In contrast to the comparatively dead scene at other Las Vegas apparel trade shows, PROJECT February 2009 was packed for its first two days, leaving little space for dancing and drinking at the party-themed show. Instead attendees were busy browsing and writing orders, with spare time for carousing and people watching.
Based on the light attendance at MAGIC Premium, Street, S.L.A.T.E. and POOL on Wednesday and Thursday, it seems like Project cannibalized attendance from other shows.
This season the PROJECT exhibitors were showing a greater diversity of styles, a refreshing break from the tattoo-print t-shirts and embroidered denim that dominated PROJECT in Fall 2008. The show floor was fully booked with a very cohesive set of exhibitors, with some exhibitors being moved from PROJECT to MAGIC Premium because there either was no space for them, or because the line didn’t quite fit in with PROJECT.
Business seemed brisk, with the few exhibitors we asked reporting a steady stream of buyers. We’d like to report based on more interviews, but we missed nearly all of our interviews because the exhibitors never got a break from buyers – a problem for our reporters, but a good sign for the health of the industry.
UPDATE: California Apparel news reports that the PROJECT show downsized this season, from 500,000 sq ft in August to 300,000 sq ft in February. The reduced floor space may have contributed to the sense of crowding.
