The third annual installment brings the LA Arts District together for drinks, chat and a spirit of denim togetherness.

Premium denim is synonymous with Los Angeles. But, once outside the confines of the Fashion District, LA denim has congregated in the hipster Arts District. The Arts District has become the center for all things denim from brands, tags and trim and all aspects of manufacturing as well as good old networking and camaraderie. Take, for instance, the third annual installment of the Innovation Celebration, a forum put on by Tencel and Artisan Cloth, and housed in a cozy, inviting space right in the middle of the district.

Tricia Carey, director of global business development, apparel for Lenzing, says that each year, the gathering gets stronger and better and, in fact, more important. “We have no plans on stopping,” says Carey. “This year, brands have trouble connecting with the global market due to travel restrictions with coronavirus, so we’re just bringing the ideas straight to Los Angeles.” Certainly it was one stop international schmoozing with Artisan’s mill partners Tavex from Mexico, HW Denim from Hong Kong and Kurabo from Japan as well as Officina +39 for dyestuffs and pigments and Cordura covering everything performance denim.

The event’s theme dialoged the intersection of sustainability and creativity with casual discussion and small panels. Students at the local Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandizing spoke about Gen Z views as well as two other panels that covered water saving, social impact, industry transparency and the consumer value of environmentally responsible denim.

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