West Coast Collective Plans Vegas Debut
Los Angeles-based West Coast Collective, an upscale menswear show, is preparing for its first exhibition in Las Vegas, which will be held Feb. 18–20 at the Palm Resort, running concurrently with MAGIC International.
The Las Vegas show has already exceeded organizers’ expectations in terms of the number of exhibitors participating in it, according to Larry Hymes, one of the co-founders of the event.
“We were going to start [the first Vegas show] with between 25 and 30 rooms, but we have over 60 already,” said Hymes. “We’re totally sold out. We originally were taking five floors, but now we’re taking six floors.”
Swelling the exhibitor total are a number who have opted to withdraw from the show’s cross-town competitor, according to Hymes.
“I’ve run into quite a few people who’ve opted to pull out of MAGIC and come to the West Coast Collective. We’re getting calls on a daily basis from people who [want to come into the show], but at this point we’re full. We have a waiting list and we’re trying to accommodate some of those people,” he said.
Hymes declined to give the specific number of exhibitors who have made the jump from MAGIC, but he said that among them are Tallia Clothing, Jack Victor Clothing, Haupt, Ted Baker, Eton of Sweden, Cavalli Clothing, Arnold Brant, Joseph Abboud, Mani by Georgio Armani and Coppley Apparel.
West Coast Collective, which has held two annual shows in Los Angeles since 1999, has built its following with a tightly focused show of upscale men’s resources and boutiques. The Las Vegas show will follow the same formula.
Hymes said West Coast Collective’s offerings are a welcome change from the broad mix of merchandise at MAGIC.
“People are really pleased that we are focused with the kind of lines that should be shown together,” said Hymes. “The biggest comment being made is that people are really tired of MAGIC. It’s unfocused and they cater to everybody. This is a very special event.”
West Coast Collective will provide transportation to and from the Las Vegas Convention Center and will serve breakfast and lunch every day to make the event more attractive to buyers, according to Hymes. There will be an opening-night party on Feb. 18. The party will include a fashion show that is still being finalized, Hymes said.
Show organizers poured on the pre-event marketing to announce the new location.
“We have placed ads and sent over 1,000 pieces to the mailing list of top retailers around the country to announce the events and the show,” said Hymes. “We also have the Web site now and we’re getting calls every day.”
Details about the show can be found at www.westcoastcollective.com. For more information, call (310) 271-9264. —Darryl James
