Direct from Market: New York
By Caroline Kennedy and Bessie Nestoras -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 8/18/2008 9:18:00 AM
August 18, 2008 — The New York Gift Market has gotten off to a brisk start. To all appearances, buyer traffic seems somewhat better than we have seen this summer. Saturday was the kind of day you would call in sick to work. But, the sunshine didn't keep attendees of the New York International Gift Fair away. The show floors at Piers 92 and 94 were busy, as was the showroom building at 7W New York, which launched its first One of a Kind Wholesale Show in style.
And vendors were satisfied — within the first few hours. Edward Venegas of Suburban Silk told Gifts & Decorative Accessories that he wrote his first order at 9:05 a.m. So did Randy Gottlieb of Elegant Baby. In fact, some booths were busy enough that we didn't have a chance to talk to anyone. A good sign indeed. Kelly O'Neill of Design Legacy said he was a having a good first day. "It seems to be positive," he said.
And in the Handmade division at Javits, reports mirrored what we heard at the Piers. Ward Wallau of Tokens & Icons was so enthusiastic about the business that he wrote on Saturday, that he actually showed us the tally of his first day’s sales, a figure that is nearly double what he wrote during the entire run of one of the earlier shows this summer.
XYDecor told Gifts & Decorative Accessories that business was better this market so far compared to last summer and this past winter. Other vendors to whom we spoke echoed similar sentiments. One vendor surmised that in January many buyers go to Atlanta as their big market to get away from winter; in August they make New York their destination to shop. What ever the reason, it looks like the last show of the season is going to go out with a bang.
REA Bright on Broadway
On Sunday night, the lights were shining brightly at the “Crossroads of the World,” New York’s Times Square and the spirits were bright at the Marriott Marquis, where colleagues from across all segments of this industry — show and mart building executives, manufacturers, sales reps and retailers — gathered to join Gifts & Decorative Accessories to celebrate the 57th annual Retailer Excellence Awards honorees. The evening was, as it always is, a wonderful gathering. It is always a pleasure to finally meet the retailers who are REA finalists and nervously awaiting the opening of the envelope announcing the Gold Award winner, as well as to welcome the evening’s other honorees from other segments of the industry.
The evening began with cocktails in an area that looked out onto the glittering lights of Times Square. All the guests had the opportunity to mix and mingle before going in to dinner, which was followed by the Awards ceremony. And now the answer to what you have all been waiting for …
The REA Gold Award winners are:
• The Hearst Castle Gift Shop, San Simeon, CA, for Store Design/Redesign
• The Healdsburg, CA, Retailers for Marketing Achievemen
• The Umstead Hotel Gift Shop, Cary, NC, for Visual Merchandising
• ShopAtMoxie.com, DeKalb, IL, for Retail Internet Innovation
Other honors of the evening recognized The Whimsy Press as an Industry Rising Star with Whimsy’s Lisa Maloof excitedly accepting the award. Retailer Melissa Haberstroh likened the role that a sales rep plays in a retailer’s life to that of a NASCAR pit crew, before presenting the Manufacturers’ Rep of the Year award to Cyndi Smith of OneCoast. The Industry Achievement Award was presented to the Gift & Home Trade Association, in recognition of their efforts on behalf of the overall industry to educate, advocate and communicate. Closing out the evening, tribute was paid to Carole Dixon, retiring director of 41 Madison, The New York Merchandise Mart. A first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to her in recognition of her 30-year career that made 41 Madison into home for many of the most prestigious tabletop companies in the world and a destination for tabletop and tabletop gift buyers. Our congratulations to all the finalists and to our Award winners. You are all winners in our book.
Spotlight on Products
In terms of product, vendors seemed to be playing it on the safe side. There were several line extensions, although some companies did take a chance with more significant introductions.
Ankasa introduced seven collections this market. En Francais, a gray and yellow color story; Desert Sun, which takes on a Southwestern feel; Rock Chic which brings together soft and hard embellishments and accents; Harvest Moon; Chinoiserie uses blue tones and Asian inspired motifs; Palm Spring, a neutral palette with tropical looks, some on Sunbrella fabrics and Snowdrift a white color story with some pieces featuring silver metallic embellishments. The company is looking to become a lifestyle brand and one of the steps they are taking to achieve that goal is to introduce furniture. Making their debut this market, the pieces use the same embroidery as the pillows and bedding collections. Ankasa is also looking to expand into the fashion market with dresses and tunics that will be sold in its shop located in New York City.
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Jamie Young |
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Vellum |
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Shine |
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Suburban Silk |
Edward Venegas couldn't have introduced Suburban Silk's collection of padded silk laptop sleeves at a better time. The TSA announced that laptop computers could go through security screening if they are in a laptop sleeve. The company offers a variety of stylish motifs. The company also just introduced a laptop/business tote that has an eye-catchingly chic shape. Because of its shape and the three-sided zip that allows it to open out flat, some customers have remarked that it also makes a perfect changing pad. There is an outside pouch intended to hold a the laptop power pack and cables, but could also carry baby wipes and whatever.
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Sanord Burrows |
Sanford Burrows offers a simple yet sleek bedding collection for the minimalist — or just someone who wants a comfy bed. Three designs round out the collection: Riverbed, Streamline and Field Day. Designer Jennifer Sanford Burrows says she likes to "use the whole bed as a canvas. Nothing is repeated or standard."
Permanent floral vendor Immortalis focused on fall/winter this market. The collections take on a more traditional look and feature bold, fall colors like deep reds.
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Two Girls from Aviginon |
Francophiles will want to check out the linens from Two Girls in Avignon. Jamie Hoemann uses new and vintage linens to create hand towels and pillows. The pieces are then dressed up with silks, tafetta or fringe.
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Suburban Silk |
