Consumers Have No Idea Where Their Clothes Are Made
Most clothes are not made in the United States, but a majority of U.S. consumers are really clueless about where their clothes come from anyway. A new Harris poll
Central American Apparel Production Threatened by Trans-Pacific Partnership
CAFTA Production
Ronnie Ekelund and Priscilla Silva flew from California to Guatemala on a mission.
Natalia Romano
Showroom Profiles
Natalie Hara’s new showroom in the Gerry Building is a dual-purpose space.
Los Angeles Fashion Council Opens Venue for Free Designer Shows
Los Angeles Fashion Council to Hold Montly "Open Runway" event in Hollywood
RFID Key to Omnichannel Commerce
Technology
The goal seemed ambitious—even for a major retailer such as Macy’s Inc.
Trina Turk Eyes New Store Model for Upcoming Atlanta Outlet
Trina Turk looks to a new model for her latest store opening
Retail Sales and Cargo-Container Volumes to Slow This Summer
Retail
Retail sales are expected to cool down as consumers remain cautious about the economy.
The Way We Wore of LA Launches Online Shopping Site
Vintage Retail
With a docu-series on the Smithsonian Channel, Doris Raymond and her vintage boutique The Way We Wore is now selling vintage garb online.
Launch LA Goes on Hiatus
Trade Shows
GLM, the organizer of Surf Expo and more than 20 other trade shows, announced it would put its 1-year-old Launch LA trade show on the back burner while it rethinks the concept.
NCTO Textile Group Swears In Officers
The National Council of Textile Organizations in Washington, D.C., re-elected Bill Jasper to a third term as chairman of the trade group.
West Coast Manufacturing Conference Discusses Fighting for Retail Floor Space
Manufacturing
With 45 percent of a major department store’s merchandise being dedicated to private labels and another 40 percent carved out for brands
Prime Business Credit Acquires Asiana Capital
Finance
Prime Business Credit, which has offices in Los Angeles and New York, announced it acquired Asiana Capital
Forever 21 Sues Discount Stores for Trademark Infringement
Retail
Los Angeles fast-fashion retailer Forever 21 is suing several jobbers and discount apparel stores in a case that could have resounding effects on the off-price merchandise market.
Fighting for Retail Floor Space Gets Tougher
Manufacturing
With 45 percent of a major department store’s merchandise being dedicated to private labels and another 40 percent carved out for brands, there’s not a lot of room left over for new apparel companies.
Kohl’s Launches Tech Office in Northern California
In order to deal with a growing online sales market, Kohl’s Corp. is launching a new information-technology office in northern California.
EU Duty Triples on U.S. Women’s Denim Pants
Import/Export
As of May 1, all U.S.-made women’s denim pants imported into the EU had their duty raised from 12 percent to 38 percent.
Los Angeles Blue Jeans Makers Floored by New Duties Being Imposed by Europe
Import/Export
Three U.S. goods currently subject to a 15 percent EU duty—sweet corn, eyewear frames and mountings, and crane trucks—will have their duties increased to 26 percent. But the big hit came to U.S.-made women’s jeans. This category will see its 12 percent duty rise to 38 percent.
Evy of California Expanding Downtown LA Space
Manufacturing
Childrenswear and juniorswear maker Evy of California has only been in its new downtown LA headquarters for two years, but already it is running out of room.
New Fashion Incubator Arriving in Downtown Los Angeles
Manufacturing
Leah Garvin calls herself a fashion anthropologist, but these days she is sounding more like a fashion entrepreneur.
Long-Established Dress Store Moving from Cooper Design Building
Retail on the Move
A store that has been established on the same Fashion District corner for 25 years has decided to change its location. And why is that?
Technology Is Becoming Key for Efficient Fashion Companies
Technology
Every apparel maker and retailer knows that technology these days is driving profit and efficiency.
New Fashion Incubator Arriving in Downtown Los Angeles
Made in America
FactoryLA is a new fashion incubator in downtown Los Angeles
Windsor Fashion Donates Prom Dresses to Senior H.S. Girls
Prom Dress Giveaway
Windsor Fashion, a prominent Los Angeles retail chain, gives away prom dresses to needy high-school seniors.
Slow Economy Keeps Manufacturers and Retailers Working Hard for Their Money
Quarterly Report
With earnings season upon us, several retail and apparel companies are reporting year-end and quarterly results that tell a happy story.
U.S. Ports to See a Rising Tide of Imports
Import/Export
Imports at the nation’s ports are expected to increase 2.7 percent in April over the same month last year and inch up 4.7 percent during the first six months of this year, according to the National Retail Federation.
How China is Playing Out in the Sourcing World
Finance
For many U.S. apparel manufacturers, China is no longer the sourcing paradise it used to be.
