PROJECT SETS 2022 DATES, NAMES NEW VP OF MEN’S

by Stephen Garner

Project has unveiled its initial plans for 2022 and has announced new leadership for its men’s portfolio.

The Informa Market Fashion-owned tradeshow said on Thursday that its 2022 schedule will provide retail buyers with more opportunities to capitalize on new and emerging trends and deliver on quickly evolving consumer interests. For contemporary men’s and women’s brands, the multichannel opportunities will provide expanded access to new audiences in a variety of markets, allowing for additional business connections and potential for expansion into new, key markets. While the global Project brand will continue to support the entire contemporary market, specific events throughout 2022 are designed to service, with greater specificity, specialized market needs, and align more effectively with critical buying cycles for the men’s and women’s market.

Continuing with its twice-annual keystone U.S.-based event, Project Las Vegas will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center on February 14-16, 2022 and again on August 8-10, 2022. With the most comprehensive event offering for the men’s and women’s contemporary market available in the U.S., Project Las Vegas’ February and August editions will feature new brands and top sellers in highlighted categories such as streetwear, denim, contemporary collections, outerwear, loungewear, activewear, gift, footwear, and accessories, in addition to beauty and grooming; with price points from mid-market to premium. Expanding on initiatives that help retailers discover brands that align to consumer values and interests, retailers can also expect to see onsite “curations” such as Made-in-the-USA as well as continued focus on supporting diversity through the Informa Markets for Change (IMFC) initiative – launched in 2020 – which fosters allyship, inclusion, and equality within the fashion community.

Project New York will return back to its home for its twice-annual menswear-focused event which will take place in January 2022 and July 2022 to coincide with the men’s wholesale market in New York City. Specific dates will be announced soon.

Internationally, Project Tokyo will return March 16-17 at the Tokyo International Forum as well as in fall 2022, with fall dates to be announced later this year.

In addition to its live event offerings, Project will also return with digital opportunities in 2022. First introduced in the summer of 2021, the product-first platform will feature a large variety of contemporary men’s and women’s brands and products, allowing both brands and retailers even more connection and discovery opportunities.

Brian Trunzo
Brian Trunzo

Helping to further guide Project’s evolution into 2022, Brian Trunzo has been appointed as vice president of Informa Markets Fashion’s men’s portfolio, where he will oversee the contemporary men’s side of the Project brand. Trunzo has a long history in the menswear industry with experience in trend forecasting at WGSN, retail operations, design, and wholesale, and most recently as head of brand at Informa Markets Fashion. Trunzo’s varied experience in the market gives him a unique perspective, allowing him to understand the larger fashion matrix and anticipate the needs within the contemporary market. Trunzo will work hand-in-hand with Courtney Bradarich, vice president of contemporary women’s under the Project banner.

“It is impossible to overstate the importance of menswear to me both personally and professionally – I’m thrilled to be in a position to help service our incredible roster of brands and retailers during this unprecedented time,” said Trunzo “This business is all about connections, and we have a responsibility to facilitate that. Overseeing the men’s side of Project in its new chapter, I’m invigorated to try new ideas and new formats that promote greater discovery and business opportunity for the industry and looking to our clients’ needs for inspiration as to how we host events –domestically, internationally and digitally – in the near and long term.”