Business Partners
By Rachel Brown Accessories are by no means an accessory to Project.
The contemporary trade show has been bulking up its selection of bags, belts, baubles and boots over the past several seasons as its concentration has shifted from men’s wear to goods for both sexes. The fashion complements allow apparel retailers to complete outfits and diversify their stock to generate additional shopping trips.
“Currently, our accessories offering makes up about 20 percent of our overall business,” said Sam Ben-Avraham, president and founder of Project. “Jewelry leads the category, followed by handbags, shoes and belts. The growth has been steady over our last three Las Vegas shows. It’s really an exciting aspect of our show and demonstrates our ‘everything under one roof’ philosophy.”
Project has proactively built the accessories presence by reaching out to trendsetting showrooms and companies. The result is that accessories buyers and sellers have begun to consider the trade show a must for spotting up-and-coming designers and pieces for chic audiences.
“They have made a concerted effort to really bring women’s lines together and make the buyers feel that this is where they can find these kinds of lines,” said Megan Dolbee, who will be exhibiting jewelry lines Noir and Wasabi as well as headwear brand Hat Attack at Project for showroom Kristi Harris Sales. Respectively, the lines wholesale for $35 to $150, $25 to $150 and $15 to $75.
“If you took a snapshot of what is happening in fashion now at Project, it would be pretty good,” added Ce Ce Chin, designer for New York-based footwear brand 80%20, which is delving into high-heel boots wholesaling from $110 to $120 for fall. “Everybody wants to see your stuff in the context of what is also new.”
Handbag brands Aaneta and Caprice Bianca, and Gravis Footwear are among those coming to Project for the first time. A popular style from Aaneta, which sells to stores such as Atrium and Searle and goes from $106 to $270 wholesale, is a four-pocket satchel with a braided handle and gold metal hardware. Caprice Bianca, which sells bags for $160 to $300 wholesale, is introducing a hobo for fall and is stressing deep colors, including navy and red. Gravis’ fall collection flashes back to the Eighties with bold prints in women’s shoes, priced from $25 to $44 wholesale, and handbags, priced from $10 to $30 wholesale.
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