Price, Novelty at Accessories The Show and Moda LV
Price and novelty were top requisites on buyers’ shopping lists during the Feb. 16–18 run of Accessories The Show and Moda Las Vegas at The Venetian. Among the dress-dominated offerings at Moda Las Vegas, buyers shopped for versatile day frocks and special-occasion dresses.
The better misses dress line Maggy London and moderate sister line London Times saw traffic and sales equal to last year’s showing. “Buyers are looking for something that’s either exceptionally unique or the complete opposite way, where they want something basic that they can change shoes, change accessories and be able to wear something to the office and then out to dinner,” said rep Patricia Mead.
Sonia Crandall, buyer for the 20-year-old boutique Sonia’s Apparel in San Carlos, Calif., shopped for “whatever is different” for her wide customer base, which ranges from the 20- to 60-year-olds and sizes 4 to 22. “Every lady has a lot of clothes. She has everything,” Crandall said. “They don’t need another one unless it’s different.” Crandall stuck to meeting with brands that she has already carried, such as the cubic-zirconia jewelry line Crislu.
Carol Daley combed Moda for new, small designers for her boutique, At Ease, located in Raleigh, N.C. Daley’s clientele is more than 50 years old and will spend $150 to $600 for an outfit from international designers. “I look for something that’s unconstructed because most of our customers want what is called soft dressing, easy to travel in, neutral colors,” said Daley, who wrote the modern, artistic line Peter O. Mahler from Germany.
At Accessories The Show, Spring/Summer statement pieces were the standouts. Trendy, colorful sandals attracted buyers to San Diego–based Joseph Griffin, which showed its three brands, Nicole Griffin, Sol and Joseph Griffin. This season, sales rep Rosita Griffin said buyers are more price-conscious. “We’ve had more expensive [items] before and people never asked for the price,” said Griffin of her repeat buyers. “Now people ask for the price the first thing.” Wholesale price points across the three brand divisions average $30 to $61 for leather sandals.
Alhambra, Calif.–based jewelry brand Adia Kibur had an “unexpectedly awesome” showing of its young costume jewelry and accessories to specialty boutiques and multi-door stores such as Arden B, according to rep Vanessa Aucar. Headbands with bows and feathers, bold statement necklaces, and Japanese print bangles were top sellers. Wholesale prices ranged from $1 to $19 for resin rings, $4.50 to $21 for cuffs in polyresin or enamel and up to $42 for belts with crystals. —Rhea Cortado
