NEW YORK — The Designers & Agents trade show, which ended a three-day run on Tuesday, keeps growing.
The music that filled the hallways of the 13th and 14th floors of the Starrett-Lehigh Building here on Monday morning soon became an undertone to the sounds of vendors and retailers buzzing through the show.
The event, which originated in Los Angeles, appeared to have its most successful installment, taking over six studio spaces, compared with four or five studio spaces previously, and showing about 450 designers. There also were additions including the quiet room, a small space decorated with candles and artwork available for any guest looking for some relaxation, and the Brooklyn area, which was reserved for a select group of 11 Brooklyn-based designers.
Related Articles
“We realize that Brooklyn really is a creative and interesting element of emerging talent in New York,” said Barbara Kramer, a founding partner of the show. “There are some great designers there that just need a little push to help them develop their businesses.”
You May Also Like
In addition, Kramer said she donated a booth to a charitable foundation called FEED, which was developed by Lauren Bush and the United Nations World Food Program. Bush was at the show to educate people about the program, and also hoped to pick up some distribution for the reversible tote bag she designed for the charity.
“The proceeds from the sale of each bag will go to feed one child in school for one year,” Bush explained.
The bags, which will sell for $45 each, represent an effort to help feed some of the 300 million starving children worldwide, Bush said.
Meanwhile, retailers walking the floor were happy with this season’s assortment.
“There’s really always something new at this show, which is why I always make the time to come,” said Tamara Weiss, owner of Midnight Farm, a 5,000-square-foot contemporary boutique in Vineyard Haven, Mass. “I just saw a great line called Sigana. I love their silk vintage-inspired tops and dresses.”
Ling-Su Chinn, owner of the Los Angeles-based boutique Planet Blue, said at D&A “there’s always new product. This show really is quite cutting edge with a great energy about it. And they really cater to the buyer and make it easier to shop.”
At Deener, a denim line developed by Ya-el Torbati, co-founder of Yanuk, buyers liked the Seventies-inspired mix of washes in skinny styles and high-waisted cigarette jeans. Michelle Roberts, a sales representative for the brand, said the denim dresses and vests were also booking well. The Deener line, based in Los Angeles and with New York representation at the Noetic Showroom, wholesales from $50 to $86.
Milan-based Pepita, an accessories line, made its debut New York appearance at D&A.
“Each piece is made from real vintage metals and fabrics from around the world,” said Sveva Camurati, designer of the line.
The collection includes necklaces, earrings, bracelets and headbands. Camurati said a bestseller was the fine brass necklace with hand-stitched prints made from old French tablecloths, sheets and handkerchiefs. Pepita wholesales from $17 to $72.
Sales reps at For Love and Liberty, a contemporary sportswear line from Los Angeles, were booking a fitted hoodie with skull logo detailing, a silk chiffon navy and black wrap dress, and an array of T-shirts with crystal detailing. The line wholesales from $20 to $140.
“The line is much more muted than it was, it’s not heavily embellished, but more creamy and romantic,” said Kristiana Hines, a sales representative at the firm.
ZenBunni, a Topanga, Calif.-based organic T-shirt firm, was also at the show for the first time.
“We have a lot of interest in what we do,” said Zen Nishimura, co-founder of the business with his wife, Bunni. “I think that people think that you can’t make a fashionable line with organic fabrics, I just don’t think it’s true.”
ZenBunni was developed from the husband-and-wife team’s interest in simple living and their love of art. The two also run an art gallery next door to their home in Topanga. The T-shirt line came from their appreciation of art and nature.
For spring, the line features bright colors, like lime green, purple and pink. The sayings on the shirts always remain positive, like “Spread Your Wings” and “Mother Nature.” Each T-shirt, for men and women, wholesales for $40.