PROJECT LAS VEGAS ISSUE 02.22

ISSUE 02.22

IN FOCUS:

FOOTWEAR & ACCESSORIES IMFC INCUBATOR PROGRAM

DAPPER DAN’S KEYNOTE INSIGHTS EDUCATION PLAYBACK

Model left: Dolce Cabo; Model right: Todd Patrick

BACK INTO SWING THINGS PROJECT LAS VEGAS ISSUE 02.22

THE

PROJECT Las Vegas this season felt a bit like dipping a toe into the water after having not been to the beach in a while. We started slowly, stepping in up to the ankles, then allowed the waves to wash around our knees. In no time we dove in, luxuriating in feeling reconnected to the vibrant energy and creativity that only PROJECT can provide.

As always, PROJECT partnered with industry thought leaders like Business of Fashion, Highsnobiety and Blamo! to bring you informative, educational forums featuring style and color trend reports from WGSN, presentations on brand growth strategy — including how to use storytelling techniques and preparing for the Metaverse — there was even a special lesson from J. Southern on Moon Magick; about setting intentions and planning rituals around the lunar calendar. Polo Ralph Lauren featured artist Ali Gonzalez painting a graphic mural on skateboards at its coffee trike, while DJs kept the energy flowing with the latest tunes throughout the show. Of course, all that only complemented the presentations of the roughly 1,500 men’s and

OF

women’s brands that participated in this season’s event, up 15% from August 2021. We were also proud to introduce the ten brands of Informa Markets Fashion for Change (IMFC) at the show. Our ongoing corporate initiative fosters allyship, inclusion, and equality within the fashion community through programs that support, nurture, and elevate minorityowned, women-owned, and LGBTQIA+-owned fashion brands.

(Learn more about participating brands Carlton Jones and Todd Patrick in the In Focus section.)

Today’s headlines clearly demonstrate that we live in uncertain times. But the three days of PROJECT Las Vegas showed that the world is a much better place when we all come together.

We’re already looking forward to seeing everyone again in Las Vegas August 8-10, 2022, and in New York City, July 18-19, 2022.

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Todd Patrick

the finishing touch Footwear and accessories played a starring role at PROJECT Las Vegas Retailers know they can rely on PROJECT for exciting new brands mixed with innovative established collections to keep their sales floors fresh and shoppable.

Footwear and accessories round out the mix, and this season’s event offered a wide selection for everyone. We spoke to exhibiting brands GREATS, Barbieri, and Golden Meteors as well as experts from the Business of Fashion and Highsnobiety about opportunities within these categories.

Left Page Top: Greats; Bottom: Golden Meteors; Right Page: Top: Greats, Barbieri, and Golden Meteors; Bottom: Greats

IN FOCUS:

GREATS launched as a direct-to-consumer casual footwear collection with men’s, women’s, and unisex styles, now stepping into wholesale.

“Coming to the show has allowed us to see what the customer likes,” says Sales Director Ashley McCormick. “It’s been interesting to see what people like here. For Fall, they really seem drawn to color, as well as our mixed patterns and materials.” The brand also has an emphasis on sustainability (popular on its website), including a best-selling group that is made from recycled plastic. The brand is definitely onto something: The Rock wore Greats’ sneakers to this year’s Super Bowl!

Barbieri is a scarf collection founded in 1945, manufactured in Como, Italy. “The company uses all natural materials, and is really well-known for its silks and wools,” says U.S. sales representative Angelique Wohman. (Barbieri produces luxurious silks and accessories for some of the major European designer houses.) “The scarves are top quality with hand-rolled edges and are a great price point for the quality.” Smaller scarves start at $38 wholesale and go up to $153 for larger styles. Kimonos were getting quite a lot of attention for the event first-timer.

Golden Meteors is a multi-brand showroom launched 18 months ago in New York City by founder Steven Wildenberg. “We represent emerging modern brands across fashion, lifestyle, beauty, and wellness. The agency’s name is inspired by the fact that when the earth was being formed, meteorites striking the planet brought gold with them, so it’s quite literal.” The agency currently represents 11 brands, including Dad Grass CBD products, 1969 unisex fragrances from Sweden, sneakers, eyewear, candles, and more.

Rahul Malik

“

Q + A:

BUSINESS OF FASHION

PROJECT: There’s interesting opportunities, specifically for the footwear category in what’s happening with the growth of the metaverse. Can you talk a little bit more about that, maybe the opportunities specific to that category and/or other categories as well?

Rahul Malik, Business of Fashion: “I think one of the fascinating things about sneakers in particular is so much of what we have seen with regards to the buying and selling of sneakers has been scarcity driven. And especially with regards to physical sneakers, and you can apply that to other types of footwear. That has been a subcategory where, for the past 10 or 15 years, you’ve seen new types of business models that are drop-oriented. You see new types of platforms that are resale platforms, that didn’t exist for other categories. And the reason I mentioned that is because I think when we now look at digital fashion, so much of digital fashion actually builds upon those same themes and builds upon themes of scarcity and builds upon very creative collaborations. So that’s something we see pretty frequently, which is people are actually looking for what works really well for physical sneaker and applying those concepts when they start to think about their digital future.”

“

I N FO C U S : T H E F I N I S H I N G TO U C H

PROJECT: Within streetwear and specifically footwear and accessories categories, are you seeing any sort of trends or changes that are shifting from where we were and how consumers were reacting, how they were dressing, and what they were consuming in 2021 to now? Are there any sort of predictive things that you’re seeing going forward that you think we may start seeing within the streetwear community?

Corey Stokes, Fashion Director, Highsnobiety: “OK, so what I’ve noticed is a lot of nostalgia in terms of old silhouettes and revamping them, with new colorways or tweaking the design a bit. I feel like that’s been a trend for the past two years, and I think it kind of went into overdrive recently.”

Corey Stokes

HIGHSNOBIETY

IN FOCUS:

being the change

Carlton Jones, an IMFC exhibitor, was a stylist for more than 20 years before launching his eponymous collection. “I took a team of stylists to the Caribbean to establish a fashion week there and picked up a lot of private clients. One day I selected a designer caftan for one of my clients and said, ‘I can do this better.’” Thus, the collection was born. He now creates a genderneutral collection of season-spanning separates that maintains a relaxed, resort flavor. “I provide pieces that can turn a vacation into a staycation, comfortable for lounging at home, but put on a heel and hoops and you’re ready to go anywhere.”

Top: Terminal B; Middle: Nappy Head Club; Bottom from left to right Lola Faturoti Loves, Kwasi Paul, XOG Skin

IMFC Incubator Program brands shine in Las Vegas This season featured 10 Black-owned brand participants from the Informa Markets for Change (IMFC) program to introduce up-and-coming design talents while celebrating diversity and inclusion in the industry, featuring: B|M|C • CARLTON JONES • KWASI PAUL • LOLA FATUROTI LOVES • MILETREE CANDLES • NAPPY HEAD CLUB • TERMINAL B • TODD PATRICK • UNDER KOMFORT • XOG SKINCARE

Todd Patrick got its start when former basketball player Desyree Nicole found herself struggling in New York City while waiting to go pro in Italy. “When my contract fell through, I asked myself what else was I passionate about? That happened to be fashion,” says the brand’s Creative Director. “I was a stylist in Detroit and styled some NFL guys.

The problem was that often the boys couldn’t fit the stuff, so I started making what they needed.” The collection (also in the IMFC Incubator Program) is named for Nicole’s little brother to be more marketable to men. “I knew what market I wanted to be in. I needed something that could be in Barneys and Bergdorf.”

With partner Gabriella Paulino, the duo has created luxurious cut-andsewn knitwear and cardigans for the season, as well as some edgy, yet wearable woven shirts and don’t miss the leather trousers.

Q + A:

“

Warren Satchell, WGSN: “I think the other thing that I’ve seen from a trend perspective here at the show is really this inclusivity with respect to audience pride. I have witnessed a lot more diverse brands on the show floor. Diverse brands such as Black-owned brands, women-owned and women-led brands, and POC or LGBTQIA owned brands. It’s great to see this as an additional layer to diversity, right? Because I think with diversity, we oftentimes view one lens, right? We do it through the lens, you know? Tom Thibodeau, shoes or accessories or bags, and I think diversity is so much broader and it’s much more layered term. The other thing that I will say is that diversity is no longer optional. Diversity is now imperative, and I think that it’s been great to see Informa, and it’s market specific tradeshows MAGIC and PROJECT- celebrate diversity.”

PROJECT: Do you think that this continuation from the consumer end in trends of finding brands that align with their own belief systems is something that will continue? Do you think it’s something that will evolve in different ways?

“

IN FOCUS: BEING THE CHANGE

Satchell: “I think it’s a yes and. And I say yes, because I think it’s going to continue, right? I think we’re now in the space of movement, instead of moment. I believe it’s going to continue.

But I also believe that this is going to become even bigger, even broader. Where consumers now have this expectation to not only shop or engage with brands that are potentially founded by people that look like them, or that are petitioning their communities, but the consumer is increasingly aware and asking for a view into a brand’s mission, and their values. And it’s more than just seeing it or hearing it. Consumers are looking for the action behind it.

From hyper-masculine to über feminine to ultimately gender fluid, the PROJECT Las Vegas

T H E LO O K B O O K

THAT’S WHAT I WANT

Left model: Jacket by Dolce Cabo; Pants by Dickies Right Model: Shirt and Pants by Todd Patrick

February 2022 event presented the very latest in wearable, shoppable, on-trend fashion.

Depending on your point ofview, there was something for everyone from the most cuttingedge design to the most luxurious quality. Comfort and all-American style were juxtaposed with international offerings from all corners of the globe.

Shirt and Pants by Todd Patrick; Bag by Maverick & Co.

Kwasi Paul SHOP NOW

Honor The Gift

Alpha Industries

Scarf by Nappy Head Club; Pants by Dickies

Whysocerealz (Left & Right Page)

Tiger Of Sweden SHOP NOW

Scotch & Soda (Left & Right Page)

Todd Patrick (Left & Right Page) SHOP NOW

Kinross (Left & Right Page)

Propaganda Agency

Dickies (Left & Right Page)

Calvin Klein (Left & Right Page)

Lavair

Inimigo (Left & Right Page)

Nautica

Hustle Gang

Polo Ralph Lauren

Paraboot, France

Mavi

Lucky Brand (Left & Right)

Pendleton (Left & Right Page)

Pendleton

HiSO (Left & Right Page) SHOP NOW

Bella Dahl (Left & Right Page)

Hat by Gigi Pip; Shirt by Bella Dhal

Lanhtropy (Left & Right Page)

Riley Vintage (Left & Right Page)

Brodie Cashmere SHOP NOW

Intentionally Blank

7 For All Mankind (Left & Right Page)

Alpha Industries

Schutz

Kinross

Dolce Vita

Left Model: Todd Patrick; Right Model: Jacket: Todd Patrick, Shirt: Honor the Gift

DA P P E R DA N ISN’T DONE DRESSING HARLEM T H E L E G E N DA RY ST Y L I ST O N H OW H E CO N N E C TS W I T H H I S C U STO M E R S AND REDEFINES COUTURE.

It’s been over four decades since Dapper Dan first combined high fashion and hip hop to usher in a new style that changed pop culture forever. Together with the former editor-inchief of Teen Vogue, Elaine Welteroth, Dapper Dan discusses the connection between music, culture, and fashion, and the importance of understanding the middle stage of a successful career.

Here are five highlights from Dapper Dan’s keynote session with Elaine Welteroth at PROJECT Las Vegas.

1.

“Don’t get hung up on yourself. I wanted to be creative, but I didn’t want to get locked into my own creativity. I built my brand by understanding what somebody else wanted. Come on out of who you are, grasp the culture and

2.

create from the culture.”

4.

“I can tell you what the top looks like. I can

5.

“The other side of the coin of fashion is

tell you what the bottom looks like, but I

music […]. If you don’t have that musical

can’t tell you what the middle looks like

connection by which you can get your

because I came up the Black staircase[…]

product out there to the public, then

That’s the part that we really need to know:

you’re at a loss.[…] it’s that musical element

“I do not create for myself. I do not dictate fashion. I translate culture

what is that middle road like? When I was

that’s missing with the young designers

Everybody has this individual thing that we like about ourself, or how we like

talking to somebody from Virgil [Abloh]’s

who have to blaze their way today. And

to look. Grab that, take hold of that[…]then shape that with them. As you are

team, everybody said, ‘Yeah, man, Virgil

there’s an answer to that […] we’ve got

shaping them, they’re shaping you. That’s the creative flow that you create

traveled all over the world. He did this and

to build a platform by which the young

between you and those who you create for.”

he did that.’ I sat back and said, ‘Damn, he’s

designers coming through Harlem can get

traveling all over the world. What is the

that attention.”

3.

mechanism that’s carrying his brand while he’s traveling? What is the machinery like?’

So you guys starting out, you know what

“The bottom line is this: we lost the rappers. We can’t afford our own rappers.

it is from the bottom, but you don’t know

A new designer comes along, and who can afford to go out and get one

what that middle machinery is like. We need

of the powerful rappers to be the face of their brand? Who can go out and

people to explain that middle road .”

get them? So, it won’t happen for us until a new musical genre comes along and we latch on to it and we move with it. Otherwise, we die right on the staircase, going up the steps.”

Education Playback 1

PROJECT Las Vegas is known for its robust education program and this season’s roster of experts and sessions were stronger than ever. Many of this edition’s speakers discussed the importance of brand authenticity and connecting to the communities that sustain them. Whether it’s embracing imperfection, or leveraging social media to craft brand identity, these speakers reveal the keys to find truth in your voice.

W H Y E N G AG I N G YO U R B R A N D ’ S C O M M U N I T Y I S A F U N DA M E N TA L COMPONENT OF SUCCESS

4 2

5

3 1.

2.

@elainewelteroth

Blamo!

Elaine Welteroth S E S S I O N : K E Y N OT E “Social media really changed that didactic, one-way conversation we were having in fashion for so long, too long, where the gatekeeper was the holder of information, and they were the ones dictating trends and appointing the tastemakers. Now the people are telling us what’s resonating.”

3.

4.

5.

6.

Photographer

Untitled Group

Informa Markets Fashion

Business of Fashion

Jeremy Kirkland

James Harvey Kelly

@thekirkland

@jamesharveykelly

Josh Peskowitz @jpesko

Mordechai Rubinstein @mistermort

SESSION: BLAMO! P R E S E N T S : H OW TO G R OW YO U R BRAND THROUGH STORYTELLING

SESSION: BLAMO! P R E S E N T S : H OW TO G R OW YO U R BRAND THROUGH STORYTELLING

SESSION: BLAMO! P R E S E N T S : H OW TO G R OW YO U R BRAND THROUGH STORYTELLING

SESSION: BLAMO! P R E S E N T S : H OW TO G R OW YO U R BRAND THROUGH STORYTELLING

“...this is a really exciting time in the whole world of fashion and social media in that imperfections are now embraced more than ever.”

“...especially with social media now, as soon as it feels too curated, it feels kind of dishonest. You need these things which feel like you have a little more access and that feel a little more surprising.”

“...the world that we live in now, to be successful you don’t have to be something for everyone.

You just need to be a whole lot of something for some people. And if you can garner a community around you, it will grow. It will spread. But it may not ever be for everyone. And that’s OK.”

“If you walk into a retail store on a snow day, the retail person might say, ‘How are you?’ On a busy day, it’s like, ‘How can I help you?’ […] I watch the young brands and buyers come into the store and they just want to keep it – I think the word is - openended, ‘How are you?’ Just real - keeping it real.”

7 6

Rahul Malik

S E S S I O N : W H AT R O L E C A N FA S H I O N P L AY I N T H E M E TAV E R S E “...if people buy into the fact that digital identity is something that people will increasingly care more about, then it’s only logical that fashion, which has such a powerful role in communicating our identity in day to day lives, could have a role to play in communicating digital identities.”

7.

Thom Bettridge Highsnobiety

@thomthomclub SESSION: IS THIS STREETWEAR? “...in order to show up in people’s lives as a modern fashion brand, you need to understand how to tap into this right-brain section of the attention economy.

A lot of brands are starting to understand that if they can find ways to show up in people’s lives and the sort of places where they’re most interested then they can suddenly take on a new meaning.”

SPECIAL EVENTS + COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS The community did not disappoint and brought the fire to PROJECT Las Vegas. Check out some of our most memorable moments from this season’s on-site special events.

PROJECT X RIVET DENIM AWARDS

01

PROJECT HAPPY HOUR X TEASPRESSA

And the winners are...

PROJECT and RIVET Magazine teamed up to honor the best of the best in denim at this season’s event.

Teaspressa’s beautiful cocktail kit makes for the perfect gift set and attendees enjoyed specialty cocktails on the show floor.

Best Women’s Collection: 7 For All Mankind

Best Sustainable Collection: Mavi

DJ COZMOS Best Storytelling: Scotch & Soda

Best Collaboration: PRPS

Editor’s Choice:

Dead. Than. Cool

02 03

Mike Sampson Jr. AKA DJ Coszmos kept the vibe right with his upbeat jams.

04

RITUAL WORKSHOP WITH J. SOUTHERN STUDIO J. Southern Studio hosted daily ritual kit workshops on the show floor.

Best Men’s Collection: Jack & Jones

Best Trend: Driftwood

PROJECT 2022 EVENT CALENDAR Be part of the PROJECT community. Join us at one of our upcoming events.

JULY 18-19

AUGUST 8-10

NEW VENUE: IRON 23 Contemporary apparel, footwear, and accessories market event featuring a curated mix of men’s and gender fluid collections, ranging from premium to affordable luxury price points.

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Contemporary men’s and women’s market event featuring apparel, footwear, and accessories at mid-market to premium price points.

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Brand featured in Photo: Todd Patrick

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