Steady Business at Moda LV, Accessories The Show
LAS VEGAS—Despite rumblings about the gloomy economy and less-than-overflowing aisles, exhibitors at the Business Journals Inc.’s side-by-side shows, Moda Las Vegas and Accessories The Show, saw a silver lining.
“Good or bad economy, stores must buy. They need inventory, and they need newness regardless of other economic factors,” said Zsa Zsa Liu, president of New York–based ANCC Corp., which brought its Zsa Zsa line of missy dresses, tops and jackets to Moda Las Vegas. “And they will always buy if they see something special.”
For Fall 2008, buyers focused on basics while keeping an eye on price points. Liu said the year-old Zsa Zsa earned buys on feminine novelty jackets priced at about $80 wholesale, a faux-leather trench coat, and dresses with simple silhouettes and wholesale prices hovering under $74.
“A cute dress is a cute dress, and buyers always need them,” said Lauren Greene, a sales rep for Kay Unger, the New York–based missy dress line. Buyers in Las Vegas focused on closer-to-season buys, shopping for Immediates and Spring dresses in bright pops of color. “Business is tough, so I’m seeing a lot of closer-to-delivery buys. But people are sitting down and placing orders,” Greene said.
Arlene Henry of Arlene Henry Sales divided her lines between Moda Las Vegas and the WomensWear in Nevada show, showing Japanese sweaters by Yoshi Yoshi, silk separates by Redwood Court and betterwomen’s line Staples at Moda. “We wanted to support Moda. It is only its second season, but it is such a clean, beautiful show,” Henry said. The edited offerings and serene atmosphere made it a good writing show, she said. “The economy is tough, but there is still a lot of business to be done. Traffic seems light, but the stores that came wrote nice orders. Buyers are willing to sit and shop.”
Accessories The Show exhibitor Carol Caroselli, owner of CW Design and designer of the Little Hooker purse hook, agreed that while there wasn’t a glut of buyers, the sky wasn’t falling. “The market is soft, the economy is in flux and a lot of people are sitting on inventory—but that is just one year in many. We have to stick it out and plan intelligently. The show is smaller, but there is also less tire-kicking. Buyers are serious, and there is a benefit to being here even if orders aren’t what we’d hoped for.”
While buyers shopped for basics spiked with novelty at Moda, exhibitors at Accessories The Show saw statement pieces and shininess take center stage. “Generally, in a softer clothing market we do better with accessories,” said Tegan Needham of the Lori Veith showroom, which showed both accessories and apparel. “We’re definitely selling accessories more successfully at this show. It is a good, economical way to update a look without having to buy a whole new outfit.”
Key buys at Accessories The Show included patent-leather belts, oversize jewelry in gold and silver, and versatile handbags with special details. —Erin Barajas
