Give them something new.
That’s the mantra from trade-show executives organizing shows in New York who are focused on ushering in buzzy brands and exhibitor programs in hopes of generating more foot traffic — and interest — for the next round of exhibitions starting this winter.
Several names are slated to make their debut at Coterie this season, according to vice president and general manager Danielle Licata, citing collections from Cinq à Sept, Demylee, Thomas Wylde and A Peace Treaty.
“We also look to increase some supplemental categories,” Licata said, noting increased interest in the fashion technology space, as well as other lifestyle products like candles, books, perfumes and activewear accessories. “[We want] stores to use Coterie as a one-stop shop to round out their selection of ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes.”
Coterie also plans to enhance its brand screening committee with the addition of guest fashion directors and international buyers.
“It’s a win-win and allows brands to be screened directly by the decision makers at the stores they aspire to sell,” Licata said.
At Intermezzo and Accessorie Circuit, some additions include Veda, Cupcakes and Cashmere, and contemporary and fine jewelry brands such as Andronike, Kastel, Onirikka and Rachael Ryen.
Also under the UBM Advanstar umbrella is FWD, which focuses on the juniors market and is slated for Jan. 10 to 12 at the River Pavilion in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The three-day event will introduce fast-fashion footwear brands and other new junior lines including A’reve, Ark & Co., Skies are Blue and Hem and Thread.
After a successful debut in August, FWD will hold shows five times a year to accommodate seasonal and immediate deliveries.
“We realized that our retailers have been wanting a New York show from us that has fast fashion and more young contemporary brands,” said Don Pietranczyk, UBM Advanstar’s senior marketing manager. “Fast fashion is what is happening now and we are just responding to the market.”
Elsewhere, Project New York will encompass premium denim collections, contemporary sports- wear and footwear, and the expansion of The Tents platform for advanced contemporary and designer collections. Tommy Fazio, UBM Fashion Group’s president of retail fashion, also detailed the tradeshow’s partnership with WGSN, the global foresight network.
“[WGSN] will be on-site to educate the retailers and the brands on what’s next in men’s wear and how it will impact the stores and brands,” Fazio said.
More logistical changes are in store at Capsule, particularly on the men’s side. The New York men’s show will change locations this year to the more centrally located Pier 92, adjacent to the Liberty Fairs trade show and allowing for easier transportation between the two. It will also change dates — to Jan. 26 to 28 — to be closer to the New York Men’s Fashion Week schedule.
And a new format will bow at Designers & Agents, as cofounder Ed Mandelbaum rolls out a dedicated space for emerging and established rtw and accessories designers that would like to showcase their brands in a more cost-effective way. Dubbed “Arena” and slated to launch at D&A’s spring show in Los Angeles, the loftlike space will offer a more informal atmosphere at a lower cost. Participation will require advance screening and be based upon availability.
“We continue to see interest from internationally based brands,” said Mandelbaum. “That, combined with the strength of the American marketplace, has had a positive impact. Our expectation is for this direction to continue.”
The textile crowd has some changes in store for January, as well.
Première Vision New York is moving next door to Pier 94 at 711 12th Avenue at 55th Street after several seasons at Pier 92. The move allows the show, set for Jan. 19 and 20, to accommodate more focused areas dedicated to accessories, trimming and manufacturing, as well as expanding its core roster of mostly European fabric firms.
Texworld USA heads back to the Javits Center Jan. 24 to 26 with an unusual Sunday start. Texworld is expected to feature its typical array of mills and manufacturers from around the world, as well as the Lenzing Seminar Series arranged with show organizer Messe Frankfurt USA.
Running simultaneously will be Milano Unica New York, which returns for a second season at the Javits Center’s River Pavilion & Gallery.
On Feb. 3 and 4, Lineapelle New York will be staged at the Metropolitan Pavilion, where European and international producers of leather, textiles and synthetics, accessories and components will display their spring 2017 collections.