I went down to LA for the day on Saturday (and just missed the bad weather, thank God!) for the Summer 2010 market. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to market, since I ordered a lot in small quantities last year via linesheets. Even if it’s a smaller market, compared to Fall or Spring, it was so nice to be at the industry trade shows again.

Transit
Our first stop was the Transit shoe show inside the California Market Center. Um, I like shoes, like most women, but the shoe show is always the most boring exhibit. There are so many vendors and they’re all selling the exact. same. thing. Same trendy strappy sandals, gladiators in every color, booties, and jeweled flats. *yawns* The only line that really stood out to me was LAMB. They have a pair of super high heeled sandals coming out that are REALLY unique looking; I can’t even explain what they look like, but you’ll know them when you see them. They’re also launching a line of leather thong sandals which are really cute, good prices too. But it looks like another boutique here in town has already snapped them up! Shoes would be great to have, but they’re such expensive inventory to carry with all the sizes and what not. Oh, and the fact that I don’t have any room for them might be a problem as well…

Focus
Focus is located right across from Transit in the penthouse of the CM. Usually a lot of new lines and designers without reps show there. It was smaller and a lot more organized than the last time I went. The pickings might have been slimmer but the quality of the lines where much better. Most notably we met the girls from Attitude Promotions, who were both very nice and have some cute lines. I really liked their handbag line, Amber Pollard (such pretty fabrics!) and Henri Lou jewelry which has a bunch of leather bracelets. Love.

Cooper Building
We skipped the New Mart and went straight to the Cooper Building since we spent a little bit too much time at the CM and I needed to write my denim line. But first I stopped at Joey Showroom to check out House of Harlow, even though IF they said they wouldn’t sell to me (it’s always worth a shot!). Turns out they had the right idea — the line has a $1500 minimum, yikes! Most jewelry lines have minimums that are a 3rd that price, and most of those have much higher wholesale prices. The pieces are cute but I wasn’t wowed, so it wasn’t much of a loss. While I was there I checked out Black Halo ….um, wow. I’ve had a few negative things to say about them recently, but the new collection is absurdly GORGEOUS. The color pallette itself is amazing; very celestial with shades of light blue and gold and touches of shimmer. There was one skirt in particular that I fell in love with, as well as a layered mini dress. Too cute. The showroom also reps Jay Godfrey; really fun and chic cocktail dresses. I would love to carry both of these lines when I have a full store.

Next stop was Christina Arangolda (I think I spelled that wrong…) showroom to check out Black Orchid denim. I found this line on a denim blog a couple of months ago when I was trying to scope out a premium denim line that doesn’t break the bank. I scored a double whammy with this one — not only is this line affordable enough for me to put in the salon (most their pieces retail for about $125 or less) they also get a crazy amount of press. I mean, Dakota Fanning, Jessica Alba, Fergie, the list goes on and on. The sales rep was really nice. I picked out two styles; one in basic dark denim and one medium wash with frays and holes. I also checked out Sky while I was there; I’ll probably pick up a couple of immediates from them closer to summer.

I also popped into Cricket Showroom because some of their pieces caught my eye. I’d never been there before. They have some adorable up and coming lines, along with Susana Monaco. The rep let me know that she didn’t have accounts here in town anymore, which could be a good opportunity for me! Their stuff is SUCH amazing quality. It’s all very basic, but the colors and prints are fun. Reminds me of the Lauren Conrad collection a bit.

Everything Else
I popped in to Kathy Walker showroom at the New Mart really quick to order some Gypsy 05 maxi’s. I got to spy their lines while I was there; they’re now repping Work Custom Jeans, which was a good idea on the owner of that lines part because their old sales reps were pretty useless. Their jeans are super cute and edgy, but waay too tight and tapered for my clientele. Love Quotes Scarves has some pretty new colors, as usual, and they’re launching a line of poncho/caplet type things. I wasn’t particularly impressed with the samples, but Halle Berry wore one so I guess that counts for something? They’re also carrying Vita Jewelry *swoons* *fans self* gosh that line is just AMAZING! Everything I could want in a jewelry line. Just a bit expensive, though, so I’m on the fence.

We ended up running out of time so I had to skip a couple of showrooms I had planned on visiting. I really wanted to get the deets on Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan’s new lines; maybe next time. There was this big mix up with Havaianas too; their showroom is located in Santa Monica but they usually show at another showroom during market. I copied down the wrong address (whoops!) so I ended up searching everywhere trying to find their showroom….only to find out that they weren’t there at all. I’m not sure when I’m going to see the line now, but I did get to see their revised linesheets and the new styles are just amazingly cute. I can’t wait to get them in the salon, I think the clientèle is really going to love it.

Somehow, I ended up coming in significantly under budget, which is definitely a first. I was hoping to find a really good jewelry line; I was a bit underwhelmed over all. It was productive though, and I’m excited about the jeans. They should be coming in within a couple of days, can’t wait!