Fashion Trade Shows & Showroom Appointments
29 Oct
Someone on the fashion spot once told me that all your buying plans pretty much go out the window once you actually get to the showroom. That could not be any more true.
So this weekend is market week, and the Los Angeles Fashion, Gift & Home show at the California Market Center. Actually it got started on Friday and it ends tomorrow on Monday. For a fashion buyer, this is one of the most exciting events to attend. You’re presented with a huge range of lines to choose from – the sort of thing that you know you’ll see in top fashion magazines and on sites like my-wardrobe over the coming months. The decision which are made can significantly shape the style of your outlet over the following season, which can have a huge impact on business. I’m glad I only live 1:30 from LA so I was able to drive down for the day instead of spending $150 or so on a hotel room. I got to my old stomping grounds, downtown LA, around 12:00. There was a big war protest right down the street which caused the traffic to be back up and a lot of commotion. Great timing!
My first appointment was at 1:00 with the Agent Icon Showroom. The sales reps were super nice, helpful, and most importantly honest. I ended up spending about half of my budget on two amazing up and coming lines. For one of them, I had seen the line sheet and planned out what I would buy ahead of time, but I ended up spending quite a bit more! It wasn’t a problem since I ended finding more pieces that I liked. And I’m really confident about what I chose.
I was a bit bummed though because my absolute favorite piece from the line sheet looked quite different in person. Always see the clothes in person before buying!
Meeting with the showroom pretty much went down like this:
- We came in, the sales rep introduced herself and showed us which lines they had available. Usually, the sales reps will either present the top selling pieces to you or you can look through the samples on your own and set the things you like aside.
- Collections are usually broken up into three deliveries; one for each month. Since my orders are small, I’m anticipating that my order will come at the last possible date. The samples usually have at tag that shows the color ways, delivery and whole sale price.
- I did ask the sales reps which pieces were doing well and which colorways were doing better for each piece.
- After I pulled all of the pieces I liked, I sat down with the rep, went over everything one last time and chose my color ways.
- The labels I chose had minimums such as 5 pieces per style or $1000 per delivery, or 3 pieces per style. I also found out you can’t buy just one piece from a collection (and I don’t hold this against the designer!).
- The rep filled out an invoice for me, which didn’t have a total so I had to be very careful about how much I was spending. I won’t be charged for the clothing until they ship (which is next year) and I was given the choice of COD or Credit.
That was pretty much it. I was in the showroom for about an hour (I like to look at everything several times before making a final decision).
I also got a chance to look around the trade show. I wasn’t sure how that was going to work; I think basically, anyone who doesn’t have a showroom on the West Coast (or a few who aren’t located in the CMC) are set up in the trade show area, where you can just walk around and browse through the collections as you wish. I didn’t buy anything but I did pick of up several line sheets and business cards and there are at least two more collections there that caught my interest.
After that I was pretty much done…..it was 3:00. Yeah, well, I’m not used to getting up early!
Kim,
First I want to say how amazing it is to have your site to refer to, it really is an inspiration! I was wondering how and when you setup appointments with the deisngers for the trade show?
Thanks,
Hilary
Thanks Hilary for your comments and I’m glad you like the site!! To answer your questions….
A tradeshow is just like a big room with a bunch of exhibits, so any buyer can get in, walk around and meet with the sales reps and place orders. But a lot of other designers will be showing out of a showroom, and most showrooms prefer you make an appointment during market week (which is usually the same time as the trade shows).
Also, buying starts like 3-6 months ahead of the season so thats one thing to keep in mind. I bought a lot of my spring merchandise back in mid November.
To make an appointment I would just call or email the showroom or the sales reps if they’re at a tradeshow. Hope that helps!
Hi Kim,
Im writing from ireland. The kids were quite good today so decided id go on the web. Have always thought of setting up my own clothes boutique but never really looked into it till today. So Bassically, only if you have the time, i would love to know rough estimates of how much money, on average, you would spend each season on clothes for your boutique? and the initial setup cost? Any info at all would be of great help. But again, only if you have time. Best of luck. Slainte!
Hey Kim! I would first like to start off with how much I enjoyed looking at your blog. You give so much helpful information and everyone, including myself, really appreciate it. My sister and I have always had dreams of starting our own boutique but some family issues occured and complicated the process. We’ve finally brought up the idea again and without our dad, who is now deceased, ourn resources for getting started are scarce. I have a few questions pertaining to my personal situation, however. If you do have time and don’t mind getting back to me, it would be greatly appreciated! 1.) How is the best way you’d suggest for us to get started? We know we want to start off with an online business and one day open up a store in our local town, Columbus, Georgia. 2.) What are some fashion trade shows/showrooms that you would suggest for the east coast?
Your response would be greatly appreciated but I understand if you are tied up at the momment. Thank you!
Hi Sara! I’m so sorry to hear about your father. That’s wonderful that you and your sister are planning to go forward with your dream though! I’ve never been to any trade shows on the east coast, but intermezzo and coterie are the main ones in NY. To start, you’ll need to take care of paper, licenses, etc. and then start mapping out a timeline of when you’d like to open and when you’ll start buying. I’d also start mapping out list of lines you’d like to carry, and of course looking for merchant accounts, hosts, and lining up a designer to create your site. Hope that helps! If you have questions just let me know!
I have a question What exactly is a Showroom for fashion? and how does a designer do showroom and who do designers invited to these showrooms?
Hey Kim,
Your blog is fabulous!! I wanted to ask if you knew of good trade shows in south/south-east Asia?even Europe?
This information would be really helpful as i live in Asia and travelling becomes a bit heavy on the pocket.Looking forward to your reply!
Regards,
Divya
^Thanks Divya! Look up Bread & Butter, that’s the only one I’m familiar with.