Sourcing for Inspiration at Kingpins
NEW YORK—Since its launch in 2004 as a New York–based trade show for the denim supply chain, Kingpins has grown to include shows in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Shanghai and India.
At the Jan. 18–19 run of the New York show, Kingpins’ international-expansion efforts were seen as new and returning exhibitors from around the world crowded into the lofty Skylight West space in New York’s Midtown neighborhood.
Not that anyone was complaining. Indeed, exhibitors seemed to enjoy the close quarters, which helped foster the collaborative atmosphere at the shows. “With this show, you get a lot of enthusiasm from the people showing and the people coming in. This is a place where you can trade ideas,” said Kent Pellegrini, owner of Nexgen Packaging, a label company based in Walnut Creek, Calif.
This was the third year showing in New York for Nexgen, which also shows at Kingpins’ Los Angeles and Hong Kong shows.
For New York, Nexgen introduced a new paper label called Ecokraf, which was developed in partnership with a paper company in New Hampshire. It’s made from 100 percent post-consumer waste paper,” Pellegrini said. “It looks like chipboard, and you can thermally print on it.”
Barry Emanuel, president of Copen pocketing, said innovation is more important than ever in the current economic climate. “This is the year when the product has to be compelling,” he said. “You can’t get your price for more of the same.”
Thailand-based vertical denim maker Absolute Denim arrived at the show with a mix of denim in a variety of novelty finishes, including a laser finish that gives denim a vintage look, True Blue, a deep-blue treatment applied to the back of the fabric, comes through to the face after washing. There was also a glow-in-the-dark wash.
This was the first time at the show for Gene Park, director of Nana P.N.C., a 30-year-old textile company based in Korea. Park was showing the company’s 3-year-old Super Design Denim collection of warp-printed denim.
For Denim North American, a denim mill based in Columbus, Ga., the future is lightweight. “We’re really focused on our lightweights 12 oz. and under—even for men’s,” said Lindsey Hinkle, director of merchandising and development.
Show sponsor Invista was on hand to showcase several of the company’s fibers—including Lycra, T400, Coolmax and Cordura—and two marketing campaigns—one dubbed “Dress for Success,” highlighting the denim trouser trend, and another called “Color Your World,” showcasing jeans in a rainbow of colors.
Also at Kingpins, Continuum Textiles co-founder Stuart Adams was looking to garner support for a new show planned to run alongside Kingpins. Also to be called Continuum, the show will target designers and buyers looking to source socially and environmentally conscious companies—from fabric and dyestuff to contractors/factories.—Alison A. Nieder
