TRADE SHOW IN A SHOWROOM

Despite all the lobbying to get back a unified trade show in New York City, companies heavily invested in showrooms are unlikely to shell out additional dollars on convention centers. Some showrooms, in fact, have become virtual mini-trade shows in and of themselves.

Take Rian Gardiner, for example, co-founder of Triluxe Showroom on 36th Street. Asked why fewer retailers seem to be in town for New York market, he points out that many retailers are now shopping pre-market in May and June, both in New York and Milan. “We saw many more customers coming to New York and Milan, emphasizing the importance of early spring delivery and securing fabrics, trends that have been growing in recent years. That said, our showroom saw a significant increase in July activity, with well over 80 retailers visiting, marking positive year-over-year growth.”

In terms of hot item/trends for spring ’25, Rian reports “a great reaction to Corneliani, particularly the full-canvas sport jackets made in our Mantova factory, with core prices between $518 and $658. Whereas many brands have continued to raise prices, Corneliani has been able to maintain their strategic positioning, providing the brand and retailers a competitive advantage.”
Another homerun has been Fradi, currently Triluxe’s fastest growing brand. Crafted in Italy, the collection features soft jackets wholesaling between $290 and $380. “The fusion of performance and soft sensibility sets it apart in the market,” notes Rian. “We’re stocking a core assortment of performance jackets, trousers and essential sportswear items.”

A nice balance to the existing collections is Triluxe’s new distribution partnership with Parajumpers, now managed by Teri Roth. “The brand’s unique design language, combined with innovative layering pieces and on-trend outerwear, positions it to challenge the established brands and achieve substantial growth.”

Check it all out at Triluxe in Dallas and Chicago.