Majors Turn Out For Kingpins NY
Buyers at the Kingpins denim sourcing show in New York Jan. 19–20 shopped for Spring 2010 fabrics, looking for a mix of reliable staples and inspired new fabrics.
Produced by New York–based fabric agent Olah Inc., Kingpins hosts biannual shows on the East and West coasts.
Kingpins generally draws a large contingent of premium-denim brands to its West Coast editions. At the Jan. 19–20 run in New York, Kingpins’ attendees included major New York retailers and wholesalers. Representatives from Banana Republic, The Gap, Madewell, J. Crew, Club Monaco, Edun, Anthropologie, Free People, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ann Taylor and American Eagle Outfitters shopped the show’s 27 vendors.
“It was a great show, our biggest ever, in fact,” said Paul Cavazos, Olah’s director of marketing, sales, research and development. Exhibitors included Japanese trading company Amhot, Vietnamese piece-dye producer Burlington, Chinese piece-dye producer Zhonge, Japanese and Chinese corduroy maker Rainbow, Guatemalan jean maker Denimatrix, and the Cone Denim, Denim North America, Kurabo, Orta and Tavex denim mills. Attendees of the show were also treated to the debut screening of a short informational film about certified FiberMax cotton and cotton farming in Texas, which was produced by Olah.
Cavazos said buyers’ must-have lists included perennial favorites such as chambray and new cotton-blend fabrics. “Interesting combinations of cotton were very desirable. Cotton/Tencel mixes, cotton/viscose mixes—anything that is drapey or more technical or refined than traditional casual cotton—were of high interest,” he said.
Kingpins is an invitation-only show and will land in Los Angeles Feb. 9–10 at the Smog Shoppe in Culver City, Calif.—Erin Barajas
