Kain Annual Sample Sale 50 to 70% off!

Photo courtesy of Kain

The Kain annual sample sale is this week at the Cooper Building! The Cali brand is most well-known for their super-soft fabrics and effortlessly beautiful tees, tanks, henleys, jersey dresses, sweatshirts, and knits. Score them all at 50 to 70% off!

When:
Thursday, December 1 through Friday, December 2, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where:
Addison + Crescent Showroom,
The Cooper Building
860 South Los Angeles Street (between East 8th and East 9th streets)
Suite 505

December Sample Sales: Raquel Allegra + 7 For All Mankind & MORE!



Of Two Minds

warehouse sale

thursday december 1st

10am - 3pm

friday december 2nd

10am - 3pm

834 s broadway

4th floor

los angeles 90014



CASH PREFERRED

**Will continue to update list...check back for more December sample sale news!**

A Current Affair Returns with Host Rose Apodaca, Artist Rafa Esparza & Music by KCRW DJ Marion Hodges



Saturday, December 3, 6pm-10pm | Sunday, December 4, 11am-5pm
Cooper Design Space, 860 S. Los Angeles St., Downtown LA


The fifth edition of A Current Affair: Pop-up Vintage Marketplace will take place this weekend, Saturday December 3rd through Sunday, December 4th at the Cooper Design Space. Bringing together over 30 premier vintage retailers and private dealers from Los Angeles and beyond, A Current Affair presents a unique opportunity to shop a select assortment of exceptional vintage fashion items ranging from accessible wearable to haute couture. Tickets are $10 at the door, but get it fot $5 at Gilt City now!

Highlights:

Curator, journalist and author Rose Apodaca will host the December edition of A Current Affair and sign copies of her latest book, Fred Hayman—The Extraordinary Difference: The Story of Rodeo Drive, Hollywood Glamour and the Showman Who Sold It All. The former West Coast bureau chief of Women's Wear Daily and a founding editor of The Los Angeles Times "Image" Section, Apodaca will also hand select 10 vintage party looks from throughout the show which will be on exhibit and available for purchase.

Artist Rafa Esparza will exhibit his Gallos Giros Putos Gallones at the December edition of A Current Affair. For the piece, Esparza sculpts roosters using old Nike Cortez sneakers. The birds will be contained to a central exhibit and “perched” throughout the show. This marks the second collaboration between a local artist and A Current Affair, following September’s exhibition of Edith Abeyta’s camp site. A Current Affair is interested in showcasing the works of artists who use found fashion items as a medium.

For the music, KCRW DJ Marion Hodges will provide the beats. Hodges can be heard every other Saturday night/Sunday morning from 3AM to 6AM on 89.9 KCRW, and kcrw.com. Marion has been DJ-ing since the summer of 2007. She co-founded the DJ team Squaregirls, and was a co-creator of the still active indiepop/northern soul dance party, Hungry Beat! The loungier sister of Hungry Beat!, Sophisticated Boom Boom, takes place on the first Saturday of every month at Tony’s Saloon, Downtown Los Angeles. She frequently spins at Wurstkuche (both locations), Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown, and various other concert venues around town. At least eighty-five percent of her wardrobe is comprised of vintage items.

Designer Profiles: Raquel Allegra

By N. Jayne Seward, Fashion Editor
California Apparel News
November 25, 2011

Raquel Allegra is perhaps best known for her avant-garde T-shirts made with elaborate shredding techniques and tie-dyed prints. But in just five short years, her collection has matured into a full ready-to-wear line with sophisticated silhouettes made in luxe fabrications.

The Berkeley, Calif.–based Allegra launched her eponymous collection after her T-shirts gained a cult-like following while she worked as a sales associate at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills. The shirts, which were made from recycled tees from the Los Angeles County Jail system, were created with Allegra’s signature shredding technique.

Stretched and tie-dyed, the chic T-shirts and webbed cocoon shapes were an instant hit with celebs and landed in high-end stores, including Maxfield in Los Angeles, Harvey Nichols Hong Kong and Tsum in Russia.

After a runway debut at Boxeight Fashion Week in 2008, followed by Gen Art’s Fresh Faces in Fashion show in 2009, Allegra quickly became a fashion darling on the Los Angeles design scene. During that time she partnered with Tony Graham and his wife, Findings showroom owner Deirdre Roffoni, and the brand evolved into a cut-and-sew collection. Retailers—including high-end specialty boutiques and department stores such as Barneys New York, Lane Crawford and Liberty of London—were quick to pick up the T-shirts, deerskin leggings and one-of-a-kind vintage cashmere pieces.

For Spring 2012, the line has evolved yet again. The recycled vintage jail tees are gone, but the collection retains Allegra’s edgy yet chic design aesthetic with a refined sophistication. The collection includes T-shirts and a complete ready-to-wear line created with the same shredding techniques and original tie-dyed prints in a range of colors and silhouettes. For the first time, the T-shirts and ready-to-wear are made with a cohesive design process in mind.

“I think, now, more than ever, I get to tell a whole story. Before, it’s been in pieces,” Allegra said. “I have more resources to really allow the ideas to grow.”

This season, T-shirts and the wovens were created from Allegra’s favorite prints pulled from her design archives and then photographed and puzzled together by the line’s in-house graphic artist. Allegra plans to employ the same process each season.

“The intention is really to create prints that are directly out of our world, and our language, which again makes the story feel more cohesive and consistent,” she said.

The complete look is casual sophistication with Allegra’s bohemian-chic aesthetic. “When I design a collection, I start from what I’m wearing—what I want to be wearing—everyday. And I just build off of that,” she said.

Blazers are a core piece in Allegra’s own closet. “So I start with [blazers] and layer from there [and create] all the immediate things you want to grab when you are getting dressed in the morning.” T-shirts, blouses and ethereal dresses are a few of the key pieces. Balancing masculine with feminine, the pieces are made to be layered, creating a canvas of rich textures and prints. “I think it’s all really an extension of my personality, how I want to dress, how I want to feel. I think all those different layers and all those different voices and personalities get a place to play in this collection more than ever before,” she said.

The Spring collection was inspired by the character played by actress Sean Young in the ’80s science fiction film “Blade Runner.” The line includes silk dresses, shorts, bodysuits, suits and jumpsuits with a modern-meets-futuristic look. Cashmere sweaters and silk/linen jackets and pants are printed in vibrant tie-dyes, creating an ethnic, sci-fi effect. Casually chic blazers are made to be functional, including one that is reversible and another made in silk chiffon lined with jersey. Blouses and dresses are feminine yet modern, made in fabrics such as a colorful stripe chiffon and a French stretch lace. T-shirts have deconstructed details and come in a range of styles and fabrics, including cotton, micro shadow stripe jersey, and a rayon jersey and twill blend.

Retail prices for T-shirts start at $130 and go up to $400. Wovens are $200 to $1,000, with most falling in the $200 to $600 range. For more information, contact the Findings showroom at (213) 622-0717.

Findings Showroom

Cooper Design Space

860 S. Los Angeles Street

Suite 608

Los Angeles, CA 90014

December Sample Sales: Raquel Allegra & Of Two Minds

Raquel Allegra

Of Two Minds

Raquel Allegra and Of Two Minds

warehouse sale

thursday december 1st

10am - 3pm

friday december 2nd

10am - 3pm

834 s broadway

4th floor

los angeles 90014

213-624-5200

cash preferred

Buy Made in America at Unique LA Craft Show

Reposted from the California Market Center Blog via Los Angeles Times Daily Dish
By Caitlin Keller, Los Angeles Times
November 22, 2011

A couple of Sundays ago, I stopped by the Patchwork Indie Arts & Crafts Festival in Culver City and left with bags full of Christmas gifts for friends and family, like letterpress stationery, confections from C Salt Gourmet and T-shirts from Hips and Hair -- all made in L.A. I had no intention of starting my holiday shopping just yet, but with December just around the corner, now I'm on a roll.

Next up is Unique LA, one of the biggest independent design shows in the country. The craft show will be held at the California Market Center and will feature more than 325 artists selling jewelry, gourmet edibles, clothing, art, toys and stationery. The two-day event allows those from SoCal to shop local, support L.A.'s economy and check off names on their Christmas lists.

Stock up on jams, chocolates, spices, bacon and more from Unique LA participants, including food vendors Hepp's Salt Barrel, Coldwater Canyon Provisions, Lemon Bird handmade jams, Morning Glory Confections, the Rice Creamery and Matchbox Kitchen, to name a few.

110 E. 9th Street, L.A., stateofunique.com.

Cozy Essentials When You're Home for the Holidays

Whether you will be en route, by air or land, to travel home for the Thanksgiving and/or Christmas holidays or simply plan on lounging around your home this winter season, we have got a couple curl-up-by-the-fire outfit inspirations to help you stay comfortable and stylish. Thanks to Community Service Showroom in the Cooper Design Space, we picked out pieces that are on-trend such as the maxi dress, over-sized knit sweaters and pops of color in prints and neons. And take heed of our styling tips! Experiment with layers this season by wearing your slouchy poncho over your maxi dress or pairing a cropped sweater over a midi dress. Finish the look with leather boots or a wedge for a cool, unexpected touch.

Look #1

 Look #2

Want these pieces? Get it here:
C.Z. Falconer  - http://www.czfalconer.com/
Love Sam - http://www.revolveclothing.com/
Rory Beca - http://www.rorybeca.com/
Blu Life - http://www.shopplanetblue.com/
Thursday/Friday - http://www.thufri.com/

Credit:

Editor & Photographer: Annie Chang

Stylist: Bettina Bati

Wardrobe: Community Service Showroom

Model: London Vale

Fashion designers Victoria´s Secret models wallpaper

Victoria´s Secret models

Victoria´s Secret models wallpapers.

Victoria´s Secret

Victoria´s Secret

Victoria´s Secret

3 Menswear-Inspired Holiday Party Looks

Suit it up this holiday season with one of this year's hottest trends: masculine-inspired pieces. This tailored silhouette was seen all over the runways during fashion week fall 2011; Dolce & Gabbana sent a parade of men's suiting-inspired looks done in silks and brocades and so did Stella McCartney. Style stars have also embraced this trend from Diane Kruger to Rachel Bilson. But with the rest of us who don't have a celebrity-sized bank account, the LA Fashion District has got you covered. Here are 3 stand-out outfits at an affordable price.

Where to shop:

62nd Street Boutique

1031 S. Los Angeles Street

Los Angeles, CA 90015

Look #1:

1. Tuxedo blazer, $50.92

2. Shiny harem pants, $45

3. Ring, $10

4. Chanel-inspired necklace (coming soon), $45

5. Studded necklace, $25

6. Chunky necklace, $25

8. Fur scarf, $45

Look #2:

1. Leopard jumpsuit, $45

2. Studded denim jacket, $63 (20% off!)

3. Fanny pack, $38

4. Rings, $10 each

5. Boyfriend rubber watch, $28

6. Chanel-inspired necklace (coming soon), $45

7. Studded necklace, $25

Look #3:

1. Blouse, $20-40

2. Scalloped shorts, $38

3. Vintage watch, $35

4. Chunky bracelets, $25 each

5. Rings, $10 each

6. Rosary necklace, $68

Credit:

Editor & Photographer: Annie Chang

Stylist: Bettina Bati

Wardrobe: 62nd Street Boutique

Model: London Vale

& a BIG thanks to Arell Hughes!

UNDREST Sample Sale at the Primrose Design Building

Undrest. will be holding a sample sale this Saturday, November 19th, in the Primrose Design Building with undies, swimwear, and loungewear galore. Subsequent sales will be held on December 2nd and 9th.

Primrose Design Building
833 South Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
9 AM to 4 PM

Bike Lanes Coming Soon to Spring Street

Bicyclists at October's CicLAvia event in the LA Fashion District

We are excited to report that our district will be receiving bike lanes on Spring Street! This project is in accordance with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT)'s installation of Downtown's first bike lane, which will be marked in green. The lane will run down Spring Street from Cesar Chavez to 9th Street.
As of today, the project is underway; preliminary lines have been marked for the future lane, which will run between curbside parking and a buffer to separate cyclists from traffic.

Additionally, last week, the LA Fashion District BID staff met with Council District 9 and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) last week to discuss the bike lane plans. We are happy to report that LADOT listened to our recommendation to maintain street parking spaces. Also, bike lane construction will be postponed until after the holiday shopping season.

Style | Gallery Boutique Propels Retail Transformation on LA Street

For decades, Los Angeles Street in the LA Fashion District has been the destination for menswear, selling tuxedos, dress shoes and other accessories. But in recent years, this street is transforming into a hip, retail hot spot featuring edgy and independent designers for the fashionable. Some notable boutiques that have been pioneers in setting up a brick and mortar are the Cooper Store, a boutique that sells past designer merchandise pulled from showrooms at the Cooper Design Space and MartinMartin, an avant-garde women’s and men’s luxury clothing collection that has been featured in British Vogue, The New York and Los Angeles Times. And in August this year, this burgeoning street welcomed its newest store:

Style | Gallery.

Owned and operated by Los Angeles native Julie Kim, Style | Gallery is an upscale, modern store featuring women’s designer labels at 30-60% off retail price. “The collections I carry are hip and not too trendy and have a cult following,” says Kim. “I wouldn’t sell anything I personally wouldn’t wear.” A fashion veteran who has been in the wholesale business for 18 years and whose mother also owns a store on Los Angeles Street for the past 30, Kim has carefully curated her boutique to offer her customers high-end clothing at an affordable price.

“There’s something for everyone,” says Kim. Through her relationships with these designers, Kim brings wearable, edgy and innovative labels such as Funktional, Clu, Maj, 213. Plus, Kim also has a growing stock of discounted, vintage luxury brands like Gucci and Prada purses.

Additionally, Style | Gallery hosts a trunk show and cocktail event every month on the Art Walk Thursday nights. At the soiree, Kim hangs art pieces on the walls, hosts a happy hour and features a brand on sale for 40-60% off.

Shoppers can also find handbags and jewelry at a comfortable $20-$40 range and an amazing sale rack of quality apparel at $15. Style | Gallery is still growing and will start to bring in more brand names. Word on Los Angeles Street is that a denim brand will be brought in…so stay tuned!

More photos of Style | Gallery:

 



The $15 sale rack

Vintage Prada and Gucci handbags

Style | Gallery

725 S. Los Angeles Street

Los Angeles, CA 90014

http://www.shopstylegallery.com/

facebook.com/stylegalleryLA

twitter.com/shpstylegallery

Important News to Shoppers Everywhere: Non-Stop Sample Sales

Your holiday shopportunity is now every week! Get your shop on every Friday through the END of the year! Discover discounted Women's, Men's, Kid's and Gift & Home merchandise!

9a - 4p

California Market Center

110 E. 9th Street

Los Angeles, CA 90079

COIN1804 Pre-Holiday Warehouse Sale

COIN 1804

PRE-HOLIDAY WAREHOUSE SAMPLE & STOCK SALE!!!

Get Your Holiday Shopping in early and find some amazing deals!


Up to 80% off Retail Price Merchandise!

WHERE:
2262 E. 37TH ST.
VERNON, CA 90058
323-583-3330
INFO@COIN1804.COM

http://www.coin1804.com/

WHEN: **NEW DATES**
THURS 11/17 FROM 1PM - 5PM
FRI 11/18 FROM 1PM - 5PM
SAT 11/19 FROM 11AM - 5PM

CASH AND CREDIT CARD ACCEPTED!

LA Fashion District Textiles a Contributor to SACHIKA's S/S 2012 Collection

The Sachika Twins at their LA Fashion Week runway show finale

 The LA Fashion District has nearly 200 wholesale and retail textile businesses dedicated to serving apparel, home and accessory designers with the best domestic and international fabrics, trim and beading and at the best prices. Many designers rely on the resources in our district to create their seasonal collections. The duo designers of SACHIKA are a great example. They recently debuted for the very first time in Los Angeles their S/S 2012 collection at the October 2011 Concept LA Fashion Week. We chatted with them and learned what fabrics and trims they bought from the district to construct their fantasy-world inspired collection titled “Mermaid Paradise: Dance with the Ocean”.

When the identical twin designers, To-Tam and To-Nya from New York City, by way of Paris and Montreal, are not filming scenes for E!’s “Ice Loves Coco” reality show, they are constantly designing for either their celebrity clients or working on their own ventures (denim line, swimwear line, accessories). That’s why they are no strangers to the LA Fashion District. “It’s our home away from home,” says To-Nya.

“We love how extensive the LA Fashion District is. There are so many blocks and they all carry such different things at a great price range. And the bustling energy is infectious!” said To-Tam.

Shopping at the LA Fashion District is also a practicality. “Many suppliers in NY have a parent company in LA,” revealed To-Nya. “And since the prices get racked up in NY, we like to come to the LA Fashion District.”

So when it came time to create their spring 2012 collection, the twins shopped at their go-to stores on the corner of Maple and 9^th Streets. They searched for shiny, sequin fabrics that were complementary to the female body such as Ponte, silk satin and mixed novel jersey. “We know how the Modern Woman wants to feel in a dress, so we also always search for fabrications that will accentuate her body.”

The SACHIKA Modern Woman, according to the twins, is someone who’s fierce, independent and ambitious. This particular collection - inspired by mermaids – conveyed a strong, sensual mood that was all about celebrating the feminine body. The silhouettes of the cocktail dresses, tailored ready-to-wear and evening gowns were fitted, the breezy printed tops and pants evoked an island fantasy mood, and the color scheme resembled the sea and sand such as coral, blue, earth tones, ivory, charcoal and stone. One dress was even completely sequin, demonstrating a replica of fish scales.

Additionally, many of the fabrics the designers like to buy from the LA Fashion District are European fabrics, especially from Italy, because they like the cut and design. “A great outfit starts with great fabrics, you have to have the right ingredients,” said the SACHIKA Twins. They also buy designs with an Asian flair as the sisters like to infuse a sense of their heritage in their line.

Though LA Fashion Week came and went, the SACHIKA Twins are still progressing forward. “SACHIKA is a movement for us; it’s about having a vision and creating a lifestyle,” said the twins. The sisters are currently working on their own TV show. Whatever the project, we hope that the LA Fashion District continues to be a creative contributor!

Make an appointment at the LA Showroom:

Ha Kim

Ha@hathikimpr.com

And follow their blog at:

TheRealTwinsofNYC

Styleexpo says "LA Top of the List", Opens in the LA Fashion District

While the LA Fashion District is the creative center of the fashion industry and is a top destination for wholesale buyers, retail shoppers, designers and other industry sectors, the district continues to thrive, with new construction and development. One of the newest businesses to make the LA Fashion District its home is Styleexpo, a New York-based photography studio. In considering where to expand their successful business, Styleexpo owners said LA was top of the list. Now, situated at the heart of the LA Fashion District on Los Angeles Street, the studio can conveniently offer its professional high quality digital photography and other marketing services to Southern California’s apparel and jewelry industry at affordable prices. And the industry is in for a treat; unlike traditional fashion photography, pricing at Styleexpo is not per product or per shot, but by the hour thereby giving the client more control over the volume of images.

In addition to photography, Styleexpo offers a menu of other services to assist designers in marketing their products. They build custom, feature-rich websites that then can be easily updated by the client using custom made content management pages. Additionally, they offer search engine marketing (SEM), line sheets, look books, product videos, catalogs and trade magazine ads.

For a limited time only, Styleexpo is offering 15% off any booking in November!

Contact Megan at megan@styleexpo.com or call 213-629-5500 to discuss your photography needs.

719 S. Los Angeles St.

Suite 508

Los Angeles, CA 90014

Mon-Fri: 9 am to 6 pm

www.styleexpo.com

Nandini Sample Sale Happening Today & Tomorrow!

Nandini Textiles, who had their first sample sale last Friday, is hosting another blowout sale today and tomorrow inside the designer's studio! The designer, who had a soldout sale on Gilt Groupe and was previously featured in Daily Swirl, is discounting her beautiful India inspired apparel, bedding and accessories up to 80% off!

Shop their samples today and tomorrow!
Friday, Nov 4th 10-6p & Saturday, Nov 5th 10-1p
824 S. Los Angeles St., Suite 504
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Ornate tops from $10-$25



Vintage Indian pillows $15-$30



Unique embroidery bedding that gives a vintage old-world look $50



Scarves in rich colors and elegant details $15-$30



More scarves

Indian inspired pillows that will give your house a pop of color $15-$30



Summery, embellished sandals that can be worn all year round
Beaded - $15 or 3 for $40
Nonbeaded - $10 or 3 for $25



Unique trims that can be used to customize t-shirts, purses or pillows - $1-$5



Nandini Textiles
824 S. Los Angeles St., Suite 504
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Madera Owner Launches Signature Denim Line



Maribell Madera, owner of three
Madera stores, creates denim line Rock & Love



Loyal shoppers of Madera, the on-trend, fast-fashion retail store in the Santee Alley, can now rejoice: Owner Maribell Madera is launching her own denim line called Rock & Love.

Almost a decade ago, the Calico, Mexico native opened up shop in the Santee Alley with her first store named after her family name. Her store sells all things trendy that one would find at a Forever 21; lace tops, juniors evening dresses, pleather jackets and printed tank tops. Now, she has three successful stores planted throughout “The Alley”, giving shoppers fashionable clothing at an affordable price. So as a retail veteran who understands what shoppers want to buy, Maribell saw a  demand for bejeweled, yet comfortable jeans in the marketplace. Together with her brothers Juan and Luis, the Madera trio designed and produced a line of jeans that are now selling in the Madera stores.

These stretchy jeans made from a blend of cotton, spandex and polyester, come in a selection of washes, from light to dark to grey. They also come in a variety of rhinestone decorations on the back pockets. Maribell says they are competitively priced, but rest assured they will be within the Santee Alley price range. Rock & Love is also available for wholesale.

The rack of Rock & Love jeans now selling inside the Madera stores

The unique back pocket embellishment

Stop by Madera and check out the denim line at their locations:

1040 & 1041 Maple Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90015

(213) 745-4515

300 E. 11^th Street

Los Angeles, CA 90015

(323) 365-4686