American Eagle Outfitters 2nd Quarter Shows Drop but Re-vamped Women’s Denim a Beacon of Possibility -Label Networks’ Upcoming Fall Study Indicates Growth

Retail Round-up including American Eagle, DC Shoes, and J. Crew. Seeing how each deal differently shows where certain strategic decisions have been a good thing -especially in predicting fall fashion designs.

Urban Cycling and How Fixies Are Transforming the Cult of Transportation Into a Lifestyle

Looking at our own %u2018hood in downtown LA and the upcoming Bicycle Film Festival as it rolls through town, we trace the trends of urban transport and growth of an important new sporting lifestyle through urban cycling.

Denim Directions: Taking On America’s Lead

Trends in denim are coming from the bottom-up, not the Premium category any longer. Who are the leaders? It’s back in America’s hands. Fresh street report.

Gen Art Merges with Rock Media to Form Entertainment, Fashion, Film, Designer Powerhouse

Mergers are becoming more common as brands get together in order to stay alive in this economic downturn.

The Evolution of the ASR Trade Show to Include Class, Targeted Top Retailers, Networking Lounge, and Extended Mix of Brands Indicate New Opportunities

There’s been a lot of attention recently to the re-invention of ASR/Class, including the SIMA partnership towards making the September show a must-attend event. Label Networks’ got the scoop from VP Andy Tompkins.

Retail Round-up: EA Moves in Online Gaming Indicative of Industry Trends; Plus 2nd Qaurter Results from H&M, Volcom, Urban Outfitters, Target

Retail’s 2nd quarter results indicate consumers are not spending but innovative strategies such as what’s taking place with video gaming may just work.

Yarnstorming with Knitted Phone Box Cozies and Spider Webs with Handcrafted Beasts Take Street Graffiti to New Levels

The London troupe called the Yarn Corps makes Knit the City the ultimate DIY statement–one stitch at a time.

How China’s Youth Culture May be America’s Best New Fashion Market -Excerpts and Data from Label Networks’ 3rd Annual China Youth Culture Study 2009

In truth, for even the most localized trendsetting brands, it’s of vital important to know what’s taking shape among China’s youth culture as the ripple effects from the sheer heft of their size (despite the down economy) continue to shape global economics and opportunities.

Fashion’s New Muse -American Youth Culture and Key Lifestyle Traits

Trends coming from the bottom-up are re-inventing the fashion industry as consumer demand, changes in shopping, inspiration sources, new key lifestyle aesthetics dictate success in a challenging economy.

Olympics Channel with U.S. Olympic Committee Pisses-off International Olympic Committee, Plus Latest Trends on New Sports in the Olympics and the Youth Olympic Games

How Canoe Sprint beat out Softball as a new Olympic sport is beyond me, not to mention that Snowboarding isn’t even in the Youth Olympic Games and Curling is. How the IOC keeps creeping backwards.