OPENING DAY NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS Mayor Villaraigosa and Undersecretary Francisco Sanchez of the International Trade Administration jointly announced two initiatives today that will help grow and streamline manufacturing in Los Angeles and nationwide: the creation of comprehensive databases of the apparel industry. In partnership with the LA Regional Export Council, Villaraigosa’s initiative, called MADE IN L.A., will feature all of Los Angeles’ apparel resources and is expected to launch in six months. It is the role model for the national registry which be the nationwide equivalent.
“Many of the (L.A. based) companies are small and have trouble connecting to Los Angeles resources,” said Villaraigosa. “We know (MADE IN L.A.) is something they need to be able to identify the designers, the manufacturers, and all the folks along the supply chain that are here and that can help them grow their businesses,” he explained.
Given that Los Angeles is home to 33% of all fashion manufacturing and accounts for a staggering 3200 of the country’s 3500 fashion manufacturing jobs created last year – this, according to the Mayor’s office – Los Angeles is the de facto fashion manufacturing center and a welcome evolution of MADE IN USA, an initiative by the Obama administration.
MAGIC kicked off Day One with the largest and most comprehensive SOURCING at MAGIC to date. Opening remarks were made by Mayor Villaraigosa, Undersecretary Francisco Sanchez, and foreign dignitaries.
A special performance by a Balinese and hip-hop fusion dance from Indonesia was courtesy of this season’s focus region: ASEAN. “With 43 countries and over 1100 companies, SOURCING at MAGIC had a prime opening day audience,” said Karalynn Sprouse, Vice President of MAGIC International, adding “It was exciting to see the momentum from the press going in to the show come to life at opening day events with more participation then ever in the fastest growing, most comprehensive Sourcing event in the hemisphere. Key world leaders on hand and the launch of new show categories really showcased Sourcing at MAGIC as the preeminent international business platform for suppliers from the world’s most influential regions and markets.”
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