Direct from Market: Las Vegas
By Caroline Kennedy -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 9/18/2009 12:30:00 AM
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Market got off to a jump-jiving start with a lively concert by the Brian Setzer Orchestra, which rocked the house with its “Stray Cat Strut” and other favorite tunes. Unfortunately, this writer missed out on the event — Setzer hit the stage just as my plane hit the Vegas airport tarmac — but another Gifts & Decorative Accessories representative enjoyed the evening concert.
Designer Kathy Ireland took time out from her “Dancing with the Stars” rehearsals to promote her lines at market. She noted in an interview with Gifts & Decorative Accessories' sister publication that she is being inspired by some of the dance costume designs and may incorporate some elements into future accessory designs. Ireland is appearing on the popular dance show to support some of her charities, and her efforts are being supported by some of her industry partners.
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| Sculpture by Artisan House |
Showrooms Debut
WMCLV’s Margaret Powers and Philip McKay assisted Manual Woodworkers’ Doug Adolphson at the official ribbon-cutting, while showroom sales associates looked on.
Manual Woodworkers and Weavers cut the ribbon at the opening of its new showroom at World Market Center Las Vegas. The company moved its showroom from Building B to a new corner space on the 7th floor in Building C. The new location aligns the company more with the growing gift and home focus of WMCLV. Manual Woodworkers’ Doug Adolphson noted that the company has other expansion plans, including its showroom space in the Dallas Trade Mart, which it moved into from the WTC just this past January; it now plans to expand the new space giving the showroom a larger corner location. Adolphson noted that business has been good, and indicated that they had just come from a great Dallas fall gift show. And you may notice a new look for Manual. The company has updated its logo to read “Manual …” done in a fresh, contemporary script.
Global Views expanded its showroom space in Building A by taking over an adjacent showroom space. A roped off walkway in the corridor provided buyers with a private pathway to the second showroom door, since although both spaces belong to Global Views, they are still separate with no internal traffic flow-through. The company will break through the wall separating the two spaces sometime after market to join the two spaces together. The original showroom space welcomed customers with a trend-forward emerald green color statement, while the new showroom combined bright red and rich golden orange.
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| The new Casa Cristina Lighting Collection at Midwest-CBK |
Eco Statements
Traffic was brisk in the Arteriors showroom. Among the new items on display was a selection of lamps with a strong natural/eco focus, including lamps with bases made of woven natural lily grass, tortoise bamboo with polished nickel, rattan and woven bamboo. Making a striking statement were a floor lamp and coordinating table lamp done in metallic silver mesh porcelain.
The eco-conscious theme continues to resonate with buyers. Retailers viewing the Lazy Susan collection in the Dillon-Wells showroom in Building A were drawn to some of the decorative accessories made from natural pieces of driftwood. Also a strong seller is a set of three baskets made from recycled potato chip packets. “We’re having a great market so far,” enthused David Moses. “This is the second market that we’ve done in Las Vegas and I believe the Las Vegas Market is a strong and viable market for our industry in the long term.”
Temp(t)ing Offerings
The temporary exhibits in Building C seemed to have a more focused arrangement this market. One floor was entirely devoted to international exhibitors with strong representations from Viet Nam, India, Korea and Mexico. Another area grouped furniture and home accessories exhibitors; while still another smaller section was devoted to new gift and decorative accessories vendors. All three areas buzzed with traffic because, as several exhibitors enthused, “They come here to see what’s new!”
In two short weeks, Peking Handicraft pulled together its display in the Gift & Home temporaries in Building C. Peking’s Derek Lo made a last minute decision to exhibit his line of decorative pillows, home textiles and gift items at this market, to test the venue out prior to the new June 2010 Gift & Home Market, and was pleased with the overall response. With his company’s introduction of more contemporary designs, and especially the Trina Turk licensed line of pillows, Peking is expanding its customer base and reaching a younger audience, according to Lo.
Also among the new was Cardboard Safari with its trophy animals in several sizes made of corrugated
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| Cardboard Safari's heart wreath |
Another new exhibitor was MK & Company, known for it baby clothesline shadowboxes, keepsake boxes and other baby mementos. The company introduced here, and at the ABC Kids Expo, several different girls’ musical jewelry boxes in soft, sweet designs. The company also distributes Timberkits, a collection of mechanical wooden toys that come in kit form.
Unicorn Studios was attracting interest with its line softly colored, delicate porcelain figurines, vases and other accessories. Some buyers were particularly drawn to its collection of ballet dancers and its Nativity figures.
In a departure from its signature look of accessories with embroidered geographical designs, Cat Studio added
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| A new collection of tote bags from Cat Studio, who is working with a woman's cooperative in India |
Rep Craig Kramer of L.A.-based Kregger and kompany was on hand representing Meissenburg Designs, his line of reproduction advertising signs of resorts and other places that have a rustic and retro design quality. Attracting interest were prototype pillows with fun designs created from the signs. The pillows will be targeted for indoor/outdoor use.
On Trend Notes
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| Aprons were a big hit at market. Shown is a selection from Peking Handicraft. |
Fanciful fish seem to be swimming onto the decorating scene, especially created in eco-friendly materials. Palecek had fish made in Coke-bottle green glass, as well as in woven reed with metal accents. Lazy Susan had one made from driftwood. Midwest-CBK, Three Hands and Cyan Designs also were among those featuring fish as decorative accents.
The ABC Kids Expo
The ABC Kids Expo — All Baby & Children Show — was also in Las Vegas at the Convention Center. Traffic seemed very brisk. Vendors’ take on the show was uneven, ranging from “slow” to “fantastic.” One common observation was that traffic comes in waves as buyers make their way from front to back and the upper hall to the lower one of the convention center. The show is huge with products ranging from baby and children’s furniture and strollers, to breast pumps and maternity fashions, to plush and room décor, to diaper bags and personal care and more. Many familiar gift industry companies were among the exhibitors, including Ribbit Ribbit showing its handcrafted frames; plush companies Mary Meyer, Folkmanis and Bestever; Mudpie, Little Giraffe, wall sticker companies Wallcandy Arts and RoomMates and many more.
Manual Woodworkers exhibited at this show for the first time to showcase its Izzy children’s line and introduce
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| Bump•i•Doodles from Manual Woodworkers |
Kalencom introduced new styles, patterns and colors in its fashionable diaper bag line. The bags have an extended life span as everyday totes after baby is out of the diaper stage. The new OZZ style features an angled flap and fun new Sayonara pattern of playful graphics. Also new for fall are bags in a solid scarlet red and solid grape purple; appealing new patterns include a stylized dandelion motif in purple and an aqua stripe that coordinate with other patterns to create a visual story for merchandising. The bags come with an insulated bottle bag, changing pad and accessory bag inside.
A hit at Bunnies by the Bay was its new Snugs, the Bunnie's unique take on Uggs for kids. there's also a matching jacket to complete an snuggly outfit. A new infant blanket comes on its own hanger that converts to a gift box.
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| Snugs from Bunnies by the Bay. |
The ABC Kids Expo will be moving to Louisville, KY, in 2011 and vendors’ opinions on the move were varied, with the majority unsure about it. The move has some exhibitors considering the new Las Vegas Kids show that World Market Center will be launching in June 2010 as an option.
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