MAGIC NASHVILLE DIGITAL ZINE ISSUE 05.22

NASHVILLE ISSUE 05.22

IN THIS ISSUE:

Holiday Must-Haves: Home, Gift, & Beauty Education Playback: Key Insights on Trends, Social Media, and Retail Strategy Celebrating the Nashville Community: Meet Some of the Brands and Retailers Based in Music City

MAGIC brought the community together for the first time in Nashville in response to the industry’s call for adding an immediates market in May, and we couldn’t be prouder.

The brands, buyers, and expert speakers who showed up all brought something special to make this premiere event a success. And we have encapsulated all the memories and more in this first-ever MAGIC Nashville Digital Issue 05.22.

Making MAGIC in Music City

Within the pages that follow, we highlight some of the unforgettable moments from the show floor like the amazing live musicians, happy hours, and highly anticipated MAGIC Nashville booth awards. The Education Playback recaps insights from expert speakers like trend forecaster Jessica Richards, Tiny Closet founder Taylor Jones, and more. Plus, who can forget the MAGIC Nashville Opening Night Party at the infamous Legends Corner? We have some of the best party pics from the super fun night.

And MAGIC Nashville meant business. We highlight new opportunities for fall and holiday within the home, gift, and beauty space in our In Focus section. From the hottest brands to expert and retail anecdotes, the In Focus section elaborates on what to look for from this burgeoning category. We’re also highlighting the assortment of elevated young contemporary apparel, accessories, and footwear brands. And we tie it all together with local brands and buyers who share why MAGIC Nashville has become a must-attend event.

Check us out on the next leg of the tour at MAGIC in Las Vegas this August 8-10 and New York September 18-20. Make sure to register here or apply to exhibit. We'll see you there.

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IN FOCUS: HOME, GIFT AND BEAUTY Home, Gift, and Beauty is a growing category and savvy buyers are searching for unique products and brands to add to their holiday assortments.

Here, we dive deeper into this category by offering insight from retailers and experts, as well as stand-out brands from MAGIC Nashville.

“I think we are going to take an aggressive stance on merchandising during the holiday season with home & gift, but I think everyone in general is going to broaden their product lines. I think you are going to see that MAGIC will prosper from that.

You have to start to become more of a destination.

We have had success in the past whether it is blanket throws or whether it is mugs. The fourth quarter for us is when we prospered carrying home & gift, and we will do that again this year.”

— Rick Dudum, CEO, VICI “Home, gift, and beauty is definitely a big area of opportunity in our boutiques – it’s a great add on.

Especially going into fourth quarter, we would love to expand that even more because at that time she may be looking for other things that are not only apparel related.”

— Darcie Reeping, Director of Merchandise, Apricot Lane Boutique

“It’s so important to bring gift and beauty brands into your boutiques. 90% of our customers are fashion boutiques that are bringing in gifting items to expand their lines and offering — boutiques need and want that extra wow factor.”

— Chloé Di Leo, Owner, My Drink Bomb

Q&A: MAGIC Nashville:

Why are fashion trade events important for home & gift brands and for retailers looking to stock this category, especially for holiday delivery?

Sara Burks, Director of Education, The Boutique Hub:

“Inspiration and discovery! These are two main reasons retailers should attend the major fashion trade events. We can find some teaser-type inspiration online or by watching our favorite TV show or seeing an ad in a magazine, however touching, feeling, and a better understanding of the pairing of products, themes, and texture is best discovered in person. Attending these shows creates a true picture of the many options available to the retailer.

The sky is the limit for creativity, ideas, trends, and themes. Also, the product knowledge gained by attending these shows results in bigger sales and quicker sell-through because you are able to instill confidence in your customer’s purchase.”

Bitchstix: Bitchstix is a brand on a mission. The lip and body balm brand works with their retail partners to support local domestic abuse and sexual assault prevention programs.

Beaut. Beauty Co: Launching with teeth whitening products in 2018

by Carol Belleville, Beaut. Beauty Co. has grown into a full skincare and beauty collection.

Burt’s Bees: “We've opened a lot of eyes this week to people who haven't even thought about the dollars they're leaving on the table by not having impulse items by the cash registers. We don't take up a lot of space, but we give back a lot of dollars.”

— Laura Lehmann, Regional Sales Manager, New Business Development, Burt's Bees

SOUTHERN CHARM

STREET STYLE

—WITH A NASHVILLE TWIST The style game was strong at MAGIC Nashville. From playful accessories and dresses to cowboy boots, this community brought the fire with their fierce looks.

Check out some of our favorite looks and the inspo behind them.

“

I just love color, but also wanted to keep it somewhat kind of simple, so that’s why I did the white top, and then pair it with a colorful short to keep it fun with, of course the fun, blue cowboy boots for Nashville.”

KARLEY, BEYOND THREADS

MICHAELA, POLAGRAM & BAEVELY

“

A little inspiration for my outfit is comfortable, practical but still like trendy and cute. I love a good graphic and you can never go wrong with a little silk skirt and obviously comfortable platforms are a staple.”

PLAYFUL ACCESSORIES

COWBOY BOOTS

“

Hot pink blazer romper and silver Jeffrey Campbell boots, perfect for Nashville...

Can’t go wrong with pink in Nashville.”

MACY, MAC + WHITE BOUTIQUE

ELLIE, AZURE

“

My outfit was inspired by my boutique: a little trendy with a southern flair.”

SPRING DRESSES

SESSION: HIGH IMPACT: TRENDS FOR FALL 2022 + BEYOND SPEAKER: JESSICA RICHARDS, JMR TREND

EDUCATION PLAYBACK

QUOTE: “SO IMAGINE THAT EVERY CASUAL OUTFIT HAS SOME SORT OF DRESSED UP ELEMENT, AND EVERY KIND OF DRESSED UP OUTFIT HAS SOME SORT OF CASUAL ELEMENTS WERE REALLY HAVING THAT MIX OF HIGH AND LOW WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE WEAR.”

SESSION: TINY TALKS WITH TINY TAY: SOCIAL MEDIA BRANDING + LIVE SELLING STRATEGIES SPEAKER: TAYLOR JONES, THE TINY CLOSET BOUTIQUE

Our education program is one of the unique pieces of the MAGIC experience. Buyers and brands can participate in the live, on-site sessions and learn from some of the leading industry experts, retail advisors, and trend forecasters. Here, we highlight some of the key takeaways from a few of the speakers at MAGIC Nashville.

QUOTE: “PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE ENGAGING WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU’RE RESPONDING TO YOUR CUSTOMERS. I DON’T CARE IF THE CUSTOMER ASKS YOU A MILLION AND ONE QUESTIONS. JUST REPLY...”

SESSION: WHY ARE MY PRODUCTS NOT SELLING? PROVEN TIPS TO INCREASE YOUR SELL-THROUGH RATE AND RETAIL YOUR CUSTOMER BASE FOR A HEALTHIER BUSINESS SPEAKER: SARA BURKS, THE BOUTIQUE HUB QUOTE: “THAT’S ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK IS REALLY CRUCIAL: WHEN YOU GET DELIVERIES OF PRODUCTS, I’M NOT SAYING BACK STOCK THINGS FOR WEEKS, BUT I AM SAYING GET CREATIVE THAT YOUR LAUNCHES DON’T BOMBARD THE LITTLE KID AT CHRISTMAS WITH 50 TOYS AND EXPECT THEM TO PLAY WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. YOU SPRINKLE THOSE OUT OVER TIME, THEY ARE GOING TO PLAY WITH THEM. THEY ARE GOING TO AT LEAST NOTICE THEM.”

SPECIAL EVENTS COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

FEATURING SOME OF OUR FAVORITE MOMENTS

Our first MAGIC Nashville event was one for the books. The brands, the buyers, and the music all came together to make our first edition of this new event not only a success, but an unforgettable experience. Check out some of our favorite on-site activations and special events from our two days in Music City including the MAGIC Nashville Booth Awards, live music sponsored by Grace in LA Jeans, fashion sketches drawn by fashion illustrator and artist Jade Sta Ana, and more.

01. Opening Night Party Sponsored By Fate Mixing and mingling at the MAGIC Nashville Opening Night Party hosted at Legends Corner. Guests also enjoyed creating custom hats by Whiskey Roots.

02. MAGIC NASHVILLE MECHANICAL BULL SPONSORED

BY BY TOGETHER Hold on to your cowboy hats! Those who rode the mechanical bull (located on the show floor) received a complimentary MAGIC x By Together cowboy hat.

04. GET YOUR VERY OWN FASHION SKETCH Guests memorialized their Nashville show outfits with commemorative sketches by fashion illustrator and artist Jade Sta Ana.

05. “LOOKIN’ PRETTY IN MUSIC CITY” INSTAGRAMMABLE MOMENTS Snapping a photo in front of the MAGIC Nashville guitar was a must.

03. LIVE MUSIC AT MAGIC NASHVILLE SPONSORED BY GRACE IN LA JEANS This season’s show tunes were performed live by local artists like Blessing Offor, Siena Paglia, Cash Crawford & Ross Flora, Megan Nadin, and Elise Stein.

06. MIMOSA HAPPY HOUR SPONSORED BY SKIES ARE BLUE Bring on the bubbles! We started off Day 1 with mimosas sponsored by Skies Are Blue.

06. BOUTIQUE BESTIE HAPPY HOUR SPONSORED BY THE BOUTIQUE HUB The cups say it all: “Community Over Competition” The Boutique Bestie Happy Hour Sponsored by The Boutique Hub was the place to gather with your buyer BFF and brainstorm over new ways to collaborate.

08. SHOW BAGS SPONSORED BY TRENDSI Our favorite collector’s item: the MAGIC Show Bag. This season’s pink edition was sponsored by Trendsi.

07. MAGIC X PAPER CRANE OPENING NIGHT HAPPY HOUR MAGIC and Paper Crane teamed up for the opening night happy hour featuring specialty cocktail “The Jordy,” a Music City Margarita that is an ode to MAGIC Vice President, Jordan Rudow.

09. MAGIC NASHVILLE CHURROS SPONSORED BY VOCAL Ending Day 1 the right way with a sweet treat sponsored by Vocal.

AND THE WINNER IS...

MAGIC NASHVILLE BOOTH AWARDS KEEPING IT LOCAL: WE HONORED THE WINNERS OF THE MAGIC NASHVILLE BOOTH AWARDS WITH LOCAL TENNESSEE CRAFT BOURBON.

Best In Footwear: Dingo 1969

Best in Home, Gift & Beauty: Divine Home Fragrances

Congrats to this season’s winners Best Boss Babe: Nash Grey

Best In Accessories: Gigi Pip

Grass is Greener: Sea & Grass

Best in Apparel: Le La Lo

CELEBRATING NASHVILLE

Dingo 1969:

For over 50 years, Dingo 1969 has been specializing in cowboy boots—a must have, especially in Nashville.

Music City is a special place with its own unique vibe, and MAGIC was honored to be a part of this incredible community. Here we highlight a few of the local Nashville brands and buyers who call Music City home.

“What’s really exciting about Nashville is that it is a new place for up-and-comers. It has been around for the music industry and then fashion started to come here many years ago with the influencers and that’s what influenced us to open our store here. The dynamics between all the fashion and the music and the vibes married itself well, and we realized that we had a great market here because it was a destination.”

— Sandra Dudum, CEO, VICI

“I’m local to Nashville and Nashville itself is exploding with so many people moving here from the East Coast and West Coast – it’s a hot spot right now. The music industry has brought a new fashion vibe to the city.

I think Nashville has its own vibe to it from a fashion standpoint because it’s becoming its own fashion central. And there’s such a strong boutique presence here. You can go to several districts within Nashville that have boutique after boutique after boutique.”

— Megan Vanya, Owner, Kinley & Mal

Hoo Hoops:

Launched by Holly “Hoo” Hudson, Hoo Hoops started with hoop earrings, but has since grown to include necklaces, bracelets, rings, and more.

Rivalry Runway:

Check out these denim jackets featuring both Nashville and Tennessee style

by Rivalry Runway, founded

by Mogan Haas.

MAGIC 2022 EVENT CALENDAR BE A PART OF THE MAGIC. JOIN US AT AN UPCOMING EVENT.

AUGUST 8-10, 2022

SEPTEMBER 18-20, 2022

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MAGIC NASHVILLE 2023: DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED