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MAGIC Soars in Las Vegas: Fashion Industry Has Upbeat Outlook

The world’s largest fashion trade event, MAGIC, displayed strong growth along with the biggest and best assortment of brands in years. As a barometer for the fashion industry, MAGIC reflects great signs of growth and momentum.

“The mood this August was incredibly positive, with thousands of focused and excited buyers, over 3500 overall exhibitors and an additional 150,000 square feet of exhibitors on the show floor,” said Chris DeMoulin, MAGIC International President and Executive Vice President of Advanstar’s Fashion Group. “Hundreds of new stores attended – illustrating that our resilient industry is enjoying a definite revival.”

Dominating the footwear category in only its second outing – FN PLATFORM, the shoe show at MAGIC, welcomed a 30 percent increase in exhibiting brands and secured its position as the largest and most diverse collection of branded footwear in North America, with more than 1,000 brands from women’s, men’s, juniors and children’s footwear. Paris Hilton made an appearance at FN PLATFORM to unveil her Spring/Summer 2011 footwear collection.

WWDMAGIC continues as the definitive trade show for women’s fashion, presenting more than 1,100 exhibitors in three easy-to-shop neighborhoods: LOFT, STUDIO and PLAZA. WWDMAGIC’s Young Contemporary collection remains the largest display of brands in the United States – with hundreds of brands including Desigual, Free People, B.B. Dakota, Amour Vert, TFNC, Alexis, Costa Blanca and Hurley, which launched a new young contemporary collection.

WWDMAGIC’s semi-annual swimwear event, ISAM, was bigger than ever – with more than 300 brands, including the launch of Nanette Lepore Swim, as well as returning brands like DKNY, ViX, Ella Moss and Marc Jacobs. ISAM also welcomed a new partnership with Dar Be Dar, the official swimwear sponsor for the Miss Universe Pageant.  WWDMAGIC and Dar Be Dar held a stunning fashion show on the show floor, featuring a meet and greet session with the reigning Miss Universe, Stefania Fernandez, and several other Miss Universe 2010 pageant contestants.

WHITE, WWDMAGIC’s better-to-bridge area, doubled in size this show with major brands joining in, including: Dina Bar-El, Tadashi Shoji, Sue Wong, Aidan Mattox, Basix Black Label, Lauren Vidal, Carilyn Vaile, Didier Parakian and Suzanne Somers. In support of her new handbag line, VW Willa, actress Vanessa Williams appeared at MAGIC.

PREMIUM at MAGIC unveiled “The Indigo Gallery,” a newly dedicated denim area that housed some of the industry’s top brands, including Lucky Brand Jeans, Girbaud, Ami Jeans, Justing Jeans, Yaso, M.O.D, CMT and Twice. The introduction of The Indigo Gallery alongside the already flourishing denim collections at PROJECT will make the MAGIC Marketplace the top international destination for one-stop denim shopping.

Street Unlimited experienced significant growth in exhibitors and attendees, particularly with the addition of several new MMA brands, including Ecko Unltd. MMA, Jaco Clothing, Form Athletics, Untamed Industries LLC and Affliction Athletics (X-treme Couture, Throwdown). MMA excitement further came to life with a World Extreme Cagefighting® Title Fight featuring Cruz vs. Benavidez held in conjunction with MAGIC at The Palms Casino Resort on August 18. Hip-hop artist/actor T.I. also stopped in at MAGIC to present his clothing line, AKOO.

S.L.A.T.E. kicked off with an opening night party at Hard Rock Hotel’s Vanity Nightclub, featuring DJ Skeet and DJ Jus Ske. In its fourth season, S.L.A.T.E. continues to be THE place to be if you are a directional “life-style” brand.  In addition to the likes of Stussy, 10 Deep Clothing, LRG, Crooks & Castles and OBEY, this August S.L.A.T.E. welcomes brands such as DGK and The Hundreds to the line-up of must-see brands.

Sourcing at MAGIC, the largest and most comprehensive fashion sourcing event in North America, showcased more than 700 apparel and footwear manufacturers, fabric mills, trim & component suppliers, print design studios and fashion supply chain providers from over 40 countries. Sourcing at MAGIC also launched two new sourcing categories: Design Elements, showcasing original design manufacturers (ODM), and Footsteps, the show’s new footwear sourcing environment, representing both component suppliers and manufacturers. Sourcing at MAGIC opened the week with a great party at LAVO Nightclub at the Palazzo.

POOLTRADESHOW made the move over to Mandalay Bay and was met with great enthusiasm. As the industry’s incubator for emerging talent and lifestyle fashion event, POOL experienced solid growth with new exhibitors such as, AMPM Studio, A(r)mour Jewelry, Grayling and Motel — who joined the returning POOL lineup of standout brands including, Angel Court, Cameron Marks Agency, Jeffrey Campbell and Textile Junkie.

About MAGIC
Every August and February, the fashion industry converges in Las Vegas for the most influential event in the business – the MAGIC Marketplace. 2010 launched MAGIC’s dual campuses at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The February 2011 MAGIC Marketplace will run from February 15 – 17, 2011. For up-to-date exhibitor listings, seminar scheduling, travel support and registration information, please visit www.magiconline.com.