Women’s Clothing

Buyers were cautious with their spending, and most exhibitors reported lighter-than-usual traffic at the March 14–18 run of the Los Angeles Fashion Market. The news came as little surprise after months of negative reports about a slowing economy, high gas prices and trailing retail sales.

But some exhibitors were pleasantly surprised by the business done at market. “I was fearful going into the market,” said showroom owner Liza Stewart. “But everyone showed up for the party.” Stewart estimated that sales at her Liza Stewart Showroom in the California Market Center increased 15% over last Fall. To be sure, buyers had plenty to choose from and plenty of venues to shop, including wholesale showrooms in the CMC, The New Mart, the Cooper Design Space, the Gerry Building and The Lady Liberty Building.There were also contemporary resources showing at Designers and Agents and Brighte Companies, lingerie labels showing at Boutique Lingerie, shoe brands showing at Transit at the CMC and Korean apparel manufacturers showing at Global Korea Fashion Week

L.A. 2008

in the CMC’s Exhibit Hall.Showroom owners in the CMC reported good— but not stellar—business at what the CMC calls the

L.A. Fashion, Gift & Home Market. “We did our regular business,” said Michael Gae, who co-owns the 22-year-old Rep etTrois showroom. “What was missing was the national attendance we usually get—the Florida, the New Jersey and the

Chicago customers.” Gae estimated traffic was down 20 percent from the previous Fall market.Retailers Barneys New York, Electric Ladyland, Dillard’s, Hot Topic, Metropark, Madison, Kitson, Macy’s West, Blue Bee, Fred Segal, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Diane Merrick shopped the market, according to a prepared statement from the CMC. Attendance was up at market from the previous year, the CMC said, but building officials didn’t release firm numbers or percentage increases.Source:Apparelnews . net