Denim Industry Prepares for Trade Show Season

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The denim industry is preparing for a new season of trade shows.

Kingpins Amsterdam kicks off this week at SugarCity from April 12-13. Exhibitors including AGI Denim, Beximco, Jeanologia, Kaltex, Lenzing, Lycra and more will showcase Fall/Winter 2024-2025 fabric and trims collections as well as new circular and sustainable concepts.

The show program also includes trend presentations by Denim Dudes founder Amy Leverton and designer Shannon Reddy and a seminar on hot rodding’s impact on men’s wear by Douglas Gunn, co-founder of The Vintage Showroom.

Other seminars will cover topics like Cradle to Cradle certification and the launch of Transformers Foundation’s new transparency tool.

Denim Days will take place April 14-15 in Amsterdam at De Hallen and Denim City. The event is an opportunity for denim heads to shop and meet the people behind the brands, including Benzak, Godfried Jeans, Kings of Indigo, PeppinoPeppino and more.

The open-to-the-public event will also host talks with denim collector Ruedi Karrer and Bryan Szabo, who will share details about the world’s largest raw denim fading competition.

Denimsandjeans India will take place April 26-27 at Hotel Lalit in Bangalore. Exhibitors include Arvind Limited, Garmon, Hyosung, Pacific Jeans, Raymond and more. Talks will explore opportunities and challenges for Indian denim brands and the industry’s adoption of new technologies.

Denim Première Vision is planning its return to Arena Berlin from May 23-June 1. Exhibitors include Isko, Bossa Denim, Ribbontex, Advance Denim, Fashionart, Kurabo Industries, Calik Denim and more.

Lorenza Martello, Première Vision’s denim expert, will decode Fall/Winter 2024-2025 fashion trends and sustainable developments during two seminars. Guided tours through the show’s trend area designed by Dutch set designer Rikkert Paauw will give attendees a closer look at the latest style cues. Each garment will have a QR code unlocking more information.

Denim Première Vision teamed with Ukrainian talent including designer Ksenia Schnaider and photographer Elizavelta Litoka to create the show’s marketing campaign. The main campaign image features one of Schnaider’s pieced jeans and a pink pump with a plant as the heel.

Schnaider and Litoka have worked together before on Kseniaschnaider’s photography. “We were the first brand she created her images for,” Schnaider said about Litoka. “We became friends, and it was always a very great time together on shootings. When the war started, she had to escape from Kyiv with her daughter. We were in touch supporting each other. I am really happy that we can highlight her talent together with PV.”

Informa Markets Fashion’s Project New York will return to Iron23 from July 17-19. The men’s ready-to-wear, footwear and accessories show will feature live music, “artistic experiences” and educational talks.

Edwina Kulego, Informa Markets Fashion, vice president of men’s and international, said the show is where visitors can “openly express your love for fashion and the city.”

Last season’s show in January featured new and established contemporary brands including OAS, Rails, Quartz Co. Outerwear, Officine Creative, Alpha Industries and Gilded Age Denim. Panel discussions centered on gender fluid fashion and social media strategies. It welcomed buyers from American Rag, Beams Japan, Neiman Marcus, Stag Provisions, Ron Herman, Dover Street Market, Blue In Green and more.

“Project New York allows the space for expression and design where brands and buyers converge to spark creativity, community and commerce in the men’s market with a focus on gender fluid fashion and streetwear categories,” Kulego said.

Munich Fabric Start and Bluezone report “a strong footing” for their events scheduled for July 18-20 in Munich. It will be the first time that the shows take place in July versus its traditional August and September schedule.

Bluezone will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. Naveena Denim, YKK, Cadica, and Studio 9 are among the returning exhibitors. Newcomers include Esdigital, Iberis Lda, Jeanius, Jersey Print Factory, Lucky Textile Group and Marjomotex.

“The feedback from the textile industry as well as from international brands confirms that we have placed the right offer,” said Frank Junker, Munich Fabric Start partner and creative director. “Both events have great potential and complement each other perfectly. We support the market by offering the right platform at the right time to bring the relevant players together. And we do this without overlapping with other international trade show formats of the fashion business.”

Sourcing at Magic, traditionally held in Las Vegas each February and August, is coming to New York City in September. The supply chain show, with exhibitors spanning manufacturing, textiles, trims and service providers, will sit alongside Coterie at the Jacob Javits Center on Sept. 19-21.

The show floor will be organized by category with merchandising centered around sourcing for apparel, footwear and accessories.

“Supply chain agility affords brands creative and cost-efficient inventory control in the current market. Solutions to supply chain disruptions are the key to brands’ competitive edge in today’s market,” said Andreu David, vice president, Sourcing at Magic. “Sourcing at Magic New York will address the need for brands and retailers looking to rethink the supply chain to solve challenges around market pivots, minimizing overstock and creating opportunities for a more efficient production timeline.”