Gant’s exhibition at Project is very telling of the theme from Project for Fall 2011.
Story and Photos by Kathleen Gasperini and Tom Wallace
Las Vegas is busting at the seams with America’s top industry players, retailers, buyers, fashionistas, and media on site for the largest series of fashion trade shows in our country, including Magic, S.L.A.T.E., Project, Workroom, Pool, and Capsule. Key highlights include the ongoing trends of heritage and Americana, especially in Project’s cool 10 section and the main show floor in general.
In other realms, bright colors circa ’80’s is in high form, as well as lightweight boots from sneaker brands to endure a seasonal approach. MMA is a growing section and ironically placed right next to endurable sections such as The Edge as it was once known, with Goth and Lolita and music-inspired brands such as Tripp NYC (who are all coming off of a great high from the Grammy’s and their apparel worn by several artists).
Re-Classics campaign is a juxtapose to heritage. Euro-inspired slouching tight leggings provide a glimpse from youth culture%uFFFDs perspective.
In S.L.A.T.E. you still have the kingpins such as Crooks & Castles and 10 Deep and hipster Mishka doing their thing, but there’s also an amazing new array of new brands filling the void. And others: Nike 6.0 for women’s is there in a prime spot which took us by surprise and they seemed to feel the same way. Their new snowboard boot is rad, but even they are wondering about the positioning. As we’ve always said, there’s room on the S.L.A.T.E. floor for women’s street, lifestyle.
Our most pleasant surprise so far has been Workroom. 3 times the size of last year and it’s rocking. Think Surface to Air, limited edition Dickies, Pendleton, and Levi Strauss XX.
Other developments include The House of Marley and plethora of designer headphones as technology, music, and fashion continue to crossover. Glamour Kills killing it on their own right and skipping right past traditional routes of retail. Then moving across the floor into full-scale mainstream street sports inspired brands that have made S.L.A.T.E. especially, this vibrant and complex landscape to witness.
More coming soon, including full, detailed reports from all shows.
Creative Recreation%uFFFDs sneaker-inspired boot. Their Russian photo montage has been well-received as artistically inspiring.
Red Wing classics. Much more on where things are headed in next story.
Doc Marten%uFFFDs. Classic, music, England…more on what%uFFFDs up with them soon.
WESC has expanded. Their booth is amazing and some now have Viking helmet tatts. Loyalists. Or at least to leaders in far North countries.
Co-founder of one of Projects new 10 brands, Strivers Row & Co. This booth was buzzing and full story soon. Americana to the next level via Japan X America.
Ouigi Theodore, from Brooklyn Circus, and his 100-year plan, is now curating Project%uFFFDs 10. Serious props. (For more, see our interview on www.youtube.com/labelnetworks key search Brooklyn Circus)
