CaliforniaApparelNews.net

photo by Sharif Hassan Photography

The numbers are officially in. Surf Expo in Orlando, FL had a big show. The biggest in 7 years. Over 14,000 attendees big. Over 2,500 brands big. Tom Brown of 17th Street Surf Shops in Virginia Beach wished he had more time than the two days they planned. “Each buyer came back excited about different aspects of the business. We made a commitment next year that we’ll definitely do three days,” Brown said.

Overheard in the aisles, Agenda is like the new ASR. The newest edition at the Long Beach Convention Center on January 5-6 showed the breadth of categories that were merchandised roughly by skate, streetwear and surf brands in the cavernous cement floored space.

A look from Insight’s Holiday 2011 line.

Hello sample sale season for the holidays! For those in the shredders all way south, Blackbox Distribution is cleaning (ware)house in Carlsbad. They will be selling samples, overstock, and limited styles plus footwear, bikinis, skateboards and surfboards from their brands: Insight, Fallen footwear, Zero, Mystery, Slave.

Happy hunting… and testing out the toys.

Black Box Distribution
2777 Loker Ave West Ste-A

Jesse Faen formerly of Insight is now working with VSTR, a new steezy men's brand that's under the big umbrella of Quiksilver, but supposedly operates completely autonomously. VSTR set up rack during the last L.A. market to show buyers and chatter about the brand has been kept quiet. Now the new VSTR website offers a little taste of what’s to come.

Dancers from San Diego Dance Theater greeted Liquid Nation partygoers with a live performance.

Guests enjoyed live music by Suzy Skarulis and bid on exclusive surf trips, artwork and NBA memorabilia to raise funds for 13 surf-based humanitarian organizations.