LOS ANGELES — After a lackluster market last month, a group of exhibitors from the Designers & Agents show will stage a onetime event at this week’s market in downtown Los Angeles in an effort to capture missed business.
About 15 vendors, including Tres Angeles’ Puka and ArchIndigo lines, Alvin Valley, And Cake and Beth Frank have taken up the offer from the contemporary show producer to exhibit again in L.A. from Friday through Monday. Booth space on the third floor of the New Mart will cost an average of $600 to $800 compared with typical market fees of $4,000 to $6,000.
Ed Mandelbaum, co-organizer of D&A with Barbara Kramer, said the organization decided to offer vendors a chance to pick up additional sales because last month’s fall contemporary market was split into separate events after organizers were unable to coordinate schedules. By October, the fashion community will unify for one spring event about three weeks earlier than usual to better coincide with European sourcing deadlines and fashion week.
“We’re doing this as a courtesy to our exhibitors,” Mandelbaum said, noting D&A won’t offer typical amenities such as signs and advertising for the show.
Brighte, the contemporary show produced by ENK International at the California Market Center, is also returning to L.A. from Friday to Monday. The smaller edition of 50 vendors, compared with the March event, will feature companies such as 10 Feet, A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz and H. Starlet with newcomers like Chick by Nicky Hilton.
“People wanted it and we’re finding a tremendous amount of buyers plan to come — from specialty stores to department stores,” said Elyse Kroll, president of ENK.
For New York-based Alvin Valley, the extra travel costs are worth the investment to meet with other buyers.
“Last market should have been bigger in terms of paper written and more attendees,” said Rich Rosenthal, a partner in the contemporary line. “We’re confident that this show will produce a satisfactory turnout to make the trip worthwhile.”
And Cake said it plans to meet with Dillard’s and Anthropologie during the show.
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“We’re making the calls for market and they’re coming,” said And Cake sales manager David Avanes.