Sportie LA Launches a Clothing Line, Sneakers to Follow

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One of our city's top sneakerhead sanctuaries is stepping into new territory. Co-founder Isack Fadlon reveals to LA Business Journal that Sportie LA launched a range of T-shirts and tank tops under the West Coast footwear chainlet's SLA line (see some styles here) and he "plans to add a line of sweatshirts, hoodies, jerseys, socks and hats this fall."

Fadlon also notes that watches and sunglasses will be added down the line, as well as "fashion-forward sneakers" that he'll be designing himself, which should be a piece of cake for a guy that's been immersed in top-of-the-line kicks since 1985. So, why not design shoes, something he's all too familar with, before clothing? "It's something that I know takes time and has to be done right," he tells the pub. "We felt that prior to (shoes) we could self-fund an apparel line and start slow."

There's more. Although SLA's blank tees and tanks are currently purchased at American Apparel's DTLA warehouse before custom graphics are added, Fadlon may start his own cut-and-sew operation to keep everything in-house. Once he whips up his ideal situation, he's hoping to double apparel inventory in all of stores and collab with celebs on SLA designs. Big moves.
· Step by Step [LA Business Journal]
· Confessions of an LA Sneakerhead [Racked]
· Where This Hairstylist Finds One-of-a-Kind Sneakers on Melrose [Racked]