Trade shows - the other side of the Fashion World

Everyone knows all about Fashion Week.
It's all about couture fashions and buzz. Designers want to get the word out about what's coming.
But the other important part of the equation happened this week. In the industry, they just call it "market."
At Piers 92 and 94 on the West Side Highway, individual showrooms, and other locations across New York City, thousands of buyers from across the country took a look at spring lines in almost every category, from couture to t-shirts, and placed their orders for spring.


(at left) Jewelry designer Gerard Yosca, who lives part time in Ocean Grove, talks up his spring line with a customer at the Coterie Trade Show earlier this week in New York City.



Buyers check out the spring line from Alice + Olivia during the Coterie Trade Show, held earlier this week in New York City.






In general, the market reflected trends shown by the couture lines. A big overall theme seems to be a look that is a mix of the 1960s - early Jackie Kennedy mixed with the late '60s mod a la "Laugh In."



Some booths have live models to show off the latest looks. Here, model Lea Muses, shows off the new high-waisted jeans from the denim line Maxime Cossoguy.


The hot Arizona desert color scheme - yellow, terra cotta, aqua - seemed to pop up a lot, too.
What else did we see?
- Empire waist dresses
- Tunic tops
- Peasant blouses
- Pattern, especially bold, geometric prints
- Clever detailing such as crochet trims
- Embellishments using big stones
- Long dresses with deep v fronts and halter necks or spaghetti straps
- more high-rise jeans
- metallic leather purses