Direct From Market: Dallas
By Caroline Kennedy and Bessie Nestoras -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 6/22/2008
June 23, 2008 - The Dallas Market Center (DMC) put on its best new red trimmings to greet buyers attending the Dallas Total Gift & Home Market. Vignettes along the entry corridor to the World Trade Center’s Hall of Nations were a striking eyeful highlighting a range of bright red merchandise, reinforcing the DMC’s rebranding Red campaign. The displays were chic two-color statements of red and white, some playing off a winter holiday theme, a focus of this June market. While it seems strange to be thinking about the holidays at summer’s start, retailers do
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Red with all the trimmings |
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Home for the Holidays dining room |
In addition to retailers, reps and vendors, a large contingent of Colombians led by Dr. Pedro Gomez came to Dallas to visit the show. They were representatives of the Latinamerican Trade Mart, which is being built in Bogota, Colombia, and set to open sometime in 2011. Dr. Gomez is spearheading the project and the Dallas Market Center is partnering with him and the Latinamerican Trade Mart to help manage it.
The Mood
Traffic appeared to be brisk early Friday morning as attendees lined up to enjoy a breakfast snack of coffee and donuts before spreading out throughout the showrooms and exhibits to start buying. But as they did spread throughout the Market Center, the perceived number of attendees seemed lighter than in previous markets and we heard several attendees commenting on the lack of people at the show. John Marcinkowski, western regional sales manager for Waterford, noted that traffic seemed slower than usual for a June market, but added it was probably a reflection of current economic conditions. Nevertheless, he reported sales were near expectations.
Indeed, vendors were not complaining. Their take was that retailers at the show were there to buy. Barbara Rosenberg, national sales manager for Lady Jayne Ltd, remarked that her sales were looking good and that she hadn’t yet seen some key accounts. And one sales rep told us sales were tripled compared with last market, while a vendor boasted that his company’s sales were up 28 percent. Not bad for a sluggish economy!
Up in the temporaries, Sissy Blanchard of Sissy Made It!, said her sales were her best ever. Her line of personalized laminated bag tags is a bright pick up item that retail around $4 each. The low price point and fun designs makes them an appealing small purchase that even the smallest budget can afford.
Benita Sanserino of Punch Studio echoed a similar observation. The company’s small purse notepads, also about a $4 retail price point, are one of its hottest sellers. They are amused by the fact that sales figures are being met one notepad at a time.
A common opinion ventured by a number of vendors was that the impact of the current sluggish economy could be measured in how retailers were buying. Those whose business is good were at market ordering and those whose businesses were suffering had not even come to market. Still, we did hear a few retailers say that they have seen their sales drop due to the current economic climate. Interestingly, though, one retailer noted that she hadn't noticed a drop in her big ticket items. In fact, she said those pieces were moving better than her lesser priced products. Another retailer said customers were coming in just looking for sales: No surprise there.
Bright Lights
At Meyda Tiffany, the wine bottle lighting collection continues to be popular and growing, while the fused glass lighting collection adds a more contemporary look and serves as a counterpoint to the traditional stained glass and rustic collections for which Meyda is primarily known. For a fun regional take on some of its lodge look lighting in the Old Forge Collection, Meyda is highlighting a chandelier featuring palm trees and alligators against bright tropical colored glass, instead of the usual bears and moose in pine forests. In another new lighting group in the Old Forge Collection, the company is featuring rustic lighting options featuring metal pine branches that were patterned from real branches.
InvisiLED lighting kits are new at WAC Lighting. Perfect for installing under kitchen cabinets, inside display cases, under counters or mantels, the LED lights come on easy-to-install tape strips to provide energy-efficient low powered ambient light. They are available in a variety of colors. The kits are easy enough for any DIY installation.
A ribbon-cutting marked the grand opening of the new Nova lighting showroom on the tenth floor of the WTC. Daniel Edelist, president, and Sally Yang, creative director, did the honors of officially opening the new space. Edelist took over ownership of the company six years ago and is moving it forward to incorporate not only the contemporary lighting for which it is known, but also home accessories that complement the lighting lines. Wall decor in dimensional metal artwork, mirrors and other wall sculptures are a growing direction for the company; some incorporate lighting elements. Nova also has showrooms in High Point and Las Vegas.
Giving Back
Pico & Salsa’s Warehouse had a bright varied collection of jewelry and accessories made of primarily seed beads. Offerings range from small floral-shaped rings for fingers or toes to waterfall necklaces, bracelets and belts. The pieces are all handmade in Indonesia and are very reasonably priced. Tom “Pico” Barnes plans to give more back to the community of artisans that craft his line beyond just a living wage. It is his hope to help improve the quality of their lives by contributing to provide things like clean water.
Laga Designs Intl.showed a collection of truly eye-catching handbags, wallets and small personal accessories. All of the bags are made by survivors of the Banda Aceh, Indonesia tsunami and all proceeds go back to support the workers and help to rebuild the communities. The bags feature intricate embroidery patterns that are indigenous designs and generally not widely seen previously by the outside world. The designs are crafted by the workers using foot-powered sewing machines. The bags all have a high fashion look and include interior pockets and compartments. Husband and wife team, Roy and Louise van Broekhuizen, owners of the company take no salaries from the business, preferring the monies to be returned to benefit the tsunami survivors in Roy’s native Indonesia. But this is a business they state emphatically, not a charity.
New and Notable
The John Wind Signature Collection introduced three new collections of costume jewelry: Oz, a grouping of pieces done in emerald green combined with clear blues; Cleopatra, an exotic grouping in black; and Shine. Wind also is showing three necklaces that challenge the price ceiling for “costume” jewelry. These are truly statement pieces, especially at a $595 (at cost) price tag. One necklace is a weighty, exotic collar-like piece that makes a red carpet statement. The other two are casades of beads and chains of different lengths; one has a more fun and funky look while the other is more sophisticated and incorporates his large cotton ball pearls.
The Jody Coyote line at Oak Patch Gifts debuted its Premier Collection of earrings, a grouping of fashionable styles that are priced to provide retailers with higher margins. Some of the designs include beautiful looking glass Murano-look “beads” that are really hollow and therefore lightweight. And Oak Patch’s new drinkware for women offerings were really getting a lot of notice. The grouping includes martini glasses, stemware, bottle stoppers, can cozies and more with fun sayings to add a little fun spirited “aging with attitude” to female get-togethers. New to Oak Patch is product and sales vice-president Greg Hatten, a 20-year veteran of Hallmark Cards.
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Vandor |
Two new collections of garden accessories at New Creative are Storybook Garden and Jeweled Garden. Storybook Garden is a collection of statuary; the pieces represent the four designers’ impressions of children’s storybook characters such as Puss’n’Boots, the Little Mermaid and others. Jeweled Garden is a grouping of bird houses, wind chimes and other bright, colorful decoratives. Sales manager Julie Shearman noted that retailers are beginning to use the company’s website more and more for placing orders and sourcing new items. Usage of the site generally spikes at night and on the weekends she remarked. And the site has brought a lot of new customers to the business.
Olivia Mullin is getting ready for the holidays with a collection of beverage napkins for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas entertaining. Also new are Big Fat Tags, giant adhesive gift tags that come eight to a pack with four each of two fun designs.
Stella Martin has had a growth spurt of creativity since taking over sole ownership of Fine Whines. She’s added new acronyms to the Fine Whines product line of napkins, wine bottle labels, etc., including a new translation for S.L.U.T (Stressed-out Ladies Unwinding Together), F.E.A.S.T. and B.R.A.T. (If you want to know what they mean, you’ll have to pay a visit to find out.) She has also added her Go Green Gals totes, a collection of five eco-totes made from recycled soda bottles. In the Belle Monde line, the new Noble Initials are new and interesting. They are pewter monogram labels that can be applied to glassware and stems, handbags, and just about anything. The stems are available in wine goblets and champagne flutes and feature an applied pewter medallion featuring Gerard Puvis’ artwork. The stems come packaged in a set of two in a slide top wooden box.
Ashley Hatcher’s Lappers trays are catching on. Hatcher noted that she had a great day on Friday up in the
F!NDS temps, and that the line has been taken on by Omni Sales. She has also worked with another company to develop a collegiate licensed line of her trays.
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Amia Studios |
Fringe, found in the Donald McEvoy showroom, introduced more gift sets. Last market the company introduced a packaged set of four votives. This market, it is offering a set of a plate and soap, as well as a plate, soap and votive, all packaged in a gift box. Benita Sanserino said the company did very well with its gift sets and decided to expand the line. The company is also offering boxed crystal magnets and a boxed set of six smaller round magnets featuring a variety of natural and feminine motifs like florals and birds.
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Chapon Chocolatier |
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Frockz |
There were several introductions at Oriental Accent. The new Southampton collection from Mark Abrams is done in soft neutral tones and features a fabric motif. The line was inspired by the designer's own linen pants.
To help make travelling a little easier, Lollia, found in the Portico showroom, introduced a travel collection of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and hand cream in two scents: Mint Julip and Grenadine and Tonic. The travel size containers are just the right size for carry-on luggage.
Rosanna, also found in Portico, expanded its children's collection with a new Girl Party set, which includes four mugs and plates gift boxed in a lunch box. Also new is My Favorite Recipes, a set of two baking dishes, so little girls can bake, too. For grown-ups, the company introduced a selection of Initial Mugs. The white mugs feature a black initial in script.
Color Palettes
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Global Views |
Red is still going strong, as is aqua and teal, seen throughout the showroom at Cyan Designs. Warm gold tones were also seen at Arteriors Home. Lamps, mirrors, vases and other accessories were all done in this soft hue.
CBK also turned to black and white this market, but more importantly, the company has turned to color. The display at the front of the showroom boasted a variety of accessories in oranges, blues, pinks and greens. It also expanded on its seaside collection, a design direction that continues to be strong.
Lamps have always been a strong category for the Tennessee-based CBK, and the company expanded the line with several introductions. This market texture was an important theme, with many of the bases finished with a stone-like appearance, as well as lampshades featuring floral cut-outs.
Frames continue to be a big category for the company, and this market it expanded the category to include photo collages that can be hung on the wall. Wall decor was another big theme this market, as the company offered a wide selection of oversized wall clocks, as well decorative wall pieces.
On the other side of the color spectrum, neutrals were coming on strong in Dallas. 18 karat's new Tafoni collection is inspired by the eroded caverns and rounded hollows found on cliffs, borders and shorelines. It's the Italian word to describe these patterns found in nature. The colors used in this collection were soft creams, whites, beiges, as well as grays. Many of the accessories are textured, and many feature holes, just like in nature.
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El Atelier |
Newbie’s Galore
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Square Feathers |
Jimmy Belasco introduced a new Artist series of candles. Each box will feature an up and coming artist along with a bio. Also new is a series that features illustrations of the dogs Belasco has rescued and keeps with him in his home.
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Nickel |
Also new to the showroom is Gaea, handmade soaps that are made in America. Each is hand pressed and the company makes all the essential oils that are used in them.
New company Tokyo Milk made its debut this market in the Portico showroom. The personal care line, a sister company to Lollia, includes lip balms that feature fun flavors like "Let Them Eat Cake," "Sweet Cream" and "Pink Confection." The line also includes perfumes, soaps and greeting cards. The look is very girly, with fun vintage-like pictures on the palckaging.
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Clear Bag System |
Pearls on Paper made its debut at the show. This new company was attracting interest with its conversational games, a collection of round cards packaged in a tin to get conversations going. One designed for parents and children, “Look Before You Leap,” is intended to help children learn different safety lessons by presenting a situation and asking how they would deal with it. This encourages a dialogue between parent and child. “A Penny for Your Thoughts” is another collection just to get
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Suzy Toronto at Midwest |
Havin' Fun
A number of showrooms featured artist appearances and signings where buyers could meet and greet the people behind the products. Bringing her wacky and wonderful spirit to the Midwest showrooms was artist Suzy Toronto. Suzy and Midwest were celebrating the launch of her first collection of figurines based on her Wacky Women artwork. This was the first of several appearances she will be making at upcoming markets across the country including Atlanta, Chicago and others. Suzy greeting buyers and welcomed them as official members of The Sacred Sisterhood of Wonderful Wacky Women. There was a festive atmosphere in the showroom and refreshments were served.
Next stop, Atlanta. See you there!
