From August 20-24, 2012, fashion players from around the world descend on Las Vegas for the multi-conglomeration of fashion trade shows that cover every type of fashion, accessories, footwear, and sourcing available in the world.
For Label Networks, we’re proud to be a presenter at the shows, which annually prove to be highly anticipated with capacity audiences of 400+. Our presentation, “Action Sports and Streetwear Crossover: How Youth Culture’s Latest Lifestyle Influences, Including Music, Social Media, and Technology Are Creating a New Platform for Both Industries” takes place Monday, August 20, at 3 p.m. at the Mandalay Bay.
We’ll also have our team of reporters covering the fashion brands and trends that are of greatest interest to our youth culture demographic, including streetwear, music-inspired merch and fashion, Goth, urbanwear, upper contemporary streetwear, sneaker culture, and wearable technology. Stories, images and highlights will be posting throughout next week so check back often.
Meanwhile, here’s a gathering of some of the highlights we’d like to feature and what to expect from next week’s shows.
PROJECT: the world’s preeminent advanced contemporary fashion event. Their theme this year is the Democratization of Fashion: that now more than ever, exceptional fashion is available to all. PROJECT has partnered with designers Jeff Staple and Brian Ware to each create a uniqueinstallation that artfully interprets The Democratization of Fashion on both floors of the Mandalay Bay.
PROJECT LOVE: This wonderfully curated area features inspirational fashion brands that are successfully integrating philanthropy in order to give back to those in need. Participating brands include FEED Projects, Falling Whistles, Krochet Kids, and Pura Vida Bracelets, amongst others.
Nudie Jeans bespoke denim clinic: Echoing Nudie Jeans’ award-winning ‘REPAIR REUSE! REDUCE’ initiative – which has successfully been rolled out at Selfridges London, as well as Nudie Jeans concept stores worldwide – Nudie Jeans’ denim specialist, Phil, will be on-hand performing repairs and alterations complimentary on all Nudie Jeans.
Nudie Jeans received the Swedish eco label “Bra Miljöval”/ “Good Environmental Choice” in 2011 for the ongoing REPAIR REDUCE! REUSE campaign which offers customers discounts on new denim purchases for donating their old, worn in Nudie Jeans in need of some TLC. Each donated pair is expertly brought back to life in the denim LAB and sold with the new “Good Environmental Choice” label. Nudie Jeans knows it is possible to work with fashion and quality whilst working towards a more sustainable future. Facts: Bra Miljöval is the Eco label of SSNC. It is referred to as “Good Environmental Choice” in English. SSNC started eco-labeling in 1988 on laundry detergent and paper. The Swedish society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) is an environmental organization with power to bring about change.
Made for Good collective: This includes 8 brands that create revenue for an array of charities through every purchase, will have a suite at Mandalay Bay with all of their brands onsite and the founder, Kevin Murray. Made for Good is a collection of like-minded brands that use a model of embedded generosity to raise money and awareness for charitable organizations through sales. The Made for Good consortium of brands currently includes Jedidiah Clothing, GIVEN Inspired by World Vision, MusiCares, United Artists Network, 1Love, Not For Sale, SURFAID, Dan Eldon and CXXVI. Proceeds from these apparel brands directly support each company’s partner charity, empowering consumers to consciously choose to make purchases that create positive change. The collective goal of MADE FOR GOOD is to leverage the power of the retail industry to make a positive difference in the world.
Sourcing: Sourcing will highlight “Made in Americas” with a Summit & Pavilion. This includes an introduction with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa who will help launch the “Made in Los Angeles” Pavilion at MAGIC. The Pavilion will showcase Los Angeles’ thriving apparel manufacturing sector, which is the largest manufacturing sector in the LA region. LA apparel manufacturers currently support over 48,000 jobs in an industry that generates $13 billion in revenue for the region. The City of Los Angeles has made it a top priority to keep and attract them through local policy initiatives.
This initiative and appearance is part of MAGIC’s overarching “Made in the Americas” initiative. With the fashion industry at the forefront of the Obama administration’s initiative to support both U.S. manufacturing and trade agreements within the Western Hemisphere, SOURCING at MAGIC and the U.S. Department of Commerce will host the second annual Americas Pavilion and Summit. “Sourcing in the Americas” will highlight the United States and Western Hemisphere supply chain network. Returning to the show for a second year to discuss key issues ranging from trade to manufacturing, are Obama Administration official Francisco Sánchez, Commerce Under Secretary for International Trade, Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles and Apparel, Kim Glas, and Gail Strickler, Assistant United States Trade Representative for Textiles and Apparel.
S.L.A.T.E.: Area for streetwear and action sports brands will feature some new brands such as Trukfit – Lil Wayne’s brand, Ice Cream – Pharrel’s brand, Adidas, Tokidoki. Plus returning brands: Fly Society, Orisue, Fox Racing, 10Deep, The Hundreds, Diamond Supply Co, Quiksilver, Crooks & Castles, Akomplish, and more.
PROJECT 10 area is back with up-and-coming designers. Theme is “young men’s essentials” with a curated group of designers who specialize in apparel, footwear, bags, eyewear. This area is always a big hit and a location for new trends.
Pool: Intended for smaller brands, there are always great finds in this area which is more secluded and also includes craft-inspired apparel and accessories, plus a unique Cash and Carry area where attendees can buy items on the spot.
Capsule: This is a separate show over at the Venetian and includes many directional brands that have a relatively high fashion aesthetic but upper streetwear vibe as well. We like this show for many reasons, including their themed layout, guide, and design. This year, they are also featuring for a second season in Vegas, Above Tree Line (ATL). ATL is a show within a show that continues to lead the evolution of menswear by honing in on technical performance gear with a fashionable aesthetic. The brands set to participate in Above Tree Line Vegas include backpacks from the newly re-launched Kletterwerks, outerwear by Sierra Designs 60/40, hemp tees from Jungmaven and Made in the USA grooming products from Imperial Barbers, among many others.
Stay tuned for live reports from Vegas!
