Page 64 - AVN May 2015

FEATURE
ACHIEVING ALTITUDE
New show, new space, new products
FEATURE | By Sherri L. Shaulis and Sharan Street
by the newly formed Lingerie Industry
Altitude Intimates, the first event sponsored
Association, got off to a fashion-
forward start at Planet Hollywood Hotel
and Casino in Las Vegas, drawing some of the
same manufacturers that were mainstays of the
International Lingerie Show. But though many faces
were the same, other aspects of Altitude Intimates
differed from ILS.
The show took over three exhibit halls at Planet
Hollywood, with the larger space mostly filled with
lingerie manufacturers. The second largest—dubbed
the Sexy Studio—was where most of the pleasure
product manufacturers and distributors were located.
A third, much smaller space featured a handful of
exhibitors showcasing apparel and accessories.
While the original intent of Altitude was meant
to focus primarily on lingerie manufacturers, once
the International Lingerie Show announced it would
no longer produce shows, many manufacturers and
distributors of pleasure products made the move to
the new event.
Attendees enjoyed the location—right on the
Strip—as well as the setup of the new show. And
many also were pleased with the new format for the
fashion show, always a centerpiece at ILS. At Altitude
Intimates, the fashion show was held in the morning
on the first day. After loading up with hearty brunch
fare and a glass of champagne, buyers settled into
seats along a runway that extended the length of the
London Club at Planet Hollywood. As a DJ pumped
out club music, models strutted back and forth
wearing ensembles designed by Coquette, Dreamgirl,
Elegant Moments, Gregg Homme, Leg Avenue, Magic
Silk, Male Power, Rago, Ravewear, Roma, Patrice
Catanzano and Impudique by Charlotte Catanzano.
Offered right at the beginning of Altitude, the
event served as an overview to what buyers would
see during the two-day event. With the long runway
lined by rows of seats, the show offered
up-close views of the wares as well as a list of
style numbers.
64 | AVN.com | 5.17
SEEN AT ALTITUDE From left, the Sexy Studio at Altitude, where the pleasure product manufacturers exhibited; two members of the Eldorado Trading team; the
booth for High Jinx, a new “420 lifestyle” brand from the designers of Dreamgirl. Photos by Hew Burney.
ATTENDEES ENJOYED THE LOCATION—
RIGHT ON THE STRIP—AS WELL AS THE
SETUP OF THE NEW SHOW. AND MANY
ALSO WERE PLEASED WITH THE NEW
FORMAT FOR THE FASHION SHOW.
The lion’s share of the runway fare came from Coquette and Dreamgirl, with the first 25 items provided by
Coquette. The Canadian company kept its palette to basic black, pastel pink, lilac and orchid, exploring mesh and
lace in various combinations. Among the highlights were two babydoll ensembles. One had a full skirt with a
pink knit lining topped by black mesh; the other featured a delicate sheer lace layer over a g-string, cinched with a
black satin sash under the bustline.
Magic Silk followed Coquette, starting off with a cream-colored teddy of floral lace with a midriff-baring cutout.
The company also showcased fetish-tinged black lingerie and items from its Male Power collections, including a
wet-look tank and mini short.
More beefcake was on view in selections from Gregg Homme, including its Bonded 3pc—which featured black
thong undies, a harness and a belt with a thigh strap on one side—and the Menz Jock, with elastic black bands
framing the wearer’s buns.
Adding a high-fashion feel were items from a new French collection, Impudique by Charlotte Catanzano.
As with similar items from Patrice Catanzano (Charlotte’s papa), these styles featured intricate detailing and
feminine names for the styles, such as Sarah, Mia and Lina. One particular standout was the Elektra set: bra,
suspender belt and G-string, with triangle-shaped fabric holding up the hose. In addition, the fashion show also
featured club-ready dresses from Patrice Catanzano.
Other notable items included a full bodysuit from Leg Avenue with faux garters and off-the-shoulder neckline;
Roma’s mauve teddy with attached black stockings; and Raveware’s sporty black-and-white bustline-baring
football “jersey” and garter belt with a lace-up front that resembles football pants.
Twenty styles from Dreamgirl ended the show, beginning with a garter slip that offered a sexy take on the
bandage dress. The company also showcased some of its teddies underneath skin-tight jeans (both shorts and
full-length pants), and the selection of items covered a wide color spectrum, including soft gray satin, midnight
blue, teal, deep purple, hot pink, and multiple shades of red.
Later in the afternoon, the fashion show was reprised—a helpful arrangement for those who got a late start
after the opening cocktail party on Sunday night. In between there was plenty of time to explore the exhibit halls.
All of the regular members of the Lingerie Industry Association were in the Celebrity Ballroom—Allure,
Coquette, Dreamgirl, Elegant Moments, Escanté, Fantasy Lingerie, Hoss International, J. Valentine, Mapelé by
Espiral and Roma—along with many other companies, including several from Europe.