Page 62 - AVN May 2016

by SHERRI L.SHAULIS & SHARANSTREET
Now Trending New and notable fashions at the International Lingerie Show
FEATURE
The International Lingerie Show took place April 4-6 at Rio All-Suites Hotel
& Casino Convention Center in Las Vegas, giving buyers a peek what’s new in
intimate wear. In addition to such stalwarts as Coquette, Dreamgirl, Elegant
Moments, Fantasy Lingerie, Forplay, Rene Rofe, Roma and many other familiar
names, there were some new lines showcased and a new feature added: a program
of seminars featuring industry experts.
In addition, for the first time in recent memory, International Lingerie Show
organizers made some major changes to the opening-night fashion show, and the
gamble looks to have paid off.
Rather than open seating and appetizers for attendees, buyers and exhibitors
were treated to a sit-down dinner and models wandering through the aisles and
past tables to give everyone up close and personal looks at the latest fashions and
trends.
While, in past years, Halloween costumes dominated the fashion show stage for
the spring show, this year it was bridal sets of all types that took center stage.
Adult distributor Eldorado led the way with a number of selections they offer
to retailers nationwide. One model’s Classic Bachelorette outfit featured a satin
and lace corset from Shirley of Hollywood caped off with a Sassigirl veil and a
sash from OMG. The finishing touch was the Dicky Selfie Stick from Pipedream
Products.
The distributor also had a model decked out in a Naughty Bachelorette
ensemble, which was comprised of a Dreamgirl Microfiber Halter Dress, which
is exclusive to Eldorado. Accessories for the outfit were the Little Genie Flashing
Feather Boa, the Pipedream Products Flashing Pecker Veil and the Light-Up
Diamond Shot Glass from Hott Products.
For all the bridal fashions, Eldorado managed to include husbands-to-be with
the Relaxed Pant Style from Jack Adam, another Eldorado exclusive. The pants
were paired with the Bachelor Party Groom Glasses from Forum Novelties.
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While costumes were not as prevalent this year, there were still companies who
presented models decked out in a number of superhero-themed garments during
the show.
Chaza Fashions sponsored models with outfits that could easily make the
transition from party to the bedroom. Included in the show were a Spider Woman
ensemble that included a bright red knit suit that ties around the neck and
decorated with sparkly spiders over the bra area and an attached blue bottom with
red mesh leggings suspended by black sparkling spider webs. The company also
features a sexy Freddie Krueger outfit with a red and black block striped long-
sleeved top with matching boy short bottoms and a satin black and brown Freddie
Kruger hat.
Highest Heel showcased a Wonder Woman costume from Delicious of NY’s
“DC Comics” Ultra Deluxe Collection. The ensemble includes a fitted lame gown
with a side slit, gauntlets and a tiara.
Also heavily featured in the show was menswear, which represents a growing
segment of the industry. Participants in the fashion show included Greg Homme,
Andrew Christian and Cocksox, and items showcased ran the gamut from thongs
to underwear briefs to butt-lifting jocks.
The fashion show wasn’t the only place to learn about trends. Among the
educational talks during ILS took place on the second day of the show, when Seven
’til Midnight’s Vinh Luong gave a presentation titled “Translating Lingerie Trends
to Sales.”
Luong, who’s been in the lingerie game since 2000, outlined four key trends in
the intimate apparel realm:
• Plus sizes: The average American woman is size 14, and plus sizes represent
65 percent of the potential market—yet sales volume is only 18 percent. “We are
not offering enough product to get her into the store,” Luong postulated.
• Active lifestyle: Sports bras, crop tops and shorts are selling briskly, she says.
Think mesh and sports-inspired bra and panty sets.
• Loungewear: Retailers should capitalize on the “nesting” trend with pajamas
and loungewear that can be worn on quick errands as well as around that house,
such as jersey two-piece sets, camisoles and shorts, and rompers.
• The “Coachella look”: Bohemian stylings with crochet-like lace and fringe that
evoke the Summer of Love are also on Luong’s radar: “This year we’re going to see
it big.”
But Seven ’til Midnight doesn’t chase after every trend, Luong said. “We have to
analyze trends to make sure they make sense for our customers.” She asks herself,
“Is this piece Instagrammable? Will it look good on the rack?” She pointed out a
couple more trendlets with illustrations from her lines, including back detailing
(especially with lace and straps). “We’re seeing navy as a very big color,” she said,