Viva Las Vegas!
The other day, President Obama said, referring to the current economic situation, ‘We will rebuild and emerge stronger’. Looking around this February’s MAGIC Show, it was clear that this optimism burns brightly in the heart of America’s fashion industry. The show was busy, order books were filled and trade was brisk. Indeed, some exhibitors noted that the focus had changed somewhat, with February’s show being more about doing business and less about the noise and hype of happier economic times.
The MAGIC Marketplace, which has previously been spread across a series of halls and locations, has undergone a transformation which has made the whole buying process easier. The show’s organisers realised that, today, buyers tend to shop across the MAGIC Marketplace ( MAGIC, Project, Pool ), rather than restricting themselves to just one specific section, e.g. Better, Designer, Casual, Contemporary, Slate, Streetwear etc. All aspects of the show have now been placed under one roof (apart from Project). Buyers welcomed this intensely practical approach. As well as enabling them to visit the different segments of the show more easily and quickly, it also gave the show a more intimate feel, far more conducive to the business of buying.
The buyers were generally upbeat and more focused than we have seen them for some time. With the recession, the search for the right fashion resources has become more important than ever: stores need to find supplies of new, exciting items to tempt beleaguered consumers to part with their money. MAGIC is where America comes to find their fresh and new fashion goods. However, this February it was interesting to see that while price points were more important than ever, quality had also become one of the key buying criteria. Emeka from 10 Deep commented, “People are buying based on the quality, the brand and what may work for them for a longer period of time”.
Among some of the UK brands showing,
MAGIC Men: Alchemy of England; Burleska: French Connection; Garbstore; Globe Trotter; Highland 2000; Kurt Muller; Nicole Fahri; Silver Stop; Sir Tom Baker; Spiral; Stansfield and Storm London.;
WWD MAGIC (Women): Fever, French Connection, Irregular Choice and Orion London. Izzy Lane was part of the E-COLLECTION section.
UK brands thinking about exhibiting at the August show (August 31st to September 2nd 2009) should bear in mind that UK brands tend to generate plenty of interest among the buyers. With a weaker pound, they will become even more attractive to a market where who dares wins.
The other day, President Obama said, referring to the current economic situation, ‘We will rebuild and emerge stronger’. Looking around this February’s MAGIC Show, it was clear that this optimism burns brightly in the heart of America’s fashion industry. The show was busy, order books were filled and trade was brisk. Indeed, some exhibitors noted that the focus had changed somewhat, with February’s show being more about doing business and less about the noise and hype of happier economic times.
The MAGIC Marketplace, which has previously been spread across a series of halls and locations, has undergone a transformation which has made the whole buying process easier. The show’s organisers realised that, today, buyers tend to shop across the MAGIC Marketplace ( MAGIC, Project, Pool ), rather than restricting themselves to just one specific section, e.g. Better, Designer, Casual, Contemporary, Slate, Streetwear etc. All aspects of the show have now been placed under one roof (apart from Project). Buyers welcomed this intensely practical approach. As well as enabling them to visit the different segments of the show more easily and quickly, it also gave the show a more intimate feel, far more conducive to the business of buying.
The buyers were generally upbeat and more focused than we have seen them for some time. With the recession, the search for the right fashion resources has become more important than ever: stores need to find supplies of new, exciting items to tempt beleaguered consumers to part with their money. MAGIC is where America comes to find their fresh and new fashion goods. However, this February it was interesting to see that while price points were more important than ever, quality had also become one of the key buying criteria. Emeka from 10 Deep commented, “People are buying based on the quality, the brand and what may work for them for a longer period of time”.
Among some of the UK brands showing,
MAGIC Men: Alchemy of England; Burleska: French Connection; Garbstore; Globe Trotter; Highland 2000; Kurt Muller; Nicole Fahri; Silver Stop; Sir Tom Baker; Spiral; Stansfield and Storm London.;
WWD MAGIC (Women): Fever, French Connection, Irregular Choice and Orion London. Izzy Lane was part of the E-COLLECTION section.
UK brands thinking about exhibiting at the August show (August 31st to September 2nd 2009) should bear in mind that UK brands tend to generate plenty of interest among the buyers. With a weaker pound, they will become even more attractive to a market where who dares wins.
To know more about the MAGIC SHOW ( retailer or exhibitor ),
contact the London MAGIC SHOW office on
Tel: +44 20 8576 6233 – Email: magic@globalfashionmanagement.com
Thierry Bayle – Joanna Ransome
contact the London MAGIC SHOW office on
Tel: +44 20 8576 6233 – Email: magic@globalfashionmanagement.com
Thierry Bayle – Joanna Ransome
While at MAGIC, I met with
ReplyDeleteFats Shariff - UK Photographer
Visit his web site for great pictures of Las Vegas and MAGIC/POOL
http://www.fatsarazzi.co.uk
Thierry Bayle - MAGIC UK