New York, NY: INTIMA America took place August 1 - 3, 2004 in Jacob Javits Convention Center during New York City’s Intimate Apparel Market Week. Showcasing lingerie, sleepwear, swimwear, textiles and various intimate apparel accessories, INTIMA America hosted industry manufacturers from North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Exhibitors included new designers as well as industry veterans displaying their latest designs to an eager buying audience. 2,093 buyers from across the U.S. and representing 24 countries attended the 3-day event. The strongest international buyer representation came from Canada, Italy and Japan. Buyers from department stores, specialty stores, boutiques, on-line retailers and catalogs, as well as, manufacturers and designers sourcing textiles, trim, supplies and seamless technology explored the innovative products displayed at the show.
With the hottest trends showcased on the runway, INTIMA America sizzled with four sensational and energizing fashion shows. Many participating exhibitors reported that the presentations on the runway created a positive buzz for them on the show floor. The fashion show was a beautiful and informative presentation of exhibitor designs, and was deemed an overwhelming success.
Joining the established brands represented at INTIMA America, over 50 first-time exhibitors showcased their collections and innovative product designs to buyers attending the show. “This is the first time I have shown at INTIMA. It has provided a real opportunity to meet many new buyers in a brand new market for us,” stated Nancy Morgan of Dreamsacks, presenting elegant sleepwear. Both exhibitors and buyers praised the clean layout and spacious booths. Andrea Geoly, Account Executive, Flora Nikrooz:
“We’ve been really busy. I made many appointments and nearly everyone showed up. The show provides a comfortable working environment for exhibitors and buyers alike.
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The largest group of international exhibitors came from Italy, with 7 companies representing “Made in Italy” at the show with products including lingerie, hosiery, seamless, fabrics, trim and lace. The new designers, latest collections and overall show look and services drew positive reviews from buyers at the August edition of INTIMA America. “It’s easy to shop INTIMA as it provides nice wide aisles and ample working space. And we really appreciated the shuttle bus service.”, explained Barbara Nelson, Store Manager/Owner, Top Drawer Lingerie.
INTIMA America continued its commitment to industry education by presenting an array of informational seminars designed to meet the needs of today’s intimate apparel buyers and manufacturers. A strong representation of industry leaders led the seminar sessions. Speakers included Donna Wolff, DMM of Intimate Apparel and Hosiery of Bloomingdale’s; Silvia Harven, Vice President of Sara Lee Branded Apparel; Promostyl’s senior trend consultant Rita Nakouzi; Kim Rawlings, Editor of Contours Magazine; Rago Shapewear’s Director Steve Chernoff; Eric Hertz, Director of Executive Studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT); and Mercedes Gonzalez, Director of The Global Purchasing Group.
For its November edition, INTIMA America is pleased to announce an exciting new location. INTIMA America will inaugurate the newly constructed Conference Center of FIT, the renowned and globally respected Fashion Institute of Technology. Located in the heart of Manhattan (28th Street and 7th Avenue), FIT's innovative, state-of-the-art facility will host some of the industry's top brands as well as several young and up-coming designers in a lovely, contemporary setting. The November’s show will kick off in a two-day format concurrent with the intimate apparel Market Week. The show is scheduled for Sunday, October 31st and Monday, November 1st, 2004, from 9 am to 6 pm.
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ADDITIONAL EXHIBITOR QUOTES
CARLTON HALL, Jane Hall, Owner/Designer “I have been very busy and opened a number of new accounts. My customers enjoy shopping this show because it is nicely laid out. It’s a terrific environment for doing business. I felt the fashion show was very well done. I had buyers visit my booth after every show.”
CLASSY BRIDE, Bridget Mohr, Co-Owner “The show was excellent. We were so busy yesterday we couldn’t stop for lunch. Between Pack Happy and Classy Bride we opened 25 new accounts. Additionally, we have 62 prospects thus far for follow-up.“
FEMINA LINGERIE, Jaivin Karnani, President “We found some important potential business here. The fashion show created a great deal of positive buzz on the show floor.”
HANRO, Jonathan Murphy, Showroom / Specialty Trade Coordinator “The show was very good for us. Since the working environment at INTIMA America is so good we were able to work with some very important buyers and really write orders. Also, we opened some new accounts with buyers who came in for the show.”
HONEYDEW INTIMATES, Benny Zafrani, Sales Manager “The show has always been great for us. We’ve opened over 30 new accounts. The fashion show was very successful for us as a selling tool.”
LULU’s SECRETS/LE BOURGET, Lucile Bonal-Escoubet, Owner “We were very pleased with the booth space, facility and working environment. We found the show management team to be very helpful. This was our first show in the United States and we were happy to meet a number of qualified buyers.”
NY INTIMATES, Tatyana Abramyan, Owner/Designer “This time INTIMA America has absolutely outdone itself with the fashion show. It was spectacular. The choreography for each collection was outstanding. It was obvious that time, effort and talent were the key ingredients in making the show such a success.”
ADDITIONAL BUYER QUOTES
DESIGNS UNLIMITED, Gloria Whitney, Owner “The fashion show was fabulous. It had an elegant choice of merchandise, lively music, and spirited models. It was a strong impetus for me to visit the vendors who participated.”
LULU BRANDS, Nancy Martz, Owner “I really like the layout of the show. It’s easy to shop. We were looking for bras and panties and we found at least three solid resources we plan to use.”
MY FAIR LADY, Lynn Scowcroft, Owner “We’ve been here all three days. We are very pleased with what we saw at INTIMA.”
SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL – Women Auxiliary, Dawn Costanzo “We found some valuable contacts for future development in our store. It’s such an easy show to shop.”
SARA LEE INTIMATES, Marcia Clark, Director of Merchandising “We are always looking for new resources, including suppliers. Since this show offers both finished goods and suppliers, it is very helpful to us.”
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For more show information, please contact:
Messe Frankfurt, Inc.
Attn.: Elly McCloud
1600 Parkwood Circle, Suite 515
Atlanta, GA 30339
Phone: 770.984.8016, ext. 425
Fax: 770.984.8023
