Atlanta Buyers Set for Strong Fall

ATLANTA — Retailers were betting on a range of trends — fake and real fur, prints and layering — for fall, as they shopped the Atlanta Apparel Market from March 19 to 23. Annika Sandstrom, owner of Olivia boutique in Sarasota, Fla., said, “Gas prices are down and the economy is better.” Lori Lecker, owner of Lori + Lulu in Amelia Island, Fla., said, “It’s fur and fringe for fall.” Faux and real fur were being used in jackets, vests and as trim. Slim silhouettes are dominating in pants, she said, but there’s a trend for wider legs. Jewelry trends include Baroque and bohemian, layered looks, classic and reversible. The March date is new, said Mary Sullivan Harper, senior vice president of leasing for AmericasMart, and about three weeks earlier. “We got feedback from exhibitors and did a survey about a year ago on the date pattern,” she said. “Some felt April was too late and that retailers didn’t have enough money left.” Caron Stover, managing director of temporary exhibits at the mart, said 20 percent of temporary exhibitors were new, including Dubarry of Ireland and Vince Camuto. Visiting designer and fashion celebrity Whitney Port shared tips for business success and presented her top fashion picks from exhibitors

Follow WWD on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.

Read More...