California Apparel News

This was ENKVegas’ second show featuring only women’s brands. “There were no men’s products,” Sunni Spencer, vice president of ENKVegas, said.

More than 500 brands exhibited in the show, held this season in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center during its Aug. 19–21 run. “The vision I was trying to execute was resort luxury [like a boutique] hotel with the décor,” Spencer said. “I heard comments about it being a step up from the February show and the vibe being different in a positive way.”

Last season—its first since ENK was acquired by Project parent company Advanstar—the show was held in a tented venue outside the Mandalay Bay. This time, the show was held inside, located between Project and the Pooltradeshow. The move indoors made a difference for exhibitors. “Response was amazing from both retailers and brands,” Spencer said. “Some even said it was the best first day of any Project or ENK they experienced.”

Many exhibitors said they exceeded their goals by day two. And with the launch of the exclusive, high-end brands in the Oasis area, specialty brands had the opportunity to stand out and meet with potential buyers.

ENKVegas social-media manager and sales associate Cristina Foos said this was the second season the shows merged together, so it was the main hub for contemporary women. Major retailers such as Planet Blue and Madison and major department stores, as well, walked the floors, Foos said.

Kristen Archdeacon, Elena Bortugno, and Kym and Alexis McClay, sales associates for Los Angeles label Naven, said they were pleased with the traffic at the show and the orders written.

The new aesthetic of ENK was refreshing, and the show was a great kickoff to the Spring selling season, which is always very strong for its brand, McClay said. Key accounts that stopped by their booth included Urban Outfitters, Amazon.com, Holt Renfrew, Saks Fifth Avenue, Pac Sun, Revolve Clothing, Tony Walker and National Jean Co.

“We had a huge success with our Resort to Spring/Transition delivery, where we incorporated a mod-inspired collection using color blocking of black, white and chartreuse,” McClay said.

Other styles in the Spring collection included rose and garden floral kaleidoscope prints, cropped and bustier tops with matching skirts, and high-wasted mini shorts in monochromatic brights, cutout dresses with contrast-color zippers, and long maxi dresses and jumpers.

For Cotton Citizen, each show has become progressively better for the Los Angeles–based T-shirt line, according to owner and designer Adam Vanunu. The company landed a lot of orders at the show, Vanunu said, but he added that exhibiting is more about connecting with buyers. “We don't get to meet them too often, so when we do, it is always great to catch up,” he said.

Vanunu praised the new layout. “All the shows did a great job,” he said. “They are starting to organize and separate the audience, which I felt was a huge improvement. Although ENK and Project were connected in one room, it definitely felt like two separate shows.”

In addition to ENK Vegas, Cotton Citizen showed its products at The Tents, Project’s show for upscale and limited-edition brands. The company also showed at new trade show Liberty.