8:37a.m. — Bright and early, here’s your loyal correspondent, blogging live from the PPAI Fashion & Accessories Show. Despite its 8:30 a.m. starting time, there’s a more-than-adequate turnout, though according to a few of my row companions, it’s considerably less than years past. The coffee hasn’t yet dispersed through my system, and I can kind of see how this could be that much more fun with cocktails instead.
8:41 — The lights dim 10 minutes late, and I can’t help but think of Marc Jacobs’ two-hours-overdue N.Y. Fashion Week opening. Good to know our industry can keep “fashionably late” from approaching diva-like proportions!
8:43 — The chairman of PPAI is up talking about how businesses are looking to become more relevant in the eyes of their customers and promotional products is the way to achieve that connection. He cites this as being the “Golden Age of Promotional Products” and tells distributors to go forth and create value, instead of just fulfilling demand.
8:49 — Bam Bams kick off the show with a choreographed dance number to Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” I gotta say, from my perch in the second tier, it does look pretty cool to see show-goers clapping their Bam Bams together (light-up, blow-up audience involvement devices).
8:53 — Despite the fact that the models look like they just woke up (I keep wanting to yell out Tyra-ism: “Smile with your eyes!”), Capital Mercury Apparel sends the first crew down the runway in various buttondown shirts and polos from their Bill Blass, Arnold Palmer and Nyne lines. The polo colors in particular are vibrant, rich, and paired with khakis, they look great under the stage lights.
8:57 — I’m not understanding why each line is being punctuated with superhero-movie vignettes (so far, we’ve seen clips from Spiderman and Underdog).
8:59 — Evans Manufacturing. Okay, this is getting interesting. Models are now strutting with dogs dressed as humans to promote its pet-accessories line. It’s a bit unclear as to which products are being promoted, but I’m thinking it’s the pet-food clips, hats, umbrellas and totes, rather than the doggie clown suit or tuxedo, that are supposed to be capturing our attention.
9:03 — Ooooh, I get the vignettes now. Each clip is representing the type of apparel that is coming next. Apparently my coffee still hasn’t kicked in. This time, a scene from The Office sets the stage for work apparel. And kudos for using one of my all-time faves, when Jim dresses up as Dwight. Hilarious.
9:04 — My notes say “great music choice,” but since I neglected to jot down the song name, you’ll just have to take my word for it. PremiumWear is up next, showcasing jackets, longer-length tunics and the ubiquitous polo.
9:06 — I’m beginning to wonder just how distributors are discerning which items to love. Fabric quality and feel are such an important part of choosing promotional apparel, how can they tell what’s going to work?
9:07— Charles River’s got some great-looking fleece vests.
9:10 — Gabrielle Rohde Royce. The men’s styles coordinate to the ladies’! That never happens… My seatmate, Meghan DeFrancesco, PM’s regional sales manager for the west coast, points out that once of GRR’s polos has ruching by its top buttons. Unexpected and cute detail.
9:11 — Dance break. A lyrical-turned-salsa number to open the organics portion of the show.
9:15 — Why does organic apparel always evoke visions of head-to-toe khaki? Bodek and Rhodes’ models are looking cool in Abercrombie & Fitch-esque styling (if A&F models actually wore clothes in its quarterly, that is). Great bags!
9:21 — A big, dancing iPod taking its turn down the runway.
9:25 — R.S. Owens. Loving the fact that your models are acting like they have a reason to be there. Good-looking awards, and though they’re not exactly accessories, I’ll let it slide.
Well that’s all that my sensory-overloaded brain can put into words at the moment. If you’re reading from Vegas, come by booth 5455 to hang with the PM crew.
Cheers!
