LA Market Report: “CMC Traffic Increases as Economic Freeze Thaws”
Pandemic Blues Decrease During Recent LA Market Week
By Andrew Asch, Dorothy Crouch | Apparel News | Thursday, March 18, 2021
With COVID-19 vaccinations being rolled out and pandemic restrictions being scaled back, L.A. Market Week took place in downtown Los Angeles March 7–10 with more optimism than has been seen over the past year. While still cautious, showroom buildings in the area’s fashion district, including the California Market Center, The New Mart and the Cooper Design Space, welcomed buyers to stock up on inventory.
CMC traffic increases as economic freeze thaws
PAIGE Showroom at CMC
At the CMC, where buyers hailed from local areas as well as Idaho, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Oregon, Washington and New Mexico, traffic was up for safe, in-person appointments. At the second-floor showroom of the California-lifestyle brand PAIGE, Women’s West Coast Sales Manager Elizabeth Cotton and Men’s West Coast Sales Manager Anna Caton saw buyers interested in Immediates, Summer and Fall.
“For women’s, the denim focus was on authentic, lived-in washes in slim, straight fits, cropped flares and high-rises,” Cotton said. “Leather, luxe coating and vegan leather were huge trends! Everyone is loving this trend in sleek pull-on leggings, classic five-pocket fits and edgy jogger silhouettes like the Mayslie.”
There was also a demand for women’s dressier styles with cozy knit tops and dresses and vintage-inspired silk shirting, while men’s soft sweaters, plaids and versatility in outerwear such as bombers ticked up, according to Caton.
“For men’s bottoms, it was all about the new Fall colors in our bestselling Transcend pigment dye and reactive-dye fivepockets, our new high-stretch micro corduroy pants and joggers and our versatile Fraser Pant,” Caton said.
On the third floor, Todd Millspaugh, a partner with Money Ruins Everything, saw interest from local buyers in sportswear, footwear and workwear from FILA, éS footwear and Timex watches. Millspaugh noted that buyers were pleased with shopping the CMC.
“It’s a safe and easy place to accomplish a lot of work in one place,” Millspaugh said.