“Open for Spring”
Hello everyone again...back at it and this time took a trip to the world famous MAGIC tradeshow out in sunny Las Vegas then finished the week off by shopping the L.A. area seeking out the latest in footwear and fashion of course. Magic or The Magic Marketplace which was founded in 1933 as an annual show hosted by the Men's Apparel Guild in California, has become the largest, most comprehensive men's apparel, accessory and footwear trade event in the U.S. At its spring and fall events, MAGIC delivers retail buyers from around the world, representing the largest gathering of buying power in the U.S. MAGIC exhibitors represent every major category in the men's apparel industry- designer, contemporary, casual, streetwear, active sporting wear, accessories, young men's, and kids- offering MAGIC buyers an all-encompassing shopping experience. L.A. had lots to see with three main areas visited: shopping malls, fashion boutiques and coastal surf shops. Again all in all a great trip with even more to read and see this time...so sit back, relax and enjoy the read. Next off to Europe shopping cities such as London, Barcelona and Copenhagen to name just a few, keep your eyes peeled for that report, should be interesting. Enjoy!
3 biggest looks: “Saturated Bright Colors”/”Vintage Washed”/”Modern Camo”
MMA and UFC gaining more momentum
Saturated Bright Colors:
-2 biggest colors are orange and blue w/ yellow trailing behind
-everything from backpacks, tshirts, swim shorts, athletic, dress to casual footwear, even the Koi Fish were sporting this bright orange color!
-orange is being implemented into the washed and camo look as well but as a subtle detail hit
-larger variety now of an all over brightly colored uppers, in past just red and or navy were used, now seeing more and more fluorescent uppers
Vintage Washed:
-similar summary for “Bright Colors” but now washed and faded colors (red and blue 2 biggest)
-plaids are less prominent and now more tonal and again have washed effect to them
-more and more washed/faded button down dress shirts as well as jeans/shorts
-seeing a smaller retro collegiate trend (schools using older logos, original mascots and colors)
-jeans are ripped/torn/frayed by design
-paint splatter and dripped bleach look on faded jeans and shirts
-farming & train conductor look as a micro trend (overalls, bandannas, conductor striped jackets, rolled jeans)
Modern Camo:
-still traditional color scheme (olive, brown, khaki, black)
-newer patterns and used more in a fashion sense ie. on dress sandals, dress shirt pockets only, Hawaiian prints,
-camo pants worn with denim tops, olive jackets…
-khaki and olive waxed canvas messenger/travel bags continue to show well as an accessory
-drab olive color scheme shown with “bright orange” across the board
Shoes/Boots
Styles: Moc toe work boots, Dress Oxfords, Chukka types, High Tops(non skate), and Casual Athletics
-wing tip oxfords, high tops, boots and casuals definitely up trending
-darker and oiled leathers, burnished suede's, washed canvas uppers, washed leather uppers
-athletic type EVA midsole bottoms,
-vulcanized looking shell molds
On feet: Wing Tips, Utility Boots/Alpine’s and Mid Height Chukka Types
Notes: Almost in all categories uppers are now all over same material and color. Some fashion brands Diesel/Creative Rec/Penguin are still overlaying, using multiple materials but the masses are cleaner more streamlined. Pure athletic brands Nike/Adidas/Reebok clearly stand out as the color and new material leader.
They are pushing the envelope with developing new materials and using newer/more creative uses of fluorescent as well. Washed and faded cottons/twills are up trending in the casual category finally catching up with the apparel
trend that started last spring season. Vulcanized although still a strong category is loosing a small percentage to the athletic type EVA constructions and shell molds to look like they’re vulcanized. The retro, original, vintage
trend isn’t going anywhere but is finding new avenues such as Farm ware and Train Conductor look
Sandals:
Styles: thinner Die-Cut EVA midsoles, Molded Footbeds and Havaianas are the three biggest constructions (Havaianas are the very thin rubber sandals with the toe post that goes through the midsole)
-more graphics and colors on the Havi’s
-leather and suede socks dominate the die cuts and molded EVA sandals
-traditional thicker EVA midsole types are down trending leading way to the more fashion types of Sanuk, Penguin, Clark’s and Olukai
-Beach flip-flops continue to show strong with Reef, Quicksilver and Ocean Minded
-new and thicker textures/patterns on EVA beach footbeds making the appearance for providing more comfort
Notes: Reef seems to own the sandal category in casual, dress and sport.While Penguin, Sperry and Kenneth Cole to name a few have a strong hold on the fashion category. The American Vintage/frayed look is down trending in sandals where as more focus is being placed on comfort and cleaner styling.
Bright colors, cleaner patterns and washed/faded canvas are this springs initial direction.
