Venue Tradeshow made its way back into downtown LA’s fashion district for it’s third semi-annual tradeshow. Every year Venue seems to get better and better. People were networking, a few up and coming brands had some heat, and the smell of money floated through the air.
“The market right now is wide open,” said Robbie Eala, founder and owner of Next Chapter Collective Sales Agency and panelist at Venue Tradeshow. According to Eala, the next big lifestyle brand has yet to emerge – and could have very well been present at Venue’s Summer 2014 show.
Founded by Miles Canares, Venue Tradeshow spotlights independent, emerging streetwear and lifestyle brands based locally, across the U.S. and internationally. The 2-day show held July 8 and 9 in The Cooper Building in Downtown Los Angeles was large enough to keep you occupied, but intimate enough to allow buyers, sellers, press and other industry professionals to shake hands and exchange business cards with everyone in the room.
Beinhabited, E The Real, Lifted Anchors, and United Schemers were among the brands exhibiting their Fall/Winter collections. The looks were diverse – from Casablank’s vinyl graphic tees sold in actual record sleeves to Stevin Gold’s combination of religious and rock and roll themes on quality fabrics.
In addition to providing a platform for indie brands, Venue offered other attractions, such as complimentary POP Water, live painting by Konfused and the Dopamine36 Print Lab. Those patient enough to wait in line went home with a free T-shirt screen-printed with designs by featured artists.
Day one ended with a design panel – Bana Bongolan (Crooks, LRG, YR, Beinhabited), Alvaro Santillana (Grizzly Griptape) and Lady Maximo (Dr. Jays and DJPremium.com) – while day two closed with a sales panel – Robbie Eala (Next Chapter), Chris Ngo (The Leverage) and Joann Jack (FIDM Instructor, Entrepreneur Day). Both discussions were hosted by Apparel Designer Jon Phenom.
All photos shot by Denzel Graves
To see more photos click here.
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