Status Update: Amiri brings its Rodeo Drive fashion to South Coast Plaza

Straight from Rodeo Drive, the Los Angeles-based fashion line Amiri recently opened at South Coast Plaza.

Created by fashion designer Mike Amiri, the Costa Mesa boutique is the company’s second retail location.

Shoppers can expect to browse the men’s, women’s and children’s collections in a setting of “iceberg-blue marble” paired with “natural tones and white oak furniture and fittings” against “colorful onyx accents.”

The brand and its flagship along that famous stretch of stores in Beverly Hills got its start in 2014. Amiri, the son of Iranian immigrants, attended Beverly Hills High School before earning degrees from UCLA and Loyola Law School at Loyola Marymount University.

CNN spoke with James Sleaford, editor-in-chief of men’s fashion magazine ICON France, who said Amiri “has brought a real element of luxury to American cool.”

The South Coast Plaza store located on the retail center’s second floor, above the carousel on the first floor, sells apparel, accessories and footwear.

SCP recently welcomed the French couture house Lanvin. The brand, founded as a hat shop by Jeanne Lanvin in the late 1880s, sells an array of women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, leather goods and accessories, footwear and evening wear.

Ace Hardware opens in Placentia

Ace Hardware has opened at 1257 East Yorba Linda Blvd. in a former Big Lots.

The Placentia store manager is Linda Rodriguez, who was promoted from her assistant manager role at the company’s South Pasadena store.

The 20,000-square-foot store sells all kinds of DIY equipment and supplies ranging from lawn and garden, fasteners, tools, plumbing, and electrical. You can also get new keys cut and even key fob replacement. Store employees can repair Stihl outdoor power equipment repair, and shoppers can rent carpet cleaning machines or exchange their propane tank.

Westlake Ace owns 19 California Ace locations in Glendale, La Crescenta, Placentia, Porter Ranch, Simi Valley, South Pasadena, Thousand Oaks, Van Nuys and West LA. The company says new stores are coming to Agoura Hills and Mission Hills.

Former SWAT supervisor opens fitness studio in Surf City

Body Fit Training opened its newest franchise location July 15 in Huntington Beach.

The gym at 16360 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 130, offers 50-minute group strength training classes in a coach-led group environment.

The Surf City BFT is owned and run by Scott DeFoe, a veteran and retired Los Angeles SWAT supervisor, his last assignment before retiring at the LA Police Department. DeFoe is joined by his son Christian, general manager, son Justin, regional strength coach, and Kieran McCarty, assistant GM.

Read more about the studio gym at bodyfittraining.com by email at huntingtonbeach@bodyfittraining.com or by phone at 714-586-5365.

J&J’s children get inside look at medtech

Children of Johnson & Johnson MedTech employees got a real treat July 8 when the company hosted Bring Your Child to Work Day in Irvine.

J&J welcomed 130 children from kindergarten through 12th-grade, giving them an inside look at medtech devices and innovation. Product demonstrations included diagnostic and ultrasound catheters, devices used in the treatment of a stroke, and mock surgeries on the human eye.

“These young people are our next generation of leaders and innovators, and I’m thrilled my son was able to attend the event and learn more about how our teams work to address key unmet healthcare challenges,” said Jasmina Brooks, president of Biosense Webster and the executive sponsor of J&J’s local WiSTEM2D chapter. (If that crossed your eyes, too, it stands for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing and Design.)

The WiSTEM2D program will help 1,000 students locally through outreach programs and STEM events, the company said.

On the move

Jennifer Kalfsbeek-Goetz is the new vice president of instruction at Golden West College in Huntington Beach. Previously, she was vice president for academic affairs and student learning at Ventura College, where she was responsible for accreditation, curriculum, enrollment management, the Student Equity Plan and professional development. Before that, Kalfsbeek-Goetzalso was dean of Student Learning and the Title IX coordinator at Moorpark College.

Laura Corona Marcum is the new executive director at Project Youth OC, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit that helps children with diversion programs, academic and career development and health education. She most recently was chief operating officer at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire. For more on Project Youth OC, go to projectyouthocbf.org.

Jeffrey Ehlers and Chase McClung recently were promoted to partner in the Audit & Assurance Services practice at Windes. Ehlers joined the accounting firm in 2018 and specializes in financial statement reporting, audit and review services, evaluation of internal controls, and business consulting services. McClung joined in 2010, focusing on audit accounting services, financial statement reporting and consulting services for privately held companies.

Jacquie Henderson is the new director of communications and external affairs at Orange County Power Authority in Irvine. She will oversee brand marketing and communications, public outreach and government relations. She most recently worked with Burbank Water and Power.

Fundraisers

Orangewood Foundation raised $547,820 at its 20th annual scholarship luncheon hosted by 44 Women for Orangewood. The money raised will go toward Orangewood initiatives, including assistance for foster youth and their educational goals.

Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to sgowen@scng.com. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.