Anika Swimwear Sale at Cooper Design Space



Anika Swimwear

It’s cold and windy, and we don’t care. We’ve already begun daydreaming about laying out on the beach and soaking up the rays pool side. It seems the gals over at Jena Weir Sales are on the same boat. They’re having a huge sale on Anika Swimwear for “the next few weeks” with tops and bottoms priced at $40 each and one-piece suits at $90.

If you’re not familiar with Anika, they specialize in low cut styles while still providing back coverage. We did some background research and found the average two-piece from the Brazilian swimwear line runs for about $160. That means 50% off or more on retail prices!

According to their Facebook post, Jena Weir Sales has ample designs, colors and structures to choose from. They even have Anika hangers for $2. This LA weather can take its sweet time sorting itself out. We’re shopping anyway.

 Jena Weir Sales
Showroom #301
Cooper Design Space

860 S. Los Angeles St.
Downtown LA

Fashion Show at Santee Village



THIS JUST IN:  Santee Village may be getting its own fashion show! While plans for the show are still in the initial stages, we are very excited to report the news.

Emmy winner and hair stylist, Curt Darling has expressed interest in putting the show together and is currently seeking designers to participate. If you would like to learn more about this opportunity or have any inquiries, please contact appt@curtdarling.com.

Mr. Darling, pictured above, has been in the hair styling business for 20 years. He developed the DryCut, a unique cutting technique that works with hair in its natural state, using techniques that mimic the natural growth patterns to create sustainable, long lasting haircuts. He also has his own line of organic hair care products.

Buttons and Bows Resale and Consignment Store Coming to Downtown LA

Monique Aquino and Karen Marley

The Fashion District is getting a new neighbor and a pretty exciting one too. Buttons and Bows, a resale and consignment store is scheduled to open sometime in mid-March, early April. Its co-founders, Karen Marley, daughter of the legendary Bob Marley, and fashion blogger Monique Aquino, promise to bring only the best in designer and vintage goods. 

The store is a mortar and brick extension of Aquino’s eBay store and Buttons and Bows blog.

“We wanted to open our store in an area that wasn’t already saturated with resale and consignment stores,” said Aquino. “We realized there were no designer resources in downtown LA.”

Buttons & Bows aims to cater to the Fashion District audience offering services like drop off buying, where one can drop off clothes and pick up whatever the store isn’t buying the next day. They will also provide a mobile buying service within a 5-mile radius of downtown, meaning BBLA will come to you for a little closet therapy.

BBLA storefront at the SB Main Lofts.

What can you expect from BBLA?

• 37% cash back on resale (that’s 2% more than the 35% average) 
• 55% cash back on consignment (5-10% more than average)
• BBLA will donate your unwanted (if they can’t buy them from you and you don’t’ want them back) clothes to charity

Want to sell your old designer duds? Check out their spring buying guide and more at www.buttonsandbowsla.com!

Buttons and Bows
111 West 7th St., R11
SB Main Loft Building on Main Street between 6th and 7th

Anna Catherine Shoots Fall 2012 Campaign in Fashion District

We’re loving Anna Catherine’s Fall 2012 collection, and it was shot in the Fashion District! The line which focuses on chic blazers dresses and knits, is made for the metropolitan girl with versatility, utility, and luxury in mind. We think it’s right on point.

Check out the line and see if you can spot some of our buildings. Read more about the line and some of their favorite spots in the district here.

Anna Catherine
Ginny Wong Showroom
Cooper Design Space, Ste. 413
860 S. Los Angeles, St. CA 90014
213.622.9884

LA Fashion Week 2012

Date: March 12-18
Important: All events are open to the trade only unless otherwise noted

New York Fashion Week may be done and London’s is well underway, but here in LA we’ve already begun looking ahead to our own. LA Fashion Week will be March 12-18 and includes a variety of shows and events. LA Fashion Week has all the info, but we’ve put together a cheat sheet for your convenience.

Events & Shows:

Style Fashion Week LA

When: March 12-16

Where: Vibiana 214 South Main Street Los Angeles 90012

The four-day runway show, will be showcasing LA based designers and aims to merge interior design with fashion. It boasts one of the coolest LA Fashion Week venues. The Vibiana is actually a historical cathedral. Think baroque columns and ornate arched ceilings. Find registration information here.

LA Fashion Market Fall 2012

When: March 12-15

Where: The Intersection: California Market Center, Cooper Design Space, The New Mart

The Intersection is the joint promotional collective of wholesale showroom buildings and tradeshow producers located at the intersection of 9th and Los Angeles Streets in the LA Fashion District, that together, form the West Coast center of the fashion industry. There are over 1,200 showrooms in the buildings of The Intersection and over 4,500 lines are represented.
The California Market Center will also be hosting various trade shows during Market:

• Focus: Apparel & Accessories Show, The Penthouse, 13th Floor
• Transit: the LA shoe show, The Penthouse, 13th Floor
• Select: contemporary tradeshow, Fashion Theatre
• LA Kids Market: 6th Floor A&B wings

Coeur Accessories Show

When: March 12-14

Where: Cooper Design Space

French for “heart, Coeur is at the core of high-end women’s fashion accessories and gift and home collections. The trade show focuses on handbags, eye wear and jewelry.

Designers & Agents Show

When: March 12-14

Where: New Mart

An independent, international trade fair, Designers & Agents is “pre-edited, art-directed and merchandised to create a sense of camaraderie and discovery.” Make sure to bring your business card for on-site registration.

Project Ethos
When: March 13
Where: The Avalon Hollywood

Project Ethos showcases emerging fashion, music and art to buyers, media and consumers through live events and the world wide web. All mediums will debut in one room centralizing the excitement. This event is open to both trade and consumers. Buy tickets here.

LA Fashion Weekend Fall Winter 2012

When: March 16-18

Where: Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood

Registration for the weekend fashion show is available online. Don’t miss the official after party at the Mondrian Skybar.

Fashion photography

Fashion photography

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Fashion photography 4 - Wallpaper (clik to enlarge)

Fashion photography 5 - Wallpaper (clik to enlarge)

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Sherry Boutique opens in LA Fashion District

Lime green. That was the first thing we noticed about Sherry Boutique. Actually, it was the reason we noticed it at all, and then BAM! The realization that a new store was opening up in the district hit us with the same kind of energy radiating off those fluorescent walls.

Sherry’s doesn’t just radiate cool vibes; it has an awesome inventory of shoes and purses. Chunky peep toes in summer-ready hues, sky-high polka dot wedges, and the cutest sequined bow coin purses line up the walls.

“I wanted to start my own business because I love shoes and handbags,” said Sherry, owner and manager of the boutique. She opened her store in early February and hopes to bring a higher quality of shoes and handbags to the district, while staying true to the budget-friendly mantra.

We think she’s doing an excellent job. Shoes range from $20-$55 and purses start at $15. Visit Sherry Boutique for wholesale and retail at 915-5 S. Santee Street, on 9th and Santee Streets, a few stores down from El Pollo Loco.

MAGIC Tradeshow 2012 Fashion Trends

Fashion Snoops - SOURCING at MAGIC February 2012 from MAGIC Tradeshow on Vimeo.

Our showrooms are empty, mostly because they have packed up and gone to Vegas for a few days. Jealous? We are too. Why, you might ask, because they are attending MAGIC, one of the biggest tradeshows on the West coast. The event which runs from Feb. 13-15 is “where the international community of apparel, accessories and footwear professionals trades information, previews trends, builds business and shops fashion”. It’s all very exciting stuff for those of us in the industry, but more exciting is finding out what the trends will be for the upcoming season and we’ve got the inside scoop!

Sparkle and shine with Parker, available at Lily Kate Showroom in the Cooper Design Space.
860 S. Los Angeles, St. Suite 503

According to Fashion Snoops, an online fashion forecasting company, the two biggest trends this year are sparkle and shine, and athletic. The sparkle and shine trend, which they describe as the “dream scene.” It continues with the “glitterati” trends we have seen over the past few seasons: glitter and sequin everything, a trend Apparel News expects to go strong into fall as well. Needless to say, we’re digging the girly looks.

“The second most important movement is the athletic,” says Lilly Berelovich, Fashion Snoops president. The trend focuses on “all of the active materials” and sporty colors. Definitely looking forward to the bright hues!

IDEAS Exhibit Showing at the LA Flower Market

The Design for Development Plan IDEAS Exhibit has travelled to the Flower District in Southern California Flower Growers building located at 742 S. Maple Ave. If you missed seeing this fantastic exhibition last November here is your chance to see the latest work done on the LA Fashion District Design for Development Plan.

 

 

The exhibit is a collection of colorful storyboards illustrating explorations and alternatives for the future of the LA Fashion District. The ideas for streetscapes and land uses evolved over the past several months based on visions from stakeholders, visitors, shoppers and merchants who contributed to developing the 10 Aspirations for the LA Fashion District.  

 

 

Make sure to check out the Flower Market hours before you go, and keep in mind there is a $2 entry charge on weekdays and $1 fee on weekends. Visit www.fashionyourdistrict.org to find out more.

 

 

10 Aspirations of the LA Fashion District

• Fashion is So Pedestrian
• 9 am is the New 6 pm
• Fashion Is Central
• Fashion is Not Always Central
• Incubate! Made in LA
• Retail Diversity
• District without Borders
• Feel at Home
• Keep Yourself Occupied
• Experiment, Innovate and Invent

Unique LA Local Love Event

Unique LA is bringing Local Love to The CMC this weekend. The two day event will showcase local artists and designers, featuring all USA made products, and 10% of admission fee cost will be donated to the local non-profit 826LA. The show will include free drinks, photo booths and DIY workshops.
With over 325 designers and artists to choose from, we can only imagine it will take us both days to shop the event. So we did a little research and picked out some of our favorites.

Eva Franco Feminine dresses and tops perfect for Spring

11:11 Passports, cardholders, checkbooks, notebooks & wallets in fun prints and bright colors

Jesse & Co A collection of handcrafted accessories specializing in leather products and pewter jewelry

My Mishion Budget and animal friendly handbags made with high quality faux leather

Unique LA Local Love Event
February 11 + 12, 11am – 5pm both days
The California Market Center
110 East 9th St., LA, CA 90079
Cost: $10 at the door

DIY Flower Arrangement

Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

We’re bored with the ordinary.

How ‘bout you?

Earlier this week, we set out to find a flower arrangement that said “love” without breaking our bank account. We wanted something cute and fun we could give to family or friends for Valentine’s Day, and after countless hours Googling DIY ideas, stumbled upon this cute and easy video. We headed down to the LA Flower District today to buy our supplies. Total Cost: $19.75!

What you’ll need:

Heart-shaped floral foam: 2 for $13.50 (Basket and Flowers, Inc., 630 E. 8th Street)
Carnations: $8/2 dozen (Sanchez & Ramos Flowers, 825 S. San Pedro St., Suite 111)
Mini carnations: $4/2 dozen (Sanchez & Ramos)

Carnations at Sanchez & Ramos Flowers

We stuck with carnations because they last longer than roses and the Flower District had every possible color. If you're not a fan of carnations, this arrangement will work with almost any flower type.

Valentine's Day 2012 Flower Statistics

Sources: U.S. National Retail Federation, CT News
Disclaimer: There is no statistical data to prove the percentage of procastination among men during Valentine's Day. This infographic is just for fun.

How to shop the LA Flower District for Valentine’s Day

We’re not trying to brag, but there are some parts of Downtown LA we know really well, and it just so happens that the Flower District is one of them. You already know that you can save up to 70% off retail prices, and that come V-Day the place is going to be crazy. So we’re breaking it down for you… ridding you of any excuse to show up flowerless to that romantic dinner date on the 14th.

Be early. The earlier you get there, the better selection you will have to choose from. Also, arriving early morning or after 6 p.m. gives you the best chance of beating traffic and street closures.

Find parking. Most parking in the Flower District is street parking. There are some parking lots, but they will most likely be full. Give yourself enough time to look for parking.

Bring cash. Bring cash. Bring cash. The Flower District is CASH ONLY.

Bargain. Just because it’s already cheap doesn’t mean you can’t get it cheaper. Vendors won’t be offended. Don’t be shy.

Know the hours. The entire Flower District will have extended hours the week before V-Day and the Flower Mall will be open 24 hours prior to Valentine’s Day.

California Flower Mall, 825 San Pedro St.

Thurs. & Friday, February 9-10 -- 4 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sat. & Sunday, February 11-12 -- 4 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Monday, February 13 -- 4 a.m. – 24 hours

Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14 Will close at 6 p.m.   

LA Flower Market

Southern California Flower Growers, 755 Wall St.

Los Angeles Flower Market of the American Florists Exchange, 754 Wall St.

Admission fee is $2 on weekdays and $1 on weekends.

Wednesday, February 8 -- 8 a.m. – 12 noon

Thursday, February 9 -- 6 a.m. – 12 noon

Friday, February 10 --  8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Saturday, February 11-- 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Sunday, February 12-- 6 a.m. – 12 noon

Monday, February 13-- 8 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Valentine’s Day, Tuesday February 14 -- 6 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

DIY. Pre made bouquets and flower arrangements for Valentine’s Day will probably start popping up at all the floral shops sometime next week (if they're not there already), but the DIY supplies are already in stock.

If you are looking to make your loved one a handmade arrangement this year you can get a head start by picking up your supplies early. The Flower District has every floral supply you can think of.