Pooltradeshow Hits Its Stride
LAS VEGAS—Founded 11 years ago as a marketplace for emerging designers, Pooltradeshow may have finally hit its stride at its Aug. 21–23 run at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, said Freddie Rojas, the Los Angeles–based designer who has been exhibiting at every Pooltradeshow since the beginning.
“They finally figured out what works and what doesn’t work,” Rojas said of the show layout and its selection of vendors, which he said worked as well as they could.
Rojas introduced his self-named label’s “Short Change Collection” at Pooltradeshow. This collection’s clothes were marked by coins studded on tops and denim shorts. Rojas opened more than 28 new accounts at the show. “I wasn’t expecting new stores,” he said. “People are taking chances with opening new stores.”
Established companies such as American Apparel and Lip Service exhibited at Pooltradeshow. The trade event also served as a place to make a debut.San Diego–based company StudioPennyLane introduced its “Big Abe” line of T-shirts and accessories. One of the collection’s shirts featured a graphic of the text of President Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural speech. French label Elektrode also made its debut at the show, with its avant-garde-inspired men’s fashions. Mexican fashion label Cinta made its American trade show debut at Pooltradeshow along with Scottsdale, Ariz.–based A Bit of Skirt.A Bit of Skirt designer Amber Justice said she was glad she got to do a couple of interviews for the label and take orders from boutiques such as Dakota Chappy of Garrison, N.D., at Pooltradeshow.—Andrew Asch
