california VOL. 71 Apparel NO. 30 NewsJULY 14, 2015 $6.00 2016 WATERWEAR Free PROFILE Spirit Raj DESERT CHIC Manufacturing Ramps Up NEW RESOURCES Karen Kane Swim Elle Mer Swim Cali Dreaming Rosewater Chamorrita Simbi Haiti TEXTILES Shine On Purple Summer SunshineDaydream 01 cover.indd 1 7/9/15 5:32 PM WATER WEAR_jul2015_SAF.indd 1 3/31/15 8:37:37 PM saf.indd 1 6/19/15 9:14:49 AM BeccaSwim.com becca-lunadabay.indd 1 7/8/15 3:18:41 PM light spot Gideon Oberson 2016 Collection • Plain-color fabrics with matching cover- ups in variations of mesh, plissé and piqué textures • Urban two-tone prints in geometric, polka-dot and pied-de-poule designs • Full color weaving and knitting of looka- like prints together with natural, ethnic earth-tone prints • Special-embroidered black fabrics on basic flattering patterns such as one-piece tank suits with deep back decollétage 4 CALIFORNIA APPAREL NEWS/WATERWEAR 2016 JULY 14, 2015 04,6-GideonOberson-Ziki.indd 4 7/8/15 11:43 AM Waterwear Magazine(CON).indd 1 30/06/15 17:18 GO.indd 1 7/1/15 12:26:42 PM light spot Zeki 2016 Collection Zeki, a world leader in women’s swim- and beach- nent trends of summer—neon, sugar and pastel shades— wear, has dressed the women of the world in beautiful, set us out on a journey through the world of colors. sophisticated and high-quality swimsuits for more than With its modern style, pioneering designs and unstint- 50 years. Based in Istanbul, Zeki uses the finest fabrics ing quality, Zeki is indispensable for women. and accessories from Italy, Spain and France. Swedish model and boxer Alexandra Burman is The new 2016 collection is nothing short of spec- the face and inspiration for Zeki’s 2016 collection and tacular. It embraces Zeki’s signature style while integ- embodies the spirit of Zeki’s designs with her athletic, rating eye-catching neon colors, Swarovski crystals, powerful and sophisticated figure. In the past, Zeki has animal-print effects and geometric cuts. been worn and represented by celebrity A-listers Cindy This season, Zeki’s summer-inspired swimwear is per- Crawford, Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, Naomi Cambell, fectly complemented by its beach accessories collec tion, Adriana Lima, Elle McPherson, Alessandra Ambrosio, which includes pareos, skirts, dresses and tunics. The Candice Swanpoel and Doutzen Kroes, among many fabrics shape the body for a slimmer silhouette. Botanical others. and exotic floral patterns in neon yellow, orange, red and Zeki has been a licensee of the Gideon Oberson brand green hues turn each suit into a painting. The most promi- for two years. 6 CALIFORNIA APPAREL NEWS/WATERWEAR 2016 JULY 14, 2015 04,6-GideonOberson-Ziki.indd 6 7/8/15 3:31 PM New York Los Angeles Miami Istanbul London Dubai Hong Kong Moscow Harrods Of London El Corte Ingles Spain Galeries La Fayette Dubai U.S Agent: Maria Minnis (305)446 80 16 [email protected] Miami Swimshow booth 652 / Surf Expo TBD zeki.indd 1 7/9/15 2:19:59 PM fashion 26 Free Spirit: Desert Chic Earth tones, bohemian details and the wide-open sky set the mood for Cruise. By N. Jayne Seward contents features ww 44 Actively Pursuing the Future There are changes underway at Raj Manufacturing as the Orange County, Calif.–based company builds its brand portfolio and maufacturing infrastucture. By Julie Gallego departments 12 New Resources Chamorrita Elle Mer Swim Draw Your Rosewater Karen Kane Swim Lines in The Sand Cali Dreaming Activewear, Sportswear, Swimwear, Simbi Haiti Yoga Wear and Compression 50 Swim Shorts 62 Textile Trends Sunshine Daydream ANDS 51 Purple Summer Shine On Create and build your lines in an atmosphere molded to meet your needs. WRAP-certified cut-and-sew experts of stretch knit garments. Electronic pattern and grading for ease of data exchange. World-wide sourcing. An easy 3½ -hour trip to our warm beaches, and 30 years of stretch On the cover: GOTTEX “L’amour” halter cutout suit. knit expertise. NANCY CATEN gold drop necklace. BLOOM leather and stone bangles. By the way, free ice-cold cerveza for Photography by Ian Morrison/Opus Reps those who take the plunge. Come explore with us. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: CALIFORNIA APPAREL NEWS, Customer Service, PO Box 4419, Orlando FL 32802. CALIFORNIA APPAREL NEWS®: (ISSN 0008-0896) Published by TLM Seth H Schreiber, President PUBLISHING CORP. APPAREL NEWS GROUP Publishers of: California Apparel News, Market Week Magazine, Water wear, New York Apparel News, Dallas Apparel News, Apparel News South, 516-639-6211 USA Chicago Apparel News, The Apparel News (National), Bridal Apparel News, Southwest Images, Stylist® and MAN (Men’s Apparel News). Properties of TLM PUBLISHING CORP., California Market 829-619-3549 Dominican Republic Center, 110 E. Ninth St., Suite A777, Los Angeles, CA 90079, (213) 627-3737. ©Copyright 2015 TLM Publishing Corp. All rights reserved. Pub lished weekly except semi-weekly first week of January, [email protected] second week of July and first week of September. Periodicals Postage Paid at Los Angeles, CA, and additional entry offices. The publishers of the paper do not assume responsibility for statements made by their advertisers in business competition. Opinions expressed in signed editorial columns or articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Subscription rates: U.S.: 1 year, $89; 2 years, $140. Foreign: $180 U.S. funds (1-year subscription only). Single-copy price $2.99 ($6.00 for Waterwear edition). Send subscription requests to: California Apparel News, Customer Service, PO Box 4419, Orlando FL 32802, or visit www.apparelnews.net. For customer service, call (866) 207-1448. 8 CALIFORNIA APPAREL NEWS/WATERWEAR 2016 JULY 14, 2015 08 TOC.indd 8 7/8/15 7:58 PM islePoni.indd 1 7/7/15 12:35:08 PM khong.indd 1 7/7/15 11:11:51 AM swimcollective.indd 1 7/8/15 4:51:39 PM Chamorrita Island Style in a Cheeky Cut Sandrine Stewart didn’t move from San Diego to Guam five years ago to start a swim- wear line, but she soon spotted an opportunity on the beach. She found plenty of urban The line officially launched in 2013. Stewart researched streetwear looks for men, but several nearby apparel centers to produce the line, which resources for the chamorritas—Guam’s is currently made in Indonesia, but she’s considering indigenous charmorro girls— moving production to the U.S. the cheeky-cut bikini was a Guam is a U.S. territory. While it’s a 15-hour flight from novel idea. Stewart launched Guam to the U.S., shipping between the two countries is new Chamorrita, a collection of relatively quick and inexpensive. “The product can easily itsy-bitsy bikinis in island- ship within three to five days to the U.S. since we use the inspired colors and prints and same USPS services,” Stewart said. “Shipping rates are the trimmed with tropical details same as the continental U.S.” such as coconut and mother- The collection also includes coconut belts and arm of-pearl shells. The company also serves as a platform for wraps, which are currently handmade by Stewart. local models and photographers. Eventually, she hopes to Chamorrita swim separates, which are wholesale priced produce fashion shows, as well. from $16.50 to $25, are sold at a local shop on Guam, “I’d like to think of the line as a first in the local fashion Sunglasses Etc. in the Agana Shopping Center. The suits industry,” said Stewart, who was born in France, grew are also sold online and have been picked up by customers up in Germany and whose career has taken her around in the mainland U.S., Hawaii, New Caledonia, Australia, the world. “Chamorrita swimwear is a cheeky line with New Zealand, South Africa, England, Croatia and France. modern looks but with an island touch, from the prints, For more information, visit www.chamorritaswimwear.com. colors, and with shell and coco accessories.” —Alison A. Nieder Elle Mer Swim Bikinis and Surfing Should Be Perfect Bikinis and surfing should be a perfect match, Keri manufacturing Elle Mer’s looks in the Ogden said. Even though bikinis designed for the Los Angeles area. She had investigated fashion crowd look great at a poolside, they often fall manufacturing the line in the surfers’ off in the waves. paradise of Bali. Ogden, a surfer and a graduate of the University “We source fabrics from New York, of Hawaii’s law school, wanted to do something to and we wanted to support domestic bridge the gap between the bikini’s style and func- manufacturing. It is more expensive, tion. The first step was to take a fashion detail, thin but it is worth it to us,” she said. crisscross straps on a bikini back, and make them as In May, Elle Mer introduced its sturdy as a sports bra for a second collection, called Surf Candy, ride on the waves. which features fashion-ready colors With no formal fashion with monikers such as “Hot Guava,” training, Ogden made a “Hi-C” and “Glacier.” The line also drawing of wide crisscross features stylish details such as mesh straps. She took the draw- inserts. For function, silhouettes are ing to a manufacturer in kept fitted. “Making bottoms small and 2013 and started building tight will stay in the water better than what was to become her a bigger bottom,” she said. Smaller brand, Elle Mer Swim. bottoms don’t retain as much water as bigger bottoms, which The brand was formally intro- contain more fabric.