New L.A. Menswear Show to Bow
Ken Haruta, a rep for the Island Soft division of Tommy Bahama, is producing the biannual event, which will cater to high-end menswear and accessories retailers. The show will take over dates formerly occupied by Westcoast Exclusive, which was purchased last year by Business Journals Inc., owner of MR magazine. Business Journals decided not to continue the regional shows, previously owned by Westcoast Exclusive, and will focus instead on the twice-a-year Las Vegas events, which were previously operated as The Exclusive. As previously reported, a new show called MRket will take place Feb. 11–13 at The Venetian hotel. Larry Hymes, co-founder of The Exclusive, will stay on with the new entity as director of sales.
Haruta is off to a running start with the new regional show, having signed about 40 exhibitors.
“We have lots of customers in this area, and I have been in this territory for some time, so there’s a need to service the retailers,” Haruta said. West Coast buyers shopped the Westcoast Exclusive to preview lines as well as place orders before they get to the more hectic pace of the Las Vegas shows, said Haruta, who also reps Scott Barber, Sanyo, Bill Lavin and Corneleone. For information, call (415) 505-3376. —Robert McAllister
