California Apparel News

Capsule continued its commitment to being a forum for independent designers and high-end lines with a unique point of view when it ran Feb. 17–19 at The Venetian.

The show has a long history in Las Vegas and last season formed the Modern Assembly alliance with Liberty, Agenda, MRket, Accessories the Show and Stitch. (Capsule’s other shows in New York, Paris and Berlin remain independent.)

Many Capsule vendors noted increased retail traffic since last August. “The intermingling of shows has helped traffic,” said Ted Ryan, who handles West Coast sales for the Micah Cohen label, which exhibited at the Las Vegas show.

Jonathan Paskowitz, partner and president of Lightning Bolt USA, agreed. “The show seemed a little busier,” he said. “Retailers were making deeper orders and adding categories.”

Aaron Pak, co-founder and director of operations for fashion line Post Bellum, said his line’s business improved compared with its performance at Capsule’s show last February in Las Vegas. “The February 2013 show opened more doors for us in press opportunities,” he said. Bloggers and reporters took up much of the brand’s meeting times for the 2013 show.

“This season, it was more driven by buyers,” he said. Pak declined to estimate Post Bellum’s performance at the recent show. However, he said that every retailer was interested in ordering for Fall 2014 deliveries, but 30 percent were looking for Immediate deliveries.

Retailers walking the show included Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Need Supply Co., Welcome Stranger and Kith, said Deirdre Maloney, co-founder of Capsule. “This was one of our best Las Vegas shows to date, and we are really excited about our momentum,” she said in a statement. “With over 250 of the most progressive, forward-thinking brands in the marketplace, the 9,000-plus retailers who attended had plenty to sink their teeth into.”