International Focus at CurveNV
CurveNV boasted more than 250 lingerie, swimwear, sleepwear and intimate accessories brands for men and women during the Aug. 31–Sept. 2 run of the show at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.
Lingerie and swimwear brands from around the globe were represented, including Arianne, Blush and Montelle from Canada; Fruit De La Passion from Brazil; British brands such Panache and Eveden; Elixir de Lingerie and Elixer de Bain from France; and stateside favorites such as Cosabella, Hanky Panky and Natori.
The exhibitors that did the legwork prior to the show to book appointments saw results for their labor. Samantha Chang, who runs Boutique Lingerie, Showroom 1122 in New York and her eponymous lingerie line, met with established boutiques that have not yet written any of her lines.
“We’re just sort of building our relationship,” said Chang, who represents her own line, Belabumbum, Sexy Panties and Naughty Knickers and Else. “They took serious notes, and I have a feeling they will turn in their orders.”
In loungewear, Belabumbum’s ribbed bamboo sleepwear was a hit because of the soft fabric. “The minute you say bamboo sleepwear, everyone gets excited,” Chang said.
Monica Olvera, West Coast sales rep for the showroom Mode Studio—which represents swimwear lines Vitamin A, Caffeacute; Swimwear, and lingerie and loungewear line Wendy Glez—reported “a really good show.” Olvera was booked solid with appointments for 2 1/2 days of the trade show, with many buyers writing Immediates for Fall loungewear.
Joe Smith, specialty-store manager of New York–based Wacoal, was “very pleased” with the quality of specialty stores that attended from a wide geographical range. Smith said he met with three times more western-Canadian accounts than the previous CurveNV show.
Wacoal showed its comprehensive offerings of pretty shapewear in new colors, full-figured seamless collection and its rapidly growing b.tempt’d line.
The combination of a contemporary fashion look and Wacoal’s fit—“That’s the key component,” Smith said—has made the b.tempt’d line a success at retail. The brand launched in 75 doors for Spring 2009 and has doubled the number of stores for Fall 2009. “The department stores that we’re in, they’re expanding doors and branches for Spring 2010,” Smith said. Prices for b.tempt’d range from $36 to $42.
Victoria Roberts, owner of high-end shop Zovo in Seattle, shopped CurveNV to catch up with her tried-and-true lingerie lines and Project Global Trade Show for loungewear and ready-to-wear tops.
“We were really excited about what we saw at Simone Perele. Their fashion has gotten back to the Simone Perele you always think about—beautiful embroidery, demi cups,” Roberts said. Freya’s pastel Easter palette and feminine floral bras and Frances Smily’s boudoir lace-trimmed silk chiffon and silk charmeuse sleepwear were also highlights.
Since last October, Roberts said, she has been especially price-conscious. “We immediately went to a more moderate price point across all categories—still quality but bringing a different price point to the customer. They responded, and we’ve been doing really well,” said Roberts, who said she felt the economic pinch on her wholesale line as well. She has since discontinued Zovo’s seasonal fashion collections in light of the economy. She continues to produce and fill basic underwear and underpinnings reorders.
Fashion at a price point was the key to City of Industry, Calif.–based Affinitas’ success. “We have incredible quality at an unbelievable price point,” said sales manager Marcia Shally. Wholesale prices for bras range from $12 to $16; thongs range from $4.50 to $8.50; and thong and sleepwear tops range from $12.50 to $15.75.
Shally said her business was up from the February edition, with help from the CurvExpo Web site, which allowed buyers to browse exhibitors and provided Web site links. Shally said she received several e-mails from new stores through the CurvExpo Web site that wanted to make appointments.—Rhea Cortado
