Salon Allure Sees Increased Business
Salon Allure, which ran July 16–19 at Miami’s W Hotel, proved to be a writing show.
“I’ve heard that buyers seem to be buying earlier, and we’ve had better paper written at both of our shows than these same designers had in years past,” said Rick Fatzinger, co-founder of Salon Allure.
He said general registration before the show last year was 150 to 175 exhibitors. This year it was 250.
“It’s been almost all buying,” said Oleema Miller, co-founder of Mikoh swimwear, based in San Clemente, Calif.“Eighty or 90 percent [of our buyers] are actually writing orders.”
Miller and her sister, Kalani, both former Roxy surf-team surfers, launched the brand three years ago and said their surfing background gave them an advantage in designing swimwear. “When you’re designing it and wearing it, then you really know what works and what doesn’t,” Oleema said.
Australian brand White Sands also noticed an increase in business at Salon Allure this year. “There’s definitely more interest this year,” said Zoe Teasey, the brand’s sales manager. “I’m not sure if it’s because it’s our third year. hellip; People need to know that you will be there every year. Buyers like security, especially big stores.”
The brand’s exclusive hand-painted prints and retro silhouettes have proven popular with buyers, according to Teasey, who said she had approximately six appointments and four walk-ins each day of the show.
With better weather and a better economy this year, exhibitors said, swimwear sales were making a comeback. “At the end of the day, it’s a weather-driven business,” said Lisa Vogel of Luxe by Lisa Vogel swimwear, a division of Raj Manufacturing, in Tustin, Calif. “When it’s hot, we sell suits.”--Deidre Crawford
