Capsule Doubles in Size
Capsule greeted buyers with a show floor that was nearly double the size of its previous Las Vegas edition, ringing in at 175 brands. Originally imagined as a menswear-focused show, Capsule has evolved to include womenswear and a growing cadre of footwear brands. Held at The Venetian and produced by New York–based BPMW, Capsule included brands such as Trovata, Orthodox, Warriors of Radness, Grey Antics, Opening Ceremony, Comune, Idol Radec and Jack Spade. “It was a much bigger show, both in square footage and in the number of brands. It was a big success,” said Edina Sultanik, the show’s director. She was particularly pleased with the number of international brands that showed at Capsule for the first time. “There was a lot of excitement around the Scandinavian women’s brands that were here,” she added.
Katie Kay, the sales director and co-designer of the Los Angeles–based Skingraft, brought the line’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection to the show for the first time and reported a strong show. “Our leather garments—especially those with military inspiration—got a good response,” she said, adding that a more sophisticated design evolution served the brand well at Capsule. Buyers, she said, seemed less gun-shy about writing orders. “They were a lot less hesitant [this season] than in that past two seasons.”
Alice Barlow, the sales director and namesake of the new Los Angeles–based Barlowe contemporary sportswear collection, also reported a strong show. “Capsule has a very specific point of view with a specific customer and a specific look,” she said. “That helps everyone get business done.” Buyers shopped the collection for items. “No one is buying collections anymore. We did especially well with a cropped leather jacket and a matching leather skirt, each wholesaling for $260. Sweaters in any shape also performed well,” she said.
James Hammonds, the menswear buyer for American Rag, shopped the show in search of newness—something that proved elusive. The newly relaunched Evisu got a nod, as did Doppelganger, the diffusion line from the Los Angeles–based Orthodox brand.—Erin Barajas
