NEW YORK — Summer dresses, long and short, with sportswear and novelty touches were the big attractions at the International Fashion Boutique Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center here.
The four-day event, which ended Tuesday, had 900 lines in apparel, accessories and jewelry. With retailers buying close to season, items for spring and summer like baby dolls and slipdresses, along with shortalls, short skirts and cropped sweaters, were moving well.
Although some key vendors drew their usual good crowds, exhibitors said general traffic was on the light side, as it often is for the March edition. One bright note, several said, was the new accounts they were picking up. While open-to-buys weren’t up strongly, retailers appeared to be showing a bit more confidence and giving a little more heft to their budgets.
Among them were Paul and Lorna Cummings, owners of the Harborside Shop in Camden, Maine, shopping for summer and early fall goods, with an open-to-buy up 15 percent. “We found we didn’t have enough merchandise last year, so our open-to-buy is certainly speculative,” Paul Cummings said. “But we think it will be good.”
Vivian Harnett, owner of Vivian Harnett Antiques in Pierpont, N.Y., was looking for easy, sporty, outdoor ensembles, particularly in dresses and T-shirts for spring and summer. She said this month business was picking up and her open-to-buy up 10 percent from last year.
Among exhibitors, Angela Taylor George, executive director of Times Two Showroom here, said: “We usually have a cult following, but 40 to 50 percent of our orders are from new customers.”
The showroom had on exhibit such lines as Natalie D., NC 17, Planet Claire and ViaModa. George said she was selling mostly immediate goods with bookings up about 20 percent. Dresses, including lingerie-inspired looks, and pieces for layering over dresses were big sellers.
Maria Pomara, merchandise manager at Femme, a Brooklyn-based sportswear resource, said business was up 5 percent from last year and she had picked up about 15 new accounts at the show. “People are buying very close to season, more than I’ve ever seen before.” she said.
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The show was part of what’s billed as Fashion Week at the Javits. Other events this week include a fabric show and a children’s wear show that, like the boutique show, are produced by The Larkin Group, and a men’s sportswear show, produced by Schimel Co.