Yesterday, June 5, 2012, stylish distributors and suppliers came together for the second annual Fashion-EAST-a Lunch & Learn at PROMOTIONS EAST. Volunteers from sponsoring organizations modeled styles from 20 participating suppliers. Ash City USA, Tri-Mountain and Vantage Apparel showcased corporate apparel and outerwear, while Bodek and Rhodes and Broder Bros. displayed more casual looks like T-shirts. Accessories came in the form of bags, caps and stuffed animals. Leed’s showed an array of their business bags, ranging from computer bags to backpacks, while Vitronic Promotional Group had a Teddy Bear come down the runway. The apparel and accessories shown highlighted industry staples and current trends.
According to Mary Ellen Nichols, director of marketing communications for Philadelphia-based Bodek and Rhodes, any garment that fits the youth market is trendy right now. “28 percent of the entire demographic is now Generation X or Gen Y,” she said. This demographic calls for contemporary styles, necklines and cuts. Nichols, who provided commentary during the show, listed the hottest trends as burnout, ombre, 3/4 sleeves and hoodies.
Not only did the event allow suppliers to showcase new styles and give distributors a unique view of the latest looks, it also gave attendees samples of the trends. Each seat held a bag with an Alternative Apparel T-shirt and a Bella+Canvas T-shirt, as well as a Promotional Apparel Seller’s Guide from event sponsor Alpha | Broder | N.E.S., Teamwear catalog and a list of the garments shown.
Stay tuned to Promo Marketing’s Facebook page for videos from the event.
