TRADE SHOWS
High-End Mix Showing in the Tents at Cabana
MIAMI BEACH, FLA.—The sweltering summer heat didn’t stop buyers from storming into the Cabana trade show, held in two pristine white tents along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. Now in its fourth year, the show expanded its brand offerings to include 180 contemporary and ultra-trendy brands, including 6 Shore Road by Pooja, Minimale Animale, Ban.do and Isolda. According to Cabana brand manager Hillary Joseph, attendance was up by nearly 30 percent because of the push.
“It’s literally nonstop,” Joseph said. “Coming in at any time of the day, you’ll see a line at registration.”
Part of the swimwear trade show and runway lineup of Miami Swim Week, Cabana offers a curated mix that caters to buyers and retailers seeking high-trending, cool-girl brands. Cabana is focused on creating a lifestyle experience for its guests.
“We want buyers to feel like they’re walking through a store,” Joseph said. “We handle placement within the show, so the show is organized according to brand aesthetic.”
Both luxury and boutique retailers such as Matches Fashion, Bergdorf Goodman, iShine 365 and ShopBop attended the July 16–18 show.
Jennifer Murray of Vitamin A by Amahlia Stevens swimwear showcased Resort and Spring 2017 lines at Cabana as well as at the concurrent Miami SwimShow.
According to Murray, Vitamin A experienced high traffic at the show and had several order inquiries, mostly from walk-in buyers.
Australian brand Triangl, which until now has sold its line solely through its e-commerce channel, launched a new wholesale operation at Cabana, where the line was shown in a six-booth space. “We’ve had tons of interest, but we’re not writing anything until we can sit down and review all of our offers,” said designer Erin Deering.
Glamsquad was on hand with a braid bar sponsored by Pantene, while a My Ceviche pop-up operated the show’s café. Granola bars and snacks were provided by 18 Rabbits, and complimentary VitaCoco coconut water was circulated throughout the show.
In the main tent, Lolli Swim and Beach Riot showcased ultra-feminine cheeky suits in pastel colors and delicate prints. Higher-end and established brands exhibiting both swimwear and resort collections set up shop at the neighboring tent. Industry heavy-hitter Mara Hoffman, who this year decided to forgo her sought-after Miami Swim Week runway event, showcased a variety of new styles in her signature, vibrant prints. This season, Hoffman is focused on creating sustainable pieces with responsibly sourced fabrics and fibers.
Designers Jonathan Simkhai and Thaddeus O’Neil—both 2016 winners of the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund—also debuted new swim and resortwear collections. Simkhai’s ready-to-wear Resort 2017 line featured romantic flamenco-inspired skirts, some designed with Mexican lace trim and trendy pleats. Other high-end designers at Cabana included Stella McCartney and Lisa Marie Fernandez.
Though some exhibitors were concerned about the heat and humidity in the tents, traffic was constant. Stone Fox’s booth was consistently busy while London-based lingerie brand Asceno took several orders to be confirmed and delivered in November.
“We’re very happy with the outcome,” said Asceno designer Poppy Wainwright.
