(NEW YORK) With over 1,400 labels showing off their wares, the exhibitors at Coterie and Sole Commerce were well stocked and ready to sell. As buyers walked the floor for three days, they were greeted by a lobby that mimicked the ease and comfort of a grand hotel, with the addition of a petite Jonathan Adler home store. Shoppers also encountered a renewed Korean presence plus a look at the future with the TMRW section, promoting fresh brands and introducing emerging talent. “There was an optimism and enthusiasm among both buyers and vendors alike that was in contrast to the uncertainty of last year,” said Tom Nastos, president of ENK International. “We saw buyers involved and excited by brand discoveries and our largest exhibitors reported solid numbers, with projections for robust quarters ahead. But mostly, Coterie, as it so often does, provided a invaluable platform for communication and community so important to this industry.” Let’s explore all the latest from this season’s Coterie circuit!
SCENE AND HEARD
It was a mini reunion for The Hills, with both Whitney Port and Lauren Conrad making appearances at their respective booths…Nicky Hilton made an appearance at Coterie, in support of her mother, Kathy Hilton, who has an eponymous evening wear collection…Also seen wandering the floor? None other than Martha Stewart…Elie Tahari and Michael Press teamed up to debut Greywire, a comprehensive line of jeans…Richard Chai got together with Andrew Marc to collab on leather jackets, which originally debuted at the designers NYFW show…The photobooth got a chic re-do from the Amour Vert team! They planted a tree for each photo snapped…What’s trending at Sole Commerce? Leslie Gallin, the VP of footwear at Advanstar, names sneakers, men’s inspired shoes, lower heels, and feminine pumps as must haves…Europarfum let their presence be known through the lovely scent of Fornasetti candles and Costume National perfumes…
LABELS TO PUT ON YOUR RADAR
Sasha
Good hYOUman
Better In Blue
Idiel Showroom
MZUU
Candice Sonneman
Paper London
Marie Saint Pierre
Heavy Machine
Marie France Van Damme
10 Corso
Birds of Paradis by Trovata
Brochu Walker
Comune
Garbe Luxe
Suboo
X by Gottex
Margaux Lonnberg
Illesteva
Kaylee Cho
Jill Haber
Terra New York
Cidenzi Mori
Carrano
Ipanema
Mel by Melissa Shoes
ViX Paula Hermanny
Penelope Chilvers
Emmelle
PLUS! BRANDS WEIGH IN: BESTSELLERS, EXOTIC INSPIRATIONS, AND MORE
Courtney Moss, co-founder of Glamourpuss NYC: “We’re really focusing on a handbag collection for Fall 2014!”
Zac Posen, designer: “Our Eartha top handle with hinge lock hardware is our most sought after silhouette.”
Stefani Greenfield, co-founder of Theodora & Callum: “We traveled to Marrakech this year, which inspired our Bahia and Medina scarves.”
Jonathan Adler, designer: “The fashion accessories collection lets me bring my design philosophy of irreverent luxury to items that people can carry outside the home. You deserve to be as glamorous as your living room.”
Amy Smilovic, founder of Tibi: “I’m tired of mass production. There are so many techno fabrics out there; I was really craving natural fibers.”
Karen Erickson, co-founder of Erickson Beamon: “We were one of the original exhibitors, but the most amazing thing about Coterie is that no matter how big it’s gotten, they’ve kept to their core concept of ‘fashion first.’ I find Coterie to be so relevant.”
Denise Focil, designer of AS by DF: “I’m known for my leather. I have perforated leather, suede and ribbing – my leather is insane!”
Bree Telford, design director of Quinn Women: “I love showcasing the collection on a big scale and making new connections.”
Leonard Gorski, designer of Gorski: “I enjoy the challenge and goal of focusing on existing clients while discovering a few hidden ‘jewels’ that we haven’t yet met.”
Tracy Reese, designer: “We have an Afro Cuban theme. There are beautiful florals, patterns and as always, a lot of colors. We’ve pumped up the embellishment.”
Rebecca Minkoff, designer: “[The collection] is for a strong Latin American woman, spanning the decades of Frida Khalo to multi-generational women like Bianca Jagger.”
Naila Jaffer, artistic director of Sarah Pacini: “Light, in all its essence, sets the tone and energy of the collection, which is enhanced by glimmers of color.”
Jennifer Garcia, women’s denim design director of 7 For All Mankind: “[Coterie] is a really great opportunity for us to meet and mingle with industry people and really obtain honest feedback.”
Yoana Baraschi, designer: “Every single Coterie since we started the business I have been there! I want to know my customers and I want them to know me.”
Kyle Simone, head of business development of Skingraft: “The collection was clean and well-styled! We want people to understand the clothes and have room to grow from there.”
Jill Haber, designer: “Lucite is huge right now. Showing just a hint of Lucite is like lingerie; it leaves more to the imagination!”
Ronen Chen, designer: “My thing at the moment is oversized T shirts and tunics with geometric cuts.”
Want to advertise in our next Coterie issue? Email Charles Garone at Charles@Dailyfrontrow.com. See you in February!
