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The LA Fashion Market got off to a busy start Monday, January 17, 2011 at the California Market Center (CMC) with retailers showing up from across the country. Runway shows along with FOCUS Apparel & Accessories Show, TRANSIT LA Shoe Show and the new SELECT Tradeshow were well attended and kept buyers engaged with new contemporary collections during the four-day Market.

Retailers shopping the Market included Fred Segal, Kitson, Nordstrom, Marshall Retail Group, Dillards, Zappos, Macys, Modcloth, Nasty Gal, Nicole Miller, Pacific Trading Company, Polkadots and Moonbeams, Roxy, The Denim Bar, The Fairmont Kea Lani, The Ritz Carlton Los Angeles, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Bebe, Belk Stores, Bellagio Spa & Salon, Betsy & Tracy, Bliss, Boulmiche, DNA Clothing, Diane Merrick, Ed Hardy, Harari, Harrahs, JW Marriot, KSL Resorts, Maiden Company (Tokyo), Weathervane for Men, Yago America (Tokyo), Magpie (Tokyo), Philosophy Austalia (Sydney) and many more.

SELECT Tradeshow made its Market debut with a juried selection of contemporary brands in the CMC’s Fashion Theater on January 17-20. Exhibitors included Ai for Ai, Alexia Admor, Ada Handbags, Azaara, Boutique 9, Gorjana, Joan and David, Magaschoni Apparel, Minnie Rose, Voom by Joy Han, Inge Christopher, Monserat De Lucca and many more. Retailers indulged daily in complimentary coffee and treats from Urth Cafe and organic iced teas from Honest Tea.

“This is the first Show we’ve done at the CMC, and we were surprised with the heavy amount of traffic we saw,” said SELECT Tradeshow exhibitor Ada Deferrari of Ada Handbags. “LA was lacking a Show like this, I’m excited it’s finally come together.”

Runway shows proved another successful way for showrooms to get their brands in front of well known retailers. Tuesday’s Contemporary Collections Runway Show January 18th at 5:00pm featured six contemporary brands from the CMC: Amour Vert, Blue Pearl, Darling, Lindi, Hippietiques and Eva Varro. Buyers from Zappos and Dillards were in the audience and every chair was filled, with some guests having standing room only. Wednesday’s F2 runway show featured emerging brands and FOCUS exhibitors such as Pearl Southern Couture, Christian Laurent, Carilyn Vaile, Dena Burton and shoes and accessories by Chinese Laundry.

FOCUS Apparel & Accessories Show located in the Penthouse (13th floor) proved equally popular among buyers during its Tuesday- Thursday run featuring 37 emerging contemporary lines such as Fahrenkamp Apparel, Ideal Woman Jewelry, 2026, Mariagrazia Panizzi, Levante Hosiery, Love Tatum, Hot Sox, Mystree, FAB Clothing, MeMoi, River Up, Incognito Eyewear and many more.

TRANSIT LA Shoe Show, also located in the Penthouse (13th floor), showcased 115 lines including Mtng, Caressa, ES Originals, Bernie Mev, Geox, Holster, Nine West, Erica Giuliani, Skemo, Jeffrey Campbell, L.A.M.B., DV by Dolce Vita, Report Signature, Kelsi Dagger, Jessica Simpson, Badgley Mischka and Donald J Pliner, to name a few.

“We are very happy with SELECT’s debut and the reception it received from attendees,” said Audrey Okulick, CMC Spokesperson. “Many exhibitors said this LA Fashion Market saw better foot traffic then any in 2010. We are optimistic about the development of March’s SELECT Tradeshow and plan on having double the exhibitors, similar hospitality perks, and an expanded marketing push with increased advertising, direct marketing, social media outreach, telemarketing and retail visits to recruit new attendees.”

The Fall 2011 LA Fashion Market will take place March 14-17, 2011 with showrooms open by appointment only Sunday, March 13.

This workshop will focus on ways vendors can identify areas within their company that can be improved resulting in increased profits and reduced dilution.

In addition to these popular retail stores making themselves available to meet with you one-on-one, they will be speaking on the best way to research and present issues that trouble so many companies (EDI/ASN, Labels, Late Shipments, Shortages, etc.).

Additional sessions will include negotiation tactics, recovery methods and information on the latest technology available to make your company more efficient.

A/R and Deduction personnel as well as those responsible for Credit and Logistic/Traffic issues should attend.

As stated this is a one and a half day workshop with a Networking Cocktail Reception following the first day. Breakfast and lunch will be served both days. Companies can pay 1 registration fee and send someone different each day (substitutions are allowed).

Registration Rates
VCF member: $399
Non-member: $549

Click here to register: https://www.vcmww.com/vcf/client/eventDetail.jsp?eventId=244

Those interested in becoming members of the VCF can contact Robert Prather at 626 945-6040.

• FGILA 75th Anniversary Event: Style blogger Natalie Simone shares photos and a bit about her fun time at the FGILA 75th Anniversary celebration.

• Fashion Group International Celebrates 75th Anniversary In Style:  Neon Tommy summarizes the FGILA 75th Anniversary event.

• ttF Fashion Diary: Redbury & FGILA: Los Angeles-based fashion editor/blogger/TV fashion commentator Sydne Summer enjoyed the FGILA 75th anniversary celebration before heading to the grand opening of Redbury.

• Fashion Group International’s 75th Anniversary Event: Red carpet event host/stylist Laurie Brucker writes about her experience and includes footage of the anniversary event.

• Gift Bags Galore!: Laurie Brucker posts photos and information on everything included in the two gift bags provided at the FGILA 75th Anniversary event.

• FGILA’s 75th Anniversary Party: Stylist Jennifer Margolin shares pictures and highlights of the event.

• From LA With Love: Jewels, Books, Sample Sale Score And More: Style blogger Krista Peck writes about what she likes about the items she received from the FGILA 75th Anniversary event.

• Photo Galleries:
  • Fashion Group International Of Los Angeles 75th Anniversary Party – Arrivals: Premiere.com.
  • Fashion Group International Of Los Angeles 75th Anniversary Party – Arrivals: PR Photos.
  • Fashion Group International Of Los Angeles 75th Anniversary Party: Starpulse.com.
  • Faith Evans Attends Fashion Group International Of Los Angeles Anniversary Party Pictures:  Monsters and Critics.
  • Faith Evans Attends Fashion Group International Of Los Angeles Anniversary Party Pictures: The Internet Movie Database.

• Coverage By Meg O’Brien Of StyleList:

Fashion and music only tie in for me with the way people see me on my album covers,” R&B star Faith Evans joked with StyleList at the 75th anniversary party for Fashion Group International Los Angeles. “Believe me, my fans would not believe what I look like in the studio!”

The modest songstress continued: “I do believe, as an artist, the images that you put out are something that you do have to try to live up to. I love Dolce, I love Catherine Malandrino, I love Phillip Lim, Versace-it depends how it fits my body! How it fits on my big, big hips! I can’t show too much but I like to accentuate the positive.”

The nonprofit FGI is a fashion industry group boasting of 5,000 members. “LA Fashion is really for everyone. You don’t have to be a traditional runway size in order to participate here,” FGI Marketing Chair Macala Wright Lee told us. “The LA Fashion community has always been so fragmented, we’re working on bringing the LA Fashion industry together.”

Project Runway’s Michael Costello told StyleList: “Fashion is not just on the East Coast. Fashion is wonderful out here and it’s growing and that’s beautiful.” His fellow former-contestant added: “I like the bling! I like the big cuffs! I love layering things, big shirts and skinny jeans. It’s fun and I just love that!”

“Fame’s” Naturi Naughton, “Notorious” Antonique Smith were also among the famous faces at the event, which also launched FGI’s new book “Faces” and featured a performance by Evans.

Faith Evans hosted and performed at the intimate gathering, which was filled with experts representing a wide variety of fashion industry professionals from established to up-and-coming designers, media representatives, stylists, celebrities, buyers and various industry executives.

“FGI LA is seeking to bring Los Angeles fashion industry professionals, designers, brands, retailers and service providers together so that we not only connect, but help one another scale our business in a collaborative, nurturing way,” explains Macala Wright Lee, marketing chair of FGI LA and owner of FashionablyMarketing.Me.

The event raised $2,500, which will be applied to the operating and student scholarships that will be awarded to students pursuing education in the fashion industry.

The FGILA Event was a smashing success. Red Carpet attendees included:

Michael Costello – This designer was recently part of the “Project Runway” cast during Season 8.

Suwana Perry - A high fashion model contracted by many agency’s around the world.
Brittany Sullivan- Winner of Americas Next Top Model Cycle 11; Brittany is currently signed with Elite Model Management in Chicago.

Celestin Carnielle - Commercials, Runways and Movies. There’s not a thing Celestin hasnt done. You can catch him Dexter playing the role of “Felipe”

DArdell – Designer, Producer, Model. DArdell can be found working anywhere from California to London.

Faith Evans - Singer-song writer, record producer, actress and author. Faith was the first female artist to sign with Bad Boy Entertainment. Her newest release “Something About Faith” can be found on Itunes or your nearest Electronic Store.

Gordana Gehlhaysen- Owner of GOGA a women’s boutique which originally opened in Charleston, SC. Is now opening a new store in San Diego. Be on the lookout for her gorgeous designs.

Igal Dahan - Jewelry designer with a great new collection. ID-xchange has been worn by various celebrities from Samuel L. Jackson to Kim Kardashian.

Jaimie Hilfiger – Niece of famous fashion designer, Tommy Hilfiger. Jaimie has recently moved to Beverly Hills and is hoping to one day be a successful on-air entertainment broadcaster.

Sammy Sheik – Sammy has been working on TV show’s and Movies the past few months. Catch sammy on the upcoming Transformer 3 movie scheduled for a 2011 release.

Sam Sarpong – Sam has been in over sixty films, over forty-five television shows and was the International face for Tommy Hilfiger for over six years.

Jennifer Margolin – A professional fashion stylist, wardrobe and image consultant providing services from Nothern California to Southern California.

Laurie Brucker – Los Angeles Fashion Image Stylist and Wardrobe Consultant. Laurie has one rule that she lives by “walk through life like the sidewalk is your runway.”

Naturi Naughton – Singer and Actress; Naturi is known for being in the R&B group 3LW.

Witold Szmanda – Personal Trainer for high profile celebrities. Witold travels the world to help his clients get into better shape.

Antonique Smith – Actor, singer, writer there isn’t a thing Antonique doesn’t do. She is currently working on a new movie “Abduction” Directed by John Singleton.

View The Videos || View The Photos

What Was In The Bag:

1. Beyond The Rack – BeyondTheRack.com, a title sponsor for the night, donated $50 shopping cards to the private sale site as well as one grand prize of $1500 for one lucky winner. Member of FGI-LA and friends of FGI-LA can register for a Beyond The Rack account, shop and benefit FGILA all at the same time!

2. Tulle – Tulle, a Los Angeles-based fashion brand, provided amazing rich colored scarves. Media attendees received the Wide Chunky Scarf in red, purple, blue or brown. Faith Evans loved her the scarf that she received in red.

3. Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery - Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery donated Colostrum Mask and Holiday Peels from their spa to the media attendees. Need a little heaven in the middle of day? This is the place to go.

4. LACMA – The Los Angeles Contemporary Museum of Art donated VIP guest passes for media and VIP attendees to view the Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail exhibit that currently runs through March 3rd, 2011.

5. Shop Moderne – ShopModerne.com, an amazing online boutique that carries a unique collection of contemporary fashion brands, provided $35.00 gift certificates.

6. Liz Larios – Liz Larios Jewelry, in partnership with Sense Of Fashion, provided amazing, rocker chic bracelets.

7. Merritt Charles – The amazing LA brand, Merritt Charles, founded by the darling designer Lacy Horning, gave media attendees The Jana T-Shirt and gave Faith Evans the Mathers Scarf.

8. Fablogue – Fablogue, a shopping site for independent luxury designers,  provided gift certificates to media attendees.

9. Morning Glory Creations – Morning Glory provided beautiful gemstone accented wine charms for all media attendees.

10. O.N.E. Drinks – We all love O.N.E. Coconut Water, you know the great waters you get at your local Whole Foods? During the performance, this amazing company provided all attendees with an alternative to wine and hard liquor. We had Apple, Pomegranate and Fruit Punch flavored water.

11. Steamheat SteamPunk Jewelry – Steamheat Steampunk created custom made bronze cuff bracelets for Faith Evans. The intricate, complexly designed pieces, can be viewed on their site.

12. Carolina Pad – Carolina Pad donated beautiful notebooks from their Studio C series. The multi-compartment books even hold business cards.

13. Charming Charlie - This amazing women’s fashion accessories company is coming to LA soon. Media attendees received trendy fashion jewelry sets that included earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

14. You By Crocs – YOU by Crocs gave attendees gift certificates to receive a free pair of their comfortable, non-traditional Croc shoes!

15. Kaboodle – A woman has to stay organized! Kaboodle.com, an online fashion community, donated beautiful, portable purse holders that attendees could use to keep their bags off the floor. Convenient and cute!