California Apparel News

NEW YORK—Premium-denim trade show Blue celebrated its first anniversary Jan. 21–23 with a new location and an exhibitor lineup that included returning denim makers Hudson Jeans and Agave, as well as new exhibitors Glamour Campaign and Raw-7.

This season, Blue’s organizers, ENK, moved the trade show to the Show Piers from last year’s location, The Tunnel.

Retailer Thomas George was among the returning attendees at Blue. The owner of Chicago-based E. Street Denim is a regular at several trade shows, including ENK’s Collective and the Project Global Trade Show, which were both held concurrently with Blue.

“I’ve been going to shows on the Piers for years, and Blue is one that I look forward to,” he said.

“I found things at Blue that I didn’t find at some of the other shows, such as Collective.”

George also said he appreciated the show layout in an open, well-lit space. “You get more time to sit down and really look at the goods before you buy,” he said.

Manufacturer Fred Naggar also gave the show high marks for atmosphere.

“I like the ambiance a lot,” said the chief executive officer for Los Angeles–based denim maker Glamour Campaign. “It gives us a chance to meet new clients while keeping appointments with the larger stores.” Glamour Campaign picked up orders from Nordstrom and Fred Segal while at the show, Naggar said.

Overall, the designers said they were pleased with Blue, saying that it gave them a chance to relax and interact with the buyers who came through, most of whom were drop-ins.

“It’s a very laid-back, easy vibe here. It definitely gives me room to breathe,” said Steven Carrieri, owner and designer for Los Angeles– based accessories label George, which added retro, 1970s-inspired graphic tees to its collection of leather belts.

New silhouettes

Although Blue’s main focus is men’s lines, several exhibitors were showing women’s premium denim as well, including Drifter, which was showing a full women’s line for pre-Fall that includes sweaters and dresses meant for layering.

On the show floor, several exhibitors were shying away from super-slim silhouettes to offer more-relaxed cuts. Some, like Genetic Denim, offered a range of silhouettes. The company’s latest collection includes women’s denim leggings in several lengths as well as higher-waisted boot-cut and straight-leg styles. Similarly, Los Angeles–based Hudson Jeans showed both a skinny jean to the ankle as well as a wide-leg trouser.

Los Angeles–based Agave was offering a tough jean for men with a polyurethane wash that helps the jeans withstand high wash temperatures.

“We only use Japanese denim,” said owner Jeff Shafer, who credited Japanese denim in dark indigo with giving Agave’s jeans a look he described as a “gentleman’s jean” that can be dressed up as needed.

Graphic designs were popular throughout the show, especially with many of the artistic newcomers to the market. Los Angeles– based Raw-7 Jeans offered cashmere argyle sweaters and hoodies with intricate graphics, as well as hand-stitched jackets and blazers. Glamour Campaign expanded its men’s line by adding skulls and fleur-de-lis in tiny crystals to tees, hoodies and leather jackets.

Habitual showed off a revamped men’s line for Fall, created by Japanese designer Shigehijo Taguchi. The company did not showcase a lot of denim but instead focused on clean, relaxed lines that were still elegant.

“The old version of Habitual wasn’t focused on menswear, and now there is a definite collection. It’s not just jeans aimed at men,” said sales representative Annex Song. “The designer is very detail-oriented, right down to the fabric, which he picks out himself.”

Black was prominent in the line, and some highlighted pieces were cashmere sweaters and several coats, including a pea coat and military jackets with an iridescent finish.