CURVE Builds on Momentum for August Shows

Eurovet Americas/CURVE is building on the momentum of its 10-year anniversary as it prepares for the August 2017 season. The trade show, which is produced by Eurovet Americas, will present more than 350 brands at CURVENEWYORK, Aug. 6-8, followed by CURVELASVEGAS, Aug. 14-16. Over the past decade, CURVE has built its platform to become the key resource in North America for the intimate apparel, swimwear and men’s underwear markets. Organizers continue to revise and improve the show experience. This season, CURVENEWYORK will be moving to a convenient new location in Hall 1B at the Javits Center, making it easier for attendees to move between CURVENEWYORK and UBM Fashion’s ready-to-wear shows, which take place simultaneously. CURVELASVEGAS will return to PROJECT WOMENS at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, sharing space in the new Athleisure area. The show will offer a curated selection of all body fashion categories, including swimwear, athleisure and intimate apparel. Continuing its effort to bring buyers and brands together, CURVE’s Personal Shopper Program will give participants the opportunity to win roundtrip airfare to Paris to visit Salon International de la Lingerie in January 2018. For details, visit eurovetamericas.com.

OFFPRICE Show Continues to Offer Value to Retailers

The off-price sector continues to drive business at retail, and the February edition of the OFFPRICE Show, which took place in Las Vegas, featured the show’s highest concentration of business to date. Retailers from around the world shopped from a wide selection of offerings on the trade show floor, which featured an extended footwear section and 54 new vendors. “OFFPRICE has become preeminent to the retail industry,” said Stephen Krogulski, CEO of OFFPRICE. “It’s no longer a secret—two-thirds of all shoppers look for value, and off-price retailers are happy to oblige. Retailers are constantly looking for ways to maximize profitability, and the OFFPRICE Show has given retailers the ability pass their savings on to their customers. With much of the show floor carrying high-quality goods which provide below wholesale values, retailers are sure to find margin-builders that meet their customers’ needs.” The OFFPRICE Show will return to the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, Aug. 12-15. For more information, visit offpriceshow.com.

adidas Parley Line Upcycles Ocean Waste Into Cutting-Edge Swimwear

Adidas is continuing its commitment to the environment with the launch of the adidas Parley swim collection. Made from Parley Ocean Plastic, the collection is the latest addition to the brand’s sustainable swim portfolio. Adidas currently utilizes recycled material in half of its swim apparel, and 76 percent of its pool collection is made with recycled polyamide. “Created with the ethos ‘from the oceans, for the oceans,’ the Parley swim collection represents our dedication to consistently deliver swim products that protect the waters in which we perform,” said Tim Janaway, general manager of adidas Heartbeat Sports. “As one of the leading sportswear brands in the world, it is our responsibility to be the guardians of the spaces of sport, and this range is testament to the part we can—and should—all play to safeguard the oceans for future generations.” The collection features upcycled ocean plastic made from used fishing nets and debris intercepted in coastal areas, which is converted into technical yarn fibers such as Econyl, a recycled polyamide yarn. The debut collection is available in two eye-catching designs: a Parley-inspired graphic, and a wave print that references the origins of the fabric. The suits are finished with adidas’ Infinitex+ Pulse and flat-lock seams, and are 100 percent chlorine-resistant. For more information, visit adidas.com/swimming.

Vera Bradley Swimwear Collection Launches

Iconic accessories and lifestyle brand Vera Bradley is extending its growing portfolio by collaborating with Mainstream Swimwear Inc. to launch its first swimwear collection. The line, which debuted at retail this year, reimagines Vera Bradley’s signature patterns to create a fresh, modern look geared for the beach. “We are thrilled to bring this inspiring collection to market, fusing together Mainstream Swimwear Inc.’s expertise in all things swim with Vera Bradley’s heritage of timeless patterns and prints,” said Robert Wallstrom, CEO of Vera Bradley. “We are confident that this collection will showcase a fresh, innovative and modern perspective on the beloved Vera Bradley brand.” The 2018 collection showcases a bold new perspective for the brand, inspired by a girls’ getaway and travel, with exotic Asian influences, and inspiration from such places as Santa Fe, N.M.; and Nantucket, Mass. Silhouettes are contemporary, featuring figure-flattering styling, reversible printed linings, a playful palette and feminine details. Approximately 50 styles are available in bikini and tankini separates, one-pieces and cover-ups, in sizes XS (0/2) through XL (16/18). For more information, visit verabradley.com.

The Deerfield Show Returns with Swimwear’s Leading Brands

Swim, surf and resortwear will be in The Deerfield Show’s lineup during its fall edition, which will take place Sept. 24-25 at the Embassy Suites hotel in Deerfield, Ill. Specialty boutique buyers and retailers from the Midwest attend the longstanding regional show, now in its 27th year, for its convenience and diverse offerings. The show, which is produced by Midwest Apparel Trade Shows, features approximately 250 brands across a range of categories, from contemporary apparel to sportswear, swimwear, footwear and accessories. “The Deerfield Show has always been a great show for us, offering a mix of most of the industry’s best surf and swimwear brands with leading young contemporary fashion brands,” said Greg Fitzgerald, an independent sales representative and longtime Deerfield attendee. “The atmosphere is laid-back and easy-going, and makes for a comfortable venue to conduct business for vendors and stores alike.” Returning vendors this season include top brands such as Billabong, O’Neill, Body Glove, Nanette Lepore, Trina Turk, Maaji, Banana Moon, Ella Moss, Gottex, Anne Cole, Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors. For more information, visit midwestappareltradeshows.com.

SlipIns Introduces Kids Line

SlipIns, which debuted this season, is expanding already, introducing sun-protective wear for children and young teens, available in mid-February.

Styles designed and created by Rick Rickman, who founded SlipIns with life partner Robin Chesnie, will include rash guards with matching boardshorts and boy shorts. Knee-length one-piece suits will have front zippers and long sleeves for overall sun protection. “We pride ourselves in producing our own exclusive prints and making them unique and beautiful,” says Chesnie.

According to Rickman, “We will be creating fun patterned sun hats, which may be worn as an ensemble to the rash guards and shorts or by themselves. We want to be sure that children’s faces are adequately [sun] protected. The collection will be constructed with a proprietary 60+ UPF fabric blend, creating the softest and most comfortable sun-protective water wear in the world.” Kids will not only look stylish, they will be comfortable and protected from the sun’s rays.

In addition, the company is introducing “Mommy and me” fashions for family fun in the sun. This trendy category is planned to be more sophisticated, and designed for older girls and their moms, following in the path of early success for the SlipIns’ adult wear collection. For more information, visit slipins.com.

Trimera Brands Launches Sea & Her

Trimera Brands has added a new collection to its stellar swimwear portfolio. Sea & Her, a trend-driven line made for the 25- to 45-year-old customer, will make its retail debut in April. Created by the Montreal, Quebec-based mega-swimwear company, the line expects to fill a void in the market by providing D and DD cups in several styles.

Designed by fashion industry veteran Nova Gallegos, the new collection is both fashion-forward and performance-oriented. Inspired by the tropical colors and handcrafted textiles of Latin America, the collection’s flattering silhouettes feature vibrant detailed prints, including mock-embroidery, crochet and macramé effects. Styling details include fringe and pom-pom trims, lace-up, multi-strapping, printed crochet binding and hand-knotted macramé. Available in tropical shades such as berry, tangerine and grapefruit, the line will retail at $55 to $90 for separates, $120 for one-pieces and $130 for cover-ups. For more information, visit trimerabrands.com.

CURVEXPO Celebrates 10 Years

CURVE is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and plans to enter 2017 with its pioneering spirit. The show, which is produced by Eurovet Americas, will fête its first decade with a gala dinner and special exhibition, and by embracing the future—the “phygital” (physical plus digital) era. The intimate apparel, swimwear and men’s underwear trade show will kick-off the show season by presenting more than 350 brands at CURVELASVEGAS, Feb. 21 to 23, during Project Womens at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

CURVENEWYORK will follow (Feb. 27 to March 1) at the Javits Center. To celebrate its landmark 10th year, there will be a charity gala dinner on opening night of CURVENEWYORK, from which 100 percent of the proceeds will be given to breast cancer research. In addition, a unique exhibition showcasing iconic styles of featured honored brands will be presented at the show. New innovations this season include the Lead Retrieval Service available on the CURVENEWYORK mobile app, and a co-badging partnership with UBM, CURVE’s West Coast partner, which will allow attendees to seamlessly move between shows at the Javits Center. For more information, visit eurovetamericas.com.

OFFPRICE Show Rebranding in 2017

The OFFPRICE Show is rebranding itself to deliver a fresh experience in 2017, with a new logo, tagline and imagery that better reflect the show’s offerings. The new campaign will convey to retailers the quality of merchandise that can be found at the show for below wholesale prices.

OFFPRICE will also debut a renovated on-site show experience at its upcoming show in Las Vegas, Feb. 19-22. OFFPRICE anticipates that the rebrand will attract buyers who will benefit from the show by finding merchandise, which can be used to fill inventory gaps, or fuel in-store and online sales. In addition, the OFFPRICE Buyer Relations team plans to assist attendees with several services, including matching buyers with exhibitors and complimentary on-site buying tours. For more information, visit offpriceshow.com.

Creora Textile Trends for 2018

Creora’s trend direction for 2018 ranges from retro ’50s to oceanic and surf influences to high-impact textural effects. Made by Hyosung Corporation, the largest spandex producer in the world, Creora’s key moods reflect the evolution of the swimwear market and the active and modern lifestyles of consumers.

For the performance swimwear sector, “Oceana” draws inspiration from the sea and its underwater creatures. Think buzz words such as “skim,” “sculpting,” “bio-mimicry” and “modernize” to reflect fabrics that are flexible, lightweight and supportive. As the athleisure lifestyle continues to grow, the “Utopia” mood captures the enjoyment of the beach lifestyle with surf-inspired fabrics and styles. The look is fun, active and graphic, and colors take on a worn-in, sun-faded vibe. The “Pin Up” mood takes inspiration from the 1950s and the innocence of the past. The era of the hourglass figure is a key influence, utilizing creora Power Fit to create glamorous yet lighter and more comfortable shaping swimwear. Innovative fabrics with textural appeal create energetic, all-new looks for the beach in the “Mischievous” mood. Swimwear fabrics are textured, stamped and embossed, and compact fabrics are enhanced by 3D printing. For more information, visit creora.com.