Fashion in L.A.

LAEDC economist on fashion industry:

While fashion manufacturing jobs are unlikely to return to L.A., the design jobs and the "creative sector" are here to stay and they will keep fashion from fleeing L.A.

Also, celebrity-driven campaigns are L.A.'s "strong suit."  "Pricey jeans"-makers can afford to keep their operations, including some manufacturing, in the state, rather than "plain vanilla jeans" that are worn until holes are ripped into them. Holes in pricey jeans are actually a premium.

On the other hand, retailers like Forever 21 are thriving during the recession because they are seizing opportunities in the real estate market and catering to the "young woman" who "shops for fun." They are also maximizing their use of L.A.'s still-large production base, which is adapting to quick turnaround periods for companies that want fashion manufactured yesterday, put on their shelves today and restocked by tomorrow.

Shoring Up Cali

The California Department of General Services is getting about $2.33 billion for 11 office properties up and down the state. About $1.2 billion of that is going to the state general fund and it will allegedly prevent further statewide program cuts and tax increases, not counting what already was approved in the state budget.

Let's keep tabs!