Alternative Fashion Exhibitions

As usual, our Londonedge and Londoncentral exhibitors pulled it out of the bag in February with some fantastically creative, bright and beautiful stand designs. After careful consideration the organisers chose the winners and awarded them with some special gifts from Alchemy. So, here they are….LONDONEDGEFirst up was newbie Bow & Crossbones who transformed their stand in to a retro living room and won the Best Stand award at Londonedge.Also at Londonedge, Limb were the Runners Up for their ever-colourful stand and it’s glamorous boudoir vibe.LONDONCENTRALDown below in Londoncentral, Prison Blues won Best Stand for their inspired jail-themed stand which showcased their denim 50’s cut jeans and shirts made by inmates in Oregon.Death Fresh Clothing were awarded with the Runners Up prize for their simple but homely, character-filled space.New brand Dude Shoes were also highly-commended as we loved their shoes boxes disguised at TV sets!Well done to the winners and thanks to everyone for making such a huge effort with their stands at each an every show!

A flock of new exhibitors will be seen at Londonedge and Londoncentral in February hailing from both the UK and overseas. New products will span clothing, jewellery, accessories and giftware with steampunk and tattoo-inspired designs growing in popularity.

Birmingham-based jewellery and accessories company Bow and Crossbones are now in their second year of trade and Londonedge will be their first trade show.

Designer and manufacturer Camilla Huggins said: “I started making pieces for myself but soon realised there was a market for my designs. At the show I’ll be looking for independent boutiques who are looking for unique products.” Her vintage and kitsch jewellery is inspired by horror, tattoos, rockabilly and steampunk. Visit www.bowandcrossbones.com to see more.

Dracula Clothing – aristocrat and goth clothing, made in asia, primarily womenswear including blouses, tops, dresses, coats and skirts. Styles include corsets, kimonos, PVC dresses and raincoats www.draculaclothing.com

Rawkahula are a brand new Londonedge exhibitor hailing from Belgium. Launched in 2009 by a former band merchandise designer, Rawkahula is heavily influenced by rock and roll, cars, punk and girls! The philosophy of the brand is affordable fashion that doesn’t compromise on quality and all products are hand printed and produced locally. Rawkahula also believe that rock and roll tees shouldn’t only be black and have introduced olive green, brick red, denim blue, mustard and more to their range. See their full range at www.rawkahula.com.

Alexander Tasou is the designer behind Hi Tek Designs and started creating accessories back in the 80s. Industrial design and surrealism have always been hugely important concepts within his collection of sunglasses, hats, masks, belts, watches, clocks and bags.

Alexander’s designs have been used by the film industry (Judge Dredd / Demolition Man) and his accessories and custom-produced leather and metal outfits have been worn by celebrities including Michael Jackson, Take That, Natalie Cole and Anita Baker.

At Londonedge in February Alexander will launch a brand new line of feminine tailored clothing with a gothic twist as well as exhibiting gothic and steampunk sunglasses and watches, industrial steampunk bags, clubwear and dancewear. Visit www.alexanderhitek.com to see more.

The next Londonedge and Londoncentral will take place from 7-9^th February 2010 at Olympia 2, London, W14. For further information please contact +44 (0) 1162 898 249 or info@londonedge.com. Visit www.londonedge.com.

The winner of a Londonedge-sponsored design competition in Riga, Latvia is set to bring her brand new range to Londoncentral in February.

The competition took place in March 2009 during Riga Fetish Fashion Week and 5 finalists were tasked with completing a fetish-themed design in 8 hours. The winner was Anete Dzene with her modernised pin-up inspired look. Anete won a cash prize and a stand at Londoncentral in February 2010 where she will showcase her first big collection. The range includes ready-to-wear female clothing including skirts, trousers, jackets, blouses, leggings and tops plus accessories.

Anete said: “My new collection is manufactured using cotton and silk with colours ranging from shades of green, beige, orange, black and dark red. I have also incorporated rose patterns that were widely seen in 80s fashion.”

With the Baltic states boasting more models that anywhere else in the world and Riga Fashion Week now taking place twice yearly, Latvia is a growing market. Young designers have been schooled in the business of fashion as well as the creative side and Latvia is now producing much more wearable and saleable fashion.

The next Londonedge and Londoncentral will take place from 7-9^th February 2010 at Olympia 2, London, W14. For further information please contact +44 (0) 1162 898 249 or info@londonedge.com. Visit www.londonedge.com.

Last week we had some fantastic stands at Londonedge and Londoncentral and to pay homage to our wonderfully creative clients, we handed out some stand awards.

LONDONEDGE

The horrifically fantastic Kreepsville 666 took home the prize for Best Stand upstairs at Londonedge.

 The Runners up were the guys at Wax with their biketastic stand, packed full of adrenalin!

Highly Commended at Londonedge were the newbies Marshall & Co with their gorgeous bright white and illuminated stand which showed off their corsets to perfection.

Downstairs at Londoncentral, the standard was just as high and Monkee Genes took home the Best Stand award.

The Runner Up award went to first-timers Killer Strawberry and their stand which was adorned with gorgeous artwork.

Newbies Fish & Flower came is as Highly Commended with an eye-catching stand that buyers just couldn’t miss!

As black leather, velvet and monochrome hit the high street this Winter, alternative trade exhibition Londonedge is the perfect hunting ground for the latest dark trends. From black chunky knits at Ruby Rocks to monochrome men’s shirts at Lip Service and lush velvet corsets at Burleska, Londonedge encourages you to go back to black with a modern take on this age-old trend.      Managing director Carole Hunter said: “As an alternative trade exhibition, Londonedge has become synonymous with black but we’re not all about goth and emo fashion. Black is a huge trend in various styles this season and you’ll find the best of them all at the show in September.” Over-the-knee leather boots, studded dresses and flouncing regal designs have all been plucked from the catwalk and filtered down to the high street in 2009 / 2010 and all are featured on the floor at Londonedge. From new-goth to neo-grunge, emo and these latest trends, Londonedge has been a source of inspiration for the high street time and time again.  Londonedge and Londoncentral will take place from 6-8^th September 2009 at Olympia 2, London, W14. For further information please contact +44 (0) 1162 898 249 or info@londonedge.com. Visit www.londonedge.com.

Organisers at fashion trade exhibitions Londonedge and Londoncentral have noted an 8% increase in new exhibitors signing up for the next exhibition in September 09.

The number of new brands at the last show made up 10% of exhibitors but this season that number has jumped to 18%, indicating increased confidence in the market amongst fledgling brands.

Managing director, Carole Hunter said: “We’re seeing a lot of small, relatively new companies signing up to the exhibition which shows that designers and manufacturers aren’t afraid to get out there and compete with more established brands to sell their products. This faith is supported by our continued determination to support young and small design companies by providing very small stands and through our Sponsorship Schemes. The results are great news for both retailers and customers who are looking for something a little different!”

Strange Monster is a boutique t-shirt company based in Portland, Oregon. Making tees for the strange at heart, this 7 year old brand offer hand-printed garments for men and women featuring gothic, graphic and urban designs. Visit http://www.strangemonster.com/ to see more.

Bringing eclectic jewellery to Londoncentral, Cherry Bombshell will exhibit a range of alternative, emo, retro and kitsch necklaces, bracelets, earrings rings and badges.

This will be the first trade show for designer Kirsty Elliott and her fledgling brand which was launched in March 2008. See her designs at http://www.cherrybombshellindustries.co.uk/.

She said: “The wholesale side of the business started as I was getting an increasing amount of interest from people wanting stock the products. At the moment we are stocked across Europe and at Londoncentral I will be looking to increase on that and target independent boutiques.”

Certified fair-wear tee brand Killer Strawberry started life four years ago in London’s iconic Camden Lock Market as the brainchild on Fine Art student Alan Burdett. His hand-printed tees are excellent quality with 100% pre-shrunk combed cotton adorned with his own illustrations focusing on the power of nature. See his work at http://www.killerstrawberry.com/.

Londoncentral will also be the first trade show for Leeds-based Awesome Badges who will be exhibiting their range of products and services to retailers. Awesome Badges manufacture a range of products including stickers, plectrums, pocket mirrors, keyrings, bottle openers and of course…. badges.

Their existing clients include record labels, sports teams, charities, schools and businesses and the team will be looking to increase their customer base at the exhibition. See more at http://www.awesomebadges.co.uk/.

Labeled Insane has grown rapidly from its epicentre in California in recent years with a range of tattoo and extreme sports-inspired clothing. As well as making their debut at Londoncentral in September, Labeled Insane will present the first showing of their new womenswear range.

The next Londonedge and Londoncentral will take place from 6-8^th September 2009 at Olympia 2, London, W14. For further information please contact +44 (0) 1162 898 249 or info@londonedge.com. Visit http://www.londonedge.com/.

Londoncentral is pleased to announce that US streetwear label Ed Hardy will be exhibiting in the UK for the first time at Olympia 2 in September.

Official distributor, Groovy UK Ltd has been operating for 15 years and will be bringing Ed Hardy and Hello Kitty to the streetwear section of the show.

 Martin Butler, managing director of Groovy UK Ltd said: “Groovy UK Ltd is the official distributor for Ed Hardy fashion bags, belts, jewellery, barware, lighting and lighters. We plan to develop the Ed Hardy brand in the UK, taking it to the next level by placing the brand in key department stores and mail order retailers. Groovy UK are specialists in brand development and are working closely with Ed Hardy licensees following a newly created retail roll out plan.” Londonedge managing director Carole Hunter said: “We are continually working to bring fresh brands to the show whilst maintaining the core exhibitors who have made Londonedge what it is today.  

“Both Ed Hardy and Hello Kitty are welcome additions to Londoncentral. Particularly, Ed Hardy will provide buyers with a first shout at merchandise given that this will be their British debut. We are also delighted to be able to assist the brand in their quest to expand business in the UK. September 2009 is shaping up to be a great exhibition!”

Products on show across the two brands (Ed Hardy and Hello Kitty) will include bags, purses, wallets, jewellery, key chains, belts, cufflinks, lighting, mirrors, glassware, disposable lighters and ceramic mugs.

 The next Londonedge and Londoncentral will take place from 6-8^th September 2009 at Olympia 2, London, W14. For further information please contact +44 (0) 1162 898 249 or info@londonedge.com. Visit www.londonedge.com.

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITORS HEAD TO UK FOR FASHION TRADE SHOW  From Japan and France to Germany and America, a flock of new exhibitors will be appearing at Londonedge and Londoncentral in September, continuing the trade show’s reputation for offering an international flavour.

Fresh at Londonedge are New Jersey label, Too Fast Clothing with a style was born from a love of punk rock. They are greatly influenced by Rockabilly, Tattoo Kustom Kulture and good ole rock and roll! Visit them at www.toofastonline.com.

   “We offer men’s, kid’s and baby clothing, but we are mainly a junior girls punk & tattoo clothing and accessories company,” explains Maureen Keough. “We will be exhibiting fashion forward t-shirts with corseted backs and DIY deconstructed-look tees plus. There will be lots of leopard and stripes and bows plus super cute tube dresses, rockabilly pencil skirts and cardigan sweaters, skull hair accessories, jewellery and more!”    Hellcatpunks is a Japanese brand jetting rock and punk inspired fashion direct from the store in Harajuku. The Harajuku girls are known for their forward-thinking fashion sense and now London will get a taste of Tokyo style via Hellcatpunks’ range of tees, shirts, trousers, skirts, waistcoats and accessories for men and women. Visit www.hellcatpunks.com to see more.  Founded in 1983 in Cologne, Germany, Surplus offers outdoor and vintage clothing and accessories. From soft fleecy hoodies to Summer washed-out cotton shorts, Surplus boasts clothing for men and women for all seasons. Their line of work boots, sneakers and bags completes the range. See their full range at www.surplus.de.“We will mostly exhibit our menswear and a few ladies items and accessories will complete the stand,” said Dennis Koenen. “At Septembers fair, we will be focused on the upcoming autumn / winter season, but we normally bring (more or less) our whole textile programme as our range is not really seasonal.”   Coline Diffusion is a French label offering primarily womenswear and is brand new to Londoncentral. From gorgeous harem pants to beautiful Summer dresses and patterned scarves, Coline have plenty on offer for buyers hunting down short-order, on-trend fashion. See more at www.coline.fr.  Italian brand OUTX will bring ladies lingerie and clubwear with an international flair to Londonedge in September. Lycra printed dresses and tops meet sexy faux-leather designs in a dramatic range for ladies with confidence. Visit them online at www.outx.it.

The next Londonedge and Londoncentral will take place from 6-8^th September 2009 at Olympia 2, London, W14. For further information please contact +44 (0) 1162 898 249 or info@londonedge.com. Visit www.londonedge.com.

Our February 2009 was the 10th anniversary of Londonedge and 11 mighty brands have been with us at every single show since we launched! We awarded each and every one of them with a special engraved gift and here are the pics to prove it…

 Many thanks to Alchemy, Fantasy shoes, Lip Service, Marche Noir, Phaze, SDL, Spiral, Stylex, Tiger of London, Toxico and Wildcat for their continued support. Londonedge salutes you!

We also ran some special competitions for free space and free hotel rooms for the next show in September 09. Limb, New Rock and Folter went away with free exhibition space whilst Clarabella and boyers Whiplash Workshop won free rooms. Make sure you enter the competitions for the next show - you have to be in it to win it!

Thanks to everyone for making such an effort with their stands in February. The award winning stands were:

 Londonedge winner - Sweet & Co

Runner Up - Carol Sadick

Runner Up - Collectif

 Londoncentral winner - Liix

 Runner Up - T.U.K.

Runner Up - Iron Fist