Direct from Market: Los Angeles
Millie Szerman -- Gifts and Dec, 7/23/2010 12:25:25 PM
The California Gift Show, now entirely managed by MMPI, incorporates both the LA Mart building and the temporary exhibit spaces at the Los Angeles Convention Center, in both South and Kentia Halls. Having not been to this market in several years, it was exciting to see how well organized it was, in both locations. The LA Mart opened July 13–19, and the temporary spaces, including Beckman's Handmade and Design Studio at the LA Mart, ran Friday, July 17 –20. My arrival early at the Convention Center was met with bright yellow banners and carpet runners, as well as a bevy of yellow-clad "helpers" to direct me. The lobby was quiet which was a little disconcerting. However, once inside the great hall, I was overwhelmed by activity. A Happy Birthday themed workshop, given by Bird's Eye View, a retail merchandising consultancy, was in progress, instructing retailers on how to adopt ideas and merchandise their own stores. Explains principal Michelle Craig, "Retailers need to create a one stop shop for their customers, focusing their buys with change-out merchandise. Being creative in a ‘mini concept shop' idea, as well as in-store events, will help drive traffic and increase sales." Taking product from any number of manufacturers, retailers can create themed displays, offering party ideas to their own customers. The products shown had been gleaned from California Gift Show exhibitors. Sprinkled throughout the show dates, Bird's Eye View held several other themed workshops, including a Halloween and a Napa/Wine event.
BabyChix
The Convention Center is quite a huge venue and though attendance seemed quite composed during the morning, traffic increased by mid-afternoon. Exhibitors were writing business – a very good sign.
Alphabet soup started it all, I think, but personalization continues in strength. A new baby line called babychix is owned and operated by a young woman who doesn't even have children. Yet, her line of ceramic containers, alphabet disposable diapers, and adorable one-sies has enough breadth to create custom gifts for baby showers, births and anything infant related. And being in that computer-savvy age group, she's coined new acronyms in COL (Cry Out Loud) and GOL (Giggle Out Loud)!
For the Mechanic in your life
With all the glorious product down every aisle, I had to stop and examine Wrenchware, a line of flatware, bowls and gifts designed for the handyman (or woman) or shall I say gearhead (?) in your life. New to this line were the plastic "reusable" picnic fork, knife and spoon, all with some sort of "gear" on the handle! Truly a great idea!
Apple Tree DesignGrrrrr
And we thought animal motifs were fading. Not so! Apparel accessories, home décor, tableware and boutique items are still popular. Here, Jacki Design International, originating in Brazil with an office/warehouse in Southern California, features collections that might lure any feminine tiger, with beauty cases, jewelry display, cosmetic bags and more.
New from Cosmos Gifts Corporation, under its AppleTree Design group, are animal prints combined with florals, polka dots, stripes and other patterns/colors in a whimsical way. These high gloss ceramics, designed and licensed from Babs, is called Sugar High Social.
Earth Friendly
Earth Balance BagsEcology consciousness was at its best in Los Angeles. From recycled materials to new uses for product elements, it's obvious that the West Coast continues taking a strong stand on earth-friendly. How about tree-free gift bags made from stone! Earth Balance Bag Company uses inorganic mineral powder (pulverized powder from limestone) with a small amount of non-toxic resin as a binder to create a paper-like product that is printable. "It's a greener process AND result," explains Joy Harding, owner of the two-year old company. "Our product is 100 percent tree-free and 100 percent chlorine-free (no chemical bleaching). There's zero water consumption and our gift bags are waterproof! For every ton of tree-free paper: 20 trees are saved, 42 pounds of water-born waste wasn't created, 167 pounds of solid waste was not generated, 236 pounds of atmospheric emissions is eliminated; 16,000 gallons of water flow has been saved and 36,000 BTU's energy was not consumed!" Remarkable! They look good and they feel good...and they're priced incredibly low, as well. Several gift wrap designs were introduced this show.
Base Brands was highlighting its Wild Bamboo, a 100 percent bamboo line of kitchen products and Reduce Hybrid, a reusable line of insulated beverage containers that keep liquids hot or cold all day long. Both products promote the use of environmentally friendly materials and the reduction of waste. In addition, its Melaboo plates, bowls and kitchen tools come in attractive colors to fit with most kitchen decors – they're durable and sturdy, and most importantly, they're 100 percent biodegradable.
New from Urban Junket is "arm candy," a delectable line of T.O.T.E. — To Observe The Earth bags. The new product assortment is made from eco-friendly coated canvas and non-toxic dyes.
Smock Paper, represented in the Lynn Mitchell Group showroom at the LA Mart is U.S. made in upstate New York. New are sturdy eco boxes, made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled materials and available in three sizes. The company specializes in sustainable letterpress papers, particularly bamboo and post-consumer waste recycled paper (PCW).
Eco Paper, also in the Lynn Mitchell showroom, brought six separate "blends" of paper to market this show: Banana, Coffee, Lemon, Mango, Sugar Cane and Tequila. The agricultural waste content varies from 10-20 percent.
What about reusing wine bottles? Completely handmade, the Munio Candela line, in Stephen Young's showroom at the LA Mart, uses only 100 percent pure soy wax. The candles come in either reused jam jars from the former Soviet Union or cut wine bottles as containers. And what a display.
Be Home bamboo bowls and trays have a contemporary look, but made entirely from sustainable bamboo. Other wood products include tableware made from Acacia wood, and Teak serveware.
Retro
The California Gift Show is on top of things as it appears that anything "vintage" is making a huge comeback. Throughout the show, at the LA Mart and especially down on the lower level within Kentia Hall, show management encouraged exhibitors and buyers with a special Vintage Section.
Check out FlapJack Toys and their Retro Tags, a line of luggage tag designs that feature well-known icons – Betty Boop, Rubik's Cube, Pez and many more.
Kentia — The Global MarketplaceIn the Lynn Mitchell showroom, vintage milk bottle cap designs on handmade paper from Fresh Heifers were among their better sellers.
Global Focus
A strong global focus was evident throughout the show. To celebrate its rebranding, Kentia Hall is now Kentia – The Global Marketplace. Long regarded as a hidden gem at the California Gift Show, this area provides buyers with an instant opportunity to refresh their merchandise mix through the hall's unique "at once" buying options. Located on the lower level of the Convention Center, the buzz and energy could be felt even from outside the doorways. And show management held numerous events to highlight the global conscientiousness. From World Style Stories to live artisan demonstrations (I watched an Afghan felt carpet being rolled by foot), the broad variety of product was amazing.
Model MetalworksUsing pine needles from Central Mexico, Model Metalworks creates exquisite bowls, serveware and picnic ware, combining the woven needles with metal accents.
Many of Kentia's exhibitors sell handmade global wares to increase awareness of social injustices and to help fund organizations with a cause. Host to the Fair Trade Federation, there was a plethora of extraordinary product, all handmade and all with a purpose. Among other world goods manufacturers with truly exceptional goods, one might find hand-woven telephone wire baskets and serveware from Bridge for Africa, The vibrancy and unique patterns that the Zulu artists in South Africa weave into these shapes create baskets that can be displayed or put to practical use. They are washable and available in five different sizes.
Puresa Organics offers "Buy a Bag, Change a Life!" in an effort to stop human trafficking. This company sells more than just a product. They're selling a movement. According to Giselle Meza, founder and owner of the company, "The purchase of each bag empowers, employs, and creates self-sustainability, hope and freedom for rescued women who were once victims of human trafficking."
Twenty-three companies were represented in the Fair Trade Federation area. According to Carmen Iezzi, executive director, "Fair Trade is an economic partnership based on dialogue, transparency, and respect. This system of exchange seeks to create a just and sustainable international trading system. The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is the trade association that strengthens and promotes North American organizations fully committed to Fair Trade. Federation members dedicate their businesses to creating positive change for the poorest of the poor and to adhering to specified nine Ppinciples in all their transactions."
Diversity at the LA Mart
Keep in TouchAs with most permanent showroom buildings, the LA Mart was alive with activity and glittering showroom windows on every floor. Beckman's Handmade and the Design Studio temporary spaces on the second floor provided a special kind of product buy for retailers and designers.
Keep In Touch, a line of handmade photo albums, offers the "scrapbooking look without the work." There's at least one design for every imaginable occasion, and each album features enough pages for 60 4"x6" photos.
Avery Dennison (the label company) displayed its new Vizzon Custom Wall Décor where designers can create wallpaper, murals, canvas art and wall decals through their affiliate partners.
Miner Works of Art introduced a new line of wall décor inspired by the bold colors of nature. Artist Bettie Grace Miner uses her artistic talent and the computer to custom make canvas art pieces for any and all decorative tastes. She's able to take a photograph and work her magic to create what appears to be painted artwork!
JellycatChristmas and holiday were everywhere. Spectacular showroom displays held my attention for quite some time, and I found myself wandering in and out, much like a buyer might do. Zodax, one of the larger manufacturers in the Stephen Young Showroom offered several varieties of aroma porcelain diffusers the company is calling Winter Dreams. And the Jellycat Collection and Jellycat Baby (from London) took my breath away. The new Cordy Roy characters (stuffed animals in three sizes) continue the whimsy.
From Consuela comes handmade pine boxes and photo frames with ornate accents and an extensive array of oilcloth pillows.
The Monarch Quince Collection from Jardins du Seda France shows packaging fit for royalty. With Asian dynasty elegance, the scented candles, bar soaps and ceramic box two-wick candles were very popular.
Simpatico (being like-minded and in tune) is a personal care line that includes candles, reed-diffusers, solid perfume, and bubble bath. All are packaged in funky, sweet, vintage art-inspired boxes.
H2M TradingIn the H2M Trading Showroom, I discovered irresistible decorative pieces, including an incredible paper vase.
Design Imports Inc. featured art glass sculptures of faces as well as unique mouth-blown glass, handcrafted in Poland and signed by the artist.
Show Management
By combining both the LA Mart permanent showroom building and the temporary exhibit space at the Los Angeles Convention Center, retailers were pleased with the ease of shopping the show. They needed only register at one location to have easy access to both, and transportation between the venues ran smoothly. "Reports from retailer attendees," confirms Peggy Coleman, vice president of marketing for the LA Mart/California Gift Show, "has continued to be positive. Our exhibitors are writing orders. We've worked diligently to make this show an exceptional experience for everyone!"
Millie Szerman, a gift, stationery and home decor industry veteran for more than 25 years, is the owner of New Directions, a public relations and marketing agency based in Incline Village, NV. She can be reached at MillieSz@sbcglobal.net
The California Market Center features 100 of the top gift and home decor lines in the industry in the California Marketing Associates (CMA) showroom. How can you write an article on LA Gift Show and leave out such an important part of the overall market. Millie, the buyers deserve to know about CMA.
David Thomas - 2010-08-19 03:21:10 EDT
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