ATLANTA — Trafik is building in Atlanta and spreading to Miami.
The contemporary sportswear and premium denim show, which debuted in Atlanta in the spring, drew around 300 buyers to its October show, with 125 exhibitors at its new location, the former Macy’s downtown department store on Peachtree Street. The spring Atlanta event will run March 24-26, concurrent with the fall market at AmericasMart.
Trafik will also launch a show in Miami’s South Beach, set for Feb. 6-8 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Both stagings feature men’s and women’s contemporary sportswear and premium denim from lines such as True Religion, Blue Cult, DDP and Z Brand.
Trafik’s sponsors — including local media, nightspots, liquor and energy drinks — and amenities such as catering, shuttle services, entertainment and parties at local hot spots have been added to attract contemporary specialty stores with a customer base of 20- to 35-year-olds.
“These amenities are becoming a mainstay in the industry,” said James Costa, show director. Show hours in South Beach will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to let buyers enjoy the area’s nightlife.
Retailers who attended said the show allows them to get a jump on the fashion-forward lines and looks not offered in larger regional markets.
“A show that offers this kind of product fills a void in the region,” said Bill Hallman, owner of Bill Hallman and Bill Hallman Flaunt, two Atlanta contemporary stores. “There’s room in Atlanta for a nontraditional alternative.”