Author: Kathleen Gasperini

Denim Directions in Europe Data on Purchasing Patterns: What This Means for the Changing Size of Market -Part 1

Denim is at the vortex of fashion and is a quintessential piece of European youth culture, often defining the new trends in “lifestyle” just by what’s moving in or out of popularity in denim. As Bread & Butter Barcelona takes place January 16-18 introducing new styles and trends in denim in particular, Label Networks Europe takes a look at top trends from a consumer perspective of what’s happening in the streets overall based on data and analysis from the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany. In Part 1 of our Denim reports from Europe, we look at trends overall, with data on top brands in next week’s report.

Action Sports Retailer Trade Show Kicks Off with Runway Fashion Featuring Top Styles from Skate, Surf, Snow, MotoX Industries – Part One

ASR launched Thursday, January 24th with all of the excitement that comes with walking the trade show halls of fashion from the giants of surfing, skateboarding, motocross, and action sports lifestyle. Of course the Volcom area had it usual themes this year including neon green and pink, and Electric Vision next door which was just bought out by Volcom celebrated with a Let It Snow theme and confetti snow everywhere. But interestingly the motocross area continues to expand and provide new energy -all surrounded by Famous Stars & Straps. Check out next week’s stories for more from the show floor.

Agenda Trade Show Offers Tighter, Smaller Show, But Delivers Top Brands Trends in Street Fashion and Action Sports Crossover

Agenda Fashion Trade Show finished up on Saturday January 26, with a successful vibe and energy from its expanded 3-day concept that had many in street fashion thinking that there is hope in this troubled retailer landscape. While the show was smaller this time around, which according to director Aaron Levant was also an intentional move to keep quality high, the show floor was continuously busy with orders being written despite the doomsday economy we’re all now facing. Here’s a quick overview of highlights, but stay tuned for in-depth interviews from Label Networks TV with brands including 10 Deep, ALife, The Museum Group, Aaron from Agenda, Livity, Altamont, Akomplice, Miss Wax, Nikita, Creative Recreation, Cardboard Robot, Hellz Bellz, DCMA Collective, GRN Apple Tree, Keep, Jeepney, Mishka, Beautiful Decay, Obey, In4mation, and WESC.

South Hall Scenster-Leading-Edge Street Urban Fashion Players Give a Nod to the %u201870’s %u201880’s but Reflect Individual Flavor from Various %u2018Hood-Part 1 of Label Networks’ Photo Montage From the Trade Show Floor

The South Hall area located in the MAGIC fashion trade show continues to provide some of the best opportunities for discovering new trends in street and urban style. From February 13-15 in Las Vegas, the South Hall simmered with style from core fashion players. In this photo story, bling in the form of boom boxes, MC microphones, and charms are still the order of the day. Wide gold chains have been replaced by large charms and multiple necklaces, topped with retro sunglasses, shutter shades, and oversized glasses in bright colors.

United Fashion Trade Show Maintains Spark in the Midst of Behemoth Fashion Industry Show, Moving More Core Focused

While just 6 months ago, mini-trade shows were a part of the trade show season landscape during MAGIC in Las Vegas with shows such as FoShoFoShow and Unity representing smaller subcultures of the industry, the only independent fashion trade show this time around from February 13-15 was United. Clearly the economy has taken its toll, yet there remains a determined group of brands, buyers, and trade show entrepreneurs who challenge the behemoths of the show industry.

Alife Out of NYC Continue Producing Original Concepts in Street Fashion, Sneakers, Retail, Publishing, and Art, Creating a Wake of Wannabes from Their Own Natural Evolution

The guys behind the legendary core brand alife, Rob and Arnell, are not the type of guys who are going to spill their guts to media about how they stay so original in order to prove their cred-factor. They simply are original and have gained cred by working seriously hard for a long time on aesthetics, product, and quality results that embrace their lifestyle -which happens to be enviable in today’s contemporary street fashion scene. These guys, who were the Creative Directors for Mass Appeal Magazine, presented graffiti art and the artists behind the scenes in such original formats that some account it for being the birth of the mainstream graff movement of today.

Japanese Dekotora Subculture of Illuminating Trucks Gives New Meaning to Pimp My Big Rig

In the United States, the after-market car market continues to grow as an important subculture within various demographics, with individualism expressed through one’s ride becoming an important way to make a personal statement. Coming from Japan, the Drifter scene has also had a great influence on car culture in America with competitions scattered now throughout the country. But the latest evolution, as documented by writer and photographer Tatsuki Masaru in his new book “Dekotora,” which means a truck decorated with illuminations, is the growing fascination of truck drivers across Japan who pimp their big rigs with massive neon lights on the outside and luxury interiors on the inside.

Nike Pushes Technology with Introduction of the USB-enabled Sportsband to Track Your Running, Journal it Later and Join a Global Running Community

After the success of the Nike iPod collaboration whereby runners could insert a Nike sensor into the footbed of their (Nike) sneaker and set up a Nike tracking system on their iPod along with “booster” music for that last mile, they’ve taken running to the community level with the Nike Sportsband. Instead of listening to how you’re doing when you’re running, the Sportsband allows you to see how you’re doing with a digital display mechanism.

Burton Sacks The Syndicate Lays-off Marketing People, Providing Yet Another Sign that Action Sports Is Getting Trumped by Other Genres

Ironically, at Label Networks’ prepares for a keynote presentation at the upcoming TELUS Ski and Snowboard Festival at Whistler, BC, organizing fresh new data on snowboarding trends, we heard through Burton-friends and others in the industry such as Transworld Business Online and Fuel TV, that Burton Snowboards laid-off up to 50 people in total last week -including the entire The Syndicate staff which contributed to creative direction for the brand.