California Apparel News

Designers & Agents is adding New York to its list of trade show sites.

“The contemporary and young designer market is expanding all over, so we thought this would be the right time to do a show on the East Coast that focuses on that market,” explained New York-based Ed Mandelbaum, who co-produces the show with West Coast-based partner Barbara Kramer.

The New York show will take place Sept. 22–25 at a location on Manhattan’s fashion-rich West Side.

The contemporary and young designer show features women’s sportswear, swimwear, shoes, jewelry and accessories.

At the New York event, some 65 exhibitors with 130 designer collections are expected to show their wares in a 2,500-square-foot indoor space and a 4,000-square-foot rooftop area.

Like its West Coast counterpart, the show will offer a cafeacute; and lounge to visitors. There will also be a shuttle service for buyers attending Fashion Coterie at the show piers.

“All of the shows are on the West Side, so it will be very convenient for retailers,” said Mandelbaum.

Around one-third of the show’s exhibitors will be West Coast designers, said Mandelbaum. Jillian Kirk, Nyali, Alicia Lawhon, Ash Francomb and CP Shades are just a few who plan to attend the event.

Mandelbaum and Kramer’s four-year-old juried show will include much of the same variety of contemporary designs at its New York show as it has on the West Coast. The two producers say Designers & Agents’ collections reflect the fashion demographics of each city in which the show is held. Some cities are a little bit edgier than others, they said.

“But, there’s a common thread that will be consistent with all of our locations,” explained Mandelbaum. “We merchandise our shows by bringing in the collections that are right for the city that we’re going to be in. We kind of look where we are going and then put together product that works for the area that we’re in.”

Mandelbaum and Kramer got their start in the trade show industry as “agents” who brought New York-based designer lines to Los Angeles during market week and rented temporary space at the New Mart. An invitation for one designer to join the pair turned into an exhibit of 20 designers, and soon the exhibit space expanded into a permanent space and became known as Designers & Agents.

Last fall, the show debuted in Tokyo, where it plans to return for a second run Oct. 22–24. Designers & Agents is held two times a year at the New Mart, with three Annex shows held during smaller markets at the same location.

The show, which now features more than 150 designers, has grown into a nice representation of designers around the globe, said Kramer.

“It’s a blend of New York and Los Angeles-based designers, with a sprinkling of European and Japanese designers,” she added.

Mandelbaum and Kramer said Designers & Agents is currently working toward expanding its presence in Los Angeles. Designers & Agents can be reached at (212) 302-9399. —Claudia Figueroa