Page 64 - AVN May 2013

Feat_ILS.5.13 4/19/13 5:25 PM Page 64
Global Marketplace Lingerie isn’t the only international import on the ILS show floor
FEATURE
W
hile it’s known as the International
Lingerie Show, in recent years the
manufacturers and distributors of adult
novelties and pleasure products have taken
over booth space at the biannual show. And
this year was no exception.
ILS, which ran April 8-10, saw several companies touting
new products and partnerships, as well as promising big things
in the coming weeks. And many of these companies come
from overseas—both Asia and Europe.
After a few hiccups with customs issues and the FDA, Je
Joue had a big presence at the show with a booth and their
items on display with their new distributor, Eldorado. The
manufacturer’s Ami balls, which are Kegel exercisers, will soon
be available in a new color, company reps said. The fuchsia
will match the color options of other products. And Alicia
Relles of Je Joue noted a “soft touch” version of the MiMi will
be coming out in June.
“The vibrations are deeper … more rumbly,” Relles said.
Additionally, the company will be coming out with new
POS displays for stores that have charging station for any
combination of the five SKUs Je Joue offers, and a theft
device. The displays give retailers the ability to customize them
for their own needs, a company rep explained.
Jopen also had a presence on the show floor, with Brand
Manager Robin Stewart showing off the Vanity, Ego and Key
lines from the luxury manufacturer. The Envy line was
drawing plenty of attention, especially since Vibrators.com
recently published the results of an independent study that
named the trio of vibrators the strongest rechargeable vibrators
available, she said.
The hot-pink torpedo vibrators were also showcased at the
East Coast News booth, which had an early exclusive on the
Envy line.
Things were really popping at East Coast News throughout
the show, with many manufacturers’ reps on hand to educate
the distribution giant’s clients about their products. Among
the many brands that fielded representatives were California
Exotic Novelties, Doc Johnson, Evolved Novelties, Gvibe, ID
lubricants, Kama Sutra, Pipedream Products and We-Vibe.
Taking up a prominent chunk of wall space at the ECN
booth was the Zolo line, now in stock and shipping from
ECN. The collection of strokers offers users a range of textural
experiences in seven disposable cups and six compact sleeves.
The cups are pre-lubricated and feature an air control hole to
adjust suction. The Pocket Pool balls include a packet of lube
and are well suited for travel.
But perhaps the biggest news from East Coast News was
the arrival of Ovo, a line of luxury “lifestyle toys for
everyone” from a brand-new German manufacturer. The line
has already debuted in Europe but made its North American
debut at this show.
In a gleaming white display area with surfaces as sleek as the
pleasure products themselves, the new North American
representative answered questions about these eye-catching
cock rings and vibrators. Made of silicone and designed and
engineered in Germany, all of the products come with a 15-
64 | AVN.com | 5.13
year warranty. The packaging is just as elegant as the products themselves, which
have won recognition at recent Red Dot international design competitions.
Ovo’s introductory release consists of a range of 36 products broken up into
distinct categories, including rings (far too elegant to be called cock rings), loveballs
(aka Kegel exercisers), bullets, mini vibes, vibrators, rabbits and lay-ons (pebble-
style vibes). In addition to the design awards, the company holds 17 patents for a
variety of product features.
At the Ovo booth, show attendees could also inspect the POP display options.
The Ovo ring counter display received the VISCOM Bronze Medal at the interna-
tional exhibition in the high quality category. The five-tier modular wall display
Meet and Greet From
top left, Je Joue’s Alicia
Relles with Eldorado’s
Larry Garland; Jereme
and Adam Hasner of
Adventure Industries;
Liberator’s Michael
Kane; the Ovo booth.
Photos by Lee Austin/
EMMReport.com