California Apparel News

The Feb. 15–17 run of CurveNV saw a mix of new exhibitors and returning brands showing at the upscale lingerie and swimwear show at The Venetian in Las Vegas.

Among the new exhibitors was Joe’s Intimates, the licensed lingerie and loungewear line for premium-denim brand Joe’s Jeans.

Retailers were responding well to the line’s fit, fabric and comfort, said Gihan Gabor, vice president of sales for Onis Design Group, which is producing the collection.

“We do Project and Coterie for the jeans,” Gabor said. “We’re trying to target this to the contemporary/ready-to-wear customer as she gets into lingerie.”

Another new exhibitor was Nightlift, the sleep bra developed by Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Randal Haworth.

Designed to protect breasts at night, the wireless bra features a cradle-like structure and straps that can be adjusted seven different ways depending on the support needed, said sales rep Dania Abraham.

“Gravity doesn’t sleep,” she said. “A lot of bras only give you vertical support. Ours give you vertical and lateral support.”

Among the swim brands showing at CurveNV was Los Angeles–based Unique Vintage, the vintage-inspired swim line designed by Ellie Wilkins.

“We want every woman of every size to feel glamorous and sexy at the beach,” Wilkins said.

Wilkins and Connie Miller, wholesale sales manager for the line, said they were starting to see a little crossover between lingerie and swim stores carrying both categories.

Miller outlined several key trends.

“The nautical look has been important, and polka dots are always good,” she said, adding that “little extra details” such as zippers or piping are also important.

Mona Goldberg, senior vice president of sales and merchandising for Turkish underwear and loungewear line Blackspade,was upbeat about CurveNV.

“We just opened a Mr. Boxer store in the Las Vegas airport—and that’s because of this show,” she said, praising the show’s energy and the turnout form domestic and international retailers.

The 8-year-old collection is well represented in more than 20 countries around the world and is just starting to launch in the U.S.

“We are the fastest-growing luxury underwear at an affordable price in Europe,” Goldberg said. Produced in a vertical facility in Turkey, Blackspade offers underwear and loungewear for men, women and children using fibers such as cotton and Modal.

“It’s about lifestyle and comfort,” Goldberg said.

Next season, CurveNV will relocate to the Las Vegas Convention Center, thanks to a newly announced partnership with MAGIC parent company Advanstar and CurveNV parent company Eurovet. Dubbed CurvExpo @ MAGIC and under CurvExpo management, the new trade show will showcase swimwear and lingerie brands, expanding the existing baseof swim and lingerie resources showing at CurveNV and MAGIC in the ISAM (International Swim and Activewear Market) section of the show.