Trendspotting at WWDMagic 2013
The fashion season has begun in full force, with WWDMagic in Las Vegas showing the newest fashions and accessories from the Spring 2014 collections.
Buyers from around the world flocked to Las Vegas on Aug. 19-21 to see what designers were offering. Over the years, the twice-a-year trade show has gotten so popular that it now fills two separate convention centers and a convention center-size tent village to house all of the brands. The Las Vegas Convention Center and the Mandalay Bay Convention Center housed the main portions of the show.
“We have seen attendance increase 14 percent and exhibitors increase over 39 percent in the last three years,” said Thomas Florio, CEO of Advanstar Fashion Group, said to the Las Vegas Informer. “Fashion at MAGIC is big business. Fashion is also a creative process and the new staggered schedule allows the industry more time to interact on multiple levels.”
There are several components to the show, with swim, shoes, accessories, juniors and women’s featured in different areas of the show floor.
Of course, celebrities flock to the show as well, with Jamie Chung, Bryan Greenberg, David and Odette Annable attending in support of OMNIPeace, a humanitarian fashion brand that breaks the cycle of poverty through education, for their “Fashion Saves Lives” campaign.
And then shoe designer Kristin Cavallari stopped by to show her Spring ‘14 footwear collection with Chinese Laundry. Cavallari said, “It’s a dream come true to have my own booth at FN PLATFORM. I had the best time today meeting all the buyers. I feel so honored to be a part of it.” FN Platform focuses on shoes and is one of the components of WWDMagic.
At the show, there were dozens, if not hundreds, of trends, but one standout overall vibe showed an upcoming season full of color and optimism, with plenty of floral prints and bright shades for spring.
Some of the trends included pastel spring coats, giving a candy coating of sorts to several collections. It’s fitting to design coats for spring in shades that would garner Easter Bunny approval.
Japan also had a strong influence, with five Tokyo inspired trends making an appearance, including Iron Fist’s Harajuku style accessories and clothing that included a girly twist on the original zombie and monster prints that the line used to gain fame in previous seasons.
Also spotted were street trends, such as adding a sophisticated edge to a look with a pair of strappy sandal pumps paired with trousers and even a boho turban or a bright blazer to add a twist.
Retro details from the 90s are back, with Lisa Frank inspired patterns and jelly sandals. This time, it’s allowed to add cool retro socks under jellies moto leather jackets for an edge.
Boho chic accessories and booties were seen in several booths, as was denim on denim. Denim in shorts, pants, shirts, vests, bras and, of course, pants, were everywhere at WWDMagic. Pair a print with a solid, or a print with a stripe. It all works.
At the SWIM portion of the show, more than 200 new and established brands made their way to the show floor for an impressive display. New brands include Betsey Johnson swim and Seafolly, from Australia. Daily runway shows provided fun and sexy swimwear, and the latest swimwear trends from the upcoming season.
At every convention some brands stand out more than others. This season, bloggers report being most impressed with Canvas Project where artist Taylor DeVille and Persue were onsite designing and painting shoes live, and also the live art performance by Persue with Project Canvas DJ.
As for the best booth, Cecico premiered the latest and hottest trends for juniors, and then Zuo displayed several new shapes and textures with lighting that explodes in retro as well as modern and afforadable furniture. NCLA Los Angeles had the twins and creators of Artistic Glow on site featuring their new nail wraps for show attendees with full sets of wrap manicures.
As part of the Emerging Designer Showcase, the participating emerging designers were able to show their collections to Galeries Lafayette for a chance to win a trip to Paris to meet with the Galeries Lafayette women’s buyer and take part in a VIP lunch and tour. The winner of this showcase was Aleem Arif, with his Bano eeMee line. The brand also received recognition from Hal Rubenstein, InStyle Magazine’s editor at large, as one of his show floor picks. Rubenstein commented on the “leather-on-leather” look and the use of the traditionally masculine material in a soft, romantic way.
Overall, WWDMagic was a success for many designers and was the perfect kickoff to a season full of spring planning for buyers around the globe.
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