manager_1 Los Angeles Fashion Week is over. Emerging designers were able to showcase their work during the three-day event. Perry Jones and other stylists presented collections that would appeal to their celebrity clients. Andrew James, an eco-conscious designer, reminds us to save the planet.
Although Los Angeles Fashion Week is no longer as important as it was in its early years, it shines a light on Los Angeles as something the fashion industry needs to be aware of: Los Angeles could be the new center for emerging fashion designers.
This is not to compare Los Angeles with New York. New York is where most emerging talent roots. Los Angeles has its fair share of West Coast-based designers, who are quickly becoming well-known. Los Angeles’ fashion scene cannot be underrated, as evidenced by the success of luxury streetwear brands such as Amiri, Fear of God, and Baja East.
This is due to L.A.’s celebrity stylist scene and celebrity personal shopper scene. In the United States, the relationship between Hollywood and the fashion industry is strong. Celebrities are big buyers of fashion products. A designer’s career can be transformed by being featured on the cover of a major celebrity. Monique Lhuillier transformed her career as a bridal designer into a ready-to-wear designer when she was spotted by Blake Lively and Reese Witherspoon. Lhuillier’s success was ultimately due to Michelle Obama’s support, but it all started with the Hollywood actress guild.
Los Angeles Fashion Week has a unique approach to sustainability. Andrew James was not the only designer to adopt a sustainable design approach. Chona Bacaoco designed MM Milano. It combines sustainable fashion practices from the Philippines, Germany, Italy, and Germany. To create designs inspired by nature, the Filipino designer uses organic materials and all of her knowledge.
Los Angeles is home to many sustainable-oriented designers. It is also the site of Vegan Fashion Week. This event is a great platform to showcase sustainable alternatives to animal skins, featuring leather designs made from anything from pineapple leaves to recycled plastic. The fashion industry is continuing to debate sustainability, and continues to be criticized for being the biggest polluter of oil and gas. Eco-fashion is either the future or it will not exist.
Los Angeles is a great place to build your brand if you are looking to be eco-conscious and sustainably conscious from the beginning. L.A.’s retail industry is also recovering, which is a good sign for both young fashion designers as well as established brands looking to expand.
According to KTLA shoppers came out in large numbers during the holiday season, according to KTLA. The National Federation, America’s largest retail trade organization, has released figures that show sales increased by 14.1 percent between November and December 2020 and the same period in 2021. This was more than double the growth projected between 8.5 percent and 10.5 percent. It also exceeded the average gain of 4.4 percent over the last five years.
While December saw a dip in spending, it was an indication that L.A.’s retail scene is making a comeback. Omicron COVID-19’s surging variant caused some of the drop in spending. With COVID-19 numbers being more stable, it is likely that economic recovery will continue.
Los Angeles has a growing demand for quality retail space. Los Angeles is known for its retail pop-ups. These are great for emerging brands looking to test the waters in a market to see how customers react to their products.
Los Angeles is known for being a tourist hub, but the government’s push for increased tourism also allows businesses like fashion and retail to reap the rewards. Eric Garcetti, the mayor of Los Angeles, recently signed an executive order to establish a tourism cabinet in order to boost L.A.’s status as a top global tourist destination.
Los Angeles is not yet a major fashion city like New York, London, or Milan but it is consolidating its place in the fashion zeitgeist. Los Angeles is home to Hollywood, an influential fashion force, and a growing fashion market. This means that emerging designers have a strong chance of finding a home in Los Angeles. Soon, the fashion industry will see more West Coast-based brands move out of the city.
