California Apparel News

SAN MATEO, Calif.—Fall fashions, Immediate Summer items and accessories filled the nearly 105,000-square-foot space at the San Mateo Events Center for the June 21–23 run of Fashion Market Northern California.

“It’s one of the most successful regional markets,” said Nina Perez, a former Northern California sales representative now based in Los Angeles, who still travels to the region for her “loyal following.”

Perez’s lines include GR Dano, a Sausalito, Calif.–based contemporary women’s line made in the Bay Area with wholesale prices ranging from $35 to $110, and Beyond Threads, a sweater line with wholesale prices ranging from $79 to $229 that broadened its market to include handmade jewelry in Peru from recycled textiles and other materials. “Beyond Threads really specializes in knits and sweaters, but a couple years ago they started this jewelry line. A lot of museums carry it,” she said.

Sales representatives from across the state displayed their products but were selective about the lines they showcased to cater to Northern California and other West Coast boutique retailers.

Retailers and consumers in Northern California tend to favor earthy, simple designs, according to Janelle Moore, a sales representative from Southern California. Her clothing lines included Fenini, a funky line of earth-toned dresses and knits ranging in wholesale price from $31 to $54, and hipS-sister, a wide stretch belt with slim pockets that is wholesale priced at $12.50. Moore said hipS-sister is perfect for women who do yoga or other workouts and are looking for fashionable but utilitarian athleisure accessories. Moore also carried Marcia Moran, a Brazil-based jewelry line made with colorful crystal druzies and other natural stones such as labradorite set in sterling silver and 18 karat gold–plated brass. The line wholesales from $49 to $138.

“I find more natural druzies and semiprecious stones tend to do well here,” Moore said.

An estimated 33 percent of FMNC vendors are accessories sales representatives, designers and manufacturers, according to Suzanne De Groot, executive director of FMNC.

“Semiprecious and fashion jewelry at all price points, handbags, shoes, scarves and, of course, gloves, socks and tights are strong in the Fall markets,” she said.

Karen Topp, assistant manager for the San Francisco Opera Shop, was scouting for “high-class” clothing and accessories at reasonable prices. “This show has a concentration of accessories I need,” said Topp, who placed orders with America Corner, a clothing company based in Alameda, Calif., which makes reversible jackets. Topp also placed orders for accessories lines Sarah J. and Vivante Scarves.

“We’re seeing an increase in our accessories and handbag business,” said Bernadette Mopera, owner of the Bernadette Mopera & Co. showroom in Los Angeles, which represents clothing and accessories lines Fred and Basha, Lavand and Peter and June Jewelry.

“[Accessories are] what I call the bait, because what woman doesn’t want another pair of earrings?” said Pat Benson, owner of Mix, a moderate to high-end accessories and furniture store in Oakland, Calif. She said she stocks accessories in hopes to draw in customers who may then browse her eclectic store of household goods and make a larger purchase. “Because she may also want a leather couch or want me to work on a design project,” she said.

Given the state’s fourth drought year in a row, some retailers are still looking to stock their stores with Immediates for the hot summer weather, according to sales representative G. Craig Williams from Sacramento, Calif. He brought a host of clothing and accessories lines, including Aris A. from Shannel Trading, based in Ontario, Calif. “I’m making more Immediate sales than Fall sales,” he said.

Many buyers said they appreciate FMNC’s relaxed atmosphere. Anna Woods, owner of Anna’s Boutique in Lincoln, Calif., said she typically attends one large show in Las Vegas each year, then “relies on FMNC regularly.” At the recent show, she placed orders with Pretty Angel and Apparel Love.

“I sold mostly Immediates,” said Lynne Andresevic, president/owner of the Crayola Sisters showroom, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. “I wrote a few Fall orders, but mostly it was fill-in orders for Summer. It’s good. It means that retail is busy. It is picking up. People don’t need to write Fall and Holiday. They’ll see me next market.”

New to the mix

New exhibitor Joyce Snyder, a sales representative based in LA, brought four clothing lines, including her new client, Amma Designs, a colorful, bohemian yet contemporary women’s line made in Los Angeles, which wholesales for $69 to $125. Her other lines are Colleta, a sportswear line made in Canada, which wholesales in the $50 price range; Nina B. Rose, an athleisure line of leggings for workouts and play; and Stellestial, a higher-end collection of silk and satin-fitted tops and dresses, wholesaling for $100 to $200. “All my companies are made in California, except Colleta, which is made in Canada,” Snyder said.

Snyder’s booth was busy with retailers browsing through her selections. Out-of-state retailers John and Susana Kopplin traveled from Tucson, Ariz., to get out of the sweltering heat and look for new items to stock their boutique, Maya Palace, a moderate to high-end women’s clothing store and bridal shop with two locations in Arizona. They placed an order with Amma Designs, known for colorful and psychedelic patterns.

“Amma is a new line for us, so we’re using it as fill-in,” said John Kopplin, who said he and his wife attend FMNC every summer. “It’s easy to get around in, so we can see lines we carry easily—unlike Las Vegas, where it’s so crowded,” he said.

First-time vendor Jessica Giles, owner of the Karma Showroom in LA, was showing three lines: WearMena, a contemporary dress line made in LA with wholesale prices in the $120 range; Down East, a young contemporary women’s line made overseas with price points from $5 to $25 wholesale; and Un Billion Handbags, a collection of vegan-leather handbags.