ENK Bows New Contemporary Show
Trade show producer ENK International returned to Las Vegas for the first time in several years with a solid showing of contemporary brands, most of which also exhibit atENK’s shows in New York—Fashion Coterie, Intermezzo and Collective—and its Brighte Cos. show in Los Angeles. The show was held Aug. 25–27 at The Venetian.
Denim, denim-friendly tops, knits and dresses were the primary bill of fare. Most exhibitors reported fair to good business but noted that many of the buys were item- driven.
“You don’t have to buy collections anymore,” said Zach Weinstein of Sausalito, Calif.–based CP Shades.
The company was highlighting shirts made at its California factory that come in varying weights and colors based on the season.
“The only way to compete right now is to be the fastest. Buyers aren’t placing those big upfront orders. It’s month-to-month right now,” Weinstein said.
New York–based Christopher Fischer wasn’t having any problems selling its cashmere items, priced at about $108, said account executive Allison Laskin.
“They’re spending money on quality right now,” she said.
Creativity is also key, noted Andy Hori of Los Angeles–based Drifter, which was highlighting variety and innovation, offering treatments on tops that offered some type of differentiation, be it a zip or flap construction.
“You walk around here and see a lot of sameness. You have to be different,” Hori said. “We’re booking all the way out to Spring.”
Los Angeles denim designer Mik Serfontaine said his way to stand out is through technologically enhanced fit and construction. His line incorporates Invista’s X-fit 360, a four-way stretch fabric. The designer is also using 3-D body scanners and is consulting with U.K. retailer Selfridges by using scanners to help customers find the right denim. “You have to be a specialist in this business climate,” he said. —Robert McAllister.
