L.A.'s Fashion District; Sweatshops in Southern California: Why do they still exist?; Counterfeits and Knockoffs
L.A.'s Fashion District
The Fashion District in downtown, Los Angeles, houses the largest concentration of fashion-related businesses in the Western United States, and serves as the hub of Southern California's $8 billion dollar apparel industry. The district is also becoming the center of L.A.'s burgeoning design community.
Sweatshops in Southern California: Why do they still exist?
According to the California Department of Labor Standards, over half of registered garment factories in Los Angeles are currently in violation of labor laws. When it comes to operating sweatshops, laws are stricter and penalties are higher than ever. Why then do sweatshops still operate in Southern California? Jimmy Macias, Director of the Garment Contractors Association of Southern California, and co-Owner of Ja-Mar Apparel Manufacturing Co., Inc. in Irwindale.
Counterfeits and Knockoffs
Larry talks with Kent Smith, Executive Director of the LA Fashion District, Kris Buckner, Intellectual Property Investigator, and Ilse Metchek, Executive Director of the California Fashion Association about counterfeits and knockoffs.