Los Angeles — Fred Segal, a legendary name in the Los Angeles fashion scene, closed its final two stores on Tuesday, marking the end of an era for a brand that had been a staple of the city’s retail landscape since the 1960s.
The brand, which once boasted nine stores across California and international locations in Switzerland and Taipei, struggled to navigate the challenging retail environment exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its storied history and iconic status, Fred Segal was unable to recover from the significant downturn in sales.
Owner Jeff Lotman, who acquired the company in 2019, expressed his disappointment over the closure. “When I bought the company, I had no plans to manage the day-to-day operations of the stores,” Lotman said. “However, the pandemic forced me into that role, and despite our best efforts, we couldn’t sustain the business.”
Fred Segal’s influence on fashion in Los Angeles was profound, serving as a shopping destination for decades and shaping the style of the city. Its closure represents not just the end of a business, but the close of a significant chapter in the history of Los Angeles fashion.
Related Topics:
Art of Hip Hop in Wynwood Showcases New Fashion Collection Celebrating Hip-Hop Culture
Hyper-Feminine Fashion: Embracing a Trend Beyond Traditional Gender Norms
Australian Fashion Brands: A Look at the Rise, Fall, and Revival of Iconic Labels