Las Vegas Spring13 Fashion Trade Shows Day 1, August 20, 2012

It was an almost balmy 98F today in Las Vegas for the beginning of an extended fashion trade show week. It was 110F here last week.

Spring ’13 collections are breaking this week. Spring and Summer are the most important for most designers. The usual excitement is the in air.

Project, PoolTradeShow and Workroom at the Mandalay Bay were busy this morning and early afternoon. The amount of buyer foot traffic was very encouraging. I spoke to a couple of the agents and showrooms that I know well. They said the foot traffic hadn’t really translated into orders. Apparently, this is the usual order of things. There is a lot to take in on the first morning. The three combined sections are massive. The agents were expecting the paper to flow in the afternoon and tomorrow.

The SYDNY Showroom was doing good business with their Australian collections – Samantha Wills, Aje, bless’ed are the week and Flannel.

The German accessories line, George Gina & Lucy had a booth full of buyers.

Australian swimwear collection, Lisa Maree, had lots going on.

I spent the last part of the day at ENK Vegas at the Wynn. It’s one of my favorite shows of the week.

ENK always put on classy, professional and well-appointed trade shows. Some veterans of Intermezzos and Coteries in New York that I know think that this is their best show. ENK do that bit extra – from the setting and layout, to the food at the buffet, right down to the delicious margaritas they served at the end of the day.

Contemporary and better contemporary men’s and women’s sportswear collections, denim, dresses, accessories and footwear brands are spread over two adjacent function rooms. There were more men’s than women’s collections. There was an excellent vibe there today. Lots of buyers writing orders and leaving paper.


The Charlotte Tarantola booth was so busy that I hardly had a chance to speak with an old friend, Dana Pederson, the National Sales Manager. Dana had enough time to tell me that they have had “an awesome day”. She also told me to grab one of the yummy margaritas that were being served. I took her advice.

Michael Cohen of Michael Cohen Showroom was very happy with the day. Michael is one of the giants of the LA contemporary world. I personally have always appreciated the time he has taken to talk business and give advice to me over the past 12 years. Michael was at ENK with the luxury men’s and women’s basics collection, Cotton Citizen. They had worked Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Japanese buyers.

Chanita Harris with Will Leather Goods was having a busy day. I’ve always liked their high quality men’s and women’s leather accessories.

I really liked the color palettes that I saw at ENK. Fluxus is a good example. Lots of soft color – yellows, oranges, reds and an beautiful light soft green.

More tomorrow.

I’m off now to the ENK party at the Wynn sponsored by Belvedere Vodka. I promise to be good.

Paul Brindley
paulbrindleyconsults.com