Fashion Blogs

The California Market Center, (also known as CMC and in the company of fashion students one might hear CMC referred to as, The Calmart) is home to hundreds of showrooms. Established in 1963, CMC is located on 9th and Main in the heart of the fashion district. Thousands of trusted companies utilize CMC’s showrooms to display their lines to prospective buyers and ‘the trade’ on a daily basis, however CMC additionally hosts five tradeshows throughout the year. We had a chance to stop by last week for The Summer 2013 Los Angeles Market, the first of the year at the Calmart, and arguably the largest, (larger orders and new accounts were reported from many of the exhibitor’s and CMC showrooms.)

The summer 2013, Market took place, January 14th-17th and featured 5 tradeshows concurrently during the week, Market’s featured tradeshows included; SELECT contemporary Tradeshow, and TRANSIT LA Shoe Show. Other Tradeshows that also drew in buyers were; FOCUS apparel and accessories show, LA Kids Market and View gift and home tradeshow. The close of the first day brought upon special events for Market attendees, including an Opening Night Reception.

First time exhibitor Alex Um of Korner Runway, Inc, in suit B507 mentioned “This is our first Market at CMC and we love being here…we’ve opened a lot of new accounts this Market. Being a new business, we needed to be in the center of all the action, and the CMC has proved to be the place.”

Market, every session brings in several key retailers, this is a huge opportunity for brands to make their mark and hopefully get picked up in several stores, and boutiques worldwide. This Market included some great retailers such as; Nasty Gal, Fed Segal, The Denim Bar, Madison, Geary’s of Beverly Hills, Nicole Miller, Jigsaw London, Steve Madden, Roxy, BeBe, Guess and that’s just to name a few.

Market allows for brands veteran and those that are ‘fresh’ to the showroom floor a chance to be seen, newer brands like, Jennifer Yeh of Caste Showroom in Suite B588 also reported having a successful show: “It has been great. We have seen a lot of people and opened many new accounts, especially with specialty boutiques and large retailers, such as Nordstrom.”

Market also opens their doors to brands from the East Coast and abroad enabling vendors to conduct business more easily, this session In the Fashion Theater of the CMC’s Main Lobby; SELECT Contemporary Tradeshow exhibitors also mentioned finding great success this Market. “SELECT has been great and very exciting. It is convenient to meet all our vendors and buyers together in one place,” said Marissa Nardone, Regional Sales Manager of Magaschoni. “We are based out of New York and it can be challenging to conduct business across the country. At SELECT, we have a great platform for growing our brand’s presence here on the West Coast.”

SELECT which was held Monday-Wednesday of Market, presented a tightly curated collection of Contemporary apparel, accessories and footwear exhibitors. We had a chance to stop by and preview some of the lines for the coming year. Exhibitors of SELECT included; Whiting & Davis, Pour La Victoire, Kelsi Dagger Handbags, Magaschoni, Deepa Gurnani, Theia Jewelry, Minor Plains, Sonera Group, Jim Barnier Shoes, Salpy Shoes, Hayden Reis Bags, Azaara, ADA Collection, Beagle House NY, Boutique 9, Casting, Dana Robinson Jewelry, Enzo Angiolini, Gillian Julius, Marcia Moran, Minnie Rose, Monserat de Lucca, Mystique, Remi & Reid, Streets Ahead, Adina Reyter, Ally Rose Toppers, and G-Lish.

Dale Pike of Deepa Gurnani agreed with Marissa, saying; “This has been the best Show I have ever had on the West Coast. We opened numerous new accounts this Show, especially from Hawaii, and resorts from all over. We also saw a significant increase in quality and quantity in all orders, which is very exciting.”

TRANSIT Shoe Show, also held Monday-Wednesday, in the Penthouse, and reported a lucrative show as well. As the renowned footwear Show running in conjunction with LA Fashion Market, the showcase was geared toward the fashion boutique buyers of Market, as well as footwear retailers of all sizes. Notable exhibitors included Pierre Dumas, Toscanella, Luisa D’orio, Shoes Like Pottery, Tsukihoshi, Modern Vice, Obsession Rules, Penny Sue, Angeles Shoes, Estee & Lilly, Bernie Mev, Medici, Calvin Klein Jeans, Lucky Brand Footwear, Cape Robbin Collection, Nicole, Madeline, Madeline Girl, Axiom, OTBT, Luichiny, ABS Allen Schwartz, Report Footwear, Vince Camuto, Calvin Klein Womens and Mens, BCBG Max Azria, BCBGeneration, Coconuts, Damiani, Dimmi, Ella Moss, Jay Adoni Collection, Envy Footwear, Jessica Simpson, Matiko, Me Too, Adam Tucker, MIA Limited Edition, Michael Antonio, Michael Antonio Studio, MTNG, Sixty-Seven, Not Rated, Naya, Olem Shoes, Old Friend, ONEX, Peace Mocs, Mixx Shuz, Report Signature, SMAC, C Label, Envy Collection, G.O. Max, Yellow Box, Naughty Monkey, Splendid, Kelsi Dagger, Frye Boot Company, Seychelles, Aerosoles, Chinese Laundry, Franco Sarto, Matisse, MIA, NYLA Shoes, Sugar, Rocket Dog, Naturalizer, Poetic License, and Betani, plus many more.

For more information or to register for Fall 2013 LA Fashion Market please visit: The California Market Center  Date for Fall 2013 LA Fashion Market are Monday – Thursday, March 11-14, 2013. Market is also open to Buyers on Sunday, March 10th, 2013 for Preview.

-Dana Elizabeth