LA Turns It Up for August Market • Apparel News
by Betsy Zanjani, Contributing Writer • Apparel News, August 19,2022
“At Los Angeles Market Week, held July 31–Aug. 4, all that shimmered was not just gold but also colorful jewel-encrusted mesh, bedazzled lace and a kaleidoscope of bright prints.
In the city of celebs and influencers, brands presented a season bursting with red carpet–ready styles and a new array of A-list treatments for buyers.
The hub of the Los Angeles Fashion District—The New Mart, the Cooper Design Space and the California Market Center—worked on a series of initiatives to elevate the uniquely L.A. buying experience—a little bit of Hollywood and a lot of California cool.
Mornings began with relaxing environments to enjoy a shot of java and get ready for the day ahead. Local restaurants participated with great eats in buyers lounges, and hectic days filled with hundreds of new fashion brands ended with cocktail receptions for designers and buyers to meet and greet outside the showrooms.
CMC PREMIERES TRANSFORMATION
The CMC unveiled several changes to its multi-use creative complex at its LA Market, held July 31–Aug. 3. Among the transformations, which are almost complete, are easy access to showrooms, new restaurants and outdoor spaces such as the ultra-modern plaza, designed to host special events.
According to the CMC, ‘August LA Market proved successful for contemporary women’s brands with prebooked buyer appointments. Showrooms met with buying teams from Revolve, Dillard’s, M.Fredric and Kitson ahead of Las Vegas marketplaces. We look forward to a very exciting calendar this October.’
GiGi Moda at Fern Liberson & Co
At the Fern Liberson & Co. showroom, buyers could expect quick turns as most styles were in stock. For GiGi Moda, buyers were reordering everything from a crinkled stretch crop pant in an assortment of patterns and florals to menswear in cotton/spandex and 100 percent silk slipdresses. ‘Buyers come to us for style with an edge,’ said Liberson. ‘They can find what’s happening at really great prices.’ Adore’s cropped jackets and coats with a twist in denim, mesh and lace mixes were selling for $59 to $65. W.A.Y.’s sequined pieces, ranging from $12 to $45, were working with brushed plaid shackets at $20.
At the longtime multi-line showroom Sharon Koshet Sales, Koshet found that ‘this market buyers were looking for slogan tees that are made in the U.S.’ A new body introduced this season is the hi-lo in heirloom cotton featuring screens of vintage cocktails at $15.
Morgan Ariane, owner of the Susa Boutique, said, ‘I buy four to five lines from Sharon’s showroom. She always knows what her customers need.’ The Lana collection, a line of bohemian hand-embroidered dusters priced at $30 to $40 were being snapped up by high-end boutiques.
Stepping into the world of artist Claire Desjardins, each style in her collection captured one of her original paintings.
Paris Hilton’s Iconic collection was wildly received by everyone at the show, from boutiques to luxury department stores. A return to the trends of the early 2000s has reignited the popularity of the track suit. This signature collection featured candy-colored luxe velour. Hoodies were bedazzled with rhinestones featuring Paris’s catchphrases such as ‘That’s Hot!’ and ‘Boss Babe.’ Prices ranged from $36 to $50.”