Market Report: Los Angeles
By Meredith Schwartz -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 9/1/2006
Fashion continued to be a strong theme in L.A., not only at the California Market Center — with its apparel market connection — but at the California Gift Show and the LA Mart as well.
At the temporaries in the convention center, jewelry and fashion accents spilled over from the Fashion Accessories and Boutique sections into the Handmade and LA Contemporary divisions. Even ExTracts boasted a large number of robes, wraps and slippers, many of them featuring microfiber (affordable and washable, with a super-soft touch) and increasing ornamentation such as prints, applied embellishments, and a mid-tone color palette. Another trend to watch in personal care is a renewed emphasis on exotic locations as a source of ingredients, authenticity and atmosphere. Countries in Asia beyond China and Japan are raising their profile, such as Akhassa's Rituals collection. And Africa is starting to appear on the bath and body horizon, as in the Rain line, distributed by Kimberly House Ltd.
When shoppers aren't caring for themselves, they'll be caring for their homes in style. Another niche product category raising its profile in LA is deluxe home-maker accessories, from faux fur laundry bags to feather-trimmed dish gloves, decorative brooms and especially aprons. With one foot in retro 1940s through '60s appeal, and the other in princess-style imaginative luxury, accessories like fancy hostess aprons (from the brand-new company Heavenly Hostess) attempt to make everyday chores feel fun and special.
The LA Mart and George Little Management, producer of the California Gift Show, are cooperating to produce greater seamlessness for buyers attending the LA market. For example, both venues accepted each others' badges and distributed each others' directories for the first time, and GLM co-sponsored the Takin' It to the Stars party at the LA Mart.
The street party was a hit, raising $45,230 for Gift for Life, which benefits the American Foundation for AIDS Research. That amount, the most ever raised by the event, brings the five-year total to about $150,000. At the gala, Gerry Seibel, vice president and general manager of the LA Mart, presented a “Marty” award to Peter Schauben, longtime gift sales rep and founder of Gift for Life, and one to Bob Chisholm, president and CEO of Home Sweet Home, presenting sponsor of the event.
>>For the complete Los Angeles Market Report, visit www.giftsanddec.com and click on “Direct From Market.”
