Post Magic Musings

Hello strangers!

Apologies for falling off the face. As most of you know, I was living in Vegas while setting up the new Stephen Young showroom and setting up my other 2 showrooms, Sales Producers and Art Floral Trading. I had intended to keep up with the blog and the newsletter but the universe had other plans. If you have listened to my solo this month you already know that I fell into a bit of depression from being away from my little family and it seems like a lot fell to the wayside. 

I wrapped up my travel with my last trip back to Vegas for the MAGIC Apparel Show (more on this in a minute) and while I should not be surprised, I am. I am not sure about you but it seems as if your body will do just about anything to assist you completing the tasks at hand. In this case it was the show season set ups, a trip to NY and the last trip to Vegas. All without a single illness. 

Once tasks were completed it seems by body was ready to say F*ck you lady. You are going to stay home and rest. I said this on my stories, the universe has a funny way of giving you what you have asked for. It may not come the way you would like it, but it will give it to you like it or not. I had said numerous times "I just want to stay home and read a book and magazines". Well, ask and you will receive, lol. I am finishing up the tail end of the worst flu. Thankfully it wasn't COVID. I am for the first time, listening to my body. I am resting, I am sleeping so much it's crazy but, I am not fighting it which if you know me, you know.

Enough about that...let's talk @Magicapparel! I say this all of the time, I prefer to walk the show on the first day, just look. No writing orders, just looking. and seeing what trends speak to me. This show was the first time that after walking 1/2 of it, I still could not read what was trending. 

It was an odd mix. It was like fashion was having a ADD moment & it truly felt like it was going in several different directions. Feathers were gone but sequins were everywhere. Paired with a rocker tee and tennis shoes the sequins feel fresh and fun vs "fancy" Babydoll dresses with puffy sleeves and pixy collars in sheers are still a thing. Basics seem to be missing in action.

The Yellowstone, Dolly and country music vibe was still there but nowhere as big as it was last season.

My favorite, the crochet was all but distinct.

The @Vans checkerboard vibe was everywhere from matching short sets, tees to dresses. This BTW is now my favorite. If you did the gift shows you know there was a lot of nods to this trend as well, from a background pattern on a candle to the packaging on bath products. At Burt's we will be cross merchandising the hell out of this. And, if you sell the OG checkerboard Vans, you best be making a moment of this whole vibe.

Speaking of matching sets. Get ready...they are EVERYWHERE. Yes, it's been around with the explosion of the flesh tones but let me tell you. It's a thing. So much so, that the first 3 rows of Magic, I was fighting it and by the end of the show floor, I was completely on board. There are a lot of ways to do it, for the juniors., it's all about the short set, for us more "mature", it's a pair of silk pants with a matching top. 

The smiley face is still strong from slippers to sweatshirts. While I would not buy deep, it still creates some cute cross merchandising moments that are fun and feel like summer. 

Pink. OMG...it’s still alive and it’s still everywhere. As I said last recap in the fall, I would touch on it unless you have a young and contemporary client and if so, go for it. Flesh tones and fleshy pastels are still strong. I love that they gave a break to your eye after all of the above. Cut with denim and army green they still feel fresh. Lastly, florals. Everything from Marimekko 60's vibe to ditsy liberty style prints. 

I will say this again, if you did not make it to Las Vegas Market Center for the Las Vegas Apparel Show put on by @IMC you need to add it to your list. For one, they have AMAZING amenities! Breakfast, lunch and drinks. I am not just talking a coffee and a doughnut I am talking a beautiful salad with grilled chicken, garlic bread and if you decide, a cocktail. And, if you have a sweet tooth, brownies and cookies. Not meaning to go on and on about the food but as a buyer, you know, convention food sucks and its expensive. You wait in long lines and you can never find seating so you sit in the hall on the ground (being a buyer is so glam) so yes, I feel the need to go on and on. The apparel lines are strong and a lot do not show in the west so it gave us new options and not a lot of people so you are not trying to catch someone’s attention so you can get your order scanned. Trust me. Add this show to your list.

To learn more click here. You can thank me later. 

XO,

Michelle