New Mart Quiet but Upbeat
Ethan Eller, general manager of The New Mart, said attendance in the building for the Fall 2009 Los Angeles Fashion Market was down 15 percent. “Which is surprising because we thought it would be a lot worse,” he said. “Being down only 15 percent is sounding really good right now.”
Showroom owners agreed the market was a quiet one, but they also took a brighter view overall. Jody Hughes, who owns the West Bank Clothing showroom with Heidi Eisinger, said she noticed a more upbeat demeanor among buyers shopping her showroom. “Stores seem to be getting a handle on their business,” she said. “Before, we were all in a state of shock when the bottom dropped out. Now buyers are so much more aware of what is selling and are buying very selectively but with more confidence.”
At Agent Icon, buying was item-driven. “Harem pants, jumpsuits, fur vests—all of these things were hot for Fall,” said Heather Hubbard, the showroom’s East Coast sales rep. “Our price point is very competitive, so we found more A-list stores buying more aggressively into Mink Pink, for example. The line is trend-right, so more stores are using it as an opening price point.” Mink Pink, an Australian contemporary brand, wholesales for $19 to $99.
At Miss Me, pieces in luxury fabrics at competitive price points earned buys. Leather jackets wholesaling at $120 to $170 earned buys through the brand’s 9/30 deliveries. Immediates such as chiffon tops, anything with ruffles and skirts in a variety of silhouettes were also key buys. —Erin Barajas
