Clippers Play Catch-up in the Fashion District

Leading up to the NBA season this year, shops in and around

Santee Alley were, expectedly, full of purple and gold Lakers gear.

Also as per usual, the district was devoid of Clippers apparel. The

week before the NBA season tipped off on Christmas day, a Clipper

fan couldn't even find a t-shirt near the famed discount garment

hub.

Fast-forward one month, and stores all over the district are

stocking jerseys, hats, t-shirts and other apparel in Clippers red,

white and blue.

"I've lived in L.A. a long time, and I've never seen this much

demand for Clippers stuff," said Junior Moreno, owner and operator

of Tha G Code, which specializes in sports team apparel. "For

years, Lakers apparel has dominated the market. Now requests for

Clippers gear as opposed to Lakers stuff is about 30 to 1."

Moreno's shop at Pico Boulevard and Maple Street is emblazoned

with a mural of Kobe Bryant wearing a crown, a testament to his

preference for the Lakers. But that won't stop him from appealing

to a new rush of Clipper fans.

"I may be a Laker fan, but I'm also running a business," Moreno

said. "I'm now splitting my budget for Clippers and Lakers apparel

50/50. I might even add a 'Lob City' element to the mural."

While Lakers apparel still dominates the majority of clothing

shops in the Fashion District, the Clippers are catching up,

threatening the Lakers' airtight hold over Los Angeles.

- Xander Davies

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