Press Release:
LAUNCH LA Announces First Batch Of Approved Exhibitors
Santa Monica, CA (January 3, 2012) LAUNCH LA—a new trade event reserved for select brands to be held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on July 25-26, 2012—is pleased to announce that the event’s panel of advisory jurors has approved the following twenty brands to exhibit at the show.
Aether
Ambsn
Baxter Of California
Field Notes
Freedom Artists
Grover
Howe
Incipio
KissinCussin (Australia)
Krochet Kids
Lifetime Collective
Lightning Bolt
Reigning Champ
Seea Swimwear
SLVDR
Stance
Tallow
Tavik Swimwear
The Furies
Wellen
LAUNCH LA was created in order to provide a select group of design-driven brands, influential buyers and media a needed alternative to the trade shows currently available on the West Coast.
The event’s panel of experienced and influential experts screen each potential exhibiting company based on quality, design and originality in order to ensure the event includes the best possible product assortment from leading men’s and women’s contemporary fashion labels, footwear and accessories brands, lifestyle and action sports lines, as well as swim, apothecary, and technical collections.
The event is limited to 150 total brand studios, and structured to accommodate young, emerging labels as well as established designers and collections.
Additional accepted brands will be announced over the coming months as the advisory jury processes their applications. To learn more about each of the first twenty brands to be accepted, continue reading.
AETHER (www.aetherapparel.com)
AETHER is a pure expression of form and function. By utilizing technologically advanced fabrics in a more sophisticated form, the collection offers sportswear for the outdoor enthusiast who wants function without sacrificing modern design and aesthetics.
Ambsn (www.ambsn.com)
Ambsn was launched in 2001 by brothers Dylan and Dustin Odbert, as a fundraiser for their friend, Cameron Clapp, who was hit by a train losing both of his legs and right arm. Cameron’s medical bills were covered and he made a speedy recovery, walking on new prosthetics in less than year. The collection is now located in San Clemente CA, selling to the best skate, surf and contemporary shops across the U.S. of A.
Baxter Of California (www.baxterofcalifornia.com)
Baxter Of California was founded by Baxter Finley in 1965 and has been leading thecharge of mens’ grooming for 45 years. Today the brand has a new look and feel with updated packaging, exciting new imagery, new cutting-edge men’s products that target very specific skincare needs, and improved formulations that combine the trusted traditions of science with fine ingredients with nature. Ideal for all skin types, the high-tech assortment works alone or in tandem, providing men with intelligent skincare solutions to anti-aging, shaving, cleansing and basic skincare.
Field Notes (www.fieldnotesbrand.com)
Inspired by the vanishing subgenre of agricultural memo books, ornate pocket ledgers and the simple, unassuming beauty of a well-crafted grocery list, the Draplin Design Company, Portland, Oregon in conjunction with Coudal Partners of Chicago, Illinois bring you “FIELD NOTES” in hopes of offering, “An honest memo book, worth fillin’ up with good information.”
Freedom Artists (www.freedomartists.com)
Freedom Artists is an independent art-based clothing label. Its mission is to provide an environment that allows artists the freedom and independence to create and showcase some of their best work.
Grover
Grover is a mens’ basics line that is entirely produced in the USA. It takes a strong position on quality of materials and production as well as impeccable product design. The brand focuses on a few strong silhouettes in order to provide retailers with the ability to make constant and quick reorders.
See Page 2 for more details about exhibitors
Howe (www.hauseofhowe.com)
Launched by designer Jade Howe in 2001, the brand was quickly recognized for its West Coast perspective. Since then, Howe has evolved into a premium lifestyle brand for men who confidently embrace the freedom and adventure of expression through work and play. Howe illustrates a sleek, innovative and authentic approach to men’s fashion culture while speaking to those who know what they like and strive to find things that are different and exciting.
Incipio (www.myincipio.com)
At Incipio we dream big and never settle for the status quo. Our sole focus is to provide customers with accessories that look as good as they function. Our shared love for mobile devices and accessories fuels our passion to create the best accessories on the planet. In the past 12 years, we have gone from operating out of a suburban garage to being widely recognized as one of themost innovative mobile accessory makers in the world. And we’re just getting started.
KissinCussin (www.kissincussin.com.au)
KissinCussin is the brain-child of cousins Jess Brown and Hayley Maynard. The label, already making waves on the Australian fashion scene since its conception in 2007, was founded out of passion when the girls volunteered to rebuild a small Sri Lankan village in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami.
Krochet Kids (www.krochetkids.org)
Buy a hat, change a life. Krochet Kids was founded in 2007 in order to empower people to rise above poverty. The organization’s vision is to create sustainable economic development programs that support holistic growth of individuals and communities within developing nations, as well as to inspire the knowledge of a generation about their ability to bring change to a world that is in need.
Lifetime Collective (www.lifetimecollective.com)
Founded in 2002 by Reid Stewart and Trevor Fleming, beneath a buzzing light bulb in a dingy basement suite, The Lifetime Collective began as a collaborative group of artists and friends. With clothing as the main focus, Lifetime is inspired by the communities we live in, the places we travel to, and the curious characters that surround us. It is a family-spirited operation receptive to ideas that are shifting and paths that are twisting. More than a “brand of lifestyle,” Lifetime is defined by the changes that occur and the creative ways we adapt. In fact, the theme of Lifetime should be, “a work in progress,” as it is ever-changing and far from finished, a dream never fully realized.
Lightning Bolt (www.lightningbolt-usa.com)
The seed of Lightning Bolt began in 1968 when Jack Shipley met Gerry Lopez while mutually shaping for Surfline Hawaii and today it remains a pure source of inspiration. Lightning Bolt believes that surf is more than just a sport—it is a way of life, a way of mental and physical self-development, where there are no winners or losers.
Reigning Champ (www.reigningchamp.com)
From the famed CYC design corporation and head designer Craig Atkinson come their newest venture in the form of Reigning Champ. The collection emphasizes quality, design, fit and details only a discerning eye can recognize. Clever simplicity is key, targeting a more educated customer that can recognize these elements making these garments that can be worn for years to come.
Seea Swimwear (www.theseea.com)
A celebration of the style, rhythm, and grace of women’s surfing. The Seea suits are born to surf, and carefully crafted in sunny California.
SLVDR (www.slvdr.com)
The SLVDR aesthetic is deeply rooted in timeless design and attention to detail. The casual Southern California lifestyle of growing up at the beach, mountains, and empty backyard pools combined with inspiration from travels around the world mix together to form the inspiration for design. Attainable luxury summarizes the brand direction in that SLVDR provides premium materials andfinishes in an obtainable product.
Stance (www.stance.com)
STANCE unravels the spool of convention to create an original canvas worthy of the art it is paired with. A commune of creativity, STANCE is dedicated to the spirit of individuality. Celebrate bold expression with this free-thinking fabric as it becomes thread poetry in motion. Send a crystal clear mixed message that’s silently loud and quietly bold. Designed in California, worn everywhere.
Tallow (www.tallowgallery.com)
Tallow is a contemporary women’s brand which embraces the exquisiteness, grace andvitality of female surfing—A celebration of surfing as a pass time, a culture and an expression of self. The product is a unique collection of swimwear, wetsuits, apparel and accessories (which carries with it a distinct sophistication and authenticity to the core, designed for functionality, practicality and relevance).
Tavik Swimwear (www. tavikswimwear.com)
TAVIK is an elevated lifestyle brand that designs and fabricates premium apparel and accessories for the active, music-minded individual. After six years of success as a men’s collection, TAVIK decided to expand by licensing out the category of swimwear through a key partnership. The company’s swim line has been met with major success in retail outlets ranging from Urban Outfitters to Neiman Marcus.
The Furies (thekorffkounsil.com)
From design guru Rikke Korff, the idea behind The Furies was to make a line of womens’ garments that make life easier and more pleasant. Not complicated or uncomfortable. Taking inspiration from how men are able to throw a t-shirt on and look sexy and strong is what Korff says inspired the line, which is sold at better boutiques across the country.
Wellen (www.wellensurf.com)
Wellen is a higher-end beach lifestyle brand. Not necessarily focused on surf, butenjoying the beach in its entirety. Friends and Family. Living a life inspired by the ocean. Feeling the stoke of a good surf session. Drawstring swim trunks. Riding a vintage Bicycle. The Flapping of Sailcloth in the wind. Enjoying an ice cold glass of beer. A crisp white button-down shirt and a pair of khakis. The sound of a bar of wax on a board. Lobster with garlic butter. A vintage VW bus. The bounce of a tennis ball. A crackling fire. A life well spent. This is Wellen. Come play!
For more information on LAUNCH LA, contact Joshua Hunter at jhunter@launchshow.com or visit www.launchshow.com
Exhibit Application Form: https://www.launchshow.com/ApplytoExhibit.aspx
Retailer & Media Registration: https://www.launchshow.com/RegistertoAttend.aspx
