California Apparel News

Just about everybody was happy at the trio of shows organized by Business Journals Inc., except for the Canadian buyers wandering the Sands Expo at Venetian/Palazzo, where the shows were held. “We’re not particularly happy with the American dollar right now,” they said, referring to the strong U.S. dollar, which makes goods more expensive for international buyers.

That was one of the few gloomy comments heard at the shows, which encompassed Stitch, Accessories The Show and MRKT VG, held Feb. 16–18.

Janelle Crumm, brand manager for Italian-made Elisa Cavaletti, said she was having a much better show than last year. “Yesterday, the first day, was very, very good, and today it is consistent,” she said on the second day of the show. The brand of art-inspired women’s apparel designed by Daniela Dallavalle has unique touches, jewelry-like trim and novelty accents that wholesale for $80 to $300.

Sharing the large hall with Stitch was Accessories The Show. Exhibitors there were also upbeat about the first few days, although not everyone had a fabulous first day. Traffic seemed to be less brisk at the accessories show.

“This year has been okay, but last year I had a very good year here,” said David Merizen, who has been participating in the accessories show ever since it opened.

Under his Onigo Imports, based in Toronto, he imports colorful handmade raffia hats and bags from Madagascar that wholesale for $5 to $35. The boxy bags were lined up like pieces of contemporary art behind him on several shelves, attracting a good number of gift and clothing stores looking for something bright to put in their windows, particularly if they were from the East Coast.

Abigail Riggs, who designs silk scarves and limited-edition purses for her self-named label based in Rochester, N.Y., was having the opposite experience. Last year, she said, there were fewer buyers at Accessories The Show because of the horrible weather on the East Coast, but this year buyer turnout was much better even though there were weather challenges in Boston and other East Coast cities. “This has been the best show,” she said. “The first day was the best first day I have ever had.”

Her large, colorful silk scarves that look more like colorful paintings than apparel were a main draw to her booth. So were her limited-edition purses that tell the story of inspiring women who helped advance the feminist cause.

There is a notable quote from each of these women, such as Susan B. Anthony or Amelia Earhart, placed on a plaque on the outside of each purse. The bags retail for $797, with a portion of sales going to nonprofits.

At menswear event MRKT VG, Italian-made menswear was strongly represented as were several American brands such as Gitman Bros., a longtime manufacturer of men’s shirts made in Ashland, Penn., and men’s ties manufactured in Pilot Mountain, N.C.

Dana Dean, Gitman’s vice president of sales, said he saw a combination of new business and old business from appointments. He noted that the disadvantage of the Las Vegas show is that it comes after shows in California and New York. But that can also mean more order writing. “Because this show is so late, there are a lot of buyers who are waiting to see what is left. By the time they get here, they have to make decisions,” he said.