California Apparel News

With more than 20 apparel, footwear, accessories and sourcing trade shows taking a bow in Las Vegas starting on Aug. 18 and a trade show season that continues on until the end of October, retailers are gearing up for the serious work of finding the brands that might hold the key to big profits.

Boutique owners Don Zuidema, co-founder of LASC in West Hollywood, Calif.; Melissa Akkaway, founder of Beckley in Los Angeles; and Murphy and Carrie Martines, co-founders of The Celect in Costa Mesa, Calif., talked to California Apparel News of their plans for the upcoming trade shows.

CALIFORNIA APPAREL NEWS: What season are you buying? How many days are you spending at the show? How many shows are you going to?

DON ZUIDEMA: We find we are buying closer in to season whenever possible so that we can react to trends and work more closely with vendors on margins.

We plan on spending two days at the shows and will do our best to hit them all, especially Liberty, Project and Capsule since that is where we do most of our buying.

MELISSA AKKAWAY: My team will be buying for pre-Spring/Spring 2015. They will be spending a week in New York to attend shows and showroom appointments. They will attend Coterie and D&A, for sure, and possibly Project. [Then we will] attend LA market in October.

CARRIE MARTINES: We’re shopping for Spring ’15 as well as Immediates for Fall. We’re going to be at the shows Monday and Tuesday. We’ll be attending Project, Liberty, Capsule and ENKVegas to visit our friends at NOE Undergarments.

CAN: How is the economy? Are your customers spending more? Will you be spending more at the Las Vegas shows?

DZ: Customers are being cautious in their spending, and we also find we need to focus on service and selection to compete with the online stores as well as other retailers.

MA: I think the retail economy has stabilized, but the client is much more specific with how and what they spend their dollars on. They want pieces that can transition from one season to the next and possibly have room in their budget to make one big splurge per season.

CM: We’re definitely seeing customers investing in their closets. Price is not an issue. It really comes down to the product and the brand story.

CAN: Trade shows can be exhausting. Any advice on how to keep your energy up during trade shows?

DZ: Thank goodness for the coffee bars during the show—along with bottles of water. That’s what we do to keep the energy. We also get motivated by being at the shows, and that drives us as well.

MA: Yes, they are very exhausting because you are walking all day plus collecting lots of line sheets and look books, which inevitably makes your bag super heavy. I always dress in something comfortable, yet chic, as well as carry a cross-body bag that can be easily accessible. I also eat a great breakfast and carry snacks to keep me fueled throughout the day plus drink tons of water.

CM: Comfortable shoes and eggs for breakfast.

CAN: Will there be an “it” item this season? Are there any fashion trends that will be peaking during the show?

DZ: One of the main reasons to go to the shows is to seek out that “it” item for the upcoming season and to see what trends are being shown. [It] allows us to then focus on our buy and how we plan on merchandising the store.

MA: I am always looking to be on trend without only stocking super-trendy items. I try to mix in staple items plus a few trend pieces.

CM: We’re constantly in search of the unique, eye-catching, amazing pieces and collections that stand out.