MAGIC and Las Vegas Shows Packed with Product

LAS VEGAS—The breadth of goods on display at the recent Las Vegas trade shows was astounding—from juniors merchandise to contemporary and misses, menswear, action-sports apparel, streetwear, accessories, shoes, and sourcing resources spread across 20 shows and six venues. Early startMany parts of the Las Vegas Convention Center were buzzing on opening day of WWDMAGIC. “We had buyers here at 8:30 this morning,” said Alicia Estrada, designer and chief executive officer of Los Angeles–based Stop Staring! Estrada said she was so swamped with buyers during the day that she is considering expanding her booth next season. Many of the exhibitors at shows that started before MAGIC’s Aug. 22–24 run reported good traffic. MRket, Moda Las Vegas and AccessoriesTheShow also had good traffic on Aug. 19. Sourcing at MAGIC opened on Aug. 19, and several exhibitors reported being “pleasantly surprised” by the traffic on the first and second days. Nori Hill, design director for Long Beach, Calif.–based knit mill Texollini, said traffic seemed particularly strong on the second day of the show. “Someone made the comment that now that the booths are set up, the designers are free to come over and see Sourcing,” she said. This season, Sourcing at MAGIC highlighted resources in North America, South America and Central America in the show’s Americas Pavilion.OffPrice opened on Aug. 19 and also reported a particularly busy Sunday. But even on the comparatively slower Saturday, Eileen Burke’s booth was swamped. When approached by a journalist, she quipped, “Want to work the booth?” Based in Encinitas, Calif., Burke’s business, Queen Eileen’s, imports jewelry and apparel from Bali. She was selling items cash-and-carry at OffPrice.Mixed at MandalaySeveral exhibitors at Project reported slower-than-expected traffic, although some said they were pleased with the caliber of retailers seen at the show. New York–based Schott has shown at MAGIC, Project and Capsule in years past. This season, the company opted to show its Perfecto By Schott line at Workroom, where Chief Marketing Officer Jason Schott said he had hoped for better traffic. At MAGIC’s S.L.A.T.E. and Street, traffic seemed heavier, and the reports were more upbeat.“It’s been great—it’s been busy, everyone’s having a good time,” said John Schild on the second day of the show. “Yesterday was a little slow, but today’s been busy.”Schild is the retail sales manager for Glamour Kills Clothing, which was showing at S.L.A.T.E.Also showing at S.L.A.T.E., True Love and False Idols was having a stronger show than last February, according to Jim Shubin, vice president of sales.“We’ve opened more new accounts this show [than last show],” he said. This season marked the first time in five years since Quiksilver has showed at MAGIC, and sales rep Pat Artukovich described the show as “awesome.” The company also showed at S.L.A.T.E. “We accomplished a lot here,” Artukovich said, adding that the company primarily worked with its existing accounts at the show. Return to the jam-packed scheduleFor buyers and other attendees, there was plenty of activity on the LVCC show floor, including cocktail parties and in-booth events. In MAGIC’s ISAM swimwear section, daily runway shows were produced by L.A. Fashion Weekend organizer Mikey Koffman. At the Mandalay Bay, there were also daily runway shows and cocktail parties, as well as deejays at S.L.A.T.E. and skate demos sponsored by Maloof Skateboarding. At Project, Martiheacute; + Franccedil;ois Girbaud demonstrated a new waterless denim treatment called Wattwash + Ozzone, created by Spanish firm Jeanologia. Nick Wooster, former Neiman Marcus men’s fashion director, curated an installation dubbed “Project Wooster,” and new and directional lines were highlighted in Workroom and Project 10. At CurveNV, Evenden Group, owners of several high-end lingerie and swim brands, including Freya and Huit, hosted daily fit seminars for retailers. Show organizers also reprised their So Curve So Swim runway show at the Crazy Horse Paris burlesque club at the MGM Grand.

All Around Las Vegas

At the Las Vegas Convention Center:WWDMAGIC women's and juniorsISAM swimwearFN Platform footwearSourcing at MAGIC

At the Mandalay Bay Convention Center:MAGIC Mens/Wear suiting and casual menswearS.L.A.T.E. contemporary street and skateStreet streetwear and premium men'sProject contemporary men's and women's linesPooltradeshow independent and up and-coming brandsWorkroom directional menswear

At The Venetian:Mrket upscale menswearAccessories The Show jewelry and accessoriesModaLV upscale womenswearCurveNV lingerie and swimCapsule up-and-coming and contemporary brandsPGA Expo golf merchandise and apparel

At the Sands Expo & Convention Center:OffPrice off-price apparel, accessories and shoes

At the Wynn hotel:ENK Vegas designer and contemporary women’s and men’s lines

At the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino:Women’s Wear in Nevada (WWIN) updated women’s and plus sizes

At the Paris hotel:WWIN’s Kidshow childrenswear

Additional contributions by Deidre Crawford Complete coverage of all the Las Vegas trade shows will appear in next week's issue.