The View From Vegas
Las Vegas apparel shows provide an indication of things to come
LAS VEGAS—The first few days of the MAGIC Marketplace and the concurrent satellite trade shows gave many manufacturers an indication of how business will be for the rest of the year. And for many, the outlook was positive.
Buyers crisscrossed the city to look at the latest offerings at MAGIC Marketplace at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Las Vegas Hilton, Project Global Trade Show, The Exclusive and the ASAP Global Sourcing Show. In addition, there were the Off-Price Specialist Show at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, Pool at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center and Women’s Wear in Nevada at the Rio Hotel.
MAGIC’s four-day run kicked off Feb. 21, but several of the shows began a few days earlier, including The Exclusive and Off-Price Specialist shows, which opened Feb. 19, and Pool, ASAP and WWIN, which opened Feb. 20. Project was scheduled to “officially” open Feb. 21, but organizers opened the doors early Feb. 20 for a special preview day for the media and key retailers.
It was standing room only at the B.B. Dakota booth at WWDMAGIC, the show’s women’s apparel section at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Buyers were bullish on the Los Angeles–based young contemporary company’s latest collection of fashion-driven coats and jackets. And company owner and designer Gloria Brandes was bullish on the label’s future.
“We quadrupled our business last year, and we could double it again this year based on our momentum at MAGIC,” she said on the first day of the show.
This was the first season since MAGIC owner Advanstar Communications Inc. bought the Project and Pool trade shows. Despite the purchase, many exhibitors said the two shows retained their independent atmosphere.
“The vibe is good, and it still has that Project feeling—as long as they don’t build giant booths here,” said Chip Foster, co-owner of Los Angeles–based premium denim label Chip & Pepper. Foster, who also showed his collection at Project’s New York show in August, said he anticipates a 20 percent increase in sales at the Las Vegas show over the New York edition.
Apparently operating under the mantra “more is better,” MAGIC expanded its accessories offerings at the Las Vegas Hilton, thanks in part to its partnership with jewelry show producer JCK, which co-produced the MODEurope Jewelry Marketplace by JCK show, held within MAGIC’s accessories section.
MAGIC also bowed a new women’s contemporary area called Platform within WWDMAGIC, which housed labels such as Project Alabama, Hale Bob, Bon Bon Rouge and Yellowfield 8.
The show’s Sourcing Zone also expanded to 700 booths representing international contractors, fabric and trim manufacturers and service providers from more than 30 countries.
The forecast was similarly sunny at The Exclusive, where exhibitors said traffic was particularly strong on the second day of the upscale menswear show. Chula Vista, Calif.–based Continental Leather reported receiving more than 80 orders by the second day of the show.
Many exhibitors credited the strong start to the continued strength of the high end of the menswear market. This season, The Exclusive partnered with the Italian Trade Commission to bring a group of Italian apparel, footwear and accessories resources to the show.
Among the retailers spotted at the shows were large national chains such as Federated Department Stores and Nordstrom, as well as small, upscale boutiques including California retailers Fred Segal Santa Monica, Lisa Kline, Aero & Co., and Polka Dots and Moonbeams, as well as New York boutique Scoop.—with additional contributions from N. Jayne Seward and Rhea Cortado
