Expo Denim, Mexico’s first denim machinery and fabrics fair, will host 60 companies and 90 stands and is expected to attract some 1,500 buyers when it launches in Guadalajara on 31 May.
US apparel giant Ralph Lauren has named Patrice Louvet president and CEO, following Stefan Larsson’s decision earlier this year to leave the company over differing views on the future direction of the firm.
Pat Irot, a member of the Placentia Round Table Women’s Club, is an inspiration to many for her tireless volunteerism.
At 94, she has been nominated for the General Federation of Women’s Clubs’ “Jennie Award,” which honors one club member from each region for outstanding commitment to club, community and family.
Raised in Philadelphia, Irot enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps at 21 and was stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where she met her husband, Pete. As a mother of five, Irot went back to school with the help of her GI Bill to study education. Her husband’s job relocated the family several times before they eventually settled in Placentia.
Irot went on to earn a master’s degree from Cal State Fullerton.
“I was 40 years old when I got my B.A. in education and school administration,” she said.
Her volunteerism in Placentia began with the Friends of the Library while she raised her family and worked as an elementary school principal in Placentia’s school district.
Irot said her parents inculcated in her the importance of helping others. “I can remember they said you should honor your family and help others.”
After retiring in 1986, Irot helped create the Placentia Library’s History Room, a collection of articles, photographs, yearbooks and other items that depict a chronology of Placentia’s past.
“It was one of the most interesting things that I was involved with,” Irot said of the 17-year project. “I’m very, very proud of it really.”
Irot joined the Placentia Round Table Women’s Club in 1996 and has been instrumental in executing many of the club’s projects, including a project which identifies elementary and middle school students in need of shoes and jackets and a scholarship program which will give out $18,000 this year to graduating seniors. She has also volunteered as the club’s Federation Veteran’s chair.
“She is active in almost every project and fundraiser our club takes on,” club member Laurie Arroyo said. “She is a giver from the heart and doesn’t expect anything in return.”
The Jennie Award, named for GFWC’s founder Jane Cunningham Croly, who worked as a journalist using the pseudonym “Jennie June,” honors club members who epitomize a spirit of independence, courage and persistence in their roles as volunteers.
Irot will represent Placentia among the other chapter nominees in California. If she wins, she will represent California at the national level.
“I think her motto was just to keep busy,” said her daughter Barbara McHugh. “She goes out every day and does something. She is very inspiring to everybody.”
A benefit rock concert to raise money for underfunded music programs in Orange County schools pulled in more than $161,000 last month.
The money raised at this year’s Encore for Education concert at the Anaheim House of Blues will go toward Music Matters, a program created by Newport Beach–based Buchanan Children’s Charities, the philanthropic arm of the real estate firm Buchanan Street Partners.
More than 50 Orange County businesses contributed to the fundraiser.
This year’s proceeds will be used to purchase instruments for the Ocean View, Cypress and Centralia school districts.
“With the money raised this year for Music Matters, we are able to restart three public school district’s music programs, allowing thousands of students to benefit from music education,” said Robert Brunswick, president of Buchanan Children’s Charities and CEO of the real estate firm.
The money will allow those school districts to hire music teachers and purchase supplies to launch music programs in elementary schools, Steve Venz, Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts at the Orange County Department of Education.
“Future students who will participle in music education programs will be impacted for many years to come,” he said.
A portion of the proceeds will go to Court Appointed Special Advocates, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit that serves neglected and abandoned children through mentoring and court representation.
Encore for Education has raised $805,450 since its debut five years ago.
“We will continue to produce this event for many years to come and we look forward to growing our partnership with CASA OC to impact even more children in Orange County,” Brunswick said.
The end of the school year is near which means the flood of high school and college graduations are upon us.
We have collected the graduation dates, times and locations for many Orange County high schools and colleges. If you need to know the date and time of your local graduation, please find it in the spreadsheet below.
Cyclists blocking paramedics while patients lay bleeding, a drunk driver turning a cyclist into a quadriplegic, gun shots.
Those are only a few of the incidents reported in dozens of online comments and reader emails following my column last week documenting that Orange County averages one road cycling death every month.
But in the blood, fear and anger there also are suggestions for de-escalating what has become a growing war between drivers and roadies — as asphalt-loving bicyclists call themselves.
The annual Ride of Silence on Wednesday night was one step toward peace. Hundreds of cyclists in Orange County and thousands around the world simply asked drivers to “share the road.”
Here are other steps as well as a range of thoughts from readers:
Kevin Keim, San Clemente, retired captain, Orange County Fire Authority
We were dispatched to a single car traffic collision. When engine and medic arrived, one patient sat on the curb bleeding profusely from the head and being attended to by two officers. With the engine company lights and siren on, we sat in the traffic lane unable to pull up to the scene because of a large group of bicyclists.
When I leaned out my window to hold out my hands to signal the bikes to stop so we could gain access to the scene, I was flipped off. So we had to sit there for about 30 to 45 seconds waiting for the entire pack to pass.
That may not seem like a long time — unless you are the one bleeding.
Robert Jinkens, Balboa Island, accounting professor
My brother-in-law was hit by a drunken driver over 20 years ago. He was left a quadriplegic for the remainder of his life and just recently died.
While he was alive, his life was very difficult. However, he somehow managed to always be pleasant. What happened to him was entirely the fault of the drunken driver.
Still, cyclists need to show a little intelligence. Smart people do not choose a standoff between a bicycle and a semi-truck.
Jane Lewis, Laguna Niguel, retired teacher
I ride bikes — but never in traffic. I can’t tell how many times I’ve seen a group of cyclists take up the entire lane instead of riding single file. Also, cyclists cut right in front of me to turn right or left. I’ve also seen bikes coming from the right, going in the wrong direction in the bike lane.
Bryan Hutcheson, Coto de Caza, vice president sales
I ride the roads almost daily. I am very concerned about distracted drivers, speed and the fact that many drivers pass much too close. I have considered ending my rides because I sometimes think it is a form of Russian roulette. Last week, I was on my road bike when I heard popping noises. I looked to my left and there was a driver firing a gun at me. I could not determine what type of gun it was, but I did hear rounds hitting leaves and trees.
Cliff Wasson, San Clemente, retired
I cringe when I’m passing riders because I am never sure what they will do. It’s scary.Drivers, too, are a problem. Look out for the young person who is driving too fast with his dog on his lap and dialing his girlfriend while juggling a 20-ounce soda between his legs and a Big-Mac in his hand.
Steve Short, Orange, retired software services director
When I cycle, I always ride single file and try to stay far to the right. When I see bicycle riders riding side-by-side, I figure they don’t deserve a 3-foot buffer. I think the new law should have stipulated that bikers need to ride single file and stay to the right.
Brent Deshotels, Anaheim, Class A truck driver
Being a truck driver for 30 years, I see bikes in the left turn lane for cars. They hold up traffic. I was on Glassell-Kramer going over the 91 freeway when this bicycle rider was taking up the whole right lane like he was riding a motorcycle. He would not move over. Just because these guys dress like they’re in the Tour de France, why do they think they can ride in traffic lanes?
Dennis Brandt, Cypress, retired from Hughes Aircraft/Raytheon Aerospace
This 3-foot rule is a joke with all the texters. They are worse than drunk drivers. I ride the river trails five days a week and rarely, if ever, ride on roads. While bikers may have a right to be on a shared road with autos, as my wife says, they may be dead right.
Rod MacDonald, Newport Beach, builder
I can’t tell you how many times I have come through Corona del Mar and had to change lanes to get away from bike traffic because two or more cyclists are riding two abreast while chatting up a storm, oblivious to motorists.
Wayne Ford, Huntington Beach, retired pool and landscape contractor
I hope we can get bicycle riders to realize they do not own the road. They need to realize that drivers are furious about having to maneuver into the other lane to avoid hitting them as they weave in and out and/or ride side-by-side, on or over the bike lane. There should be a, “Give cars three feet,” rule.
John Keys, La Mirada, retired from Frito Lay
As an occasional bicyclist and a frequent motorcyclist, I have noticed in the last 10 to 15 years a significant increase in distracted driving, always from cell phones. As these devices have become more prevalent, I have learned to be even more aware of my surroundings and be a better defensive rider. Two things need to happen. Motorists get off your cell phones. Bikers don’t be knuckleheads; ride single file and stay in the bike lane.
Pierre Ingardia, Rancho Santa Margarita, accountant
If cities would sweep the bike lane more often, cyclists could ride deeper in the lane instead of hugging the line where there is less debris. I ride a lot of the same streets and see the same glass, nuts, bolts, wires and more for weeks and months.
In keeping with its signature folk-chic attitude, Etro celebrated the flamboyant, vibrant aesthetic of the African continent for resort.
Images of monkeys, leopards and luscious flowers, as well as tribal graphic patterns, mixed and matched with the brand’s signature paisley, were juxtaposed in a joyful patchwork explosion. Veronica Etro balanced the abundance of patterns, all rendered through the most exquisite artisanal techniques, with the chic, linear silhouettes of fluid silk cabans, roomy pants, as well as foulard-inspired feminine dresses. While she avoided taking the inspiration too literally, the designer trimmed the necklines of frocks and coats with sweet crochet details recalling African beaded decorations. These were also echoed in the embellishments of a Lurex and chiffon maxidress featuring a jacquard motif reminiscent of the graphics of the Art Nouveau movement. Infused with a highly sophisticated appeal, this collection offered a rich, new take on Etro’s iconic hyper-decorative attitude.
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“It’s not always the case that causes and organizations that we champion and support carry a direct affect in our own lives, but this honor does carry a special meaning.”
That was Deirdre Quinn, founder and chief executive officer of the Lafayette 148 brand, after she received the Visionary Award from the Foundation Fighting Blindness, at a benefit for the organization at The Plaza in Manhattan on Tuesday evening. Richard Richman, the chairman and founder of The Richman Group, considered the seventh largest apartment complex owner in the U.S., also received the foundation’s Visionary Award.
“I have an uncle who is blind,” Quinn told the crowd of 260, who raised roughly $425,000 for the foundation. “I visit him frequently. We sit at the window and I ask him, ‘Can you see the trees?’ And he tells me he can see the shadows.
“It’s just incredible to think about how difficult it is for people with blindness. It’s such an honor to be here and such an honor to be part of a wonderful organization.”
“Twenty years ago, Deirdre had a dream — to create a vertically integrated fashion company that would cater to the lifestyle needs of professional women — real women with real
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OFF THE PITCH: Colette on Wednesday celebrated its ongoing relationship with the Paris Saint-Germain soccer club with the launch of a limited-edition pair of boots and a sweatshirt aimed at female supporters.
Paris Saint-Germain has been expanding into the lifestyle segment since it fell under Qatari ownership in 2011, said Fabien Allègre, brand diversification and development manager at the club.
“The idea was to go beyond the pitch and, through the Parisian values that we try to represent in all humility, to try to reach people who are not necessarily fans of soccer, but who love Paris, again, for the values the city represents, whether it’s the fashion side or tradition, knowhow and aesthetics,” he told WWD.
For the first time, the club has designated a player — 23-year-old Brazilian defender Marquinhos — as the face of its clothing collaborations. That may have something to do with the fact that Brazilians represent the largest contingent among the club’s 30 million Facebook fans, according to Allègre.
PSG worked with Los Angeles-based footwear designer George Esquivel, whose handmade shoes have been worn by the likes of Madonna, Nicole Kidman and Emma Stone, on a navy boot priced at 950 euros, or $1,050, for the men’s version and 850
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LONDON — Never one to gather moss, Selfridges is forging ahead with a host of initiatives in the second half, ramping up its efforts on the environmental front, embracing club and music culture and expanding the accessories hall.
On Wednesday, Linda Hewson, the store’s creative director, said Selfridges’ storewide mantra is “buying better, inspiring change” as she laid out some punchy plans on the environmental front.
By 2020, Selfridges plans to reduce its carbon footprint by 50 percent, while by 2021 the store’s top 30 brands will need to have developed clear sustainability agendas. Hewson said the store plans to push the brands, if need be.
With the aim of helping its customers “buy better,” Selfridges also plans to start labeling some of its products, starting with cotton, denim and British brands, revealing their provenance and the brands’ commitment to supply chain transparency and the environment.
The store will also begin carrying the Positive Luxury butterfly mark on the site, which allows customers browsing Selfridges.com to read about the store’s efforts to become more sustainable.
In the fall, Selfridges will be holding a storewide campaign called Music Matters, with a series of events taking place in-store from a variety of musicians, including Skepta and A$AP Rocky.
The store
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