Strong BTS Buying at L.A. Juniors Market
Novelty T-shirts, denim and sportswear in satin fabrications were some of the key items vendors showed during Junior & Contemporary Majors Market, held April 14–17 at the California Market Center.
The CMC does not give out buyer-registration figures, however, CMC spokewoman Jen Uner said attendance at this year’s market was comparable to last year’s. Although traffic appeared sparse, vendors on the first day of market were generally pleased with the turnout.
Lynda Ackerman, a Blanc Noir sales representative, had appointments booked with buyers from Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and Parisians.
Among some of the trendy looks offered for delivery at the end of July were militaryinspired ski jackets, satin tops and bottoms, novelty track suits, and cargo-style capri pants.
“We’re hoping to do well through Backto- School season,” Ackerman said. “We’re already hearing optimistic feedback from retailers catering to teens looking for great spring-break looks.”
Hot Kiss Vice President of Sales Ben Kaczor said the company had multiple appointments booked with retailers from specialty and department stores that wanted to beef up their juniors inventories for transitional and early Fall deliveries, which typically begin on May 30 and end on Aug. 30.
For Summer 2003, Hot Kiss introduced ruched, French terry, hooded jackets ($16.50) with matching drawstring track pants ($15), hooded jumpsuits with zip fronts and satin belts ($25), and novelty denim with a low rise, ribbed-knit waistbands and three pockets ($15.50).
At the Nikkies Threads showroom, several styles checked well with retailers from Marshall Field’s, Nordstrom and Gadzooks, said Senior Sales Representative Patricia Welman. Those styles included mandarin-collar jackets with military epaulets; brown, pink and tan-striped button- up dress shirts with French cuffs; ribstop denim miniskirts; pants with ruching; and rib-stop denim pants with corduroy knee patches.
Initial deliveries for Back-to-School were slated for June 30; price points for the cute, trendy collection ranged from $9.75 for a knit top to $21.75 for a detail jacket.
Buyers placed orders closer to season so they could open their business with new items that come up in the market, Welman said.
“The buyers who order closer to season appear to be more tuned into fashion trends as opposed to buyers who work further out,” she noted.
Nordstrom juniors-sportswear buyers Stephanie Anderson and Sarah Johnson said the retailer has no plans to scale back orders for Back-to-School inventories.
“It’s one of our strongest seasons,” Johnson said.
The two looked for a blend of basics, as well as for some new interpretations of trendy styles. Cargo pants, T-shirts with novelty screen prints, satin jackets and edgy miniskirts were just a few youth-driven styles on their lists. —Claudia Figueroa
