California Apparel News

Exhibitors at the trio of shows organized by Business Journals Inc. were generally happy with the wide aisles, ample space and airy ambience at the event, but that great environment didn’t prevent retailers from riding a wave of caution.

Exhibitors at the Feb. 16–18 event said retailers were hunting for very special items to fuel sales and taking their time to make decisions. Many orders were for Immediate deliveries, so buyers were taking a second look at heavier fabrics such as wool and cashmere for Fall and going for lighter-weight knits. That comes in the wake of a warmer-than-normal winter across much of the country that had flowers blooming in Manhattan at Christmastime and heavy sweaters and coats hanging on store racks.

“People got burned on too much wool and heavy items and now they are going for lighter items,” said Catherine Panhilason, the production manager for Dress to Kill, a higher-end women’s label based in Van Nuys, Calif.

The three shows that are housed under one roof at the Sands Expo at the Venetian/Palazzo cover a wide range of categories. Stitch is a mix of women’s contemporary, sportswear, lifestyle and international brands. MRket showcases traditional menswear and sportswear as well as contemporary menswear and emerging brands in its MRket VG (Vanguard) section. Accessories The Show encompasses jewelry, handbags, hats and other kinds of goods.

Certain sections of the shows experienced slow buyer traffic. Others—particularly, Stitch—were busy with customers.

“Our usual customers were here and a few new ones,” said Shelley Horton, a sales representative for Double D Ranchwear, based in Yokum, Texas. The 25-year-old company has a special market for its Western-style velvet dresses with colorful embroidery and heavy leather jackets with studs. The collection wholesales for between $59 and $699.

“We do well at Stitch because specialty-store customers come to this market,” Horton said.

This was the second year that Beluva, a line of colorful plaid blouses and jackets made in San Francisco, attended the show. “I’ve seen a lot of retailers,” said Firuze Hariri, the owner and designer of the label. “The first day and yesterday afternoon there was good foot traffic.”

She said retailers were filling in for Summer and “placing nice orders for Fall.” Because she cuts to order, her lead time is 60 to 90 days for the blouses that on average wholesale for $65.

On the MRket side of the show, the first day of the show was the best. “The second day was pretty good and the third day was pretty slow, which is typical,” said Dawn Jones, a sales rep for Maker & Co., a men’s sportswear company based in New York. The company prides itself on its exclusive prints manufactured in Italy.

“Retailers are looking for color, texture and trimmer silhouettes. Something clean,” Jones said.

Galina Mirinoff, an exclusive importer of Mac of Germany pants for men and women, was having a decent show. “Overall, we are pretty happy, but it would be great to have some kind of upbeat mood. Something more lively here,” she said, referring to the low-key vibe that was entirely different from the nearby Agenda show.

At Accessories The Show, there were aisles that were doing well and other aisles that were quiet. Lindsey VanHeel, a sales manager for Dona Bela Shreds, which makes necklaces out of fabric, was having a good show. This was her fourth or fifth time at the event. “There is a good variety of customers,” she said.

With retailers looking for something different, the colorful fabric necklaces wholesaling for $11 to $16 fit in nicely with store budgets.

Not doing so well were Patricia Zanger and Katie Walker. This was their very first trade show to display their handmade felt and straw hats that wholesale for $100 and have a decidedly “Downton Abbey” feel. “We thought this show would be really good, but it has been really slow,” said Zanger, who is the owner of Bonnet. “Retailers are looking for low prices.”