Despite the uncertain economy, CurvExpo Inc. is looking at a strong turnout at both the CurveNV and CurveNY lingerie trade fairs this month.
The assessment is the result of rising numbers of preregistered retailers, which total 2,000 for each venue, said Laurence Teinturier, executive vice president of CurveExpo.
“Preregistration for our CurveNV show in Las Vegas is up 15 percent against a year ago, and CurveNY in Manhattan is 5 percent higher,” Teinturier said.
The Las Vegas venue, which will be staged Feb. 15 to 17 at The Venetian Hotel & Resort, will feature 180 exhibitors, 29 of which will be showing at the fair for the first time. The New York edition is Feb. 21 to 23 in The Galleria of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, where 35 of the 225 brands will be first-time exhibitors.
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“A lot of companies are extremely cautious about sending out sales teams around the country because of expenses,” Teinturier said. “I think our trade shows are a way for retailers to look at brands in one location as well as economize.”
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She noted that the Las Vegas fair will feature a change of format.
“CurveNV will be showcased in three rooms with signage: the Contemporary area, which will feature exhibitors like Cosabella, Hanky Panky, Passionata and Betsey Johnson; the In Vogue room that will feature international brands such as Calvin Klein Underwear, Diesel, Roberto Cavalli, Hanro and Hugo Boss, and the Allure space, focusing on foundations brands including Wacoal, Felina, Chantelle, and Simone Perele.”
Three seminars will highlight the Las Vegas show: a Get-Together Breakfast for retailers, a Sales Techniques workshop for vendors, and a presentation on the maternity innerwear category, which Teinturier described as “booming.” There will be two cocktail parties, one at the Venetian for the U.S. launch of Passionata, and a second party hosted by CurvExpo at the Blush nightclub at the Wynn Las Vegas. A Champagne raffle will round off events with two free round-trip tickets to Paris.
Regarding the outlook for New York, Teinturier said, “We expect a strong boost in attendance at the New York show because of the cross-traffic from the Coterie and Moda Manhattan shows, which will also be staged at the Javits center.”
The setup for the New York show will include a separate sleepwear section and a Champagne lounge for buyers called The French Room, sponsored by Defi Mode de France. A trend seminar will be presented by Jennifer Kell, design director of Concepts Paris, as well as a Get-Together Breakfast for merchants and tips on Sales Techniques for suppliers. There will be a runway fashion show at the Edison Ballroom, 240 West 47th Street, on Feb. 22.
“A highlight will be a Best Brands forum at each show with top items on 60 mannequins at the Venetian and 40 to 50 mannequins in the Galleria at the Javits Center,” Teinturier said.