New York City: The City That Never Sleeps and “Fashion Mecca” to the World!
Year after year, thousands make their pilgrimage to NYC to catch a glimpse of who’s who in the men’s clothing world and catch the hottest fashion trends. Fashion Ave is where it all goes down. Our man on the fashion beat, Jeffrey Openshaw (a self-proclaimed “lover of cloth” and seasoned buyer for Coachman Clothiers in Knoxville, TN), braved the fashion districts of NYC and hobnobbed with some of the elite players in the industry. The results?
Market NYC recap, from a buyer’s perspective:
“Seven long days of eight a.m. meetings, late night cocktail events, and stacks of fabric swatches in-between, Coachman Clothiers is energized and fresh with ideas for Fall ’14. Our trip started off with a bang. After landing in New York we’re off to Capsule, one of the more avant-garde menswear shows in the industry. Fantastic show! We previewed Billy Reid, designed a new dress shirt for next autumn, and picked up Komono watches for our store. Not a bad start to the week!”
Jeffrey: “Alex Maier asked to snap my photo for GQ’s Street Style Capsule edition.”
Capsule Fall ’14, Basketball City, NYC.
For those of you unaware of what the NY markets consist of…every season the top retailers from around the globe interact with the world’s most discerning brands and manufactures in the menswear fashion industry. Buyers preview the newest collections from top designers and place orders six to eight months in advance. For designers and buyers alike, forecasting the fashion, trends, and marketplace is the name of the game. Drake’s of London Designer Michael Hill understands this perfectly: Drake’s ties remain an industry standard in terms of craftsmanship, and Michael’s whimsical designs and fabric selections continue to be ahead of the curve. Let’s take a sneak peek for Fall ’14…
Wool and silk paisley, Drake’s of London.
Yes, a week in New York of fashion tradeshows, private appointments in beautifully decorated showrooms, being wined and dined, and attending cocktail parties with industry leaders sounds like fun. It is, I promise! However, the direction and success of our next season is largely determined within that week. Product selection can make or break us. Purchasing brands and products with the greatest intrinsic value is our primary focus. Who cares what’s on the label—to the consumer, it’s all about product performance, functionality, and style. We believe it’s more important to use the finest manufactures rather than sell the trendiest brands. Often the two coincide, but not always. As a byproduct, our customers at Coachman Clothiers receive extreme value at an admirable price point.
Our week in New York was over too soon. Thankfully, the NY markets provided us the luxury of reviewing collections, interacting with designers, and developing relationships with the best manufactures in the menswear industry. We curated a collection of products and accessories unlike any before at Coachman Clothiers. We could not be more excited! Until next time, New York!
Photo Credit: northhillsraleigh via Compfight cc
About the Author: Jeffrey Openshaw
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