Collective Shows attracted a wide range of retailers and swim and active brands to the two-day show in Huntington Beach, Calif. this week.
Buyers came from outdoor powerhouses, department stores, resorts, golf courses, surf shops, swim boutiques and more, including Nordstrom, REI, Backcountry, Neiman Marcus, Sports Basement, Pebble Beach Resorts, Bikini Shoppe, Equinox, Canyon Ranch Resorts, Sun Diego, Tilly’s, Jack’s Surfboards, Tyler’s, and Fairmont Hotels.
Havaianas National Sales Manager Sandy Schwarzenbach was feeling pretty good Tuesday afternoon after picking up a new account from Indiana with 50 doors on college campuses.
“Today we wrote a $20,000 order we never would have expected,” he said. “You sometimes find gold in the smaller shows.”
Havaianas has some momentum right now given the renewed interest in three-point sandals and viral social media bump the brand is getting from its new “Square” design.
Both Billabong Swim and Hurley Women’s apparel exhibited at the show to let retailers know they brands were ready to do business after licensing changes.
Billabong Swim, previously licensed by Liberated Brands, which filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, is now part of O5 Apparel. Hurley Women’s apparel is now licensed by Mamiye Brothers.
“We are meeting with the majors that are here that we already do business with and looking for new opportunities as well,” said Chelsea Caputo of Billabong.
Men’s brands also showed at Collective, including Party Pants, Cova, and Municipal.
“It’s the third Collective show we have done, and it’s important for us to be here so people can put a face to a name and get to know us,” said Michael Sorel, national sales manager of the active lifestyle brand co-owned by actor Mark Wahlberg. The Municipal team met with high end golf courses, surf shops, and casino resorts at the show.
Collective Shows, at the oceanfront Paséa Hotel and Spa, offers many perks and events, including catered breakfasts and lunches, a fashion show and evening reception, and morning exercise classes.
