CMC Launches Select

The California Market Center will launch a new temporary trade show with a contemporary and young-designer format during the Jan. 17–20 Los Angeles Fashion Market.

The new show—called Select—will bow in the CMC’s 8,200-square-foot Fashion Theater, which previously housed ENK’s Brighte show. (ENK is shuttering the Brighte show. See related story here.)

Joanne Lee, senior vice president of the CMC, said Select will have a similar look and exhibitor base as Brighte and will target the same retailers.

“By taking over the show, we can do a more aggressive outreach for the exhibitors,” Lee said. “Rates and exhibitor-selection process will be on par with Brighte.”

The CMC has already lined up several Select exhibitors, including Azaara, Boutique 9, Casting, Gillian Julius, Hyde, Inge Christopher/Whiting & Davis, Jane Mohr Designs, Marcia Moran, Minnie Rose, Mystique, Royal Plush and Streets Ahead. The show will have a separate buyer-registration location, and the CMC will promote the show with a dedicated marketing campaign.

The CMC will continue to host its Focus trade show for up-and-coming designers and brands during Los Angeles Fashion Market weeks. Held in the Penthouse Pavilion on the 13th floor of the CMC, Focus has a different exhibitor base and cost structure than Select.

“Focus is geared toward emerging designers,” Lee said. “It’s an affordable option for companies that otherwise wouldn’t be able to show during market.”

The CMC also hosts the Transit shoe show during market weeks, also in the Penthouse Pavilion. Transit is geared for the fashion retailer shopping the Los Angeles Fashion Market, according to show producer Brad Jeremich.

“Transit L.A. Shoe Show is L.A.’s only dedicated shoe show that appeals to the boutique audience shopping the L.A. Fashion Market,” he said.—Alison A. Nieder