African designers and fashion professionals in general, if you are really serious about the business of fashion, WWD Magic (part of the Magic Show) held in Las Vegas, twice a year, is one trade show event dedicated to apparel that you should try to attend.
“Fashion’s most comprehensive collection of women’s apparel, accessories and footwear, WWDMAGIC showcases more than 2,000 emerging to established labels across every pricepoint and trend. Presented in collaboration with Women’s Wear Daily, WWDMAGIC features expert fashion forecasts, exclusive networking events, cutting-edge seminars and all the styles of the season.
Buzzing with the energy of the leading junior and young contemporary brands, Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center is now the dedicated destination for everything fresh in young women’s fashion. At the heart of Central Hall is WWDMAGIC’s media-minded trend center, The Concourse. Here, a hyper-cool collective of interactive exhibits serves as homebase for the industry’s hippest fashion bloggers, syndicating live amidst the excitement of the show floor.
Located across the lobby from Central Hall, in North Hall, WWDMAGIC presents an upscale and ultra-fashionable new environment featuring the most sophisticated and sought-after in women’s collections. In addition to spotlighting a superior selection of quality and refinement, the new North Hall experience is host to Heart of Prêt, a partnership with legendary European fashion salon, Prêt à Porter Paris. This premier showcase presents top French and European designers, many making their debut in the U.S. market.”
WWDMagic just wrapped some of its activities this past February 12th-15th, 2012. One of the many activities at the trade event was ‘Launch Pad.’
Launch Pad at WWDMAGIC was a (s)uccess among designers, buyers and bloggers, giving twenty emerging ready-to-wear apparel and accessory designers the opportunity to showcase their lines. The featured brands included Sonas Denin, Shop Gia, Unspoken Lingerie, Zone 6, USA, me2Roo, Kuero, Danilo Gabrielli, Astrid Land, Divine Inspiration, Blanc Blouse, Flow by Tara Davis, Lizzie Parker, and Carrie Parry. One to note from the group is Lizzie Parker, you can watch her in the upcoming NBC reality show Fashion Star, hosted by Elle Macpherson, premering in March on NBC .
Chris DeMoulin, MAGIC International President and Executive Vice President of Advan star’s Fashion Group, explains “MAGIC places all areas of fashion under one roof, to connect and inspire the fashion community – and when we looked around at the 360 degree view of the show – we realized there was an area in our community that we could serve better. . .”
Check out a few pictures provided courtesy WWDMagic.
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
