There was lots of action at Brand Assembly , the trade show featuring contemporary, accessories, beauty and wellness taking place at West 22nd Street in New York. Exhibitors served up an eclectic mix of preppy tennis and pickleball sweaters, skiwear, baseball caps, retro T-shirts, candles, beauty products, leather jackets, handbags, jewelry and tie-belted jeans at the three-day show, which ended Wednesday.
The show, which spanned four floors, featured exhibitors, including big brand names such as Faherty and LoveShackFancy. In September, the show took over four floors, and did that again this time around. One area of the show that was getting a lot of attention was Parks and Recreation on the first floor, which blends lifestyle dressing with sports apparel for tennis and ski. This season, Brand Assembly assembled a group of Uruguayan brands, offering sweaters and leathers.
Gritty Habits, a hat company, was showing its merchandise on the first floor. The company is based in the Pacific Northwest, and donates a portion of every purchase to SheJumps, a nonprofit dedicated to educating and equipping women and girls in outdoor activities. All the hats are made in China. She said she was eager to expand beyond the Pacific Northwest region. Another interesting vendor was Alivia, a social-impact womenswear brand whose prints are created by people with disabilities.
The company, founded by Jovana Mullins, pays the artists and 10 percent goes back to their art therapy program. Alivia launched online in and in started wholesaling its clothing. Today it sells at more than boutiques across the U. The company, which is based in North Stamford, Conn. It manufactures dresses, sweaters and pajamas. A bestseller is the Lori dress, which was hand-painted by an artist with Down Syndrome.
Every hangtag on the garment has a photograph of the artist and a QR code where the customer can learn about the artist. Lola Denim was showing its collection of sustainable denim. Another top seller is a tie-waist jean. Pinstripes also do very well and the barrel jean has been selling. David Abissidan, founder of Lola Jeans, said he was happy with the show. It costs a fraction of Coterie and there are more serious people. Under new designer Ilana Kugel, the brand is working with percent cashmere and real leather.
