As the wildfires raged on for a fourth day in Los Angeles, fashion brands and retailers were taking stock of the situation and stepping in to help employees impacted by the disaster.
Firefighters were making some progress — the mammoth 20,438-acre Palisades fires was 8 percent contained on Friday and so not burning unchecked — but the scope of the damage meant that Angelenos will be needing plenty of support, immediately and in the weeks and months ahead.
While efforts to help the countless people who lost homes are still being organized, many fashion companies were starting at home with their own employees.
L.A.-based Clare V said 15 to 20 of its 112 full-time employees in the area were under evacuation orders.
“We’re providing whatever we can for those employees,” said Molly Leonetti, president of the accessories and clothing brand. “Many team members are not in the office, those who can be are in.” Anyone whose work has been disrupted is continuing to get paid.
“It’s impacting people in different ways, their mental well being, physical well being. It’s emotional, people are crying at different times, it’s emotional,” said Clare Vivier, who is releasing slogan T-shirts and hats this weekend with “Los Angeles Je T’aime” on them.
The proceeds will all go to the Red Cross.
“I think the T-shirt and hat will sell well because people all over the country will buy that,” Vivier said. “It’s amazing how much people love Los Angeles, but we never have to think about it except at a time like this.”
Lyndie Benson, founder and chief executive officer of Malibu-based Bleusalt, said all the company’s headquarters employees have been affected, with most people having lost power and gas. Everybody is still going paid even though the office is closed.
“We are allowing everyone to take the time they need to prioritize their wellbeing and safety, as well as helping others in the community,” Benson said. “We’re also bringing racks of clothes to HQ for people who are seeking donations and contributed hundreds of gently worn pieces to stylist Elizabeth Stewart’s clothing drive.”
The Made in the U.S. brand’s manufacturing, the mill and shipping are all on pause.
“We’re continuing to stay on high alert since the winds are picking up over the weekend and will reopen when it is safe for our employees and the community,” Benson said.
A drive around L.A. on Friday showed how much the city has changed since the glam and the glitz of the Golden Globe Awards — which were just held on Sunday, but now feel like a lifetime ago.
At Brentwood Country Mart, the tony open-air shopping center blocks away from an evacuation zone for the Palisades Fire, several stores were open Friday, but retail had changed.
“People have lost their wardrobes,” said an associate at James Perse, who was folding cashmere sweaters. “But at least clothes can be replaced.”
“I had a guy come in who couldn’t get to his house and we fixed him up. He had a meeting the next day. Another guy came in who said the only pair of pants he had left were the ones we were altering for him,” said an associate at one men’s wear store.
“There are fires all around us so it’s pretty scary,” said an employee at Edelweiss candy shop. “There is ash raining down outside.”
Indeed, ash was falling like a light snowfall in the courtyard surrounded by the shopping center’s red barn-like buildings where people were eating tacos and hamburgers at lunchtime.
On Rodeo Drive, only Jaeger-LeCoultre and Bijan seemed to be open. A salesperson at Bijan said “We are open by appointment, and we have some appointments.”
Many stores had signs saying they were closed due to the fires, reading, as it turns out, too optimistically, that they would reopen on Thursday.
At Westfield Century City, Tiffany & Co., Lululemon, Kate Spade and the Chanel beauty store were all closed, while Cos, Nordstrom, Marc Jacobs and Boss remained open.
It’s too early to know the full toll of the disaster, but AccuWeather placed economic losses at as much as $57 billion in a preliminary estimate.
Insuranceopedia on Friday penciled in $5.5 billion in insurance claims from the wildfires, with estimates that included:
* 10,000 homes destroyed, with average coverage of $300,000 for a total payout of $3.9 billion.
* Damage to 500 commercial properties, with an average payout of $1 million each for $500 million.
* And personal property and additional living expenses of $80,000 per household, totaling $800 million.
Homes burn above Pacific Coast Highway near Will Rogers State Beach during the Palisades Fire on Wednesday.
MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Saint Jane founder Casey Georgeson said the company had one employee who lost their home in the Palisades fire.
“We’re focused on sending her what we can; they lost everything,” Georgeson said.
Asked if the employee was still getting paid, Georgeson said: “Yes absolutely! We are picking up all of her responsibilities so she can focus on what’s most important — her family.”
Pacsun’s president Brieane Olson said the company’s connection to California “runs deep, and we are heartbroken by the impact of the wildfires on our Los Angeles community.”
As of Friday afternoon, Pacsun’s Santa Monica store was the only one of its 300-plus locations that was closed. Employees there will continue to be paid in full, according to Olson. “We remain in constant communication with our store employees to assess their needs and provide support,” she said.
“Many of our employees have joined the effort by helping answer DMs from evacuees and preparing boxes filled with wardrobe necessities,” Olson said. “Supporting our team and the broader community is at the heart of everything we do, and we remain committed to continuing these efforts in the days and weeks ahead.”
A Saks Global spokesperson said: “The safety of our colleagues and customers is our top priority. We’re supporting any impacted team members as much as we can.” In the interest of safety, the company temporarily closed Saks Fifth Avenue Beverly Hills, Neiman Marcus in Topanga, and Beverly Hills, and Saks Off 5TH units in Los Angeles at the Beverly Connection), and in Woodland Hills, Cerritos, Cabazon and Camarillo.
Ahlem Manai-Platt, the founder of L.A.-based eyewear company Ahlem, said the brand’s store is closed given the circumstances.
“No one is venturing out, as the air quality is very poor, and it’s simply not safe,” Manai-Platt said. “Thankfully, no one from our team has been harmed. Unfortunately, many of our friends and family members have lost their homes. [The] retail staff impacted continues to get paid, of course. We are offering disaster loans at 0 percent if anyone from company staff needs it.”
While the smaller companies offered TLC to employees on an individual basis, the retail giants tried to offer that as well as national networks and employee support programs to workers who have seen their lives turned upside down.
Walmart has a 24-7 Emergency Operations Center that employees can call for various kinds of assistance.
The retailer is also supporting the broader community with a $2.5 million commitment to relief efforts, including donations of food, water, essential products and grants.
Likewise, Target has its Team Member Giving Fund, which is giving employees in the hardest hit areas financial assistance for immediate needs. The retailer is also donating $1 million to national and local partners helping with recovery efforts
Others are helping the displaced workers and other members of the fashion community in different ways.
Julia Flynn, founder of the public relations firm Cabine Creative, has opened the doors of her company’s spacious showroom in West Hollywood to other creatives in the Los Angeles area.
She said Friday: “I’m committed to staying here to help however I can. Our showroom is now available to photographers, brands, stylists, showrooms, glam team — anyone needing a safe place to house their valuables. I’ve had designers shipping collections to me, and the Albright Fashion Library may also bring in their valuables over the weekend.”
