Historically, this is one of the ‘lead-up’ weeks to Las Vegas, the week when many of those in or related to the apparel industry are prepping for next week’s trade shows. Whether you have a booth or you’re showing out of your hotel room, these are the last, (usually) hectic and frantic days before you leave for Vegas. You’re making sure your samples are in, hopefully correct, or you’re praying that they just arrive in time. You’re checking booth design, floor plans and layout. You’re editing down and merchandising the collection, laying out line sheets, getting them as close to ready as they can be, or you know you’ll be at one of the Kinko’s in Vegas right up to the last minute before the show starts. Everyone who’s prepping for the show is going over their mental ‘to do list’, every little, and last detail, making sure they’ve got everything in check…

Next week thousands will be descending on Las Vegas for the M.A.G.I.C. and/or Capsule and Project shows, it’s the ‘ritual’ that happens twice a year for those in the apparel industry. Some love it, some loathe it, but it’s always business as usual. Working in the apparel industry I’ve done the bi-annual trip countless times, and over the years have been able to witness some of the changes that have gone on in the industry and marketplace during this time.

The most recent and noticeable being the effects of the recession on the trade shows and M.A.G.I.C.’s consolidation into the main building and North Hall, which ironically was where the “Street” section was originally housed a decade ago. This was during the “urban” boom, when brands like Enyce, Pelle Pelle, School of Hard Knocks, Willie Esco, Phat Farm, Mecca, akademiks and PNB (to name a few) were all exhibiting. There was so much energy and commotion going on, but regardless, brands still got business done and wrote orders. Some jokingly called the aisle “125th Street”, some called the section “Freaknik”, me describing it as ‘crazy’ is an understatement, but they definitely were fun times and indelible experiences. I can remember a couple of shows when Las Vegas’ Gang Task Force were suited up and strolling through the aisles! One of the reasons I presume that once the Las Vegas Convention Center finished building the South Hall, they immediately moved the entire “Street” section into it, which is where it’s been up until last year.

Fast forward to the present and you can talk to those who experienced that era and they’ll get nostalgic, but all realize that the landscape of the industry has changed. Many of the brands who were part of that boom are either no longer or not garnering the same kind of attention and energy as they once were. The trends have changed and the focus has shifted onto different styles and brands. A stroll through all the different sections and shows like S.L.A.T.E., Pool, Project and Capsule and you’ll see where the focus has shifted to, you’ll see some of the ‘seasoned’ brands, the ‘in’ brands, as well as the young, new hopefuls.

Next week’s trade shows could be used as a good barometer on where the recession is headed. If consumer confidence is getting better, then it reflects with the retailers and their open-to-buy dollars. You’ll notice more foot traffic in the aisles as well as at the popular brands booths. Last August’s show, it felt like it wasn’t exactly ‘there’ yet. That’s not to say that it was a ‘dead show’ by any means, it’s just that we’re not quite out of the woods yet. Orders were written by many, but you still get a sense of the ‘malaise’ in the air and with the overall vibe. I know we’re all hoping that the economy will start showing maintained signs of life.

Regardless of the changes and trends we see, and the ups and downs of the economy we go through, the industry is a perpetual cycle and the (trade) show must go on…