2008 Newsmakers

Despite the yearlong economic slowdown and the challenges ahead for California's apparel industry, there were bright stars, success stories and forward thinkers who made an impact on the industry in 2008.

The editors of California Apparel News have compiled a list of the year's newsmakers and most influential in California's fashion industry. The list includes those who found new opportunities despite the economic uncertainty, as well as those who continued to help others navigate the challenging new business terrain. There are people with big ideas, as well as those who are pragmatic about the current state of the industry and those who are hopeful for its future.

John Arguelles, Regional Director of Fashion Group International of Los Angeles

In the first year of his term as regional director of Fashion Group International of Los Angeles, John Arguelles' goal was to steer FGI's programming back to business rather than the consumer-attended fashion events of the past. The Los Angeles chapter is part of an international coterie of networking groups for fashion professionals. Arguelles, who is also president of Los Angeles–based couturier Lloyd Klein, knew that he hit the mark when he noticed "a lot more of the suits joining and attending our events … rather than the women dressed to the nines."

The industry-specific topics, which ranged from financing to licensing, red-carpet product placement and green fashion, have increased membership by 25 percent this year. Membership attendance at events has risen to 60 percent this year compared with last year, when only 10 percent of attendees were members.

"As president of Lloyd Klein, I look at the questions that I really want to have answered, [such as] 'How do I protect my trademark?' I figure if they are interesting to me, they've got to be of interest to people who are my constituents," Arguelles said.

With the help of the FGI programming committee, which includes lawyer Staci Riordan, Jen Egan of Gen Art and Otis instructor Karolyn Kiisel, panelists have included bankers, factors, investment consultants, lawyers and branding gurus, many of whom have found clients through FGI. Arguelles said he hopes the group's monthly informative professional events and monthly social Fashion Flock networking mixers will help FGI members to feel a part of "the inner circle."

"Since the beginning of the year, the theme has been 'Stick with the leaders in this field,'" Arguelles said. "If you have the leading accounting companies doing your books, they know the leading bankers, the leading factors, and they can make great recommendations and inroads that you wouldn't if you were working [with companies] outside of the fashion business."