ENK Sets Dates for L.A. Contemporary Market, Prepares for Las Vegas
New York–based trade show producer ENK International announced plans to join the lineup at the new Los Angeles Contemporary Market, set for March 17–22, according to President Elyse Kroll, who said ENK’s Brighte Companies will be held March 17–21 at the California Market Center.
Brighte Companies will join Designers & Agents and several key contemporary showrooms including The Bank in the new contemporary market, which will run immediately after the runway shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios and four weeks before Los Angeles Market Week in April. Organizers selected the earlier dates in part to encourage more European lines to show in Los Angeles, before their production runs for the season are closed.
“If it increases European attention, we’ll be thrilled,” said Kroll.
But before Brighte sets up shop in Los Angeles, the contemporary and lifestyle show will head to Las Vegas for the first time. The Feb. 14–16 show at the Venetian will run concurrently with MAGIC International and other satellite trade shows including Pool, Project Global Trade Show and The Exclusive.
Kroll described Brighte Las Vegas as a “gem of a show,” explaining that organizers plan to keep it small and focused on new product in several categories including women’s and men’s sportswear, separates, denim, accessories and footwear.
Currently the show is on track to have 80 exhibitors, although Kroll said it might have as many as 100. Among confirmed exhibitors are Da-Nang, Antik Denim, Wolford, Streets Ahead, Polo Jeans, Lulu Guiness, Camp Beverly Hills and Magaschoni.
“If you focus on women’s, I think the market out there is underserved— underserved in terms of accessories, underserved in terms of footwear,” said Kroll. “We’re giving retailers a new way to shop. It’s an opportunity to see some new product in a new way in a new environment.”
Brighte joins an ever-increasing lineup of satellite shows that each focuses on a different segment of the market. Los Angeles–based Pool launched in 2002 with a mix of contemporary streetwear. In February, New York–based contemporary men’s show Project Global Trade Show joins the lineup, which already includes The Exclusive, Women’s Wear In Nevada and the Off-Price Specialist Show.
Although there is overlap between some exhibitors at the other Las Vegas shows and ENK’s trade shows, including Brighte in Los Angeles and New York shows Fashion Coterie and The Collective, Kroll said she didn’t anticipate many companies switching from other shows to hers.
“We’re not interested in people switching shows,” she said. “We’re bringing in new people thinking that it’s important for the market to see this merchandise.” —Alison A. Nieder
