A COLLABORATION OF THE CSU5 CAMPUSES IN THE GREATER LOS
ANGELES REGION
For Immediate Release
Date: October 09, 2015
Contact: Eva Chang-Person
CPP Tech Transfer & Industry Clinic
Email: emchang@cpp.edu
Fashion in Focus: A Gathering of Designers + Industry
An engaging and innovative dialogue with industry leaders and young entrepreneurs in the LA
apparel and lifestyle industry to address current and future needs of the industry.
Los Angeles, CA. –The CSU5 collaborative showcasing five California State University apparel
programs, together with global leader in apparel branding solutions Avery Dennison RBIS, is
hosting Fashion in Focus: A Gathering of Designers + Industry on October 14, 2015 from
10AM-6PM at Avery Dennison RBIS’ Customer Design and Innovation Center (CDIC) located
in the Arts District: 953 E. 3rd St Los Angeles, CA 90013. The event is being held in
collaboration with the City of LA Mayor’s Office to coincide with LAEDC’s LA Innovation
Week(s) Oct 2-22, which is an innovative countywide celebration of the breadth of innovation
and creativity within the region. The Fashion in Focus event will be comprised of leaders in the
apparel industry; young entrepreneurs, Avery Dennison RBIS, the City of LA Mayor’s office
and the CSU5 apparel departments to discuss the current status and the future of the apparel and
lifestyle industry.
The CSU5 collaborative, together with a collection of partners have spent close to a year
identifying “gaps” in the apparel industry. Innovative solutions will prepare the LA apparel
industry for future growth and continuity. The three main areas of focus for this fashion dialogue
are: 1) Infrastructure—lack of a physical existence of a prototype lab dedicated exclusively to
“apparel and lifestyle accessories.” 2) Training and education—a cost-effective and robust
education that prepares students for gainful employment in the industry. 3) Resources—small to
medium businesses requiring a centralized resource center that can assist them with updating
equipment, materials, knowledge and access to a qualified workforce. These discussion groups
will highlight these issues, garner possible solutions and further examine unidentified needs of
the industry and young entrepreneurs. In addition to these sessions, a panel of established fashion
company reps will share lessons learned with young entrepreneurs in hopes to spur innovation
among young future industry leaders.
The Fashion in Focus: A Gathering of Designers + Industry is a collaborative effort on
behalf of the CSU5 apparel programs, Avery Dennison RBIS and the City of LA Mayor’s office.
California Polytechnic State University, Pomona | California State University, Los Angeles | California State University,
Northridge | California State University, Long Beach | California State University, Dominguez Hills
The event was created to generate innovative ideas and solutions on how to retain the industry
locally and ways in which the industry can continue to grow as a competitive global leader. Each
partner agency or company specializes in technical services and resources that can help launch a
line, expand an existing company or provide training and education for the apparel and lifestyle
sector.
"We are extremely excited to be a part of this key initiative with both The Cal State University
and the City of Los Angeles. Our commitment to growing fashion and branding in Southern
California with apparel entrepreneurs, students and the industry is aligned with our overall
strategy." - Charlie Brown, Avery Dennison RBIS Global Head of Innovation
“ This event is to promote a dialogue within the Los Angeles apparel industry about what types
of support they need and in particular how to coordinate with the apparel programs offered by
the CSU universities. Our hope is that the dialogue will include ways to apply advanced
manufacturing methods and on-line ordering business models to the local apparel industry. ”
-Dr. Marie Talnack, Director, Technology Transfer and Industry Clinic, Cal Poly Pomona
The event partners anticipate bringing light to industry issues, establish a continuity of
collaborative efforts from different sectors and create a reliable network. The day will be broken
up into two sections, the first section is an invite only roundtable which will be comprised of
CSU apparel dept directors, Avery Dennison RBIS, City of LA Mayor’s office reps, creative
designers, fashion stylists, hair and make-up artists, digital editors and established and/or start up
fashion companies. The second section will feature an informational panel and discussion
which will be opened to interested parties from Cal State University apparel program majors,
young apparel entrepreneurs or students enrolled in a fashion design related program.
This is the first in a series of discussion groups; this kick-off is a “soft launch” of the
initiative. The intent is to hold additional “pop-up” meetings in collaboration with our academic,
industry and public agency partners throughout the city. If you would like to receive updates,
participate in future events and would like to be considered or have any questions, please
contact: Eva Chang-Person, emchang@cpp.edu
For more information about the Focus in Fashion event on October 14, 2015 (10AM-6PM):
http://www.innovate.la/fashion_in_focus_a_gathering_of_designers_industry.
Interested parties may RSVP or sign up via Eventbrite: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/fashion-infocus-a-gathering-of-designers-industry-tickets-18726497458. Sign-ups are on a limited
capacity, first come basis or invite only.
About Avery Dennison RBIS
Avery Dennison RBIS, a global leader in apparel and footwear industry solutions, is a $1.6
billion division of Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY). Avery Dennison RBIS provides intelligent
creative and sustainable solutions that elevate brands and accelerate performance throughout the
global retail supply chain. We elevate brands through graphic tickets, tags and labels,
embellishments and packaging solutions that enhance consumer appeal. We accelerate
performance through RFID enabled inventory and loss prevention solutions, price management,
California Polytechnic State University, Pomona | California State University, Los Angeles | California State University,
Northridge | California State University, Long Beach | California State University, Dominguez Hills
global compliance, and brand security solutions. Based in Westborough, Massachusetts, Avery
Dennison RBIS responsibly serves the global marketplace with operations in 115 locations, 50
countries, across 6 continents. For more information, visit www.rbis.averydennison.com and
follow RBIS on Twitter and Instagram @AvyDenRBIS.
About The California State University—CSU5
The CSU5 is a collaboration between all five of the California State University campuses within
the greater Los Angeles area. The CSU5 initiative will increase the links between the
educational and research work of the universities and the professions, arts, industries, not-forprofit organizations and regional communities of Greater Los Angeles. The CSU5 campuses
include Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Northridge, Cal State Los Angeles, Cal State
Dominguez Hills and Cal State Polytechnic University, Pomona. To learn more, please
visit: www.calstate.edu
Follow us and our event partners on:
@CPP_TTIC| @AvyDenRBIS | @LAMayorsOffice |@innovateinla
California Polytechnic State University, Pomona | California State University, Los Angeles | California State University,
Northridge | California State University, Long Beach | California State University, Dominguez Hills